Visa extension question finally cleared up....Bogota DAS

Gator says on Mar 8, 2008, 14:11:

Thanks, but it May Change Monday. That's why I recommend always making contact before you go. The next person,DAS employee or another city DAS office may have a different story.

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

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durito says on Mar 8, 2008, 14:25:

The thing to also remember is that this only applies to Bogota.

In medellin you must pay at GNB Sudameris (also now 63,800 they raised it this year). And they will only give you 30 days at a time.

I can't speak to any other requirements because after they have a file on you, you don't need to provide anything but the receipt from GNB Sudameris.

Also, at the bank they now have DAS specific deposit slips that you must fill out before depositing.,

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alagene says on Mar 8, 2008, 15:52:

Was the 60 days in addition to the normal 60 days and gave you a total of 120 days?

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 8, 2008, 23:04:

feldz0084 - good post. But Gator is correct. EVERY DAS location will have slightly different requirements. For example, when I went for my extension stamps in Villavicencio, I was told to have the copies of my passport a certain direction, in a certain order, on the front and back of one piece of paper. I was required to have TWO passport type fotos. I was told the extensions were ABSOLUTELY for 30 days only ... punto. Now, go to Tunja, and everything could be different. Go to the DAS in Bucaramanga, and it will be different than Tunja. That's why a wise person will make an initial visit with the DAS immigration officer first to get the precise requirements that THEY require.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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feldz0084 says on Mar 9, 2008, 11:01:

...for sure..i couldnt agree more..i should have put this..kindof briefly mentioned it though at the end that this MIGHT only pertain to the office in calle100 in bgta.

but yes, i would def recommend making the initial visit like you said...i for one got lucky being able to sell the remainder of my charge on the spot when i incorrectly paid.

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 9, 2008, 13:27:

It is cool that they gave you a 60 day stamp though. That saves a half day wasted, and $35 dollars.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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megs622 says on Mar 10, 2008, 13:50:

well, yes at this location it's been the same since I can remember. They did change the background color, etc. but it's never been a problem for me and has always been super fast. I don't see why some of you are complaining. As long as you fill out the stuff correctly, they will never deny you more time. I'm sure they just want the money for the renewal and who cares. It's still cheaper to pay here for a visa then tons of other places around the world. Just enjoy your time here!! It's great!

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thur says on Mar 10, 2008, 14:05:

I just went to the DAS office in Bogotá (Calle 100 #11B).
You stand in the information line, where they give you the form you'll have to fill out. If you haven't paid yet they'll write the amount and the account number on the back. Payment is done at Bancafé, which is located at Calle 100 #17, right before the office of Foreign Affairs where they give out Colombian passports.
Inside Bancafé you'll fill out the deposit form, an example on how to fill it out is available (including which code is for extensions... 103, if I recall correctly). You stand in line and pay the amount (63.800 COP).
Back at the DAS office, you stand in line for information again and hand over: 1 photo (white background, they said the blue background is for the "cédula de extranjería"), the receipt from Bancafé, 1 form filled out, 1 copy of your passport photopage and your passport. Then you wait (we waited around 1h15)... if it's the first time they'll call out your name and in the back they take a digital photograph and digital fingerprints. Then, about 20 minutes after that, your passport is given back... without asking another 60 additional days were given.
They _only_ let in the actual person doing the paperwork.
We got home right before it started raining again :-)
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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tomtom33 says on Mar 10, 2008, 14:06:

Why we complain...

The guard at DAS wouldn't let me in the building in Cartagena because I was wearing shorts. Note: I had worn shorts into that office many times before.

The guard at DAS in Medellín wouldn't let my novia accompany me inside. She had done so many times before. And, with a different guard, she subsequently was allowed in.

We went to the DAS office and asked Fat Fanny what I needed to get a family VISA. When we returned, another person told us that we didn't have the right stuff.

Multiple trips to the DAS office to pick up a cedula that they said would be ready in a month. It took three trips and three months.

Fat Fanny.

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 10, 2008, 23:05:

tomtom33, my (our) first trip to the DAS was a terrible experience also. It was in Villavo. Without writing a small book, the highlight of the experience was when we were forced (literally), to stand in pouring rain for 2 hours. Even stray dogs were allowed to seek shelter under the awnings .... but not us.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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durito says on Jul 2, 2008, 14:35:

180 days is per calender year. You can stay 360 straight days if it´s the last 180 of one year and the first 180 of the next.

It´s actual time in the country.

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