Return ticket necessary?

bickerss says on Mar 6, 2006, 19:19:

I have flown in around 14 times now and have never been asked for the return ticket ( and sometimes didnt have one), although officially it is required so if you get a bad customs officer..maybe. You will more likely have more problems from the airline at the airport u leave from as many check this I have used a dummy e ticket before to get around it (ie a print out of a booking i have not paid for). I didnt get asked for a return ticket when I extended my visa at DAS either.

Ask for 90 days when you come in, they may give it to you. I got 60 days when I entered leticia last time.

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arthur brode says on Mar 6, 2006, 20:56:

last january,when i arrived at the cali airport the immigration official asked to see my return ticket and asked me how long i plan on staying in colombia,where did i plan on staying, who did i know here in colombia,and what was the purpous of my visit.they will stamp your passport for 60 days.when the 60 days expire you go to DAS and pay $60,600 pesos for each 30 day extension.if you are late paying a extension DAS will fine you $600,000 pesos.DAS will also ask you for a photocopy of your return ticket.you can stay a total of 180 days,then you have to leave the country.as a tourist,your only allowed to stay 6 months out of a year in colombia.as G.I.B.says,buy the ticket as far out as you can or 2 one way tickets.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 8, 2006, 17:16:

Good Information I am headed for Medellin in a week or two and plan to stay for six months. I had no idea you could ONLY stay for six months. How long do you have to leave before you can come back? Also, I have a return ticket to the US from Panama (since I flew into Panama first) - will this suffice the DAS?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 8, 2006, 17:18:

Good Info / A Few Questions Though How long before they will let you return? I have a 6 month lease in Medellin starting in April. I flew into Panama from Texas. Will my return flight from Panama back to the states work with the DAS?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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poco says on Mar 8, 2006, 18:20:

Let me expound on this subject 30 day visa stamp from DAS but who knows. WHen you go to renew your visa theya re probably going to want to see your forwarding ticket. So if I were you I would purchase one open ended or as far out as you can.

Correct,, but I LOVE to reply to these posts,, because I,, and it seem ONLY I,, get the 90 day stamp on my passport coming into Colombia, (via Cali) using the tourist visa. The return ticket date is utilized to obtain the 90 days and is intentionally shown to DAS at immigration to obtain this ASTOUNDING quantity of days. but,, it appears this is impossible for the majority,, 60 days seems the maximum. I have a suspicion they DO NOT follow my advice,, or come in through Bogota.



I have never been asked by DAS at the airport to see my return ticket. This doesn't mean they can't or might ask. Hummm, I’d say I’ve been in and out (of Colombia) quite a few times.

I’d guess you will get a 60 day stamp but you need to ASK. After this 60 day period you MUST go to DAS to get the thirty day extension. DAS has offices in MANY cities, you do NOT need to go to the airport. I normally go one week before the stamp expires. I do not think a longer extension is available. When you ask for the extension, DAS will request a photocopy of your return plane ticket,, or at least something verifying you have a way out. Oh,, they are asking for something NEW to get extensions,, anyone know what?

The DAS rule is 6 months per Calendar year,, ie: January 1 thru December 31. Hummm,, what if you arrive in,, October? Do you get 3 months THAT year and then 6 MONTHS,, gosh,, that’s 9 continuous months.

The answer is MAYBE,, last time I came in it was October 10th 2005, 90 days put me at January 10th. Went to DAS and they gave me the thirty day extension. However,, if they hadn’t,, I would have needed to “cross the border� and come back. Again,, my exceptional personality paid off.

Having an honest face, polite demeanor and eagerness to “do the right thing� is highly recommended.

The other option is: Stay there illegally,, I mean,, what are they going to do? Shoot you? Put you in jail? Stamp your passport that you are NOT allowed back into the country? Make YOU miss YOUR flight? There will be a fine. This can be paid at the airport. If you find yourself in this situation,, well,, crap, you WILL NOT GET ON THE PLANE until your fine is paid.

I believe if the stamp is expired for NO MORE than 30 days,, no BIG DEAL, they will take your passport at the checkin entry line, allow you to go through and come back. You will then (I think) pay the fine at the checkin counter and get on the plane.

If your passport has expired for MORE than 30 days, I’d suggest you go directly to the DAS office at the airport, give them your passport, they will give you a stamp, or levy the fine or ???? I don’t know because I’ve never been out of date. But they have failed to READ my passport correctly and I’ve done this to avoid paying the fine. Another reason to showup 3 hours early.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Gator says on Mar 8, 2006, 19:51:

Poco. I believe you will find it is not by a calendar years but from the date of first entry.

"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

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

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