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Colombian Spousal Visa and Cedula question

I thought this might go in Visa section but then I really think the main question about a Cedula should be asked here. I see I can obtain a spousal visa from the consulate. It actually seems quite easy. This would allow me to get a Cedula at the DIAN office after I arrive and hence could open a joint bank account with my wife. The purpose would be to recieve a wire for the closing of a real estate property. However we would probably not be traveling back every 90 days and thus I would loss the visa. How or if would this effect our bank account as my cedula number would expire along with the visa? Second would this effect me when we eventually move there as permanent residences a few years out. Anyone have any ideas on any of these subjects? Thanks I know there are a lot of expatriots with some good experiences here.

By Brians on Jun 2, 2006, 05:18 in Friendly Talkzone.

robi666 says on Jun 2, 2006, 06:47:

Just some warnings:
1) The Cedula will take some months to be delivered. You will get a temporary "contasena" that may not be sufficient to open an account. Moreover, Colombian banks are requiring income certification to open a bank account. It happened to me in Conavi and BBVA.
2) Be sure to fill form 4 when receiving the wire and then form 11 within 3 months at Banco de la Republica. For this purpose, the apartment should be put to your name.
3) I asked to my bank and they say VISA expiration will not affect my bank account. I am not sure, though, because sometimes they can be very unreliable on infos.

"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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Brians says on Jun 2, 2006, 08:43:

Thanks Robi I understand the forms and will be filling them. However I thought I read somewhere that you can get a bank account opened with that "contasena" but who knows. If the Visa expires will I have trouble getting it again? I wouldn't think so but I don't want to do this all to open a bank account and then not be able to get this Visa when I want to make the ultimate move in a few years. Thanks

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tigredelnorte says on Jun 2, 2006, 09:51:

you might want to check it I have a Colombian spousal cedula, or should I say a card that is used in place of the cedual, that is coming. Yes it takes several months for the real thing to arrive. I have the spousal visa in my passport. This visa says 180 days, not 90 days. I'll take another look at this later today, but I'm pretty sure that it says 180. My last absense from Colombia, was 98 days, and I had no problem enterning or leaving when I went back. Be prepared to spend a whole day in Bogota going throught the process of getting your visa/cedula. make sure you will have all the required documentation, and about $200 to pay for everything. Go to the visa office first, and then . to DAS to get the cedula. It took me 2 days. You have to do it all in Bogota. Make sure you have someone with you that speaks Spanish. Buenas suertes, que le vaya bien.

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robi666 says on Jun 2, 2006, 10:41:

Brian, if i remember well, you were planning to go and live in Medellin.
When you come here, I will introduce you to the manager of my bank and see what they can do to open a bank account for you. Email me at pollofracco at yahoo.com.
Actually, having a Cedula is just one of the requirements. Some asks for it, some not.
About Cedula, you can do everything in Medellin.
About VISA, I really don't see any problem, but you can easily call the embassy and ask. The worst that can happen is that you will have to go through the process with DAS again. I have a one year VISA. I will have to renew it one month before it expires in Bogota, or, after that, at any Colombian consulate outside the country.

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z_gringo says on Jun 2, 2006, 21:52:

I also have the spousal visa/contraseña You don't need to go back every six months to keep the visa. You do need to get the contraseña, and then you can open a bank account.

However, some banks will be a pain in the ass and not want to open the account. Just take your Contraseña to Bancolombia, and open your account. Bancolombia rocks. Banco Santender, can suck it.. but hey, I'm not bitter. :-)

I waited over a year for my cedula extranjero to arrive and it didn't. Now I have been gone for a while, hopefully it will be there in September, which will make about 3 years since I first got the contraseña.

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Atrevido says on Jun 3, 2006, 09:16:

What's all this? Don't you just get your visa as a spouse from either a consulate if you are in the US or the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Bogota if you are in Colombia then present it along with the application form and proof of consignacion at the DAS office in the city where you plan to reside in order to apply for the cedula? The cedula shoulds be ready to pick up in a couple of days.

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Atrevido says on Jun 3, 2006, 19:51:

I take it back, yes you are issued a "contrasena" not a cedula. They only issue that when it becomes permanent after three years for a spouse ot five for a Temporal TS holder. However the contrasena offers everything a permanent cedula offers except for the need of an annual trip to Bogota for renewal.

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