What do I need to get a working visa? urgent

bradenmiami says on Dec 6, 2007, 05:44:

Most employers will help you get the Work Visa, whether it be by providing all the necessary documentation you will need or in some cases (for higher-end employers) they will do the whole thing for you through their attorney.

You shouldn't have a hard time breaking that "vicious circle", as most employers know you need the contract and other papers to get the visa in the first place. The only down side is you will find a ton of employers (of English Teachers) who will employ you and want you to do it "illegally" off your passport or another Visa without the work permission, and not help you one bit with the Visa.

Put together a good resume, get it out to people, and find a reputable employer who will give you a contract and supply the necessary info the get you the Visa.

I have recently been through the same thing of sorts, and am on my way to getting my working permission also!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

vicshere says on Dec 6, 2007, 06:04:

OP what kind of work are you doing or want to do??

BRAD
"you will find a ton of employers (of English Teachers) who will employ you and want you to do it "illegally" off your passport or another Visa without the work permission, and not help you one bit with the Visa."
this is not true...as a matter of fact its the opposite of what you say

listo

bradenmiami says on Dec 6, 2007, 07:49:

Bullshit...happens all the time, seen it a lot and had it offered to me on occasion. Equally common among many friends and acquaintances. As a matter of fact, it is a COMMON practice that many people will verify...at least those of use who are in the teaching world and have experience firsthand.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

vicshere says on Dec 6, 2007, 08:09:

again it is not a common practice in the big cities or big towns...it may be possible in small villages....those schools better watch for the DAS making an inspection for foreign worker...then they better be prepared to pay off or fine......and further more if you are offered a job without a contract or being legal watch out...you will get screwed .... and beside the pay will be shit anyway.....who wants to work for 5,000 per hour....dam I will sit back and drink beer before I work for that kind of money

listo

mranderson says on Dec 6, 2007, 10:25:

I agree with brad. Most language institutes have no clue how to hire a foreign worker and most likely are not willing to help you get a visa. Even in a big city like medellin. I work illegally and make 15.000 per hour. If you need a work visa the best bet would probably be a university or private school.

ivuska says on Dec 6, 2007, 13:06:

thank you guys.... we have heard something about a letter or something prooving our ability to do the job ...basically that the employer has to hire us and the local people... the work about what we are talking is an english and french teacher...Could it be a problem if your studies were not in this direction?

ivuska says on Dec 6, 2007, 13:08:

btw we are talking about Cartagena.. not a small city but....very high level of corruption... in all the interviews we went on, we have been asked not about our abilities but who we were sent by....

BAQ says on Dec 13, 2007, 12:24:

REMEMBER Colombia is now enforcing the work laws with the employers by REQUIRING WORKERS provide the "companies" with their R.U.T. number. In order to get a rute number you need a CEDULA.

You can work for CASH but if you want to work for an established company, they will probable be asking for YOUR R.U.T. If they (Company) get caught by DIAN paying people without a RUT number, they are being heavily fined.

Semper Fidelis !

Cali2005 says on Dec 26, 2007, 19:04:

Getting a work visa. You have to stand in lines for about 4 days or pay an immigration specialist to do it. Colombia wants foriegners to do business here. Getting a bank account at some banks is actually harder than getting a work visa.

The work visa allows you to stay in the country 6 months at a time, but you need to leave at least every 6 months for 72 hours. This does not qualify you for permanent residency/citizenship.

This is basically the process i ran through about a year as my marraige visa expired...yep divorce...

1) get a NIT (something like a tax id), 2) Get your Camera de Commerce Registration (business license), 3) immigration specialist writes a letter & fills out your forms, 3) notary pulbic authorization for the person standing in line with your visa application in bogota 4) photos for your visa, 4) sent to bogota with the 250 bucks processing fee..............

I think i paid about 200 bucks (USD) to the immigration person i used in Colombia on top of the 250 app fee with the Ministery of Exteriors in Bogota. You will use a consulate if you do this outside of Colombia.

If your new to colombia they may ask you get some DAS background check, otherwise you will probably need a police criminal record background from where you currently reside.

If your in Bogota you can actually get your visa the same day, however most people just drop off the

you can spend 4 days running around getting your business license and NIT by the time you figure out what places to go to, stand in line from anywere between 15 minutes to 4 hours... DONT FORGET THOSE 2 HOUR LUNCHS, AND LIMITED OFFICE HOURS.

Keep lots of coins handy to pay for extra copies of papers you get through out the day!!! OR JUST find an immigration person to hire someone to run the errands for you...A CHEAP AND WISE OPTION.....unless you want to tour Colombian government buildings!

Colombia runs on 50% rubber stamps, and 50% computers.

After you are running your business or need to authorize yourself / salary (health insurance) you will need to get some rubberstamps made with your business name. Your company letters are not official without your 10,000 rubber sello (seal) stamp applied!

******* THE RUT is actually not needed for the visa, but i just learned from my accountant that you have to have it or you will run into problems ...this is like a sales/service tax ID, different than a tax ID.

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