Visa Extension / Overstay Rules

Gator says on Aug 22, 2007, 07:58:

Six Months Calender Year, But..... I went to MRE, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, in Bogotá several months ago on another matter and met with Sr. Herrea, the Coordinador de Visas e Inmigración, one the the upper-level supervisors. I took this occasion to ask for clarification of the length of stay for a tourist who is on a tourist visa or using a passport.

1. DAS is NOT the agency who establishes visa requirements or policy. DAS only enforces laws and policy established by the MRE.

2. Tourists traveling on an issued visa or visiting from a country that does not require a visa for entry may stay in country for NO MORE han six(6) months in a calendar year.

3. DAS is solely responsible for enforcing fines or other legal sanctions on persons who overstay a visa or entry. MRE does not get involved in this process.

4. He was SPECIFICALLY asked if one could exit the country on December 31 and return on January 1 for another six months. He said, in his opinion, this would be considered an attempt to circumvent the intent of the six-month limit but DAS could allow or deny at the point of entry-DAS decision would be final and no appeals.

5. He said any entry into Colombia was at the sole discretion of the DAS. Entry could be denied at the point of entry into Colombia, a seven-day stay authorized or a maximum of 180 days-that part of the procedure was solely under the control of DAS.

6. While he would not really comment on what the DAS policy or procedure were he again advised that agency (DAS) is the Colombian enforcement agency for immigration and immigration violations.

That being said I will not recommend a little "present" under the table. Some one asked what could they do deport you and who pays? More than that-it would be a criminal offense in Colombia and you could be detained until $$$ for a ticket out of Colombia arrived plus the fine. Don't even think of contacting the US Embassy-you will get no sympathy or help.

Hopefully this will help. But you must remember-COLOMBIA IS COLOMBIA. What you are told, what really happens and what is the law can and does vary from agency to agency and from office to office within agencies.

I thought at one time the total stay was 180 days from the date of entry NOT a calendar year, After my meeting with Sr. Herrea, Coordinador de Visas e Inmigración, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in Bogotá I am convinced it is a calendar year.

You can go on line, www.minrelext.gov.co, and read Decreto 4000 de 2004 which contains the information you are looking for..

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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bickerss says on Aug 22, 2007, 09:49:

I had a different experience with DAS. I was told by them that it is 6 months in a calander year, and if I leave on 31 Dec and come back on 1 Jan, then that is fine - my six months starts again. He also said if I overstayed, come to DAS first and pay the fine and get the letter / receipt or whatever it is. A friend tried to do it at the apt and was very lucky to get out on his flt. They wanted him to rtn to the DAS office in 100 to pay etc.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 22, 2007, 10:32:

Thanks, Gator. That seems to be the definitive answer to the calendar vs. rolling year question.

If someone entered Colombia with exactly 180 days left in the calendar year, he would technically not have to leave on 12/31 if DAS gave him an extension. Thus you could get 360 days straight.

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Lowell says on Aug 22, 2007, 13:13:

tomtom, I understand your logic. I wonder if it would work.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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wendell13 says on Aug 22, 2007, 13:35:

That is right...this is Colombia. There is no definative answer. Immigration laws are not enforced uniformly. The Colombian consulates in the US have different answers, too. I can tell you this having been thru 3 consulates in the US,the best one to use is Miami. They are very gringo friendly and it is very easy to get visas from them. You don't have to live in the area to use them. I think they realize that foreigners spend a lot of money in Colombia while some of the others don't.

I have posted this before but there is a visa company one block from the consulate in Coral Gables that will make it very easy for you. Translating documents, making an appointment with the consulate for you, putting fancy stamps and seals on your documents.

All you need to do is call them and mail your documents. ALL MINE DIDNT HAVE ANY SEALS OR APOSTILES ON THEM. They were just raw documents. Every time I read that someone says that they have to mail away to the states that originated the document for an apostile seal, I have to just shake my head. That is simply not true in Miami.

I used the company and I have several friends that used them with the same excellent results. The name of the company is Docurapid. I think the owners are Colombians. It is very fast. I think mine took about two weeks from the time I called them until I flew down there to get my visa after a short meeting at the consulate. It cost about $100 and a night in a Miami hotel and the next day I was on the plane to Cali.

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ellbee2 says on Aug 22, 2007, 13:41:

Thanks to all you replied. Especially you Gator! I feel much better about my future prospects here now. It really raises my spirits when I receive such prompt and thorough assistants from folks I don't actually know.

Thanks again guys...beers are on me!

"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going because you might not get there." Yogi Berra

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