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Visa Renewal...some bad info...and lesson learned!

So yesterday I flew to Bogotá from Armenia to get my Temporal Con Visa renewed. The visa expires on June 1 so time was of the essence. I wanted to go to DAS in Armenia to get a one month extension, but was told by some of the PBH experts in here that DAS can only extend Tourist Visa's…NOT TRUE!

When I got to the MRE office in Bogotá I learned that I needed to have a document notarized (which is not in the MRE instructions). I told the guy at the MRE office that there was no way I could get the document notarized and get back to the MRE office in time. He told me to go to DAS and get a one month extension. So that is what I did. I went to the MRE office and they gave me a one month extension to my Temporary Con residence Visa. This took me 10 minutes. While in the MRE office I was told that I could have saved a lot of money in airfare by going to the DAS in Armenia and it would have only cost me $40kCOL.

I strongly suggest that if anyone needs any kind of Visa info or have questions, that they contact an attorney or contact the MRE directly. They have English speakers who can help you. The chances of getting incorrect information in PBH is significant....very significant.

Lesson learned by me.

By Rikito on May 31, 2008, 09:25 in Visa & paperwork.

papichuleta says on May 31, 2008, 10:48:

Actually, the only "truth" in Colombia about anything is whatever the person in charge is telling you at the time. I once had three different notarias tell me three different sets of "rules" with regard to a gringo marrying a colombiana in colombia. And what is even more ridiculous is that some of the "rules" of one notaria were directly in conflict and the exact opposite of what the other notaria said was the only way. The only solution is to pick one notaria and stick with them and their rules throughout the whole process, whatever it may be. And the same is true of DAS, immigration, or other other agency or official process you are trying to go through in Colombia.

And yes, a Colombian attorney is the best way to go. Even if you spend a little more up front, you will ultimately save a bundle rather than trying to bumble your way through on your own. Especially when you factor in potential airfares, hotel stays, etc.

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guacharaca says on May 31, 2008, 11:47:

Was the document that you needed notarized, the request letter from your spouse?

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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tigredelnorte2 says on May 31, 2008, 13:21:

I agree with papi, depends on who you talk to , and when you talk to them. With my origional spousal visa, we were missing a document, but they let us sub another document that had the same info. For the renewal, a similar thing happened, and they would not renew the visa. We had to return to Medellin, get the proper papers, and go back to Bogota. Additionally it can be very difficiult to find out the current requirements before you make a trip to Bogota. Often it´s hard to make a phone connection. If you do make a connection, the person that you talk to might just be trying to finish the call, and will say anything to get you gone.Hence you go to Bog with insufficient info.

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lampltr says on May 31, 2008, 14:50:

Rikito, that blows man, but as others say here I would talk with more than 1 person or even anything in writing if possible by them to cover yourself the next time around....Hope you managed to complete something positive while in Medellin.

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Ctg Bound says on Jun 1, 2008, 12:34:

You can extend any visa at DAS as far as I aware, just have to give them a good reason, normally that reason is paperwork being prossed and you are waiting for it.

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Gator says on Jun 1, 2008, 13:19:

Try, walking in the door and answering, "Just because, that's why."

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

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Gator says on Jun 2, 2008, 07:14:

Rubito, you KNOW my standing advice; Always call or e-mail FIRST.

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

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robi666 says on Jun 2, 2008, 09:06:

The problem with gringos here on PBh is that they hardly speak or understand Spanish, and still they are experts on matters where full understand of Spanish would be highly suggested. It is hard to separate good information from noise on this board.

A lot of misinformation would be avoided if you could just take the time to read a spanish website. All the right infos are out there plus offices answer to emails and phone.

Lawyers are a waste of time and money when it comes to Visa paperwork.

"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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papichuleta says on Jun 2, 2008, 14:39:

My comments stand. Robi is delusional at best if he(she) thinks reading a spanish website is the answer to weaving your way through the maze of regulations in Colombia that vary with every official you meet. And by the way, while my Spanish is far from sterling, all my experiences were interfaced by Colombians, and I am only relaying my school-of-hard-knocks experience via their interface. I offer my comments only to help other people get burned just a little less, not to take potshots at the experience/advice at those individuals trying to help.

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