How are you guys staying in Colombia for more than 90days??

jonas says on Nov 16, 2008, 12:24:

"I have been researching a lot about work visas in Colombia."

So, doesn´t sound like you have been doing any research on PBH.

There is a search button on the top right corner that will do a search for PBH.
Also, if you want replies to your posts you should try and explain your situation a little further. Who are you, what do you do, how are going to support yourself whilst living here etc.

Now maybe start with your research and then tell us what you have come up with.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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ca321 says on Nov 16, 2008, 13:01:

Actually I have been doing research on PBH and I am well aware of the search button.... thanks for the insight.
I am looking to work for a company in Colombia. From the multiple threads I have read on PBH it seems next to impossible. However, that is what I would like to do- work for a company in Colombia. Specifically Medellin. Not looking to invest or open a business right now. Just stepped out of the Commercial Finance Industry. I was a Commercial Finance Manager. It was C-level Sales dealing with ALL types of commercial properties- investment and owner-occupied. I have also have experience working in the commercial real estate industry. What I am looking to do is work with an international company in Medellin that needs someone who can speak perfect English and who has c-level experience to deal with their US-based accounts to facilitate the communication and smooth out the overall process. In addition I could secure new accounts for them in the US. I am almost fluent in Spanish. Any constructive advice would be helpful.

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Philly says on Nov 16, 2008, 14:58:

Please, stop giving this guy the run around. They are thousands of Companies who would rather higher a Colombian for cheap labor then higher a person from a different country who would demand a higher wage. Jobs in Colombia are bascially non existant. Those people that do have jobs, lucked up or they got hooked up.

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august says on Nov 16, 2008, 20:19:

Yeah, as people have been hinting at, there are some issues you have to consider with this proyecto of yours to start working Medellin. First, let's say you could find out about some opening for some great job and then you have a sweet interview, and then it's time to look at the legalities of beginning to work. As in the US, Colombian employers are pressured by law - almost to the point of impossibility - against hiring foreigners. That's part of Colombia's long road to cosmopolitanism that it will not be likely making progress on any time soon. So it's very unlikely that they will (be able to) fight to hire you. Second, it's just unlikely that you'll find this job opening. Any classified/Craigslist looking thing down there is a joke. It's all about connections, and like people said above, if you're just getting there - you ain't got em. On top of that, Paisas are just about the least trusting people upon meeting strangers that I have ever encountered in my life. So the odds/practicalities are pretty stacked against you even if you want to work there.

This takes me to my next point, are you sure you want to work there? If you're used to working in the States or in Europe - or anywhere where equality is at least symbolically valued - Colombia is going to be a huge damn disappointment for you in the workplace. Gender, racial equality, meritocracy, even just the sense of duty to obligations - very little of that exists in the Colombian workplace as it does in the US/Europe workplace. These things are all relative of course to a degree, but these are just things you have to be aware of.

So, I suggest you go there and volunteer at first, just to see how you like the waters. It doesn't have to be for too long, just long enough to get a sense of things. I would also highly discourage you from working under the table if you then wish to transition to legit employment where you're going to refer to that previous job - makes things complicated. Whatsmore, whatever you make down there is likely going to be saddening compared to what you're used to making in the States/Europe. Just my take on things.

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kalder says on Nov 17, 2008, 02:38:

"Actually I have been doing research on PBH and I am well aware of the search button.... thanks for the insight."

Nice response to that churlish bit of censure.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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johnny2008 says on Nov 17, 2008, 05:29:

Codyintl says...

"One passport foto, they dont care the background color,"

¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿

I think in theory it ought to be a blue background, but my photos got blown out because my "clothes weren´t dark enough" I happened to save wasting a whole morning by having a black sweater in my bag.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 17, 2008, 07:35:

johnny2008 says on Nov 17, 2008, 11:03:

Like I said Cody "In theory" it should be blue. The clothes thing was out of thin air too.

I know the rules change daily but i personally like to shorten the odds

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ca321 says on Nov 17, 2008, 12:23:

Thanks for the responses codyintl and august. The more I read, the more I am surprised at all the hoops that foreigners have to jump through to work in a progressive position with a Colombian-based company. I could understand if we were a bunch of uneducated misfits running around reeking havoc,(not to say that there aren't some) but I know for a fact some of us could actually increase the bottom line profitability of a company. Which in turn would boost the overall Colombian economy. They put us in a box and make it impossible for us to actually benefit the Colombian economy. If I were them I would hire foreigners from Industrialized countries just to steal all of their ideas.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 17, 2008, 12:43:

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

ca321, your previous comment has both a charm and arrogance that will see you go far in Colombia. From your earlier post you say you don't want to set up your own business but you somehow think that Colombian businesses are screaming out to hire people like you because you will up their competitiveness based solely on your nationality and having experience in different businesses which you have somewhat arbitrarily decided are superior.

If you think that you have skills over and above those of colombian employees then I am afraid you will have to set up your own company with your own principles and do business your way. You either prove yourself right and up the stakes for all companies competing with you or you fail. Either way you have your route to a visa as a business owner which answers your original point.

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ca321 says on Nov 17, 2008, 13:18:

Johnny2008... clearly my last comment was just me bitching.... however, I will point you to my 2nd thread. The objective would be to act as the point of contact with US-BASED executives.... NOT companies within Colombia. Therefore yes.. I would definitely say that my ability to communicate and negotiate with the US BASED English speaking executives is superior to that of a native Colombian.
But it doesn't really matter what I think... because it is their company- not mine. Their government, their regulations, their systems. Off to teaching English or engaging in a business idea....

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Tejeringo says on Nov 17, 2008, 13:18:

"On top of that, Paisas are just about the least trusting people upon meeting strangers that I have ever encountered in my life.So the odds/practicalities are pretty stacked against you even if you want to work there. "

Wow this might be a real eye opener and I thought it was all the way around.This is the first time I see such comment like this in this forum but I heard it as well from a couple of Venezuelans I know.

maybe this might a good subject for a new thread.

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TobyBoy says on Nov 17, 2008, 22:01:

ca321;

While I wish you all the best; I hoep you shed your superiority complex:

"If I were them I would hire foreigners from Industrialized countries just to steal all of their ideas."

In case you haev not noticed, most major economies are already in a recession, headign itno a depression at warp speed. Colombia's GDP GROWTH is expected to hover around 3.5% in 2008, adn abotu 3% in 2009.

In any case, I still wish you all the best in wonderful Colombia.

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ca321 says on Nov 18, 2008, 10:27:

Yeah I know these posts sound cocky- I am really not an arrogant person. That is one of the last words most of my friends would use to describe me. I Just want to get to Colombia and simultaneously progress my career in my current field and I am seeing that my game plan is going to have to change.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 18, 2008, 11:11:

rhydewithdis (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 18, 2008, 13:59:

twmcm says on Nov 18, 2008, 14:00:

Sometimes reality is mistaken for arrogance.

In my experience, typical Colombian business owners are neither sophisticated nor smart enough to understand that employing a more sophisticated or smarter employee will eventually benefit the company in many ways. I've regularly noticed that a Colombian company's ability or efficiency does not correlate to said company's success or failure. There could even be an argument that efficiency is not relevant.

What you want makes sense, but sense is tossed aside when you enter Colombia.

You may be able to enter from a third-party consultant perspective, I've seen this done in a few instances; you will be hard pressed to find a company smart enough to directly hire you or anyone like you.

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davidslc46 says on Nov 28, 2008, 17:24:

Bro,

One of the fine PHB old timers answered my visa inquiring post with two words once. I am so glad he did. You want to buy sometime, get a look at some companies and some pretty girls?

Student Visa

Do some research,


David

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