Cedula Extranjeria and Visa renew

beisbollover says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:42:

I know someone that renewed their cedula here in the USA via NYC and it took almost a year to arrive. I don't know why.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 14, 2008, 13:41:

Correct, GIB. You have 15 days after your first entry on the new VISA to register it at DAS. Do not wait until the 15th day. They have to tell you what you need to do-make a payment at a bank, get copies of stuff, 3 or 4 photos(an exact size with a light blue background), etc. If you go on the 15th day, they will fine you because you can not get all that stuff done on the same day.

I got my last VISA in Bogotá and left the country the next day. That only tolled one day. I still had 14 days to register the VISA when I returned. I went to DAS on the 4th or 5th day. They gave me an appointment for around 3 weeks later. The important thing is getting there within your time frame.

This was all in Medellín by the way. Other cities can be different.

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Brians says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:00:

I am not worried about the time ticking but thanks for that note. Basically it looks like there is no way to do this all stateside. At least doing the Visa in NY will save me time in Colombia. So I basically renew the Visa here and then when I have a couple days jump on a plane to Medellin run to DAS get it all worked out and jump on a plane home the next day. What a waste of $800 and two days but need to get it done.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:07:

Why fly to MDE to get your cedula? Just get it the next time you are in Colombia.

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Gator says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:29:

Brians, I assume your present visa is a temporary one and not that of a permanent resident and you have a Cédula de Extranjería Temporal, . If it is a temporary visa you can only absent yourself from Colombia for no more than six months-permanent resident is two years. According to the DAS, a temporary foreign resident card (Cédula de Extranjería Temporal)is valid as long as the visa is valid. You can renew you visa at a consulate and you Cédula remains valid until you reenter Colombia. You then have 15 days to apply a DAS for a new card. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Decreto Número 4000 de 2004.30 November 2004 has the details.

Priority-DO NOT LET THE VISA EXPIRE OR YOU WILL BE IN FOR AN UGLY SURPRISE-THE PROCESS STARTS OVER.,

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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mranderson says on Jan 14, 2008, 14:40:

How many months a year do you have to stay in colombia to keep the visa valid? If I leave and come back 6 months later then I'm fine. But can I leave again during the same year?

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Brians says on Jan 14, 2008, 15:08:

Gator I was hoping you would see this post. It is a Temporal and expires the same time as my Visa. I don't reside now in Colombia but don't want mu Cedula to lapse because my bank accounts and real estate are all reported under that number. So you are telling me the legally since I was out of Colombia last year from January until August it is really void anyway. So all I need to do is renew my Visa at the Consulate before it expires and whenever we do get back I can just run to DAS and renew my Cedula? SInce we are not planning on going back until September about 5 months from when it currently expires I can renew my Visa now at the COnsulate and then wait until my next trip to renew my Cedula? That would be great as it would save me the hassle of jumping on a plane and leaving my wife in the US for couple of days to renew now. Opinion is appreciated.

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robi666 says on Jan 14, 2008, 15:42:

No, Brian, definitely you have to jump on the next plane to Medellin. ;-)

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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tomtom33 says on Jan 14, 2008, 16:05:

I have let a VISA expire. When I got the new one, I got the same number on my cedula.

My guess is that you could just wait until you come to Colombia to register the VISA. I have done that many times.. However, as you correctly point out, your VISA may be no good now. Read your VISA to determine its conditions.

My VISA says that it expires if I am absent from Colombia for 180 continuous days. That is stamped right on my VISA.

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Brians says on Jan 14, 2008, 17:09:

Sounds good guys and good info GIB as that is really my biggest concern. As longas I can renew my Visa up here then I am set. I don't really need permanent residency now so this will save me a trip. Although I wouldn't have dreaded heading down for a quick weekend sin esposa:)

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Gator says on Jan 14, 2008, 19:09:

GBI is correct-you never get a "new" Cédula number-kinda like your SSN-it's yours for life. You will just have to renew it with DAS where ever you light, but you will need a valid visa to do that.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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eywed says on Jan 14, 2008, 23:41:

Makes ya feel like a dog jumping through hoops. For fun they throw a flaming hoop in there to make ya mad.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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tomtom33 says on Jan 15, 2008, 03:39:

A lot depends on your VISA class. For mine(2-year family), I believe that as long as I am not absent from Colombia for more than 180 continuous days, I can renew one time and then get permanent.

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elk says on Jan 15, 2008, 04:48:

You don't have to be outside of Colombia to apply for the Pensionado visa. It's a simple process and done in Bogota at MRE.....

I'm on my second Pensionado visa.

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elk says on Jan 15, 2008, 04:54:

My current visa is stamped/states: invalid "superor a 180 dias continuas"

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tomtom33 says on Jan 15, 2008, 05:07:

GIB, the first VISA rule depends upon the class of VISA. At least two classes, student and pensionado, allow you to get the first VISA in Colombia. The Rentista VISA requires that you get the first one outside of Colombia. I believe that most others are similar to the Rentista.

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lawyer CO says on Jan 15, 2008, 05:56:

like GATOR and ELK SAID, any visa expires if you stay out of the country more than 180 days per year. that means 6 months.

Now, the visa can be obtain in NY or Bogota but it all depends of the type.

Gator published something like this days few weeks ago... student, pensionado, residente ( partner of colombian citizen) and change of visa can be done in Bogota. Also investor visa and owner of enterprice.

Work visa and bussiness... outside Colombia...., but it is good to call MRE to confirm on the specific case REMEMBER IS 2008 and may existe a new rule changing this.

I would not believe in COL consulates... they have bad reputation....

Have you heard what happened in Colombian consulate in Washington DC?

Esteban
LAWYER CO

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Gator says on Jan 15, 2008, 07:30:

What consulate in Bogotá??? Do you mean MRE???? GBI, not to be argumentative but you are wrong on this one. One of the ladies in out apartmento building is a fairly hight level supervisor at MRE on 93rd and she confirmed the information.

Thanks Dr Estaban

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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wendell13 says on Jan 15, 2008, 09:54:

In my case with a pensionado visa I was told that I had to apply outside of Colombia at one of their consulates in the US. As GIB posted you get different answers from just about everyone at different US consulates

I have dealt with Chicago, San Fransisco and Miami. Miami is the best one in my opinion as they do a lot more business than the rest of them . They are very professional in Miami

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elk says on Jan 15, 2008, 13:19:

I have a friend moving to Medellin next month using the Pensionado visa which was issued in Miami. (this will be his second) The Pensionado visa can be issued in Bogota at MRE or out of country. His cedula was issued by DAS here in Medellin last year. I helped him open a bank account which took less than 30 minutes, but a cedula was required. He has spent less than two months in Colombia during the past year. He simply applies for a new Pensionado visa each year in Miami.

He is required to apply for a new cedula when 15 days of his arrival in Colombia. All Pensionado visa's and cedula's expire every 12 months. (both are temporary)

Obtaining the Pensionado visa is very easy and I have always found the people at MRE in Bogota to be very helpful and I have similar stories from others here on PBH. They seem to be very flexible.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 15, 2008, 13:22:

Elk, I'll betcha that you didn't go to Bancolombia for that account.

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Gator says on Jan 15, 2008, 14:03:

Elk, I am sure the cédula expires when the visa does-but you always keep the same cédula number

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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bill230 says on Jan 16, 2008, 09:04:

or maybe

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vicshere says on Jan 16, 2008, 09:09:

bill get your wife to get a letter from an accountant that she is "indepenantent" and earns about 1,500,000 per month.....problem solved...much easier that getting stupid forms that don't exist from banks in the US

listo

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bill230 says on Jan 16, 2008, 12:42:

vicshere - that sounds like a good idea - I'm going to try that

GIB - Mine was one year...I was surprised about the income thing too

I have been trying to confirm with MRE, but haven't been able to get through by phone. Maybe tomorrow

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tomtom33 says on Jan 16, 2008, 13:41:

My family VISA is good for 2 years. We are not married, but she is my common-law wife. I renew it once for 2 more years. Then I get the permanent VISA.

I don't remember showing any financial information, but I may be wrong.

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bill230 says on Jan 16, 2008, 13:45:

I had bad information. The expert at MRE says financial info is not required

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Gator says on Jan 16, 2008, 15:15:

TC means Temporal Cónyuge o Compañero (Spouse or Companion.) The visa is usually issued for two years but expires if the holder leaves Colombia for more than six months. Renew after the two years 30 days BEFORE the visa expires at MRE. After the third year you can make application for a RC(Residente Calificado or permanent resident) visa. Issued for an indefinite period and allows you to be absent from Colombia for two years at a time. As bill230 found out financial info not required.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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mranderson says on Jan 16, 2008, 15:17:

What happens if your absent from colombia for more than 2 years after obtaining the permanent resident visa?

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Gator says on Jan 16, 2008, 19:43:

Becomes invalid. NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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mranderson says on Jan 16, 2008, 20:07:

Damn. I was planning on going back to the states with my wife in a few years for say about 5 to 10 years. Only returning to colombia for vacation. I guess I'll lose my visa.

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Gator says on Jan 16, 2008, 20:59:

The absence must be continuous-if you return on "vacation" before two years is up you will likely be O K

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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mranderson says on Jan 17, 2008, 07:16:

Ok, thanks. I think coming back once every 2 years shouldn't be a problem at all.

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ujay says on Jan 17, 2008, 07:57:

my one ran out ,
i could do it all again ,or just get the 180 days ,but i then paid 180 bucks got a 2 year one.
no time on it as long as you come in and out in the 2 years it will be ok.pass the 2 years like i did then you start again.

www.unionjackedfilms.com

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Gator says on Jan 17, 2008, 08:39:

No time limit but if you pass (do not enter Colombia) for two years you WILL lreplay the love scene from "Deliverance." Also MRE says you must make application for renewal 30days before your visa expires-

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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tomtom33 says on Jan 17, 2008, 11:31:

"MRE says you must make application for renewal 30days before your visa expires-"

And those bastards in the Chicago embassy would not give me an appointment until I had less than 30 days to go on my VISA.

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