Visa needed to buy property in Colombia?

I wasn't aware that was necessary. ????????? All I showed was my passport. Please read the following below and respond so I can advise this person. Thank you.

Thanks, Lowell. I am getting ready to send a $100 money gram to the lawyer XXXXXXXXXX in Medellin to begin the process for getting my visa. He says the total cost will not exceed $1,250, and that to keep it in effect I can't stay away from C. for more than 180 days. That sounds like I could visit C. a couple of times a year and be okay with the visa. As I said before - with nine dogs of my own and the work I do here in Volcan to help the animals, I am certainly not ready to move. I just want to get my visa and have some other options if Panama continues to go the way of the US - and perhaps buy some property in advance in C.

????????????????????

By Lowell on Mar 31, 2008, 07:40 in Friendly Talkzone.

bogotabrian says on Mar 31, 2008, 07:54:

The lawyer sounds expensive.

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lawyer CO says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:09:

if the woman doesnt have a bank account in Colombia and she doesnt want to transfer the price of the asset directly to the seller´s account without the signature of the contract, she must get a visa and cedula to open a bank account under her name.

This is a issue that has been discussed here several times...finally it´s an act of faith if she decides to buy and pay before going to the notary. however, expeses muts be done as ELK and GATOR have said...travelling to Bogota...hotel...food....

I have heard the lawyers in Panama charge up to 3000 dollars for the visa.

Now, this woman has the option to hire or not hire.

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robi666 says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:26:

Funny how some people cannot get it right on PBH.

You do not need a cedula or VISA to buy a property in Colombia.

A bank account can also be opened without VISA and cedula.
In Medellin, I personally know at least two different banks that are willing to do it, provided the requested documents (letter from the foreign bank, prove of income, etc.). They will also accept the fund for buying the apartment providing the pre-purchase agreement.

There are absolutely no law that says that a bank account cannot be opened without a cedula. Any manager can ask the authorization from the central office to open a bank account. They will do it if you are well introduced to them. It happened to other PBHers in Medellin in the recent past.

If you do not have the right introduction, 99% of the time, a bank will not open an account without a cedula.

Uribienes in Medellin (http://www.uribienes.com/) gives the service of opening bank account, help in filing form 4 and 11, requesting the certification from Banco de la Republica to present to get the Investor Visa from MRE.
If you buy with them, the service is absolutely FREE for the buyer.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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docwilliam says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:29:

What type of Visa does this woman need to purchase property?

"There's no time to panic"

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bogotabrian says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:42:

I am not sure about Panama but $1250 is a mint here for that.

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lawyer CO says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:53:

well...the superintendencia of finances has ruled that opening bank accounts in Colombia requested the colombian cedula or the final cedula of extranjeria.

In case banks do the opposite, a large fine can be impossed to the bank and the account must be closed.

Of course this is Colombia so everything can happen if you have the connection

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robi666 says on Mar 31, 2008, 12:22:

lawyer CO, do you have a link or reference to this rule of superintendencia of finances?

"Of course this is Colombia so everything can happen if you have the connection"
I can't believe the central office in Bogotà of a main bank like BBVA would authorize the opening of an account if they would risk a fine. Or are you implying that they are complete fools or ignorants?

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lawyer CO says on Mar 31, 2008, 13:06:

sounds like a good idea, i will check where the super has that rule and post it on the blog.

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robi666 says on Mar 31, 2008, 13:07:

Thanks. Kind of you.

I can tell that some managers actually opened accounts with passport, and it is not like they have been bribed for that. They asked for an authorization from Bogotà.

Now, it would be foolish to give that authorization against a law. Even the computer program they use to manage the account would not have a field to type in a passport number instead of a cedula number.

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rumronrum says on Mar 31, 2008, 13:33:

For up to date Visa info check http://www.visascolombia.com

RumRonRum

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lampltr says on Mar 31, 2008, 15:37:

Robi, you are correct...I completed everything a few months back with some good introductions (References), even a business. Thanks for the post and you too Mr. Lowell!

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elk says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:02:

I have a Panama Pensionado Visa...good for life.

It cost me $640.00 USD for the attorney and all fees. Yes, some attorneys in Panama will charge more if your not informed. It's best to educate yourself on current laws and fees before agreeing to a price.

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Ctg Bound says on Apr 1, 2008, 07:16:

robi666,

You can open a bank account without a cedula, BUT normally if somebody does, its incorrect and a higher up authority closes it down, later.

I have two friends who have opened bank accounts with a cedula and they were closed down later.

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Ctg Bound says on Apr 1, 2008, 07:17:

Lowell,

You don't need a cedula to buy property, a passport is good enough, unless they have just a made up a new law I haven't heard about.

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