Moving to Colombia

Gator says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:29:

One very important answer. More information from you.

ALL persons entering Colombia must have a passport.
You just can't "move to Colombia" without the proper visas.
Law for the children????????????
How long you can live there depends on the visas
You may well need paperwork from your ex concerning the children

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

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raquel23 says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:33:

i have a passport, have to purchase them for the kids still. I have to apply for a visa? Which one?
How can i find out the paperwork and all this info.? Thanks gator

Raquel

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:47:

The kids will need passports, just like everybody else does. They will need visas also. There are several possible visa options. The one that makes the most sense in your case is probably a spousal visa. Obviously, it requires that you are married first though. Your career on that visa will be listed as "homemaker", which means you will not be authorized to work. Other than that, I don't know much. I also am looking at moving to Colombia within the next 2 years. I have had similar questions as yours. We are just going to call the Colombian consulate to answer our questions. Just Google the consulate, and there will be contact info. Good luck.

Remember, you are free to travel to Colombia as a tourist with nothing more than a passport. You most likely will be given 60 days upon your entry. You can then extend that stay in 30 day increments for up to 180 days per year. Calendar year and running year are debatable. I have heard good arguments for both of those rules. Who knows which is correct? I have come to the conclusion it depends on the person who is working at the DAS (police) when you happen to be there. But anyway, you have 180 days to check things out first if you want.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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Atrevido says on Aug 21, 2007, 18:50:

Raquel instead of asking these important questions on an internet forum you should direct them to your nearest Colombian Consulate and/or the Ministry Of Foreign Relations in Bogotá: www.minrelext.gov.co.

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raquel23 says on Aug 22, 2007, 11:18:

Thanks robert, i will do that.
Atrevido, I tried that site but i dont speak Spanish fluently. Is there another website in English where i can find the same info.? thank you.

Raquel

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 22, 2007, 11:48:

The Colombian consulate in Miami's website has an English function. It works for many of the pages. But of course when you want to see the actual, detailed requirements for each visa, it is all in Spanish. I have called the Miami consulate before, and spoke to an immigration person in English. They are most helpful compared to their US equivalents in Bogota. The US consulate in Bogota is as useful as teats on a boar-hog. But that's another topic.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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john_stark says on Aug 22, 2007, 19:33:

"i dont speak Spanish fluently"

But you're moving to Colombia and hauling your kids with you? Boy are you in for a shock. In a year come back and tell us how this little adventure went.

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arthur brode says on Aug 23, 2007, 06:00:

jeje

http://www.calirentals.net/

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raquel23 says on Aug 23, 2007, 06:39:

Wow, i am really surprised how alot of people on here can be so harsh. What is wrong with bringing my kids. I know how Colombia is. My husband and I will have a good income. If someone wants to move to another country and raise their kids in that culture and be fluent in another language, what is so wrong with that?? So much for you guys having confidence in another person.

Raquel

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billyb says on Aug 23, 2007, 06:46:

Requel, don't pay too much attention, this site is full of chicken littles. People move to other countries with no money, no education, no job, no family and no legal status, yet they adjust. Somebody with a good income and family will adjust also.

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arthur brode says on Aug 23, 2007, 10:08:

i agree billy.i came here with nothing but my ATM card and passport

http://www.calirentals.net/

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msaucey says on Aug 23, 2007, 10:53:

Raquel, I'll be the first to wish you luck... Glad that your moving to Colombia and at least already have in place a basic plan... Not, it's a matter of getting there.... Yes, you and your kids need a passport... and Yes, you kids father will need to be involved to some extent... Colombian's Customs Agents will have way too many questions if you bring the kids without the father's authorization... It's best that you contact the consulate for intricate details on this matter.... It may be as simple as a notarized letter from the father granting permission, or if he's definately not involved then you may want to go through the processs of second parent adoption... You may wonder why, but the main answer is, they don't want to let you in the country in the even that you are stealing the kids from the father...

I speak from some experience, as I remember that my mom had to go through a similar process when I was young and my father was MIA... The difference was that she was a colombian national, where you are not...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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john_stark says on Aug 23, 2007, 17:56:

Just be sure and tell us how this went. I'm betting dollars to donuts that it's going to be a disaster but I could be wrong. Nobody ever comes back to tell us how it went and you'd be the first to say "I told you so!".

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Gator says on Aug 23, 2007, 18:55:

"Wow, i am really surprised how alot of people on here can be so harsh


You could have taken a little time to thank the ones who did take time to try and help and answer your questions.

¡Así es la vida! Dulse para unos y amarga para otros. Ten cuidado no metas la pata.

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

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raquel23 says on Aug 24, 2007, 07:05:

I know this will turn out good and thank you to the Aunt of my fiance', she has a friend that worked in immigration and visas for 30 years and is now retired. She made a little phone call for us and he's going to help us with everything free of charge!!!! Wahoo!!! This is saving us time and money!! Thanks everybody for your advice. It is really appreciated. :)

Raquel

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