Extended Stays in Colombia

englishsettler says on May 19, 2006, 16:49:

hi, im english national too who is also in exactly same situation. I was there in February and then in March. I want to saty longer too. Im currently back in UK. I didnt think you could stay 180 days...so will be interested to hear what you find out.

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Gator says on May 19, 2006, 19:14:

The 180 Days Will Start... 24 February 2006. I am a long time permanent resident living in Bogotá married to a lady from Cali. In all probability your best bet would try for a student visa. Among other paperwork you will need proof of funds: if the student has been awarded a grant, he must produce the original document entitling him to the grant. If he will be supporting himself, he must produce recent bank statements or proof of income, a Personería Jurídica (Certificate of Existence from the school you want to attend), The original letter from the Colombian school certifying that the applicant has been accepted for the program. I am not sure if this can be issued internally or you will have to apply at a Colombian Consulate out of the country. MRE in Bogotá can answer this question.

Good luck
.

"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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royed31 says on May 22, 2006, 15:41:

Thanks for your reply.

Well I suppose marriage is another answer to this and Colombian ladies are gorgeous. Student visa looks the only viable answer so i need to find a course that is non intensive, maybe a year, and do it that way. Just not sure on how expensive it is going to be.

Thansk for your replies

Roy

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lost says on May 24, 2006, 08:50:

ROY Hi Roy, This happens to be my speciality, i have overstayed tourist visas all over latin america, including Colombia.
The DAS are one of the most helpful and organised homeland security folk i've come across yet.
I'm also a british citizen, and ended up living in bogotá for over a year.
I too was in exactly the same position, trying to organise a tourist visa etc.
Your total amount of tourist visa days including "free" three extentions is 180 days correct. (these three free extensions can be made at once, saving you having to go back after every 30 days.)
you need to believe me on this next part.
You dont need a visa. Thats right, you can overstay your 180 days for a very long time.
I personally overstayed for 6 and a half months!
theres no severe consiquences invloved, no risk.

20 days (10 days minimum) before you leave colombia you have to declare at the DAS that you have overstayed, so they can organise the fine to be due payed, and the "salva conducta."(this is a slip of paper you show at the airport)
You'll have to make a declaration of what you were doing, and your reason for overstaying,(truth or lie not important, just a decent reason, for example, a girlfriend, extensive travel within colombia, looking for a job, trying to organise a student visa, looking at universities, studying spanish etc.) The DAS don't go into much detail.
Just be humble and polite, everything is made much quicker.
The fine depends on whether they like you, so be nice!
I paid about 140,000 pesos total for 6 'n half months, although i've heard of people paying up to 300,000+pesos. i have reason to believe it also depends on where you address resides, for example if your staying in a hotel in andino, its gonna cost more than if your camping in parke bavaria.
Then pay the money into the DAS account at Banco AV Villas next door to the DAS office.

In the end it works out much better, less hassle, and cheaper relative to a work visa ($100), or a student visa ($can't remember).

I've also overstayed in Venazuela, Nicaragua, and Chile.
I've een travelled on an expired passport.
Red tape is so much easier than what they want you to believe.

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caulfield2 says on May 24, 2006, 19:17:

Work visas are now $205 per year

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Gator says on May 24, 2006, 19:43:

Student Visa This visa allows multiple entrances and it may be issued for up to one year. It may be renewed in Colombia until the completion of the applicant's studies. Cost $40.00 and called a TE Visa



REQUIREMENTS

1. Valid Passport with at least 3 available pages and valid for a minimum of 6 months.
2. Two (2) passport copies, including the information pages as well as all used pages.
3. Two (2) original (not photocopied) Visa Application Forms fully signed and completely filled out.
4. Three (3) color passport-type photographs (1.5�x1.5�).
5. Copy of Admission Certificate from the Colombian Institution. This certificate may be a copy of the registration certificate or a fully certified copy of the agreement between educational institutions in the case of an exchange student.
6. Proof of legal existence of the Educational Institution in Colombia. This is a certificate known as: CERTIFICADO DE PERSONERIA JURIDICA in Colombia.(To make sure it is really a school)
7. Certificate of Record Search. This is a police clearance certificate showing applicant's criminal record (if any) and is known as a "Certificate of Record Search". This certificate must be updated (issued within the last six months), translated into Spanish and both versions (English and Spanish) and must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the secretary of state of the State where it was issued. This certificate is required ONLY if you do not hold a current Colombian visa.

8. Proof of Financial Solvency. Bank statements of the last three months, certificates of income, income tax or any other financial documents of the applicant or affidavit of support from parents or person paying for applicant's studies and related expenses while in Colombia. If a scholarship is financing the studies, a certification from the International Orginazation, or State or Private institution stating this fact is required.


"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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