Making the move

Peter (Moderator) says on Aug 18, 2007, 02:06:

Try calling the Colombian embassy if you're confused about the visas, they might be able to explain further.

Poor but snappy

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scotty says on Aug 18, 2007, 02:11:

RJ have you tried looking up some of this online? There must be some sites that have the kind of info you are looking for?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Miguel says on Aug 18, 2007, 04:08:

Have your wife deal with the Colombian embassy.

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panthdave says on Aug 18, 2007, 06:01:

RJ look how Colombia sees a United States Marriage...A Visa I think is not that important in the beginning..when you go down...Then you can get everything down there...Bed & Breakfast business Business Visa at first.. Not an expert but I have been there and gave up on the Visa System in Colombia gave me headache..I am letting my GF deal with it..Like Miguel says...I am going probably with Union Libre Spousal Visa next year..why waiting not a major issue...because I go back and forth cause I am still working here in Miami..and not leaving my job even with flights going back and forth makes sense to work in Miami than Colombia..and plus have a permanent place to stay and work here in Miami so kind have the luck of the draw to have this oppurtunity for long term plan to be in Colombia...and go back and forth..GF and I both work hard so works out perfect..we have a goal to buy a house in Medellin not Escobar Pad but something looking at the future..and putting money in the bank..

My direction is Union Libre Spousal Visa until we decide to get an official marriage in front of the Church. which a wedding is money too..

Good Luck RJ..She not be difficult..Just make sure you fill out the correct forms in Colombia before transferring your funds if you and your spouse decide to come back to the States..

Just in Case....Just in Case You want to have options..

panthdave Miami

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Gator says on Aug 18, 2007, 10:20:

As long and your wife is a Colombian National no need to have been married in Colombia.
The process can be done at the consulate have jurisdiction where you live. Additional paper work and declarations will be required if YOU want to work in Colombia or be anything other than a "house husband."

Be careful of her permanent resident-if she departs the USA and remains out of the USA her permanent residence will become invalid. She may be found to have abandoned her permanent resident status if she:

Moves to another country intending to live there permanently.
Remains outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
Remains outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.
Fails to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.
Declares herself “nonimmigrant� on your tax returns.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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panthdave says on Aug 18, 2007, 11:13:

Good Point Gator I would of never thought of that...Good information to know Thanks Gator..

panthdave Miami

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Gator says on Aug 18, 2007, 11:24:

Sr.

I should have added she will be eligible to apply for US Citizenship 90 days before her three-year permanent residence is up. If you can figure how to obtain that citizenship all restriction will disappear

good luck, amigo.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 18, 2007, 17:03:

Thanks for the advice. Actually, that is a relief about not having to be married IN Colombia. The Colombian consulate website made it pretty clear that you have to have been married IN Colombia. Great idea about just having the wife talk to them. I'll give them a call next week and hand her the phone and a pad of paper. I was looking for a reason to go to Miami anyway. That will make a great excuse for us to sneak off to the other corner of Florida for a few days.

I know there are things to watch out for as far as the wife's re-entry into the US as a permanent resident. It is good to know there is a re-entry visa. But that concern is still a future thing to worry about. Again, just trying to take baby steps in the progress towards the move right now.

Yep scotty, I checked around Online. jajaja I am here!

Thanks again. Rob

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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panthdave says on Aug 18, 2007, 17:17:

RJ..Will be a Great Move...Where in Colombia you thinking of living...???

panthdave Miami

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 18, 2007, 22:01:

Villavicencio. Maybe a pueblo outside of Villavo.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 18, 2007, 22:25:

My goal is to get a large house on the side of the mountain overlooking Villavo. Lots of people from Bogota vacation in Villavo. It is only a 2.5 hour drive through the mountains. I want to rent out rooms and have a common living area for guests. Perhaps a pool. People could hike up the mountain, as there is a nature walk up the mountain with awesome views. There is a great nightlife scene in Villavo, and lots of "tourist" types of things to do like shopping, fincas with horses and cattle, zoo, festivos constantly, etc. Like I said before, I am not looking at getting rich doing this. The place would be our primary residence. But, I think it would be wise to be able to have a little bit of cash flow. If I could just break even on bills and have a little pocket change, I think things would be great. Maybe I could get a fellow PBHappy member or two to rent a room every now and then.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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panthdave says on Aug 19, 2007, 05:40:

I will be guest to start your business that will be great...I hear ya..GF and I will drive from Medellin..Great I idea and having alittle cash flow is smart also I think its smart that its something to keep you busy..which I think is healthy and helps a relationship...Personally if I moved completely to Medellin and left my job in Miami I would definitely have to find something to do to keep my sanity...Right now have two places one in Medellin and one in Miami...GF works in Medellin and I work in Miami which I have found many Colombian Couples I know here do the samething...I know of a husband that works in Bogota and the wife works here in Miami and they keep up two places..Both Colombians..

Anyways of the beaten path there for a second I was...

RJ again Good Luck....alittle Jealous..but one day for me for the complete move..for now its both cities and flights..

panthdave Miami

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panthdave says on Aug 19, 2007, 12:02:

And that means no Paypal or Credit Cards........will hurt the business in a small way..but you know what Rubito is right screw it under the table..

panthdave Miami

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billyb says on Aug 19, 2007, 13:12:

Good luck on your venture RJ. Sounds cool.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 19, 2007, 19:17:

Why not credit cards? Are you saying that because of the potential tax issues in Colombia and / or the US? Not calling the advice wrong, but please explain. One of the options for me is forming an LLC here in Florida, and then using that business to get a business related visa for Colombia. In otherwords, if that is the approach I end up using, I will be "on the radar" anyway. But, I will wait to hear what your thoughts are on the credit card issue. Thanks again.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 20, 2007, 00:59:

Ok, so a spousal visa is cool. ??? I just worry that if I advertise on the Internet, it could come back to haunt me. The worse thing that could happen, is that I get a great clientele base, and then the US and / or Colombia figure out I have a profitable business going - illegitimately or "under the table." I would prefer to keep things legit. But, that may be naive I suppose; at least judging by your tone? I really value my sleep at night. (When I actually go to bed)

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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panthdave says on Aug 20, 2007, 09:20:

Any bank transactions if you have a business visa with a Colombian bank account which accepts Credit Card Merchant Deposits you will be under the radar..Give a discount for cash so everybody will pay with cash...and there you go Under the Table...best way to go..like Rubito said..

panthdave Miami

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 20, 2007, 09:29:

But don't ever complain about Colombia's kidnapping, murder, rotten schools, 50% poverty, etc, etc if you choose to evade your fair share of taxes.

;-)

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panthdave says on Aug 20, 2007, 10:29:

I do not complain...and don't think RJ does either....Tinto but here ya..They probably worse here in the States burying taxable income personal and business..

panthdave Miami

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 20, 2007, 10:40:

Sure, a little skimming from the till, questionable deductions and overly aggressive use of the tax loopholes is far from uncommon - from sole proprietors all the way up to huge corporations. But a business that can't survive unless it's totally under the table probably isn't a very viable business in the first place. I dislike taxes as much as the next guy, but we've all got to pay something or we're just scum-sucking free riders.

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vicshere says on Aug 20, 2007, 10:43:

here here tinto.....if everyone paid their fair share it would lower everyone's share and make it easier for everyone to live

listo

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Miguel_Clavo says on Aug 20, 2007, 10:48:

RJ, i went the CA LLC route, with an office branch in CTG.....Colombian Business Visa.....Paypal and MC/V processing but no Discover.....you can use offshore Merchant accounts to stay off the radar range, but their rates are higher.....PayPal, although not as widely used as MC/V is not actually a Merchant Account, but i think their market share will vastly increase with internet users and over time..... just remember, if the customer never learns of your B&B, you will have alot with the Captain of the Titanic.....a bit chilly too.....=)..keep that in mind versus staying off the radar....

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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vicshere says on Aug 20, 2007, 12:49:

Rubito in Canada they have 15% on everything and then still manage to take at least 30% in income tax and its still never enough.....maybe the corruption is higher in Canada...I wouldn't doubt it...they are just better at hiding their corruption than the poor Colombians

listo

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Aug 20, 2007, 13:01:

Rubito - I think your views are heavily influenced by your limited experience in the Bronx. Granted, there are big problems in the U.S. education system, but you can find plenty of public urban, suburban and rural school districts that do just fine in turning out educated young people.

As for the taxes, as long as there is an IVA (sales tax) AND an income tax, a person is breaking the law if he's supposed to pay the latter and evades it. It's black and white. I agree that the bureaucracy is cumbersome and that's a big reason so much of Latin America has a huge informal sector. But those little businesses never go anywhere, either, precisely because they aren't in the formal sector. It's a chicken and egg problem.

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goin_south says on Aug 20, 2007, 16:24:

Hey... she jus got here, and now..........
.... U R LEAVIN???
WTF?
Dont forget about that summer bash next year!
I gotta take some time to read over all that shtuff above and see if they got you discouraged yet or not ;)

Where do we go from here?

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billyb says on Aug 20, 2007, 19:53:

RJ, regarding all the great advice you are recieving on paying taxes, I have only a question. Are you willing to face the consenquences of being caught withholding tax payments? I don't know what those are, but I'm sure our tax experts will tell you.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 20, 2007, 20:52:

Hey billyb. No, I am not willing to face those consequences ... which is why I questioned the advice of a couple of the posters here; as well intentioned as they may be. I would rather do everything by the book. I value my sleep.

Obviously, when it gets to the point that it is prudent, I will need to talk to a tax attorney and/or accountant to make sure I do everything correctly. (here in the US) Then, when I get things underway in Villavo, same thing for the Colombian side of the issue.

I thought about what somebody also mentioned above, in that I can offer lower rates to cash rentals rather than credit card rentals. One legit justification would be that I would not be losing the 2 or 3 (or more) percentage for the credit card fees that would be deducted at the point of sale or deposit.

Again, thanks for all the great advice and opinions. Calling the Colombian embassy tomorrow!

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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panthdave says on Aug 21, 2007, 03:33:

And the colombian way too RJ Cash think NO IVA with Cash everybody does it in Colombia well except Exito,Carrefour ETCETC...

panthdave Miami

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gabolicious says on Aug 21, 2007, 08:52:

Robert Jorge as you may know by now I am not an american, therefore I don't have any experiences to share with you on this, but let me know if there is something I can do for you...

Good luck

Gabo

Elección no canonización....

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 19:46:

Cool, appreciate it Gabo.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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goin_south says on Aug 21, 2007, 21:14:

"..let me know if there is something I can do for you..."

I think Gabo meant, like... tend the bar, cook, tend the garden, butler...chauffeur....I think he's already lobbying for a job! If you're thinking of having a Duck Pond behind the B & B, then.. maybe I can help ;)


check your pm

Where do we go from here?

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 22, 2007, 01:41:

Well GS, this is what they do to ducks in Villavicencio.

That duck landed in the pool at the Don Lolo Hotel and the maintenance guy spent a good 10 minutes trying to get the duck to leave. He finally had to catch it by hand.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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billyb says on Aug 22, 2007, 06:18:

Is that GS getting kicked out of yet ANOTHER hotel??

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gabolicious says on Aug 22, 2007, 07:05:

LOL guys!!!!

Robert... GS is right... I can cook, tend the garden, butler...chauffeur.... hahahahahaha

anything just let me know.. I think GS is unemployed by now... so you should hire him para que deje de ser pato y se convierta en cisne!!!
;)

LOL

Elección no canonización....

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