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Colombian visa - any trouble with immigration into USA ?

I have decided to travel Colombia, which seems to be the perfect place to go in South America. But...

I hold an Indian passport and live in USA on work visa. Would a Colombian visa on my passport get me into any trouble in future immigration checks into USA ?

Has anybody (irrespective of nationality- US, non-US) experienced any sort of trouble with immigration into USA with a Colombian visa for a previous trip ? you know..
being singled out for "random" security check and asked questions like - purpose of trip to Colombia ? are you a drug dealer ? any connections with FARC ? Etc..

I had asked this question on Lonely Planet forum, and I got 3 helpful answers. They all said its perfectly fine and not to be paranoid. However these are travellers with tons of visas on their passports - another visa from Colombia will not draw attention.

But in my case.. this would be my first visa to a South American country, and third visa overall, after US and Japan. The immigration authorities might find it quite odd to have a Colombian visa when there are so many other popular countries to travel to, like Brazil and Peru. They might get suspicious and wonder about true intentions.

Thanks in advance for reading this post and any help would be appreciated. I really want to see this beautiful country.

By antelope217 on Jun 14, 2008, 19:29 in Travel tips.

jenny6 says on Jun 14, 2008, 19:32:

No, not at all. When I fly back to the states, I'm greeted very warmly. I only hold a Colombian visa. Security gives Colombians a really hard time at the airport when they go through immigration, but I've never had a problem returning to the states. This is from my experience. I really don't think you will have any problems. Good luck!

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gimmedub says on Jun 14, 2008, 20:06:

nah - I travel to colombia at least 12x a year and the only problem is the long friggin lines in MIA customs...

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Gator says on Jun 15, 2008, 06:26:

Nope, probably never a second look

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

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rjstuff says on Jun 15, 2008, 08:39:

I am an Indian with a US passport but I never would allow someone to scare me into traveling where I want to. If you come across as a sneaky person they might be suspicious and question and search you - but its your demeanor not your passport that determines how they treat you. And by the way in Colombia - when you are returning - they will search every inch of your baggage - but thats normal for both Colombians and non-Colombians. Enjoy your trip and try out the Empenadas - they are like samosas and very tasty! Ah yes and you need at least one Aguilla for one Empenada!

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twmcm says on Jun 15, 2008, 11:03:

I had a problem entering Australia once - thanks to a Colombian visa that was happened upon by the Immigration inspector. The problem was the length of my stay in Colombia - one day.

Oz Customs then thoroughly searched every square centimeter of my bags, belongings and person. They even took every plastic card out of my wallet and travel case and dusted the edges for signs of cocaine!

I had nothing to hide; the three-hour process was nothing more than a waste of everyone's time.

Unless your Colombian visits are very short, this should not apply to you.

---

Separately . . .

A Canadian friend had a similar issue last summer when he was screened for a U.S. security clearance.

He had a lot of weekend visits to Colombia (arrive Friday, depart Sunday). He had to provide an explanation (see a girl) and that was it.

---

You shouldn't have any issue . . .

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guacharaca says on Jun 15, 2008, 12:31:

If you are at big airport that normally sees flights from Colombia (LAX,MIA etc.), there are no problems because the agents are used to seeing travelers going to Colombia. However, when I go through YVR, the young inexperienced officers get a little nervous and figure this is their big chance to shine by saving Canada from whatever might be in my bag. Always smile and be polite as they ravage through your bags. While they are going though your bags, they also tend to get a little annoyed when you point out that their English to Chinese translations are incorrect and sound foolish.

Despite what anyones says here, all other things equal, a non US citizen will always have it harder at the US Customs than a US citizen. The officers are required to be more suspicious when they see that foreign passport.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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derailment says on Jun 15, 2008, 22:07:

I have traveled to Medellin twice with my passport from Mexico and my permanent resident card, and never have had any trouble with costums since I have nothing to hide. Juts the 1st time I was selected to be "randomly" searched but they were the usual quiestions , time spent in Colombia, nature of travel etc etc .
They checked my bags and my camera , I was told they did that to rule out any kiddie porn. Just go there have a good time and when you come back just be yourself.

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