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Question about Visas (again...sorry).

Hello everyone,

This website has proven to be unbelievably helpful in obtaining information regarding apostille certification and other procedures necessary for obtaining visas for extended stay in Colombia. I wondered whether i could bother you all with yet another question about visas and comment on difficulties I am having with my impending trip to Colombia. I'm a PhD student in Michigan, but am from Los Angeles where I currently reside. I am trying to obtain permission to visit Colombia for an extended stay so that I may conduct my dissertation research. I hope to make more significant contacts with scholars once I arrive, but at the moment I am not affiliated with a university in Colombia. I have the option of obtaining dual citizenship (as was suggested on this forum) since my father is Colombian, but have chosen not to take this route since several US fellowships (i.e. Fulbright) will not consider students with dual American/Colombian citizenship for funding due to security reasons. I've sent several questions via fax to the Colombian consulate in Los Angeles (they don't respond to questions any other way) and finally spoke to somebody about possibly obtaining a courtesy visa. I was basically told that I wouldn't qualify, but was asked to write them a letter describing my reasons for travelling to Colombia, and provide them with a translated, notarized, and apostilled letter from the University of Michigan describing my status and research. Fine, this I can do. However, the consulate rep with whom I spoke would not speak to me about the types of visas for which i might qualify. She also mentioned that I needed bank statements, but wouldn't tell me what the financial requirements were since I am applying for a visa we couldn't talk about. So, i'm applying for a visa, but don't know which one, and am not sure how to make sure I meet the requirements financially and otherwise. I know people have more severe difficulties in consulates and embassies all over the world (especially at the US embassy in Bogotá), but I have to say that the Colombian consulate in Los Angeles (at least those I have spoken with) is MOST unhelpful and quite rude! I've spoken to other students/academics who have conducted research in Colombia and NONE of them had to this -- they all presented a letter from their home university stating the purpose of the research trip and were granted visas. I'll note that none of them did this through the consulate in Los Angeles, however.

Sorry for the long post, but there are two question that I will sneak into this comment. Does anyone have any idea what kind of monthly income is required for obtaining such a visa? Though I will not be travelling as a student, it might be helpful to know how much money students are required to have in their bank accounts. Also, do I have to notarize and apostille the letter from my university AND the translation of the letter, or will notarization and certification of the translation suffice?

Okay, i'm done pulling out my hair over this as i know there are worse things that can happen...but any thoughts would be appreciated!

Xochitl

By xochistar on May 12, 2005, 21:19 in Visa & paperwork.

Gator says on May 13, 2005, 06:43:

Your Best Bet..... is to make a sit-down appointment and go to the consulate. Difficult to get information by e-mail or by telephone-as you have discovered.
There is also a consulate in San F.

Be prepaired to bring doc. showing you can support youself whicle in colombia. If the research is legit. you will likely be issued a visa. The last part of your question(s) can best be answered at the consulate. I have no idea what the $$$ amount would be but keep in mind the minimum wage in Colombia is roughly $200 USD a month.

Good luck

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

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