Can anyone answer this

Crazy4Cali says on Aug 24, 2007, 12:04:

They can come back for another 3 months (up to the 180-day limit) on a tourist entry/visa without any problem.

As far as dual citizenship, I think both parents have to be Colombian citizens and if he's male, you might want to wait until he doesn't have any military obligation.

Just my $.02 from the cheap seats

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thur says on Aug 24, 2007, 12:19:

"Also if his mother was born in Colombia can he get duel Citizenship? I heard he can."
Yes. He should ask his mother wether she has already done the first step by registering his birth in Colombia or at the Consulate, after that comes asking for cédula and then passport.
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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njtea5 says on Aug 24, 2007, 12:23:

ok is it 180 days per year?

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Gator says on Aug 24, 2007, 12:35:

only one parent needs to be a Colombian national for dual citizenship. contact the consulate have jurisdiction for your state for full particulars.

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

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ColombianoGringo says on Aug 24, 2007, 13:15:

There is information about the process in this post.
http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/dual-citizenship4/

FYI: Make sure to try the google search at the top of page. Most of these types of topics have been discussed in detail and you won't have to wait to get your answers.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 24, 2007, 17:11:

Gator stole my thunder. Yes, with one parent as a Colombian, he can be considered a Colombian citizen. He should keep in mind military obligations as a Colombian citizen. If he enters and exits as a US citizen using a US passport, no problem (probably)... except the 180 day rule. But, if he uses his Colombian passport, if he were to get one, so as to stay without time limitations, he could be obligated for military service in Colombia.

As far as the 180 day rule ... it has been beat to death, and basically there is still no "set in stone answer" here. Just use the Google search function at the top of your screen to get more info. But, my opinion is err on the side of caution and plan on being able to stay in Colombia for 180 days for a running 365 day year - not calendar year. Though, there are very good arguments and examples of apparent exceptions to this rule.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 24, 2007, 17:58:

I think Gator has answered the question in another post. It is a calendar year.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 24, 2007, 18:06:

I think Gator has answered the question in another post. It is a calendar year.

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englishhunk says on Aug 25, 2007, 04:39:

actually Gator changes his opinion frequently....first time he said rolling year, now hes back to calendar year ?

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tomtom33 says on Aug 25, 2007, 05:15:

Yes, he's back to calendar. Hell DAS and MRE don't seem to be able to understand their own regulations. How can we?

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Gator says on Aug 25, 2007, 07:50:

My post from the first part of August 22, 2007. If there was.is any confusion on my part I apologize. My inquiries, abet some time ago, gave every indication it was a "rolling" year(what ever that is). I thought at one time the total stay was 180 days from the date of entry (would this be a "rolling"year??) NOT a calendar year, After my meeting with Sr. Herrea, Coordinador de Visas e Inmigración, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in Bogotá I am convinced it is a calendar year. Read the below post.

Perhaps englishhunk, based upon her frequent visits to Colombia and to MRE/DAS, could clear this up once and for all

"Six Months Calender Year, But..... I went to MRE, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, in Bogotá several months ago on another matter and met with Sr. Herrea, the Coordinador de Visas e Inmigración, one the the upper-level supervisors. I took this occasion to ask for clarification of the length of stay for a tourist who is on a tourist visa or using a passport.

1. DAS is NOT the agency who establishes visa requirements or policy. DAS only enforces laws and policy established by the MRE.

2. Tourists traveling on an issued visa or visiting from a country that does not require a visa for entry may stay in country for NO MORE han six(6) months in a calendar year.

3. DAS is solely responsible for enforcing fines or other legal sanctions on persons who overstay a visa or entry. MRE does not get involved in this process.

4. He was SPECIFICALLY asked if one could exit the country on December 31 and return on January 1 for another six months. He said, in his opinion, this would be considered an attempt to circumvent the intent of the six-month limit but DAS could allow or deny at the point of entry-DAS decision would be final and no appeals.

5. He said any entry into Colombia was at the sole discretion of the DAS. Entry could be denied at the point of entry into Colombia, a seven-day stay authorized or a maximum of 180 days-that part of the procedure was solely under the control of DAS.

6. While he would not really comment on what the DAS policy or procedure were he again advised that agency (DAS) is the Colombian enforcement agency for immigration and immigration violations.

That being said I will not recommend a little "present" under the table. Some one asked what could they do deport you and who pays? More than that-it would be a criminal offense in Colombia and you could be detained until $$$ for a ticket out of Colombia arrived plus the fine. Don't even think of contacting the US Embassy-you will get no sympathy or help.

Hopefully this will help. But you must remember-COLOMBIA IS COLOMBIA. What you are told, what really happens and what is the law can and does vary from agency to agency and from office to office within agencies.

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

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jinksmiester says on Aug 25, 2007, 08:28:

Sounds like they could,nt even answer the question properly...(if you leave dec 31...come back in jan1st...or for that matter jan 31st)....i think to be safe id stick to a rolling year...Its too bad they could,nt give a straight answer...is it a calender year or not....he says yes and no...a roll of the dice

A man is not old until regret takes the place of dreams

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Gator says on Aug 25, 2007, 10:02:

It all boils down to what ever the nice agent says when you present you passport. Thank God, being a permanent resident and Mrs. Gator being a Colombian natikonal, the problem no longer applies to us.

See number 4-You pays your money and you takes your chances.

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

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ColombianoGringo says on Aug 25, 2007, 16:44:

For anyone with dual citizenship...

According to a few DAS agents I've asked, all Colombians citizens are supposed to enter the country with their Colombian passport. This is obviously not enforced. I always enter Colombia with my US passport and they never blink. I always have to see the supervisor, but that is only because some guy with the same name is wanted in Colombia.

However, if I was to use my Colombian passport to enter Colombia, upon returning to the US would US immigration give me any grief for not having any Colombian stamps in my US passport?

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