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renewal of business visa

can you tell me what the procedure is to renew my business visa (temporal especial) and any tricks to obtain a 2 year renewal?
I guess I have to bring last years income tax declaration. What else? Where do I have to go (I am in Bogota)
Thanks for your help

By jonas on Jun 3, 2008, 12:19 in Visa & paperwork.

jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 12:25:

Do I have to go here:
Coordinación de Visas e Inmigración del MRE
Carrera 13 No.93 - 68, 2° piso.
7:30am - 12:00am

Is this the place? What paperwork do I have to bring?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

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Gator says on Jun 3, 2008, 12:59:

According to Rikito (see his post below from May 31) if it's a renewal just pop into the local DAS ofice. Let us know how it goes. Myself, I always thought it was MRE, Bogotá, down around Parque 93

"So yesterday I flew to Bogotá from Armenia to get my Temporal Con Visa renewed. The visa expires on June 1 so time was of the essence. I wanted to go to DAS in Armenia to get a one month extension, but was told by some of the PBH experts in here that DAS can only extend Tourist Visa's…NOT TRUE!

When I got to the MRE office in Bogotá I learned that I needed to have a document notarized (which is not in the MRE instructions). I told the guy at the MRE office that there was no way I could get the document notarized and get back to the MRE office in time. He told me to go to DAS and get a one month extension. So that is what I did. I went to the MRE office and they gave me a one month extension to my Temporary Con residence Visa. This took me 10 minutes. While in the MRE office I was told that I could have saved a lot of money in airfare by going to the DAS in Armenia and it would have only cost me $40kCOL.

I strongly suggest that if anyone needs any kind of Visa info or have questions, that they contact an attorney or contact the MRE directly. They have English speakers who can help you. The chances of getting incorrect information in PBH is significant....very significant.

Lesson learned by me.

By Rikito on May 31, 2008, 09:25 in Visa & paperwork"

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 13:09:

Papers I have ready to take:
Passport
Cedula
Camara de Comercio actualizado
copia DIAN
Declaracion de Renta 2007 (Form 110)
cash :-(
what else do I need?

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 13:13:

Gator, thanks for your reply, I knew I could count on you.
I don´t really understand Rikito's post. Did he just get a 30 day extension? Did he renew his visa at DAS? I don't get it.
Any help highly appreciated.

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Gator says on Jun 3, 2008, 13:50:

I was in the same fix-I didn't get it either. I would call MRE in Bogotá and get an up to date on what you need-As far as I know, and hopefully someone can be more definitive, you are required to show the business is active, present the tax return(you are not required to show a profit the first two years) and have not changed from the original visa application. My MRE contact told me a couple of months ago, that in addition to the application to renew, you must bring "sufficient" evidence that there is a business, the reason for the first income tax return, and other information that the business is or will be operational. You have two years to show you really have a viable business. The only determination is if the business is functional or a good faith effort is being made with the "start up" will be done at you meeting with MRE. Apparently it is not a difficult process and straight forward.

Please let us know of your experience. That is the correct address - Coordinación de Visas e Inmigración del MRE, Carrera 13 No.93 - 68, 2° piso.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 14:02:

Thanks Gator

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 14:25:

I just spoke to them on the phone and apparently I need to present the following:

Camara de Comercio (Certificacion de existencia)
certificacion de capital activo de minimo 100 sueldos minimos
balance de la empresa
fotocopia de la tarjeta profesional del contador
copia de declaracion de renta año pasado
pasaporte y fotocopia
2 fotos 3X3 fondo blanco

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gringoloid says on Jun 3, 2008, 15:23:

My business visa expires on July 16. I have the paperwork ready right now and would like to renew as I'm leaving Bogota permanently.

Question: can I go in next week and renew or is it too early?

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 16:01:

GL I will be going tomorrow or on Thursday. I will ask MRE about your question.

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pedro says on Jun 3, 2008, 17:21:

GL, you should be able to renew right now. However, it's possible they may give you your extension effective your renewal date, not your expiry date. That's what happened to me.

Example, if you applied tomorrow and got a 1 year extension, it would be valid until June 4 2009, not July 16 2009.

que nota!

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pedro says on Jun 3, 2008, 17:35:

The requirements are on their website (click through Tramites - Preguntas Frecuentes: http://www.cancilleria.gov.co)

Jonas, Your camara de comercio certificate will show the registered capital -- the first and second items in your list are the same document.

Copy of the passport page containing your current visa, plus the page with your personal details. No need for an authenticated copy.

The accountant card's copy should be authenticated.

You may possibly be asked for an "estado de resultados" as well as the balance. I supplied both, If you don't have it, just try without.

Bring a pen, and try to show up earlier rather than later in the morning. No later than 10am for example. If you are still there after the lunch hour comes around, they will resent you enormously. Never come between a public servant and his break time.

Bring your best smile and dress smartly. Even with all these preparations, I think the decision about 1 or 2 years is arbitrary, and depends on the staffer's mood at that given moment and if they like your face.

--

Requisitos:
• FORMULARIO DE
SOLICITUD diligenciado por el interesado
• Pasaporte con vigencia mínima de 3 meses, en buen estado, con páginas en blanco y fotocopia de las páginas de datos y usadas.
• 2 fotografías recientes, de frente, a color, fondo claro.
• Certificado de existencia y representación legal expedido por la Cámara de Comercio, con una antelación no superior a 90 días, en el que conste que el extranjero es socio o propietario de establecimiento de comercio, o de sociedad comercial debidamente constituida y registrada en la correspondiente Cámara de Comercio indicando un capital o activo registrado de propiedad del extranjero solicitante, no menor a 100 salarios mínimos legales mensuales vigentes. Si se trata de una sociedad anónima deberá adjuntarse un certificado de la composición accionaria suscrita por el revisor fiscal, indicando el valor de las acciones de propiedad del extranjero solicitante, el cual no podrá ser inferior a 100 salarios mínimos legales mensuales vigentes.
• Balances de la empresa debidamente firmados por contador público, adjuntando fotocopia auténtica de su tarjeta profesional, y cuando sea necesario por el revisor fiscal y fotocopia de la declaración de renta de la empresa correspondiente al último año gravable. Para la autorización de esta visa, el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores tendrá en cuenta la actividad que desarrolla la empresa, su interés social y su capacidad económica.
En caso de requerir mayor información consulte los siguientes documentos:
• Decreto 4000 del 30 de noviembre de 2004.
• Resolución 0255 del 26 de enero de 2005.

que nota!

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jonas says on Jun 3, 2008, 17:50:

cheers Pedro, I will have those copies authenticated tomorrow.

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gringoloid says on Jun 3, 2008, 19:50:

thanks for that info

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peteyw says on Jun 3, 2008, 22:18:

Went to Bogota to renew my business visa a few years ago. They hit me with a couple big surprises.

First, they said that the purpose of the first visa is to set up the business and the assumption is that after its set up with a Colombian manager in place you need not be in Colombia to operate it. Therefore, the second visa requires that you leave Colombia every once every 30 days. My response was to laugh and ask them if that was a joke. They said no joke.

Second, surprise, they said to apply for this renewed business visa you have to apply outside the country and once the visa is approved then you can return. The second was no big deal, leaving to apply; but the idea of flying in and out every 30 days was a big inconvenience and nonsensical in my opinion if you own a business there.

I passed on the second business visa and just went for permanent residency instead. I hope the rules have changed since then.

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gringoloid says on Jun 5, 2008, 04:45:

jonas.............how did it go? did you get a two year extension and if so, how?

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jonas says on Jun 10, 2008, 11:00:

GL it went smooooth. I went 2 weeks before it expired. Got it on the same day, so I should have gone with maybe 1 week left on the visa. I did get 2 years!!! jeje. Very friendly but it took a while. I got there at 9 am and had the visa in hand at 1:30pm.
I did ask them your question if you should renew now. NO. Your visa will be validated from the date of issue so you would be losing 2 months which, when it comes to getting your residency in 4 years, you will be short of 2 months. You should do it maybe 1 week before expiration. PM me if you want a phone number of a lawyer that I spoke to at MRE and you could have it done without leaving Medallo.

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