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Boat to Panama San Blas Islands and the never ending question...

Anybody out there planning on taking a boat to Panama or the San Blas islands. My tourist VISA expires on the 27th of December and I need to get out of the country on or by that date. I have researched in Cartagena about the possibilites and it costs appoximately $270 US with meals for a five day cruise. I really dont want to travel right now but I want to do everything on the straight and narrow. I have applied for a business VISA here in Colombia but they are asking for more paperwork. Does anybody have experience getting a tourist visa extension while their paperwork is in progress in Bogota with MRE. How about the long lost debate about rolling year versus a calendar year for a tourist visa. I used up all 180 days in 2007 and I plan on returing in 2008 for a couple of months on a tourist visa before I get my business visa sorted out. Any ideas or helpful hints. Has anybody had any recent experience

Thanks,

Sebas

By Sebastian on Dec 20, 2007, 09:08 in Visa & paperwork.

tomtom33 says on Dec 20, 2007, 10:23:

If you will have used all 180 days in 2007, you leave until 2008. There is no other option.

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Sebastian says on Dec 20, 2007, 16:45:

OK, Do I have to wait until July 2008? Will I have a new 60 day stamp on my passport if I come back Jan. 1? That is the eternal rolling year vs. calendar year question. Is there anybody out there who entered the country in 2007 after using up their whole six months on a tourist visa in the latter part of 2006? Thanks, I have an emergency here. Sebas

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tomtom33 says on Dec 20, 2007, 16:50:

You can enter on Jan. 1. The length of the stamp will vary depending upon whim. I have seen 30- and 60-day stamps.

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Gator says on Dec 20, 2007, 18:57:

Tomtom is correct-January 1st for a maximum of 180 days. As far as how many days you get that it up to the nice DAS agent-so smile(likely 60 days). Even with MRE involved with processing you new visa the law provides for a maximum of 180 days as a tourist. As soon as the business visa is issued you will be ruled that that.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Sebastian says on Dec 23, 2007, 08:39:

Calendar year wins! Well I will probably be one of the first to test to see if it works in 2008. My 180 days for 2007 expires Dec. 27th. If DAS doesn't help me out with a special extension, then I'm off to Quito for a few days. I really hope that DAS at the Rionegro airport lets me back in!

Thanks for your help!

Sebas

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