Retire in Colombia? Permanent residency possible?

Gator says on Apr 28, 2004, 07:40:

Resident visas, such as you are seeking, are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its consular agents. This department can grant a resident visa to a foreigner, for an indefinite period of time and for multiple entries, if that person wants to become a permanent residence in Colombia.

I strongly recomment you go directly to a Colombian Consulate to ask advice. Consulates are located in the following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Ney York, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. You did not mention your ability or fluency in Spanish. If it is not good I would certainly take a friend with me who is fluenent. Writing or e-maing does little good except for very simple questions.

I wish you luck-in my case I had business(es) in Colombian, have an excellent Colombian attorney and am married to a Colombian so the process was much less hassle.

BTW, Armenia is a beautiful area in the middle of Zona Cafe and has a great climate.

Good luck

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

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mark says on Apr 28, 2004, 14:00:

Try Panama what do you think about Panama ? I believe this country will have no problem with your desires. Many americans retire there.

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2retirensa says on Apr 28, 2004, 19:49:

Panama Yes, Mark, I have considered Panama as an alternative to Colombia because of it close proximity which would still allow visits without too much hassel, but it is not my first choice. There are many benifits to retiring in Panama, but being closer to friends & extended family is more important to me. I am in St. Louis, MO so any consulate I go to is a definite trip. It amazes me this is some kind of secret about long term visas... even my Colobian friends are frustrated with the lack of info. Thanks you for your reply- you and Gator.

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vladimiro says on Apr 28, 2004, 22:32:

Try This Colombian Consulate: I suggest you email Tania Corena ( tcorena at yahoo.com ) from the San Fransisco Consulate. She is very helpful, and speaks english:) If you happen to live in a state covered by the SF Consulate you won't have any problems - I unfortunately don't and had problems getting a visa recently.

Each consulate may have different requirements for the same visa. I sent all the requirements mentioned on the Colombian Consulate's webpage and was told "I don't care what our web page says. I am the one who decides what the visa requirements are", and she would come up with new requirements each time I called:) They finally gave me an entirely different type of visa than what I applied for.

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2retirensa says on Apr 29, 2004, 06:25:

Yes, Tinto, I read the other comments on this site concerning this, but they all seem to be repeating what they have "heard" or what someone else said they thought. Unfortunately, with no option for "search" on this site, I may have missed something. I am sorry if this caused an inconvenience. Thank you for the update. I know I never saw this TS visa mentioned.

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2retirensa says on Apr 29, 2004, 06:30:

Thank you Vladimiro for the email address & info. I think I am going in the right direction between you and Tinto. My spanish is not the greatest at this point, so an english speaking contact is of great help.
Thanks to all for your input.

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agucho says on Apr 29, 2004, 19:18:

Medellin is a good option If your are planning to retire here,i will recomend you MEdellin as your best choic, its a very nice city, nice weather, and peiople is very nice, you will find whatever you need here, its the second city of the country.
Im from cali, butr have been in medellin for a couple of years now, im panning to leve the country again, but by now, ill prefer to stay in medellin, rather than Bogota or cali.
Greeyings

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2retirensa says on Apr 30, 2004, 05:26:

Thank you, aqucho. My friends also made that suggestion. I think the size of the community is more favorable and probably health care. I have had a few comments that as an american keeping a low profile, Armenia might be better from that perspective. I know its a lovely place and safe, but Medellin is definitely in the running!

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 4, 2004, 07:07: