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How long does it take to get Cédula de Extranjería in Bogota DAS office ( already have investo visa)

I know there is hundreds of posts out here on applying for a Cedula. All a great help and believe me I read all of them.

In the last year I purchased an apartment in Cartagena, that I plan to rent out from August onwards as I currently reside here in the US. Hence I need to open a checking account so I can pay the utility bills. But of course to open a checking account I need a cedula.

So I recently got a Investor Resident Visa (Expiry : Indefinte) thru a Colombian consulate here in the US. I plan to go to Bogota for a week in August. Once I step of the plane I plan going straight to the DAS office, register visa and apply for the Cedula. I need to get the cedula that week so I can open a checking account also that week before I leave.

Does anybody know if I will get the cedula within a week? I have read several posts, stating you will get a temporary Cedula that day but it sounds like that is only for temporary visa holders. But those with a resident visa (like mine) will get a "Cédula de Extranjería" that takes 8 days or greater to get. I really hope I can get the cedula number sooner than that so I can open a bank account that week.

I appreciate your time / help

Steve....The Irish guy

By sjfly2000 on Jul 3, 2009, 17:51 in Friendly Talkzone.

Gator says on Jul 3, 2009, 18:20:

You are eligible for a Cédula de Extranjería Residente because you hold an indefinite visa which will have to be renewed every five years. One of the big benefits is you can be out-of-country for two years. I would say Bogotá should have a turn around of 3/5 days. If need be you can file written request for someone else to pick it up for you. I believe this also applies to a courier service. My wife was able to have hers picked up in Cali and sent to Bogotá..

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Vadoom says on Jul 3, 2009, 19:30:

in my case a week or so. applying in person took about 2-3 hours and the whole set of fingerprints. i got a cedula with a courier

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stephen_aubrey says on Jul 3, 2009, 19:37:

I got mine in 4 days.

" Most people talk a lot, few are up for the moment"

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 3, 2009, 20:50:

A month and a half ago. 1 day to apply, running around a bit, a day and a half later it arrived in my hotel.

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 4, 2009, 04:30:

"Does anybody know if I will get the cedula within a week? I have read several posts, stating you will get a temporary Cedula that day but it sounds like that is only for temporary visa holders"
I´m living now since 2005 on a temporary Cedula (I have since 2000 a visa residente calificado indefinido). This is acepted everywhere, no problem. When somebody has a problem with it I say just call the local DAS office if it´s a legal document or not. And it works well.

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Gator says on Jul 4, 2009, 08:23:

Have you applied for the "new" cédula? The old ones expire 31 December 2009

I´m living now since 2005 on a temporary Cedula (I have since 2000 a visa residente calificado indefinido).
Why do you not have have a Cédula de Extranjería Residente CE which is good for five years and is a snap to renew?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 4, 2009, 08:29:

They were never able to give me the new one, now I´m lazy in going more to the DAS office. And I´m fine with my temporary Cedula. I can do every thing. So why stressing me? Next year I need anyway a new one.

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SonnyH says on Jul 4, 2009, 12:23:

Will someone here please tell me exactly what is needed to get a Cedula. Is it needed if you are not going to work in Colombia?

Sonny

On PBH since 2004 not a newbie

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 4, 2009, 13:44:

You have to get a Cedula when yau got a visa. When you arrive with your visa in Colombia in the first 15 days you have to register in DAS and they will give you your Cedula.

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SonnyH says on Jul 4, 2009, 13:49:

makopp5
I have never had to have a visa to travel to Colombia and my passport stamp pages are about used up.

On PBH since 2004 not a newbie

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Gator says on Jul 4, 2009, 17:12:

Get a visa-tourist entry does not rate a Cédula. Visa entry is entirely different than entry on a passport. Right but if you do travel on a visa you have 15 days to register with DAS.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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SonnyH says on Jul 4, 2009, 17:20:

Thanks Gator
Can you get the visa needed to get the Cedula before or after I get back to Medellin?

On PBH since 2004 not a newbie

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guacharaca says on Jul 4, 2009, 18:13:

sjfly200. If you apply Monday morning, you can pick up the permanent cedula Thursday morning. Then go directly to Banco de Occidente to open an account. Don't bother going to Banco de Colombia. In both situations, you will provide a Colombian address and cell number. If you open a savings account and refuse the atm card, you will not incur any monthly service charges. Also fill out the form that exempts you from the 0.4% debit tax.

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

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Gator says on Jul 4, 2009, 18:43:

SonnyH, which one of the 17 types did you have in mind?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 4, 2009, 18:52:

Gator
but he still rented an apartment in the Poblado with all incl. 3 bed-room and made incSonnyH (newbie) says on Jul 4, 2009, 15:22 (today): flag
·"SonnyH
Pharris13
I just rented a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment on the 8th floor, swimming pool, Gym, party room, maid service and all bills encluded in POBLADO for $1200,000.00. I paid a commission and one months in advance only. There are plenty of apartments there if you take the time to look/ $900,000.00 for a room is a bit costly I think but good luck in renting it out.l"

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SonnyH says on Jul 4, 2009, 19:20:

Gator,
I will be living in Medellin permanently. I am retired now and just came back to the states to tie up some loose ends but will be returning within three weeks to stay.
I am married and have a family in Medellin. I have been offered a position teaching English so there may be a point in time I will teach at one of the Universities but for now just retired.

On PBH since 2004 not a newbie

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Gator says on Jul 5, 2009, 10:42:

wife Colombian ?

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 5, 2009, 11:35:

damn, now we have 2 Irish guys???.......jajajaj.......RAAAY has some competition...jajja

Lets hear it for the new PBH Experts on Colombia! DrPhilinamillion, KY, and Darloops!!!!!!! We Salute Your Valuable Contributions to This Forum!

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 5, 2009, 11:55:

You will get a contrasena same day from the DAS when they take your cedula application. That serves as valid ID until you receive your proper plastic cedula, which is harder to counterfeit.

I suggest you apply for your cedula at DAS as soon as you hit town. Then get out and about and see the banks while you wait for your proper plastic cedula to arrive. Just tell them banks your cedula will be there in a couple of days. In the meantime you have copies of your contrasena, your visa page and passport page to show them as proof of ID.

You should expect some refusals, but knock on enough doors and you'll get your account. They may give it to you immediately with the contrasena, or they may ask you to return with the proper cedula to open the account.

I don't know if "checking account" is just a manner of speaking... but you shouldn't get actual cheques in Colombia. Expensive, and a waste of time. Ideally you want a good internet banking platform and verify your access while still in Colombia. Internet banking will come in handy for paying bills, checking for deposits received and making sure you account doesn't get leeched / frauded while you're not there.

"this may seem a strange post but it is not...when in colombia men need to be aware that colombia women may try to be seductive and entice a travelling gringo to have sex with them..to be forewarned is to be forearmed..." -- pow wow

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durito2 says on Jul 5, 2009, 12:04:

They don't even give contrasenas in Bogota. I registered my visa on a friday afternoon and had the cedula deliver in medellin on tuesday.

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sjfly2000 says on Jul 5, 2009, 17:44:

Thanks people...for all your responses to my post. Great advise..

I'm feeling good / confident now that I will my cedula and bank account open when in Bogota in August.

Yeah I'm a total gringo with little Spanish but currently learning more. But I might try and find somebody to accompany me to the DAS who speaks Spanish / English when applying for the cedula to make the process easier.

Steve

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