Help needed in Miami

turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 12, 2008, 13:16:

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 13:22:

According to the numbers on the Colombian Embassy (US) website, the washington number goes through to what seems like some small family's personal voicemail. The NY consulate answers and has an easy to understand message.

Alas I am not going to NY or Washington, I am going to Miami and that is where i need to make an apointment

1 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 12, 2008, 13:25:

the folks in the miami office are nice enough...forget the phone. call washington or n.y. i used to have a couple of private numbers for the miami office, but no clue where they are now. sorry.

dwmte

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 13:34:

But can washington or NY make my appointment in Miami?
I don't doubt they are nice people in Miami, they just don't have a strong grasp on the principles of telephone accessibility

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:05:

I was at the consulate in Coral Gables last week and everyone there was helpful.I would suggest you go there in person

http://www.consuladodecolombia.com/

http://www.calirentals.net/

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:13:

Arthur, I am in Bogotá. Whilst your response has a beautiful simplicity to it, it is also somewhat restricted by a degree of impracticality

1 funny, 0 helpful.

EVERETT says on Nov 12, 2008, 16:30:

No one ever answers the phone at the Houston office unless you are one of the first few in the morning. I think they have a 10 call limit and that it for the day, the rest get the machine. Plus they are off for all the Colombian Holidays and the US holidays.

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright

1 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 12, 2008, 16:31:

john boy...you lost me. if you're in bogota why the fuck do you need the consulate in miami?

dwmte

0 funny, 1 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 16:41:

Douglas, I sent you an email about this not two days ago and don't pretend you didn't receive it because you replied to me. Mark... Muesli... Bogotá Remember?

I need my visa especial (Socio) and for some completely spaz reason I have to leave Colombia to get it (yes I have done the waiting for 2 hours in Ministerio de relaciones exteriores to confirm this)

As I am going to Miami anyway, it seems sensible to go to the Colombian Consulate in Miami whilst I am there rather than trek to Venezuela on a donkey when I get back.

I want to know specifically whether as a British national I can get it there, what days they are open around new year, how long it will take, what docs i need and whether i can have an appointment with them and whether i need to extend my visit to be sure of getting it before i come back to Colombia.

So I specifically need to get in touch with the Miami consulate and cannot just "pop in" for a chat. Maybe you will be so kind Douglas to give them a buzz on the number above, listen with your best colombian spanish ear and let me know when is the right time to call them and what option do I choose (I think one of them is over 7 yrs old but under 80)

1 funny, 0 helpful.

omargue says on Nov 12, 2008, 16:52:

just keep calling if not just go and they will take care of you, its in coral gables

1 funny, 0 helpful.

FOCA says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:09:

Im in coral gables...if no one can get you some help...i will get you that info tomorrow.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:39:

You are a superstar

0 funny, 1 helpful.

durito2 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:47:

"I need my visa especial (Socio) and for some completely spaz reason I have to leave Colombia to get it (yes I have done the waiting for 2 hours in Ministerio de relaciones exteriores to confirm this)"

You could have confirmed this with a simple search of PBH (or a visit to the MRE website). You can also find a list of exactly what you need.

Unless you have some need to go to Miami, a trip to Panama City or Quito is far easier.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

durito2 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:48:

Nombre Requisito (TRAMITE)
Observación sobre el requisito
Descripción del documento
Visa
TEMPORAL ESPECIAL COMO SOCIO O
PROPIETARIO DE
ESTABLECIMIENTO DE COMERCIO O SOCIEDAD COMERCIAL
El establecimiento debe estar registrado en la correspondiente Cámara de Comercio Se otorga por primera vez en un Consulado de la República. Los titulares de esta Visa que acrediten un tiempo continuo e ininterrumpido mínimo de 5 años, podrán aplicar dentro de los 30 días anteriores al vencimiento de la misma a una Visa de Residente Calificado. En estos casos no deben registrar ausencias del país por más de 6 meses.
La Visa de Residente terminará si el extranjero se ausenta del país por más de 2 años continuos.

Todo trámite de Visas es personal. En casos excepcionales, se acepta apoderado.

Para expedir esta Clase de Visa a los nacionales de los países no relacionados en el artículos 1 de la Resolución 273 de 2005, los Consulados de Colombia requieren autorización previa y escrita de la Oficina de Visas del MRE en Bogotá.

Los titulares de Visa cuya vigencia sea superior a 3 meses deberán inscribirse en el registro de extranjeros que se lleva en la Subdirección de Extranjería o en las Direcciones Seccionales y Puestos Operativos del DAS dentro del plazo de 15 días calendario siguientes contados a partir de su ingreso al país o de la fecha de expedición de la visa si esta se obtuvo dentro del territorio nacional. La sede del DAS en Bogotá para este trámite se ubica en la calle 100 No. 11 B – 27.

Los titulares de Visas que deban registrarse ante el DAS se identificarán dentro del territorio nacional con la respectiva cédula de extranjería. Los demás extranjeros se identificarán con el pasaporte vigente.

La vigencia de una Visa Temporal terminará si el extranjero se ausenta del territorio nacional por un término superior a 180 días continuos.

El extranjero podrá solicitar en la Oficina de Visas en Bogotá o ante las Oficinas Consulares previa autorización, el traspaso de la visa por deterioro, cambio o pérdida del pasaporte con el lleno de los requisitos señalados.
Requisitos:
• FORMULARIO DE
SOLICITUD diligenciado por el interesado
• Pasaporte con vigencia mínima de 3 meses, en buen estado, con páginas en blanco y fotocopia de las páginas de datos y usadas.
• 2 fotografías recientes, de frente, a color, fondo claro.
• Certificado de existencia y representación legal expedido por la Cámara de Comercio, con una antelación no superior a 90 días, en el que conste que el extranjero es socio o propietario de establecimiento de comercio, o de sociedad comercial debidamente constituida y registrada en la correspondiente Cámara de Comercio indicando un capital o activo registrado de propiedad del extranjero solicitante, no menor a 100 salarios mínimos legales mensuales vigentes. Si se trata de una sociedad anónima deberá adjuntarse un certificado de la composición accionaria suscrita por el revisor fiscal, indicando el valor de las acciones de propiedad del extranjero solicitante, el cual no podrá ser inferior a 100 salarios mínimos legales mensuales vigentes.
• Balances de la empresa debidamente firmados por contador público, adjuntando fotocopia auténtica de su tarjeta profesional, y cuando sea necesario por el revisor fiscal y fotocopia de la declaración de renta de la empresa correspondiente al último año gravable. Para la autorización de esta visa, el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores tendrá en cuenta la actividad que desarrolla la empresa, su interés social y su capacidad económica.
En caso de requerir mayor información consulte los siguientes documentos:
• Decreto 4000 del 30 de noviembre de 2004.
• Resolución 0255 del 26 de enero de 2005.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:49:

Cheers Durito,

I am already going to Miami so it seemed handy, I was aware that I would have to leave the country but I happened to be at DAS yesterday and they said quite implicitly that this wasnt necessarily so and I should go to MRE

1 funny, 0 helpful.

durito2 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:50:

That is not surprising.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:56:

Yes I am also not surprised

I have a flight to MIA on 23rd DEC returning 30 DEC which inconveniently happens to be Christmas, I have just purchased a second return for 10th DEC which gives me the whole first week of the new year. This will surely be sufficient time yes?

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:59:

Where is that info from that you posted durito? it's just that it is different to the info that MRE gave me today which in turn is different to the info on the colombian consulate website in Miami, only subtly different but hence my keenness to have a chat with them.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

durito2 says on Nov 12, 2008, 18:01:

Assuming they are open, yes.

It generally is supposed to take 3 days. I dropped my information off on a Monday in Quito and picked up the Visa on Friday. I wasn't in a rush though.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 18:03:

"Assuming they are open, yes."

Exactly why I would like to be able to speak to them and make my appointment!

1 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 12, 2008, 19:04:

i'm supposed to equate 'johnny' with 'mark' sorry about that.

i'll rummage through note books in the a.m. and see if i can find those numbers in coral gables for you...don't hold your breath. but i'll look. it's too late tonight, in very short order, i turn to a pumpkin.

pax
douglas

dwmte

0 funny, 1 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 21:01:

Sorry douglas, I am afflicted with a particularly pissy written tone, I meant no offence and trust none was taken.

am grateful for any help, now i have the extended stay, if i can get through to them and book an appointment for Christmas eve I am on the home straight

1 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 12, 2008, 21:04:

no clue why i'm still up ....but i'm crashin now...i'll check for that number in the a.m. also, if i can't find it..follow their advise and call the washington/ny office and ask if they have a number that'll get through as you're calling from colombia.

dwmte

0 funny, 1 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 13, 2008, 07:44:

OK I have spoken to them now, except their phones arent working too well and they have asked me to call back later.

It is a start though

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 13, 2008, 08:07:

i looked through my addresses/numbers but couldn't find any thing...sorry.
douglas

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 13, 2008, 12:21:

Right more of the same, the people I spoke to were not the consulate in Miami but a central call centre where the guy chirpily told me "Yes we have lots of complaints about the quality of service of the consulates, not just Miami mind you"

So I am still trying to get an appointment. If FOCA were able to swing by then that would be most helpful

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwmte7 says on Nov 13, 2008, 12:38:

maybe just screw an appt. and just go there when you're in town. ???

dwmte

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 13, 2008, 12:53:

Could do douglas, may have to do yet, I am just trying to eliminate some uncertainties

I have seen elsewhere on the site a company called docurapid which seemingly has a direct link to someone called monica at the consulate, how much would they charge me to deal with this shit?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

mail@bjorndeboeck.com says on Nov 13, 2008, 14:53:

Mark - I am in Miami next week for the weekend. How unhelpful is that huh?? haha I'll be back on Monday the 24th. come see my new place some time

0 funny, 0 helpful.

johnny2008 says on Nov 13, 2008, 14:59:

So Bjorn you won't happen to be in Miami on a weekday? complete bummer! I see your smart yacht has internet you poser.

Give me a buzz when you are back, and if you happen to meet anyone in MIA that lives next door to the consulate then poke them in the ribs and see if they can help me out.

0 funny, 0 helpful.