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Opening a Business in Colombia

About two years ago, I spent a year in Bogota studying Spanish, volunteering, and even teaching some English. Not surprisingly, I loved it.

I have a business idea which I am thinking very seriously about giving a shot. The problem is, although I would much prefer to start it in Colombia, I've been focusing more on Ecuador, because it looked almost impossible for a foreigner to start his own busines in Colombia (I'm a US citizen). However, I just reread some earlier posts on the site, and it has made me more optomistic about my chances.

Does anyone here know the process? What is necessary? It looks like it often involves frequent trips outside of the country to different Colombian consulates to obtain the visa. Is one able to start building a business during this process or does one have to wait?

Thanks for any advice.

Dan

By tlop on Sep 8, 2004, 14:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

JamieJ says on Sep 8, 2004, 17:45:

Dan you can always start a business now if you have a trusted friend which the business name can go under and who can sign contracts for you. If your business is small and not too outward you can always do things on the side and make arrangements without signing contracts or getting licenses but I would not recommend this for the long run. Otherwise you would need a business visa which has to be retained outside of the country and is good for 6 months before it has to be renewed. Read the website of a Colombian Consulate website and you can get most of the requirements but phone them for more info. The websites are not likely to be 100% accurate.

Jamie
Engage The Exotic

Jamie

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sydneygirl says on Sep 10, 2004, 09:59:

what kind of volunteer work did you do? Was any of it in Bogota?

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tlop says on Sep 11, 2004, 13:44:

It was in Bogota. I was working with a Fundacion of girls between the ages of 6-18, most of which had parents, but couldn't afford to keep them. The girls are incredible and I highly recommend it.

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Erik says on Sep 16, 2004, 10:09:

Starting a new business I have just started my new business in Colombia: DE UNA Colombia Tours (www.deunacolombia.com). Everything is oficial and i am paying my taxes. I just got back from Ecuador where I aplied for my visa de socios and now I am back in Colombia. If you want to start your own business it will need a lot of paperwork and effort but it is possible.
You can email me if you have some questions.
Erik

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