VISA%^*(&%# at $%^&*

Robert Jorge says on May 8, 2007, 17:59:

Hey scott321. I do not recall the exact amounts, but you are basically fined upon departure from Colombia for a tourist overstay. From reading posts and threads about this topic over the past 9 months, there might be an "official" amount - but the fine is also up to the DAS guy/gal you encounter on the way out of the country. You will not be locked up or anything though. If you don't pay up, you WON'T get on the plane. If I recall correctly, and take this with a grain of salt, the fine is roughly double what a month tourist visa extension fee is, per month overstay. I could also be way off ... it has been a while since I read about this issue, and I have drank beer since then.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Robert Jorge says on May 8, 2007, 18:32:

Just in case you're not aware, you do not need a tourist visa to visit Colombia (I am assuming you are a US citizen). You can be given 30, 60, or 90 days on your initial passport stamp as a tourist. 60 days is generally what you will get. I have heard of people only getting 30 days, and I have also heard of people getting a 90 day initial stamp - usually upon request. This info, I am sure about, unlike my above post. Before your time is up on whatever amount of time you are given upon entry, you must go to a local DAS and get a 30 day extension. It is too long to write what you need, but it involves a lot of running around and a second visit to the DAS the next day usually. At least for your first extension, I would advise you to go about 4 or 5 days before your initial stamp expires. But, you don't want to go to early, because then you are losing days from what they originally gave you. (This won't make a difference on the 6 month maximum stay - but can end up costing you a little more money and time. ex: An extra trip to the DAS, an extra payment. Then, your next DAS visits are a little quicker, because you will know the proceedure, what bank to go to, your fingerprinting will have already been done on the first visit, etc. These, you can safely go on your last day of the previous 30 day extension ... but watch out for festivos. About every 2 weeks there is a day the DAS is closed due to a holiday. They also have a 2 hour lunch, 12pm to 2pm. Generally, no service between those hours.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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scott321 says on May 8, 2007, 18:48:

Thank you for your responses Robert. There are four in my familly two with USA passports and two with Nicaraguan passports. We want to stay in Colombia for one year so the tourist visa is a last resort. Would prefer to get one year visas but havnt figured out how to do it yet. If I get retirement visa Im not sure if it applies to the rest of my family. I doubt it does. The only other possibility is Investor Visa but i would prefer not to buy something there.

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Gator says on May 9, 2007, 09:09:

Those Traveling on The Nicaraguan.... passports will require a visa traveling on the USA passports no visa required. No tourist visa is valid past six months as is the entry on the USA passport. That is not a calender year but is counted from the date of initial entry.

I would also suggest to visit the MRE (Colombia's foreign relations site)
site and check there. They do accept and answer e-mail-rather promptly, for Colombia that is.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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

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Chelesupercono says on May 12, 2007, 10:56:

hi scott did you check with charlie about his visa??? hi from david

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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scott321 says on May 12, 2007, 11:46:

Yes David. Hows it going?
Yes David. Hows it going?

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tigredelnorte2 says on Nov 27, 2007, 14:11:

Anyone have an idea on how to renew an American Passport in Colombia. I live in Medellin, and my passport is about to expire.

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