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What is an contrasena?

I will be opening a business in Coombia and I also will need a bank account. I have read the importance of having someone vouce for me in order to make the process easier. I want to know, what exactly is a contrasena?

By Jlove on May 1, 2008, 11:55 in Friendly Talkzone.

Rubito says on May 1, 2008, 12:01:

In this case a "contraseña" is a document they issue you while to be used as ID while waiting for your cédula, which at one point was 2 years in some cases. But most banks will NOT accept a contraseña in lieu of a cédula to open an account. The good news is as a foreigner you will probably not need to deal with that anyways. I got my visa this past January and within 2 business days I had my cedula de extranjeria ready for pickup at the DAS.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

tomtom33 says on May 1, 2008, 12:33:

It takes a lot more than 2 business days in Medellín. Mine took more like 2 months. All the cedulas are made in Bogotá.

Bank account? Buen suerte.

Rubito says on May 1, 2008, 12:34:

BuenA suerte. :P

Yes, mine was in Bogota, so it was lickety split. It seems that where you are in the country matters a great deal.

On the other hand for getting married, it was WAY quicker to go OUT of Bogota to do it, because the notaries there are all so busy.

Bank account is something I haven't tried yet, but I'm gonna need one eventually.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

tomtom33 says on May 1, 2008, 12:42:

Thanks for the correction. I have been writing that incorrectly for years. Some day, I will be able to speak and write well. But don't hold your breath.

Ryan619 says on May 2, 2008, 02:48:

I got all of my paper work done here in the states and have probably waited almost 2 years for my cedula and still nothin. Hum, lazy Bogotanians. I am pissed about all that!

Dreaming of better days

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 03:38:

Don't feel bad. Of my first 3 VISAs, I only actually got one of the cedulas. And I got that one after it had expired. All 3 of those were registered in Cartagena.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 05:33:

I had my Visa done in NY and went to DAS in MDE for my Cedula. Picked it up the next day. I have to renew in a month and am hoping that I can get it done as quickly again in MDE.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 05:36:

I don't think you got a cedula. It was a contraseña. I couldn't even get my contraseña from MDE DAS in less than a week. Your paperwork has to be sent to Bogota and the cedula is produced there. Then it is shipped back to MDE.

Gator says on May 2, 2008, 06:14:

Brians, are you sure you got the laminated "hard" Cédula de Extranjería or just the paper with no photo, et.al.??

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 06:17:

"or just the paper with no photo,"

Gator, my contrasena had the photo on it...
I am sure Brian got the "contrasena", not the cedula, but with a photo on it.

"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."

Jlove says on May 2, 2008, 09:53:

As of right now, I am in houston, Tx. Should I go to the embassy here in Houston to get the visa and then apply for the cedula en Colombian o should I wait and do everything in Colombia? I will be in Cali. I know that I will probably have to go to Bogota to pick it up. Thanks for the previous advice.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 10:04:

That would depend on the type of VISA you want. Many of them require that you get your first VISA outside of Colombia. You can get the cedula at DAS in Cali. There are services that can have your passport couriered to Bogotá. So it may not be necessary to physically go.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:25:

It says Cédula de Extranjería Temporal on it. It is laminated but actually they kind of glued my picture and gave it to me. I laminated it myself. I arrived on a Thursday filled out paperwork and gave them the blood work they wanted. Came back the following day and it was ready. Now I am coming back to renew it in June. I am coming on a Wednesday and leave on Saturday. I hope that if i go to renew it Wednesday I could get back like I did before but that is looking doubtful so I hope they will mail it then.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 10:28:

That is a contraseña. They should have told you when to come in to pick up your cedula. In October of last year I registered my VISA at DAS MDE. I got my cedula in Jan.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:29:

Oh by the way so it probably is a contrasena as it says Temporal. The funny thing is if that is the case it has been two years and I then don't have a permanent one.

robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 10:30:

That's the contrasena.
Did you already get an appointment at DAS? You need one now.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:30:

Thanks Tomtom I wrote as you were writing. Anyway does it matter that I never got the permanent one when I go to renew?

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:33:

No robi I was just going to go. I tell you the truth as you know I have been busy lately and this has been put on the backseat. I have never gone through this before. Any help is appreciated. BTW will be solo on the trip so hope you are around so we can hang out a little.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 10:35:

No, it won't matter. I never got 2 of my cedulas. Your cedula will also say temporal unless it is permanent. I won't get my permanent cedula for another 2 years. I have had 4 temporals so far.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:41:

I thought it goes permanent after I renew twice. So since this is my first renewal I thought the next would make it permanent.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 10:45:

That depends on your VISA. My Family VISA is issued for a 2-year period. I can renew it for 2 more years. Then after I have had this VISA for 3 years, I can apply for a permanent one.

I had 3 Rentista VISAs. With the Rentista, you can get a permanent VISA and cedula after 5 years, if you have been absent from Colombia for no more than 2 months in any of those years. That left me out as I spend over 2 months in the US every summer.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:49:

I have a spousal visa is that what you mean by Family? I am renewing that next week through the Consulate in NY. Obvoiusly I am not in Colombia but need all this as I plan to reside there in the next few years. My bank accounts etc. are under my cedula. Anyway I guess the question I am asking is how many times do I have to keep doing this before it is permanent and I won't have to renew? This stuff is more a nuisance than anything:)

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 10:52:

I think that the Spousal VISA works the same as mine.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 10:56:

Thanks Tomtom.

Rubito says on May 2, 2008, 12:30:

Brians that's a CEDULA.

You guys, if it SAYS "Cedula" it's a freaking CEDULA!!!! Contraseñas say "Contraseña" on it. GEESH!

I have a REAL CEDULA. And it took 2 business days in Bogota. PERIOD.

I have a feeling when it comes time for me to apply for residency I'll be able to get it despite having travelled too much.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 12:35:

That's what I thought Rubito but it does say Temporal so technically I guess it is a temporary

Rubito says on May 2, 2008, 12:36:

If you get your residency then it will be 'permanente'. Everybody on a visa has a 'temporal'.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

jonas says on May 2, 2008, 12:36:

your cedula will say temporal as long as you are not a resident but on a limited time visa.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

Saltador says on May 2, 2008, 12:40:

Then that's what everybody is saying. You get your TEMPORARY cedula first, then your official cedula down the road a few months. They have to send them off to be made, I guess in Bogota. So that explains why you might have the real thing so quickly because you are in Bogota.
The temporary looks like an ID card, with your picture and info and says "Temporal".
The cedula is like a credit card, has like a hologram finish, very official looking.
Keep in mind to some businesses likes banks, etc your Temporary cedula is meaningless and no better than showing them your US drivers license. Happened to me at OLA one time too, just trying to buy a SIM card and they wouldn't let me.

Rubito says on May 2, 2008, 12:41:

NO NO NO

a Cedula Temporal is a REAL Cedula.

The Contraseña is a TEMPORARY document.

NOBODY in Colombia on a Visa gets a permanent Cedula, only a Temporal.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

jonas says on May 2, 2008, 12:42:

and that´s why you can live here for years and still pay the gringo price to get into the national parks. ;-(

Saltador says on May 2, 2008, 12:44:

Well, I'm sure gringo pricing is a burden that never leaves you, no matter how long you're in Colombia...

jonas says on May 2, 2008, 12:48:

but as long as your cedula reads "temporal" you have to pay foreigner price. Once you become a residente you pay same entrance fee as the locals. For national parks that is.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 13:23:

"NOBODY in Colombia on a Visa gets a permanent Cedula, only a Temporal."

I believe that you need a permanent VISA. Then you get a permanent cedula.

I just looked at a photocopy of my last contraseña. It says "cedula de extranjeria" on one line. It says "contraseña" above that line.

If they pasted Brian's photo on it, it is not a cedula. Salty describes the real cedula above. You cannot get one in MDE the next day.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 13:43:

Tomtom I think I agree and we are all just splitting hairs:) I really could care less if it is Temprary or permanent. It will be nice to make it permanent so I can stop paying the $160 renewal every two years for my Visa and then the associated costs of the Cedula but more a nuisance of having to run around. If it is correct that we need a permanent visa how do I get that? How many renewals? Anyone know? This is what we need is a section that kind of lays this all out. Even when I call the Consulate it is like pulling teeth to get them to tell me exactly what I need so I don't show up and not waste atrip. Their web site doesn't say a thing about this stuff. Anyway I was about to head up on Tuesday when they I thought to ask how old can my notary be on my Colombian marriage cert. They said 90 days. Mine is over 100 days as a got a new one in Feb from my mother in law. So wasted trip averted. Anyway my point is there is just so much vagueness out there it is so frustrating. We should try to crete a list of "Contrasena" "Spousal Visa" "Cedula de Extranjeria" etc with a list of things we need. Info is great on here from people but is floating everywhere. Peter should figure out a way to centralize it. Only an opinion as I have taken far more than given on this site from others as far as information so who am I to talk.

tomtom33 says on May 2, 2008, 13:48:

"My Family VISA is issued for a 2-year period. I can renew it for 2 more years. Then after I have had this VISA for 3 years, I can apply for a permanent one."

In my case, it takes 3 VISAs y ya.

Rubito says on May 2, 2008, 13:58:

The important difference is you will almost certainly NOT get a bank account with a contrasena, but with a cedula temporal you can get one. MAYBE.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

robi666 says on May 2, 2008, 14:59:

Brian has got a bank account, no problems.
Having or not a cedula has nothing to do with it. Although it used as the preferite excuse to refuse to open an account.

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 15:07:

So what the heck is the difference between a Contrasena and Cedula de Extrajeria? Are they the same?

pedro says on May 2, 2008, 15:52:

The contrasena is a receipt, certifying that the issue of your cedula is pending.

Because of the primitive quality of the contrasena, many entities don't trust it as ID. It's too easy to counterfeit or procure a real form and fill it in as you like. Some people don't accept it as a matter of policy. Some do.

It's the same problem for citizens... if you lose your cedula, it may take a long time to receive a new one. You will have problems getting refused entry at discotecas when carded, and many other day to day things. You can't vote in an election without the proper cedula.

I was able to open my bank account with just a contrasena. They did request extra sources of proof. I gave them a photocopy of the visa page in my passport, plus they sent me on a wild goose chase to the DAS, looking for extra certification which doesn't really exist.

Tomtom and Robi posted reliable info above. Rubito, you have several mistakes in what you posted.

¡save pow wow!

Brians says on May 2, 2008, 18:04:

Thanks Pedro that is actually the best explanation I have heard. I wouldn't trust this thing without other proof as well. Looks like a high school ID card.

Gator says on May 2, 2008, 20:24:

I ain't holding my nose and juumpting into ths BUT you should know Colombia (DAS) issues two different types of foreign resident identity cards (Cédula de Extranjerías). The first is a temporary foreign resident card (Cédula de Extranjería Temporal) and is issued to individuals who are granted TEMPORY visas. The second is a foreign RESIDENT card (Cédula de Extranjería Residente) and is issued to individuals who hold an indefinite visa.This is what I have. The temporary foreign resident, Cédula de Extranjería Temporal card, is valid as long as the visa is valid. The Cédula de Extranjería Residente, foreign resident card, must be renewed every five years If you have a temporary foreign resident card can leave the country for up to six months at a time If you have a foreign resident card can leave the country for up to two years at a time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) issues the resident visas but both the Cédula de Extranjería Residente the Cédula de Extranjería Temporal are renewed through DAS

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Rubito says on May 2, 2008, 23:10:

Robi, NOT true. My wife lost her cedula and went for two years with a contraseña during which time she wanted to switch banks and COULD NOT because they ALL wanted a cedula. The moment she actually GOT her cedula she opened up two new accounts NO PROBLEM, and closed the old one.

Brians if your document says "cedula de extranjeria temporal" on it it IS a cedula NOT a fucking contraseña and is the same document I have and can be used as ID anywhere in Colombia.

Everything Gator posted is correct too.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

tomtom33 says on May 3, 2008, 04:55:

Gee Rubi, how did I open an account at BBVA with just my contraseña? They have the copy of my contraseña on file and have never asked to see my cedula.

The bottom line is that no one can follow the rules in Colombia because no one knows what those rules are. No two Colombian government officials can give you the same answer to any question.

My last contraseña said "cedula de extranjeria temporal." What part of this is so hard to understand? Without the permanent lamination and water marks, it simply is not a cedula. And it doesn't matter what it says on the document.

tomtom33 says on May 3, 2008, 04:57:

Of course Bancolombia will not give the 9 million pesos that was stolen from her account to my novia without her cedula. She is trying to get a passport now. Colombian banks are just assholes and crooks.

Gator says on May 3, 2008, 06:57:

Mrs. Gator FINALLY got her new cédula(the replacement for the old tan one) after eleven months and 22 days.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Brians says on May 4, 2008, 09:44:

Gator thanks. Just never really asked what the difference was nor really cared. I just needed it for my bank accounts. Hell I have probably violated the terms anyway as I was out of the country for more than 6 months so lets see if they notice. Anyway everything with my accounts seem fine and have had no problems except all those little fees that annoy the hell out of me. Thanks for the advice and explanation. I am heading to the Consulate in 10 days to renew my visa then to MDE to renew cedula in June. Seems easy enough but am sure there will be many issues as nothing is easy there.