Colombian Citizenship?

francis says on Feb 6, 2008, 16:37:

I am a US citizen and my husband is Colombian. In 2005 my husband and I decided to move to Colombia. Before our move to Colombia I went to the Colombian Consulate in Los Angeles and applied for a Visa de Conyugue it is valid for two years and you can only travel outside of Colombia once every 6 months. When you enter Colombia you will also need to go the D.A.S. office to register and apply for a cedula de extranjeria. The process for the cedula de extranjeria takes about 6-9 months in the mean time you are given a temporary card called (contraseña). It is my understanding that if after 3 years with the Conyugue visa you are automatically granted Colombian residency. Our plans to live permanently in Colombia changed after 18 months of living in Bogota and are now living in the US.

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adrienne79 says on Feb 6, 2008, 17:01:

"you can only travel outside of Colombia once every 6 months"

Not true, you can leave as much as you want on a conjuye visa but you can't be gone for more than 6 months at a time (or possibly per year).

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 6, 2008, 17:08:

From what I have read here and the information I have gleaned, there is no reason for a US citizen to obtain Colombian citizenship. The only benefits from obtaining Colombian citizenship would be if you want to make a symbolic gesture for personal reasons. You can obtain a visa fairly easily and then become a permanent resident over time.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Atrevido says on Feb 6, 2008, 17:32:

I recall reading somewhere that full citizenship takes a long, long time but in the end you can vote.

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Robert Jorge says on Feb 6, 2008, 17:37:

Yep, you can vote, be drafted, and have international travel extremely restricted. And I recall the same thing Atrevido: it takes a LONG time and is quite daunting. For example, our member Gator chose not to pursue citizenship because of the process and lack of advantages.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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jorgegdiaz says on Feb 6, 2008, 18:38:

google "citizenship" on the box on top. You´ll find a several posts about it

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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vicshere says on Feb 6, 2008, 19:03:

It is my understanding that if after 3 years with the Conyugue visa you are automatically granted Colombian residency.

not true
3 with Conygue visa then 2 years with a resident visa then nationality

listo

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vicshere says on Feb 6, 2008, 20:04:

The 3 day card you talk about Rub is only a temp card ...you get a really nice card with a embeaded chip, pic and finger print on it later about 4-6 months I would say.....and its not laminated it like a credit card

listo

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Gator says on Feb 6, 2008, 21:28:

Rubi:

Vicshare is is correct. When you return you will get the contraseña. Then,after about four to six months you receive the Cédula de Extranjería Temporal which, is issued to individuals who hold an indefinite visa, which in your case is the coyuge. As you know this is a temporary foreign resident card is valid as long as the visa is valid. It is my understanding an individual with a temporary foreign resident card can leave the country for up to six months at a time, an individual with a foreign resident card can leave the country for up to two years at a time ( Article 9 Decreto Número 4000 de 2004)

After three years with this particular visa, according to Article 51 Decreto Número 4000 de 2004) a resident visa (Visa de Residente Calificado) can be issued either by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or by Consular Offices. Resident visas can be issued to foreigners who have held a temporary visa for five years in a row or three years with a "spouse" visa and who have legally resided in Colombia during this time, and who submit their request at least 30 calendar days prior to the expiration of their current visa. Then you get another cédula called a Cédula de Extranjería Residente. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LET YOUR PASSPORT EXPIRE!! YOU ARE NOT GRANTED PERMANENT RESIDENCY AUTOMATICALLY-YOU MUST APPLY. PERMANENT RESIDENCY MUST BE RENEWED EVERY FIVE YEARS.

BTW, Rubito, I did not know you got married yet-congradulations

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

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Bren68 says on Feb 6, 2008, 22:31:

Also, I believe this correct as well if you decide to become a Colombian citizen and are under 50 years old. You will be required to do Military service or show cause why you cannot. Just a small point to consider before accepting Colombian citizenship. Correct me, if i'm wrong?
So , may be advantageous to remain a permanent resident in that case, rather than go for full citizenship

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Peter (Moderator) says on Feb 6, 2008, 23:13:

Sounds like an exciting plan, let us know how it goes!

As for the citizenship: there doesn't seem to be a real reason to get it, as has been said. Do you have a specific reason to get it?

Poor but snappy

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Gator says on Feb 6, 2008, 23:30:

I believe the age is 18 to 24 years and the required time is 18 months.. If your were naturalized after age 24 you would be exempt. When a male turns 18, they must define military status (definir su situación militar) by appearing at a recruitment center where the recruitment authorities will determine whether he is exempt from service (. If not entitled to exemption based on non-medical grounds, the individual will undergo a medical examination to determine if he is eligible, called an apto, for military service. There are a lot of exemptions one which is per tenant to this discussion is while being married and taking part in "conjugal life" (vida conjugal ) is grounds for permanent exemption from the performance of military service.

If your Spanish is up to it go here: http://www.ejercito.mil.co

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

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jorgegdiaz says on Feb 7, 2008, 04:43:

I forgot to give you another option Morgan: Wait until Gator answers... hehehe

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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jorgegdiaz says on Feb 7, 2008, 04:43:

About military situation. Yes, males are eligible to join the military until they`re 50. However right now they`re not recruiting people over 24 if you finished H.S. or 27 -28 (I believe) if you`didn`t finish H.S. If you have a H.S. you go for 12 months (Army) ,if you don`t you go for 18 months (Army or Navy infantry).
When one applies for U.S. citizenship, one is requiered to pledge alligeance to the country and to take arms in case of war (males and females regardless of age). I know several people who never became U.S. citizens b/c of that (mostly Europeans though).
Unless there`s an international conflict (which in this case will be Chavez or Ortega invading San Andres) the military won`t call people over 24. In such case they`ll start calling "reservistas". People who were in the military and who`s tranning was the shortest time ago.

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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rocinante says on Feb 7, 2008, 05:04:

"Then, after about four to six months you receive the Cédula de Extranjería Temporal which, is issued to individuals who hold an indefinite visa"

4-6 months? Wow after the flimsy contraseña, I got the real one in only two months. I guess they were faster in the summer? I'm in Medellín but all the printing happens in Bogotá - go figure.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Atrevido says on Feb 7, 2008, 06:31:

Gator: "PERMANENT RESIDENCY MUST BE RENEWED EVERY FIVE YEARS."

Not quite correct. The CEDULA DE EXTRANJERIA must be reapplied for every five years but the VISA RESIDENTE is permanent.

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vicshere says on Feb 7, 2008, 06:48:

yup i think your right ATR
visa and cedual are 2 different animals

listo

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aztec says on Feb 7, 2008, 10:57:

"Our plans to live permanently in Colombia changed after 18 months of living in Bogota and are now living in the US." francis

Could you elaborate on your reasons for returning to the States?

Thanks

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Gator says on Feb 7, 2008, 13:04:

Correct:. The CEDULA DE EXTRANJERIA must be reapplied for every five years but the VISA RESIDENTE is permanent.

Ah! The hour was late and the aguardente strong.

Rubito Loss of citizengship only under two circumstances.

Although a person's enlistment in the armed forces of a foreign country may not constitute a violation of U.S. law, it could subject him or her to Section 349(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1481(a)(3)] which provides for loss of U.S. nationality if an American voluntarily and with the intention of relinquishing U.S. citizenship enters or serves in foreign armed forces engaged in hostilities against the United States or serves in the armed forces of any foreign country as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer.

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

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lpdiver says on Feb 8, 2008, 22:39:

Could is the key word...

"The United States does not formally recognize dual citizenship, but neither does it take any stand, politically or legally, against it. No American citizen can lose their citizenship by undertaking the responsibilities of citizenship in one or more other countries. This is true even if those responsibilities include obtaining a second or even a third citizenship, swearing allegiance to a foreign state, voting in another country's election, serving in the armed forces (even in combat positions, and even if the state is a "hostile" one), running for office, and if successful, serving.5 Informed constitutional judgment suggests Congress could legislatively address any of these, or other, issues arising out of these multiple, perhaps conflicting responsibilities.6 Yet, to date, it has chosen not to do so."

I hold multiple pass ports one in a different name. The US govt knows and doesn't like it but they also have done nothing about it other than hassle me at the border a few times.

t

"cook some rice!"

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