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The Colombian Pensionado Visa

The Colombian Pensionado Visa

Steps for acquiring the Colombian Pensionado Visa based on U.S. Social Security Benefits
Below are the steps for acquiring the Colombian Pensionado Visa based on individuals receiving Social Security Benefits from the U.S. Thanks to Art_Brode for his contribution of information and Patsygringo. According to Art the minim income of approximately $1,700.00 USD per month was not required, at least for him. Apparently you can obtain a certified copy of your income from the U.S. Embassy in Bogata and then have it “legalized” in Colombia rather than going through the lengthy process and expense of returning to the U.S. I plan to provide in addition to the above “printed internet” copies of my bank statements showing deposits and ATM withdrawals while in Colombia.

Art, I would appreciate a comment from you as to the costs involved and the address of the office where you had your document legalized and any other information or comments.

The process:

1. “If you need a certification of your pension check, please come to the U.S. Embassy between 9:00AM and 10:00AM, Monday through Thursday. You will be asked to complete and sign a form; your certification letter will be ready the same day. If you live outside of Bogota, you may send your request by mail. Please list the name of the bank or financial institution and the address where you would like the letter to be sent.”
http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc133.shtml#English

2. You will need to another office called “legalizaciónes” to get the letter from the U.S. Embassy legalized. Art, where is the office located and any costs?

3. You can go to the “El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores” and get your Visa on the spot. You will asked to fill out a form and provide pictures. MRE - El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. http://www.minrelext.gov.co/

4. Costs related to the above process: (Art, any costs ?)

5. Where do you get the Cedula and in what time frame? (input please)

I will be making a trip to Bogata this month for the Pensionado Visa and will posts my results, hopefully they will be positive. If not then off to “Plan B”.

Ken in Sabaneta, Colombia

By elk on Aug 1, 2006, 08:48 in Visa & paperwork.

tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 1, 2006, 09:25:

?? You can get your VISA on the spot IF you already have a different VISA which is currently in force. As far as I know, you must leave Colombia to get the initial VISA.

You then take the VISA to DAS. DAS will issue a temporary cedula in about a week. You will get your permanent cedula in about 8 to 10 months. This may go faster in Bogota. These are the time frames for CTG.

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Bucket_Jack says on Aug 1, 2006, 13:08:

Pensionado Visa TomTom:

Thanks for the reply. This is the kind of information I'm looking for. What kind of Visa are you referring too, Student, Tourist?

I would like to hear from Art_Brode regardng what Visa he had at the time of his "pensionado application? I tried to get a Visa at the Colombian Consul in Panama before flying to Medellin, no luck. They told me to do everything in Colombia. I talked to them about a Medical Visa, Tourist Visa and the Pensionado visa. I also ask them for a 90 day tourist Visa while I explored other visa options. I was told to simply ask at the airport upon my arrival and a 90 tourist visa would be granted. (negative, I have 60 days)

It appears every case is different and each "DAS or "Immigration" employee write their own rules and requirements as they go. Perhaps the Pensionado Visa program is something new in Colombia?

Art_Brode, Patsygringo and others seem to have a different experience with the process. I will offer myself as the next "pigeon" to test the process in Bogata. I would however like to collect as much information as possible before making the trip.

I've been through this Pensionado process before in Panama and Costa Rica and have found the most important thing to have is "patients and wait calmly for a positive outcome" ("There not getting a virgin in my case")

Thanks and more comments and information, please!

Ken

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 1, 2006, 19:46:

just got back from Quindio(coffee region) i highly reccommend the Coffee Park,Panaca,and the Balsa bamboo raft ride down river "La Vieja"

THE "LEGALIZACIONES" OFFICE IS LOCATED AT

CALLE 100 AND CARERA 17
NEAR SUPERMARKET CARRULLA IN BOGOTA

YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR ORIGINAL SOCIAL SECURITY EARNINGS STATEMENT TO THE U.S. EMBASSY IN BOGOTA WHERE THEY WILL ISSUE YOU A CERTIFICATION LETTER STATING THAT YOU RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.(BTW,MY S.S. EARNINGS ARE $698.00 PER MONTH.MUCH LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE).ONCE YOU HAVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY CERTIFICATION LETTER LEGALIZED YOU CAN GO TO MINRELEXT AND APPLY FOR YOUR PENSION VISA.THERE IS NO CHARGE TO GET YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY LETTER LEGALIZED.BUT I BELEIVE THERE IS A FEE FOR THE VISA. I GOT LUCKY BECAUSE I WASNT CHARGED A PENNEY FOR MY VISA($0) YOU ALSO NEED TO BRING 2 COLOR PHOTOS (3cmX3cm) WHICH YOU WILL GET NEARBY AT "FOTO JAPON" YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE A PHOTO COPY OF THE USED PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT AND FILL OUT A FORM WHICH MINRELEXT WILL PROVIDE.WHEN I APPLIED FOR THE PENSION VISA I WAS ON MY LAST 30 DAY TOURIST EXTENSION AND I DID NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.THE PENSION VISA IS VALID FOR 1 YEAR AND RENEWABLE WHEN IT EXPIRES.AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR VISA YOU WILL NEED TO REPORT TO DAS WITHIN 15 DAYS FOR YOUR CEDULA.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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