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Ministry Questions concerning getting my Colombian Visa

I have tried many times contacting the Ministry of E.R. in Bogota and it is so hard to get them on the phone and they take weeks to respond to email so I figured I would rely on some of you who have been there, done that to ask some questions...

Please, even of you only know the answer to one, feel free to help me.

Background- I moved to Bucaramanga, Colombia over a month ago from the US. I am here as a tourist knowing I would be getting my status changed. This last weekend, I went to San Andres Island with my now Husband and got married. The marriage has been registered and we have five copies to start the process to get my Conjugal/spouse visa. (We have no desire to move back to the USA. We want to stay here.) In about two weeks, I am leaving Colombia for approximately two weeks to go to Hawaii with my US family. I have my ticket to fly directly back but here is where I need your help…

1) How long does it typically take in Bogota to get the Visa. Is it issued the same day or do you have to return to the ministry again or is it mailed??? My hope would be I could get it taken care of the day I fly out to go to Hawaii. My flight to MIA is around 2pm. But then again, can I get it and then leave immediately with it? Going to an Embassy in the US is out of the question, I won’t have the time, unless there is and embassy in Maui (yeah right!)

2) I have also read about some people saying you have to leave Colombia to get your first visa. Is that still true? I have not seen anything official about that but I will admit that the information I have is very limited.

3) Lastly, if I don’t get the visa before I go back to the US and return, will I have a problem entering as a tourist again? This first go around I was admitted for 60 days (that is what I asked for and they didn’t check for a return ticket or anything). This time my ticket is one way and I am scared that they will need to see proof of onward travel, will they? Can I just tell them I plan to leave by bus to Ecuador or something? Don’t worry, I would never overstay, I just need time to get that visa. It is so hard for us since we live in Bucaramanga and have so much going on right now.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

By adrienne79 on Aug 29, 2007, 14:23 in Visa & paperwork.

capitan_centella says on Aug 29, 2007, 15:11:

Adriene, it´s a lot better if you go with your own embassy, and talk about it. Do not wait for a respond that probably won´t never appear. (it sucks, but I´m sorry it is the way it is.)

"When you open your eyes, you turn around with the world, But it can change, if you only close it, and see a dream to yourself." Me.

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vicshere says on Aug 30, 2007, 06:17:

if you have all.... I mean all your documents it can be had in one day....but all documents...but if I remember correctly I thought the first visa needs to be applied for outside the country...but I am not sure if that has changed of late

listo

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aracne says on Aug 30, 2007, 08:48:

Hi Addriene: This is what you must do in order to obtain your spouse visa. According to the Ministry of Foreign Relationships in Colombia you can obtain your first temporary visa directly in Bogota. They only do this in the morning but it takes no longer than five hours to obtain it if you have all the requiered documents. The cost is 160 USD but I'm actually not sure if American citizens has to pay it; in any case the bank is at the Ministry offices and the payment must be done in Colombian pesos. You will need some documents: A copy of the "registro de matrimonio", a copy of your husband's cedula, a letter from your husband to the Ministry requesting a visa for you (all of them notarized). I think this is all. Good luck with it.

P.S. You will be granted with a tourist visa (if you don't have any other) every time you came to Colombia. It will allow you to stay in the country for six months top every year. I think that's enough time for you to complete the other requirements.

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elk says on Aug 30, 2007, 11:51:

I just returned from MRE in Bogota after renewing my Pensionado visa. I would get there early 7:30 AM...It took me three hours and they issued visa's on the spot if you have all required documents. Mine was the Pensionado visa, but I saw others applying for a different type of visa they they too received there visa the same morning.

My benefits letter issued by the U.S. Embassy was legalized the same morning before going to MRE.
I noticed MRE was very busy this trip with about 75-100 people in the waiting room.

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adrienne79 says on Aug 30, 2007, 12:02:

Thanks all! It sounds a little risky to do it the day I leave for the states but it sounds easy enough to enter as a tourist again and then take care of it when I get back. Thanks for all the info.

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Francijoe says on Sep 20, 2007, 15:12:

Im married to a Colombian. We got married in The United States and we didnt not know we had to register are marrige ceft. I want to work on my temporary visa. The thing is I have went over on my time here. can I still get the temporary visa and yes I know I have to pay a DAS fine when I go home. Can I get the visa or do I have to go home.

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