Getting a Conyuge Visa

CasaSol says on Sep 7, 2004, 20:19:

Criminal Check Well, I just returned to Medellin from Bogota with my wife. We had all of the papers but, alas, were denied a spousal visa because I am here on a tourist visa. More on this after we return from Panama. To answer your question on the criminal background check: I am from North Carolina and had to run around a litte but finally ended up at the country clerk's (court) office, who gave me the background check document. I am not sure how thing's are structured in Cali. but you may want to advise your parents to contact the county clerk on this matter. Of course, then you need to have an Apostille for this document, which in my case was done at the state capitol. Otherwise the document is not recognized internationally. I had this done in a few days via FedX. I empathize with what you are going through, I have never had such a run-around in my life and I am still not quite there.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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JamieJ says on Sep 7, 2004, 20:50:

You have to personally go a police station in California to be finger printed and fill out the application which is mailed to another department and it takes about 6 weeks for the results. And then you have to get an Apostille. I don't recall if this needs to be translated in Spanish and notorized first. I believe it does.

Jamie
Engage The Exotic

Jamie

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Christinalkc says on Sep 8, 2004, 00:59:

Translation, Endorsement and Notarized Yes, you need to have the documents translated into spanish and endorsed and notarized and certified with an apostille by the secretary of the state where it was issued.

suerte,christina

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 8, 2004, 04:43:

Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 8, 2004, 04:49:

perdita says on Sep 8, 2004, 07:55:

Going to the Embassy Don't just show up at the Embassy. Call 315 0811 and ask for "American Citizen Services." They may be able to help you over the phone, and if they can't, you will have saved yourself a lot of time and trouble.

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goosekirk says on Sep 8, 2004, 09:04:

A little confused I want to do the same thing, but I'm a little baffled at where to start. I'm in Bogota now on a tourist visa. I have a notarized copy of my birth certificate. I was born in Michigan, lived the past ten years in Washington.

So now I have to get two friends to write letters saying that I'm not currently married. Do these need to be notarized? Is that the same thing as getting an "apostile?" Do they need to be translated? Do the originals need to be notarized or apostilled or whatever, or the translations, or both?

And the criminal check is weird. Perhaps I can have somebody in Washington go to the police station, run a check, have it notarized, then FedEx it here -- where it would be translated and notarized again?

Then once I have these documents, I have to leave the country, apply for the fiancee visa with all this stuff, and then return?

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CasaSol says on Sep 8, 2004, 10:36:

Conyuge Visa Requirements My wife and I are off the Panama City on Monday and hopefull this will be the end to this ordeal. This has been an incredibly frustrating and trying experience. I think all of us who have had to go through it should band up and send a strong message to the Colombian government that it should firstly be more clear on the process, and secondly one should not have to leave Colombia to change one's visa. In any case, it has been a learning experience and I want to share what I know to ease the pain for others.

Here are the documents that are required for the spousal visa (much of which must be done in Colombia):

- Copy of Colombian citizen's (spouse) Cedula, notarized in Colombia
- Criminal background clearance for applicant from residence (I went to the county clerk's office for this). Must have an "Apostille", which is a document issued by your state stating that it is a legitimate document (contact your state's secretary of state office for this). This must then be translated to Spanish and notarized (in my case in Colombia). Contact the closest Colombian consulate to find out if it can be notarized in the States, since I am not sure.
- Copy of your passport (photo page and stamped pages)
- Two 3x3 centimeter photos of your face, shot straight on (no side shots)
- Completed application: "Formuilario Solicitued de Visa". We had to get this in Bogota, it doesn't appear to be on the web.
- "Registro Civil de Matrimonio", which must be issued from Bogota. We had a Medellin based lawyer take care of this and it was very cheap to have done. Write me for more info: ricolombia at mail.com
- Letter from Colombian national requesting the visa, stating why you care coming and with all personal info (passport number, US address, Colombian address). Should state that you will be an "hogar", because you are not seekinng work herre. If you are seeking work, that's another story that is even more complicated.
- Letter from you (in Spanish) stating your reasons for coming to Colombia (to learn more about the culture, to know spouse's family, etc.)
- Processing fee, which is $160 or thereabouts

That should do it. If you are in a crunch and your visa is running out you should get an extension since once your visa expires you are out of luck. Of course, this is also a big pain to deal with. If might be best to just go to the U.S. and deal with this via FedX, as long as your spouse can go to Bogota to deal with things (or have a lawyer help). Again, we used a lawyer here in Medellin for some of the requirements. Contact me if you want to use the same lawyer: ricolombia at mail.com

Once I comme back from Panama City and have everything done I will create a complete step-by-step guide to getting a Spousal Visa. Anyone wanting to join a campaign to petition the Colombian government to change their policies on visas should contact me.

Good luck.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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CasaSol says on Sep 8, 2004, 10:48:

Alternative to Conyuge Visa: Student Visa From what my wife and I were able to determine, you CAN change your tourist visa to a student visa in Colombia. All you have to do is prove that you are registered in a school. This might be a cheaper and faster alternative to the Conyuge Visa. I am not 100% on this so you should do a little more research but it seems to be easier than the runaround for a Conyuge Visa.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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goosekirk says on Sep 8, 2004, 13:40:

WOW Great information - thanks so much!! I'd be happy to help in any way to compile and edit a guide to this stuff. It really should be posted as a FAQ on this site or somewhere else.

Now, this is only for getting the visa... there's a whole 'nother round of bureaucracy to deal with when you actually get married, right? What exactly is the Registro Civil de Matrimonio?

I don't suppose you have any idea how long it takes to get the visa? It sounds like you're going to Panama to reenter under the new visa... but how does this actually work? Do you receive a document while in Colombia that says you're good for a conyuge visa, and show that to the person who stamps your passport? I can't imagine how this is supposed to work!

Any idea how long a conyuge visa can be good for? My girlfriend has another year left to finish school, and I'd like to stay here the whole time.

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JamieJ says on Sep 8, 2004, 17:58:

Atrevido Not exaggerating I did this myself in California.

Jamie
Engage The Exotic

Jamie

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goosekirk says on Sep 9, 2004, 10:19:

Where to go? Where do you go to get the Formuilario Solicitued de Visa?

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ewonder says on Sep 9, 2004, 10:23:

Try this link for the form http://www.henderson-translations.com/certificado_de_solteria.pdf

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utopiacowboy says on Sep 10, 2004, 09:11:

Goosekirk, normally you get a visa from the Colombian authorities (usually the consulate) which is something they attach to a page of your passport. When you enter Colombia you show this to them and they stamp your passport accordingly.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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CasaSol says on Sep 13, 2004, 10:15:

Finally got it (but was it worth it?) We arrived in Panama City on Friday and went directly to the Colombian consulate and within 2 hours I had the visa. But it is only for one year, not 2 as we had thought. This has been a VERY expensive process: travel to Bogota and Panama City, lawyer fees, government fees, etc. And I have to go to DAS and pay another chunk of money (150,000 pesos or so) for my cedula. And, it is not a work visa. The bottom line is if you just want to spend time in Colombia with a fiance or spouse, I would go the student visa route. It is simply too complicated and stressful to get the Conjuge Visa. And for what? One year? Crazy, really. In my opinion it is a complete ripoff and an insult. In any case, I am in Colombia for the long run, though I must say Panama is very, very nice. Unless you have somebody in Colombia to assist in the process it will virtually be impossible to do. --A warning about coming to Panama: upon entry you have to literally show that you have $500 cash in hand --

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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European says on Sep 13, 2004, 20:44:

really sad sad comments you guys have I really dont get you complaining about the Colombian procedures, first of all they are extremly fast and its up to you to provide the necesary JUST LIKE IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!! except that a visa procedure in the USA or within Europe takes at least 6 months particulary marriage visas, so please do not complain, try to clean your own house before trying to clean the contry which you visit and wish to live in.
I know as I have worked in immigration in Europe and know all the procedures, problems and the length of time it takes. Here you get an extension within an hour all you need is your passport and and pay the standard fee (The same all over the world guys nothing unusual for Colombia, deja ser GRINGOS Maricones, llorones) personally I have a resident visa here but had to go thorough all the procedures as well. Always when you go through the procedures over here in Colombia remember that if you would have done it in the US or in Europe it would have taken at least 6 months to finally found out that you didnt get it, because you needed more papers or just that they didnt believe you stop wining, and get on with it instead.
Ahora tengo una problema como estoy divorciado de una colombia, me toca registrarlo aca comoel divorcio hizimos en Europa, pero lo estoy haciendolo con calma y con la seguridad que un dia salgo como divorciado aca tambien.

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CasaSol says on Sep 14, 2004, 11:48:

Excuse me? What are you so angry about? I was merely reporting my experience in getting the conyuge visa. No more, no less. Your hateful words are only a reflection of YOU. As for me, I am happy to be in Colombia, to be with my wife (who I met in New York City) and her family. The only reason I have posted my comments is to HELP people decide whether spending many months and a lot of money is worth it. Sorry to have offended you. Clearly you have no clue what you are writing about since 100% of the Colombian people we have talked to here agree that the process is nearly impossible to navigate. Sorry you are so bitter.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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European says on Sep 14, 2004, 23:28:

Not angry :-) hehhehehe I think you must have misunderstood my comments or maybe I misunderstood your words and comments about the Colombian government and their procedures, and your words about starting a campaign with petitions? (just like the one which got AMERICANS INTO PANAMA??) Not bitter at all old chap.
But can't see anything wrong with the Colombian procedures, what I DO see is that they are faster than any US and European Immigration services (HAVE YOU TRIED THOSE? Do that and You will learn what real Bureaucracy is ) there is a also an A4 Page form which is given to you if you visit immigration in parque 93(BOGOTA). where it is listed all the documents you need for a VISA stating all different types of VISA and their requirements, what is complicated with that? You also say that its to stressful to ask for a spouse visa? whats difficult with it? a marriage certificate your passport and some other basic documents? far less than is asked in any other European country or American state (PANAMA). Life is not more complicated than you make it old chap. Let me inform you that in Europe you get just 3-6 months first time when you are married, so getting 1 year visa is pretty good compared with that, and I actually know people that have received residence permit visas at once, most likely depending on the case.

Just one last thing I worked for Immigration in tourist, marriage and working visas in Europe for several years coworking with Embassies and foreign embassies (US etc) so I think I do know what I talk about, and I have been living off and on here since -92 and Im currently involved in helping a friend through the "difficult process" which is not so difficult :-) just "read" the requirements in the form get the papers hand them in and you'll have an answer within 3 hours (compared to American states and European countries minimum six month wait) I wish you all the best and and dont get demotivated just because you are asked to get a few certificates, this is a great country for people who wish to work hard and invest money. Dont start with amnesty bullshit and start a campaign and filling in forms to change immigration policies (they ARE working just fine!) thank God Communism is dead.

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CasaSol says on Sep 15, 2004, 08:39:

A win-win situation for Colombia There is nothing wrong with wanting to change laws, it is part of the democratic process and the last I knew Colombia is a democracy. I think it is kind of patronizing to say one should just accept things as they are. Colombia benefits from feedback and input, just as any country. Colombia and its economy could certainly benefit by allowing visitors to stay within the country to extend their visa. At the consulate office in Bogota I witnessed dozens of people, of all nationalities, being told they have to go to a neighborhing country to change their visa. Many left the office in tears or furious. I wonder if the Colombian people would prefer that these people be allowed to stay within the country´s borders and spend their money. My wife and I spent $600 to go to Panama, money which could have been spent locally. Wanting to address this situation by writing to the proper tourism or immigration officials is a reasonable move. Maybe you are rich and retired, so you have nothing but time and money on your side. But many people, both in Colombia and abroad, would find it impossible to cover the expenses of getting the conyuge visa or to navigate the process, which in my case took 6 months (Miami-Bogota-Panama). It is a win-win situation when visitors have a clear idea of what the requirements are for any type of visa, can stay within Colombia´s borders to change their visa, and spend their money in Colombia.

Ricolombia.com | The Guide to Colombian Culture, Crafts & Travel

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