I want to spend a year in colombia

I want to stay in medellin for a year. I heard I can stay up to 6 months with a tourist visa. (I'm from the U.S.) I also plan on studying spanish at a university and they told me that they can arrange a student visa. But I don't plan on studying the whole time and when the classes end I still want to stay until February of '08. So can I extend the tourist visa after I finish classes because I think the student visa will expire when I am no longer registered in the school. Can I go there now and register for a class towards the end of the year and not have to leave?

By mranderson on Jan 9, 2007, 20:15 in Visa & paperwork.

ColombiaBoard says on Jan 10, 2007, 16:48:

Visa Upon arrival you get a 30 day permit, then you have to pay I think it's 50 dollars for another 60 days. If you want to stay longer you need some type of Visa, a student visa is a good option.

Wastelandlive says on Jan 10, 2007, 17:12:

Don't worry. It's not that complicated. The government isn't tracking your enrollment. Apply for the student visa (you should do so OUTSIDE OF Colombia) and ask for a year.

Don't be too specific about end dates. Just tell them when and where you are starting, and that you plan to be there for a year.

They'll issue it to you. Once you have it, it's valid, whether you are studying or not.

There are no jack-booted thugs checking in on you and your activities.

Wasteland

mranderson says on Jan 14, 2007, 15:40:

student visa the university, in this case its eafit in medellin because they have a spanish for foreigners program...they said that they will issue the visa after I get there and its only valid while I'm registered for the class. I'll have to prove my register and I'm guessing they will make it expire when my class is over? I think I may have another option. I have a friend in bucaramanga that owns his own buisness..He makes clothing for children. I think that maybe he can help me get a work visa and say that I work for him even though I won't be working for him. He is willing to help me but does anyone know if this really works? HOw does it work and can I live in a different city. Will they have someone checking?