jfsawatzky has left 61 comments

jfsawatzky comments on documents needed for a uk guy to marry a colombian girl in colombia

first, could you tell us what type of wedding you plan? Is it a civil or Catholic ceremony? As for the marriage visa, that is no longer required.

jfsawatzky comments on Colombian Valentine's Day?

according to: http://www.regalolatino.com/dia-amor-y-amistad-colombia.aspx it is En Colombia, el Dia del amor y la amistad, se celebra el tercer fin de semana de Septiembre.

jfsawatzky comments on Getting mail sent TO Colombia

I've used several methods to send items to Colombia from Canada One, Canada Post, Air Mail, Pros: cost inexpensive, delivered to Colombia within a week. Cons: delivery to final destination approx 3 or 4 weeks, unable to track item after leaving Canada. Two, Servientrega Pros: cost reasonable, delivered to Colombia within 3 or 4 days. Cons: need to ship item to Miami (additional cost and time) Three, similiar to Servientrega, but a Canadian company in Montreal (I can not recall the details... I will try to post more later). Pros: cost and delivery (delivery time similar to servientrega, and cost was similiar), different shipping options depending on urgency and type of package. If you told us your location (are you in Australia?), someone might be have other options you could use.

jfsawatzky comments on Canadian VISA hopes revived, new method and advice needed.

Based on the Permanent Resident Visa my wife and I are waiting for, I believe that after you have lived for one year outside of a country where you are a citizen, you can apply for a visa from the embassy/consulate within that country... so after one year in Oz, she can apply for a visitors visa from the consulate in Canberra. By the way, what profession is you wife is in? Take care... and good luck

jfsawatzky comments on I am going to Columbia in February 2008 Flight info

Another option that I used once, was to take a flight from go travel direct (I was interested in a package, but they were unable to add a second person (my fiance) staying in my hotel room), Ottawa Cartegena. I am pretty certain that this is NOT available year round (if it is still available at all), but with a brief stop in Montreal to pick up passengers (maybe 45 - 60 minutes) it was a quick and easy option. The price was comparable to other options. A bus (a private mini van) to Barranquilla will probably take 90 minutes, and cost... if i remember correctly 50,000 pesos (about $25) or a normal bus (I suggest costeno (not certain of the spelling) might be 25,000 pesos (about 12.50).

jfsawatzky comments on I am going to Columbia in February 2008 Flight info

Hey vic... You've stayed the night at the Bogota airport. What has it been like... any problems?

jfsawatzky comments on I am going to Columbia in February 2008 Flight info

A couple thoughts, as I fly this route... Avoid, if possible, any layovers in the US. Your luggage could be delayed, or you might miss your connections. I have flown Ottawa, Pittsburg, Miami, Barranquilla once, and the only flight that arrived/left on time was my first flight out of Ottawa. One positive note, my luggage was ticketed to Barranquilla in Ottawa, and actually arrived with me in Barranquilla!!! (I have flown other routes in the US, and more often than not, the flights do not arrive on time, and I have had problems with lost luggage.) When you return, you need allow sufficient time to clear immigration in Miami and to make your connection. One possible downside if you decide to use AC, you will probably need an overnight in Bogota, as I could not make connections (unless the schedules have since changed) and you need consider this cost too. The comment by Gator about buying after Christmas is correct, after New Years the prices drop dramatically (you just need wait until the prices drop), and my experience is there has been plenty of spaces to Colombia after Christmas. Another factor, if you intend to go for Carnavles, you may have problems making a connection to Baranquilla from Bogota (that is if you do not book ahead... I needed wait about 8 hours, as the 3 or 4 earlier flights were full when I went for Carnavles). I have seen prices on AC Ottawa to Bogota vary from 630 (approx 800 with tax) and up . Normally the price is around 1000 (including tax), and typically AC is cheaper (or very near the same price) as flying through the US (at least I have not been able to find prices cheaper than AC), and when you factor in the time, with layovers and potential for complications, I prefer to fly AC.

jfsawatzky comments on Anybody up for a cervasa or 2?

I wish I was there, then I would take you up on the offer. But I an unable to travel... probably not til October. What part of Canada are you from?

jfsawatzky comments on All inclusive trip....

The only all inclusives available in Canada are to Cartegena (as far as I know)... although San Andres may offer something, as they heavily promote tourism. Santa Marta and Tagana are more of a national beach holiday spot, as opposed to international... so I doubt there are (m)any all inclusives there. Check travel agencies/operators to see what they offer from where you live... cause I suspect there is little info posted here cause most of the people here do not do all inclusives often in Colombia. I would agree with the comment about that Cartegena probably offers the most since you want both culture and beaches.

jfsawatzky comments on has anyone done this?

I believe this is what happened to me... I wrote a letter authorizing my gf to act on my behalf... and in the eyes of the Colombian gov't, at least, we are seen as married. However, I am a little concerned if Canadian immigration will see this as valid... so when we go to the notary next week, I will use that date instead of the Sept date... as I think Canadian immigration will recognize this as the actual date of marriage.

jfsawatzky comments on Coca Tea and Dried up Coca Leaves

I cannot answer if coca leaves are detected by the sniffer dogs but I did some searching and found ... http://www.erowid.org/plants/coca/coca_law.shtml

"Canada #
The coca plant ("Erythroxylon") including the leaves are schedule I in Canada. (Note: Canadian schedules are very different than U.S. schedules)"
...what is schedule I ... look below

canadian controlled substances act

http://198.103.98.49/en/C-38.8/index.html

jfsawatzky comments on Coca Tea and Dried up Coca Leaves

Combiche, if I remember, you live in Toronto now, no?
Anway, I would be very cautious for several reasons... I believe any part of plants used to make drugs is illegal in Canada...but maybe someone else knows for sure.
Also, I believe you are required to report any fruit / plant material /food that you have on your person when you fill out the customs /immigration papers prior to entry to Canada. If you answer yes, you have plants/fruits/food... the customs officer will probably ask what you have... if you are lucky it may be only confiscated... otherwise the consequences maybe more if they realize what it is. If you say no, and for some reason they search your luggage, then you might be asking for problems...
If you are flying through the US, I do not know how they might view the situation. Personally, I would not want to find out.

jfsawatzky comments on The importance of "shopping" a Notaria

great advice CG thanks for posting

jfsawatzky comments on how to marry ina civil ceremoney and then get her a canadian visa

LSA ... thanks for update LSA...
Thanks for the valuable update!!! I certainly hope this will help any Canadians that want to marry on the island.
A couple questions and a comment....
Have your friends completed the visa process? Did they experience any issues either in Canada or at the embassy when the visa was being processed?
With respect to the haya (hague) conventions... Canada has signed many, but the one that is relevant in this case has to do with the authentication of foreign documents (offically the Hague Convention on Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Documents 1961)...at least I believe this is the one to which you refer when you said 'Canada it is part of the haya Convetions so it is valid'
Canada has not signed this convention (unless Canada has ratified it within the last six months), and as such does not recognize apostilles. So the process I outlined is required to use Canadian docs in Colombia... and I believe the steps you outlined above with taking the marriage license to bogota, and having it stamped at the various places is the same process in reverse. (thanks for the info by the way... i will need to do this within a couple weeks)
Part of me certainly wishes we would marry on the island, as this would have prevented many of the hassles I had when I was organizing my documents.
THANKS AGAIN LSA!!!

jfsawatzky comments on does canada give visas to fiances?

yet another thought... student visa if you want to bring your gf to canada, you might want to consider a student visa (a different sort of TRV). Once she is in Canada, and after you marry, you can apply for the PRV and I believe she is entitled to stay... the difficult part is somehow getting her to Canada in the first place.

jfsawatzky comments on is it quicker to sponsor a fiance or a spouse ro come to canada

another thought... student visa Another thought... a student visa (TRV again) might be easier to apply for and receive for your gf... but she will need to apply for admission (and meet any requirements that the school has) and after she is granted admission, I think the school needs be involved with the visa process. But as she is only a gf, I suspect any processing that is needed in Colombia, will be slow as the TRV is not as high a priority as spousal/ family reunification (that is a PRV, according to the immigration web site)

jfsawatzky comments on is it quicker to sponsor a fiance or a spouse ro come to canada

hestaman... I belief the 5 year TRV is the max time span for the TRV. I doubt Canada Immigration will grant a TRV to your gf, unless they believe she will return to her home country (unless she is refuge... but I have no info regarding this process). See the posts I have made over the past several days to jeff beck's questions regarding how to bring a colombian to canada... my comments to him apply to your question.
If you try, keep us posted, as I think we all would like to know the outcome. cheers.

jfsawatzky comments on does canada give visas to fiances?

another thought... quebec If you live in quebec, they might have special status regarding immigration. I recall something about working visas specifically, and that quebec has a separate (unique) process to approve workers for the province. I do not know if this special status also applies to other classes for immigration or if it is only for the skilled workers class. Just a thought that you might want to think about, if you are in quebec.

jfsawatzky comments on Vista release version

Yes, vista is a pig... look at the minimum specs to run vista ...512mb ram for a 'vista capable pc' and 1gb ram for 'vista ready', aside from the other requirements.
RUV, what configurations have you been using for the laptops you've upgraded? Have you noticed significant differences if you increase the ram beyond 1 gb? What have you found to be the optimum configuration, given a tradeoff between cost and performance?
I am also curious, what company do you work for that is so eager to adopt a new OS as soon as it is released??

jfsawatzky comments on does canada give visas to fiances?

I am thinking NO.
And, based I am thinking NO.
And, based on my experience, as well as several others... if Canada Immigration finds out there is some sort of romantic interest in Canada, I believe they will be even more unlikely to grant a visa... as there is more reason the individual will not leave Canada after the visa expires.
Canada Immigration will only grant a visa if they are satisfied that the person will leave Canada at the end of the visa... and in the case you suggest, the individual most likely will not.
I applied for a TRV 2 summers ago, along with an invitation letter, cause I wanted my gf to visit, to experience Canada, and so we could live together for one month, to see how compatible we are outside of Colombia... but Immigration declined the visa.
Unless you want to use an good immigration lawyer, maybe they have contacts or knowledge that may be useful... but for cases like ours, I an uncertain how valuable /useful that may be.
Let us know what you attempt, and what the outcome is.
Good luck

jfsawatzky comments on marrying a colombian tourist in canada

Tom...after I reread your post... there is one potential problem with what you suggest about your friend. If you marry before applying for the TRV (visitors visa) and later when you apply for the TRV, and you decide not to mention your marriage, this could cause big problems with Immigration Canada... especially if they catch you or the spouse, and if/when you apply for the PRV.

I am interested in your comment that all she needs is her birth certificate and DAS certificate. Can you elaborate... Do you mean once she is in Canada, this is all she needs for the PRV, or she only needs these two documents for a TRV???

Do you have other experience with Immigration Canada that you can share?

jfsawatzky comments on marrying a colombian tourist in canada

Tom... the only trouble is getting a TRV for the colombiana to come to canada in the first place. I know about 6 people that have applied for the TRV for their spouse/bf/gf, myself included, and none of them have been approved. If however, before you marry, your potential spouse is already in Canada, and then you marry and apply for PRV, then she is entitled to stay in the country. At least this is my understanding.

jfsawatzky comments on More photos of candelaria

Nice pics... r u related to steve??

jfsawatzky comments on Visa to expire. Wife says I´m fried!!

DG...I agree Normally I would not take any sides, cause we only hear one side of the issue... but in this cause, I have to agree with DG (and sometimes I do not agree with DG at all... jejejejej)... get a lawyer, divorce your wife (assuming this is what you want/need) and then inform the english authorities of the situation... Good luck

jfsawatzky comments on how to marry ina civil ceremoney and then get her a canadian visa

Lovelysanandres and Canadians... Lovelysanandres...

I am compelled to correct you on one aspect of what you posted above... at least in respect to Canadians who marry a colombian(as far as the research I conducted 6 months ago... and if anyone has contradictory or more current information, please post a reply). While it is not your responsiblity to know all the requirements of all countries, I need to point out that some people may not consider that there are two parties (Colombian and the Canadian authorities) that will be involved with the immigration process, and the implications of this (the Canadian authorities need to accept the marriage as legal / valid). So when you state that only a passport is required for a civil marriage in San Andres, while being true, may lead people to believe that said marriage MAY (or MAY NOT) be recognized as legal in / by Canadian authorities (this situation may also apply to other countries, but I cannot elaborate on this).

Now, the reason why I am writing this, is that I came across some indicators when I was researching my upcoming marriage, that the Canadian authorities MAY NOT (emphasis MAY NOT) accept a marriage performed on San Andres as legal/valid. I have not verified this info, as it does not apply in my situation, but I need to recommend that any Canadians, or any foreigner needs to verify that a marriage on San Andres meets the requirements of their home country. Contact Immigration Canada and / or the Canadian Consulate in Bogota to verify the legality of a San Andres wedding. (I would hate to have someone run into trouble after marrying a Colombian on San Andres, and find out later the marriage is not valid/legal in the eyes of their government.)

(A side note, I do not understand why the Canadian government would not accept a San Andres wedding... To paraphrase what I recall... The government will accept any local marriage that meets the local requirements. So, if a marriage on San Andres only requires a passport, why does Canada not accept the marriage as valid? I do not know the answer)

Again, if any Canadians have been married on San Andres with a colombian, who have completed the visa process, please correct me if any of this info is inaccurate, or if the situation has changed over the last 6 months.

jfsawatzky comments on marrying a colombian tourist in canada

hmmm I might be mistaken... but during my research I came across something that if you applied for a spousal visa from within Canada, while your spouse is in Canada, your spouse had the right to stay within the country until the visa was decided. The trick is getting your potential spouse to Canada in the first place... but if she is already in Canada, then the tough part is done. This is known as 'in country' processing, as opposed to processing the applicaiton outside Canada. You need to verify this, cause I do not recall the details... (and maybe I am wrong, or things may have changed). Good luck.

jfsawatzky comments on how to marry ina civil ceremoney and then get her a canadian visa

search the site Also, do a search as there have been previous posts / threads regarding Canadian visas, requirements for marriage specific for Canadians... (ie apostile of documents does not exist in Canada, as Canada failed to sign the Hague convention regarding apostilles. So if I remember correctly, you need to:
1. notarize the documents,
2. send those docs to Foreign Affairs in Ottawa to authenticate the notary stamp,
3. send those docs to the Colombian embassy/consulate in your area, so they can authenticate the previous FA stamp,
4. send the docs to bogota to authenticate the embassy stamp...
5. translate docs to spanish
6. present to notary in colombia...
yes, what a PAIN IN THE BUTT... but, depending on which consulate, and /or notary in colombia you deal with, etc you may find that not all these steps are required, but I believe this is the 'official' process, according to the consul in Ottawa)
Most of the other steps required for Americans apply to Canadians... except for you need a search letter from the province where you reside stating that you have not been married. That's all I can think of right now... but if I remember anything else, I will add that later. Good luck.

jfsawatzky comments on how to marry ina civil ceremoney and then get her a canadian visa

FYI check out colombianBlog.com... there are a couple Canadians who posted their experiences with the Permanet Resident visa process... that is the visa to sponsor your spouse. For the two who have completed and posted their experiences, the process took approx 1 year for each of them. It is a long thread to read through, but quite informative. One comment, I think both their spouses had complicating factors, so if your spouse has nothing out of the ordinary (ie working / living out of the country more than six monthes, without children etc) then you may be lucky and have the visa within six monthes or so.

jfsawatzky comments on Cell phone disruption

jejeje blogota.com...
You might be onto something there, but whenever I tried calling on the weekend, I could not even leave a message... this is the first time that I have been unable to contact her for several days in the past 2 years since we have known each other. I think your comment about the mobile networks seldomly going down is valid though.
Yet, she was having some cousins visit... are they real 'cousins' or not??? hmmmmmmmm jejejej

jfsawatzky comments on getting a canadian tourist visa for my girlfriend

Based on my experience and several others who have applied for and been declined the temporary resident visa (that's the canadian visitor/tourist visa), it is probably a waste of time and effort unless your gf/fiance has a full time job, owns property, has significant financial resources, has family (husband and children) etc... (anything that will convince Canada Immigration that the person will return to Colombia after the visa expires).Good luck.

jfsawatzky comments on is it quicker to sponsor a fiance or a spouse ro come to canada

Canada immigration process As I understand the process, sponsoring a fiance would involve a visitors visa (actually called a temporary resident visa), as Canada does not have a fiance visa like the USA. The TRV can be approved quickly (depending on the type of TRv... there is a travel/visitor TRV, student TRV etc), however few are approved (based on the few people that I know that have applied, including myself) unless your gf/fiance has a full time job, owns property, has significant financial resources, has family (husband and children) etc... (anything that will convince Canada Immigration that the person will return to Colombia after the visa expires). Sponsoring a spouse involves a permanent resident visa, which Canada Immigration has deemed to be a priority as they want to reuinte families as quick as possible (probably 6 months - 12 months processing). Good luck.

jfsawatzky comments on San Andres - Marriage

civil vs catholic wedding Does anyone know if the passport only requirement is valid for both the civil (notary) and catholic weddings in San Andres? Or is it one or the other??? I do not remember, but I suspect it may only be valid for the notary...

jfsawatzky comments on Sending Goods to Colombia

Servientegra in Canada? I sent some documents to my gf in baranquilla recently, and I did not find any Servientegra outlets in Canada (although I think I found a contact in Calgary... but I do not remember the details, or maybe this was something else).
Anyway, I sent the docs to Beatriz at Servientrega (miami) by Canadian express post... arrived within 3 or 4 days from Ottawa as I was in a rush. Beatriz sent the items to barranquilla, and I contacted her the next day to arrange payment (I thought this aspect was very good... she sent the item before payment... based on trust). Very good service. I would recommend Servientegra (otherwise, using Canada Post, you are at the mercy of the colombian postal system (and customs) once the item arrives in colombia... a parcel I sent took more than a month after it was in colombia to be delivered...but this was to barranquilla, not bogota). The price for documents is/was slightly less expensive than quoted above... i think i paid 10 or 15 for up to 7 lbs (about 3 kg) in Sept or Oct.

jfsawatzky comments on San Andres - Marriage

FYI Canadians I have heard rumours (it may have been when i was researching / applying for TRV / PRV) ... and I have not substantiated them yet... but Canada or maybe the Canadian consulate in bogota MAY NOT (emphasis MAY NOT) accept a San Andres wedding as valid. Don't ask me why, but I would advise any Canadians to verify the legality with the consulate so they can avoid any problems with Canadian Immigration later.

jfsawatzky comments on my wife finally got to see snow...

i am jealous.... I hope to have a similar story this time next year... you will have to let us know how she adapts to the climate, culture etc. Are you in Canada or the US??

jfsawatzky comments on C Bolg

cblog is back as of 5 minutes ago (maybe longer) the site was back up!

jfsawatzky comments on Novia Visa ?

Keep us informed I would like to know any info you find out about this.
cheers

jfsawatzky comments on Mailing method

DHL or Servientrega (sp? I also heard DHL may buy Servientrega, but I do not know if this has been approved or happened yet... but Servientrega offered very good prices for shipping from the US to Colombia when I last used them) is a good bet, or any other international courier... fedex, ups etc. I suspect the large international couriers will be pricey though, but if it is important, and you need fast service, this is the way to go.

jfsawatzky comments on Where are women best treated?? What about Colombia?

I am very interested in how this study/questionnaire was done... i tried to go to the world economic forum website, but it is down right now. It is interesting how the philipinnes is number 6... i wonder where canada is?? I wonder how the quesitons were weighted, who particiapted in the study, what stats were used... many questions.

jfsawatzky comments on I need to find the cheapest way to send a box of gifts to colombia

I have shipped documents using servientrega in Miami. If I remember correctly, price was $10 or $15 for up to 7 lbs, and something like $1.10 each additional pound. Arrived in barranquilla within 2 or 3 days. I heard DHL was supposed to buy the company... but I do not know if this has happened, and if it has, have the rates increased?

jfsawatzky comments on American Gof Hotel or ?????????

I have stayed at the Hotel Majestic... approx 40/night (I like the architectural style... it is NOT the typical hotel/office type building). I have not stayed at the American Golf Hotel, but I have heard good things. The last I heard is the prices have increased to about 60/night (but I don't know if this is high season or not)

jfsawatzky comments on New moderator

OH no... Desi as a moderator... groan.... jejejejejej
Good luck Desi

jfsawatzky comments on Why be alone during the Holidays?

I agree Peter, this thread is a blast.
Where is elmo when you need him???

jfsawatzky comments on Santa Fe De Antioquia, Colombia

good job strobers... great video

jfsawatzky comments on CHEERS! to DESI and, also TINTO

I agree with kat and tinto Kat has some good points... it would be great if some of the other females from CB would post here... but with some of the sh*t that goes on here, well let's just say I am not surprised they are not involved.

jfsawatzky comments on anyone can fill me in on any difference between Colombian women from Medellin and lets say Santa Marta, Cartagena?

Colombiche... jejejeje

jfsawatzky comments on a little over 8 days to go...

congrats ah man... I am so happy for you...and yet envious too, cause my gf, (well wife in a couple months), will not be in canada for about another year...if everything goes well.
all the best
jf

jfsawatzky comments on South American friends from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and

eky door = ecuador jejejej ...I believe waterdawg means ecuador = eky door

jfsawatzky comments on Bringing new computer from US

computer I brought a system with me, but customs did not ask for a receipt, nor did I need pay any tax... but it was not in a box, as I carried it on the plane with me. I read in other posts, that apparently you can bring 2 or 3 identical items, and the posters did not have to pay tax. But I do not know if this would hold for laptops or not.

jfsawatzky comments on Advise buying an engagement ring

Diamonds are not very common in Colombia, although I did bring an engagment ring with me. Do not expect a large selection of diamonds, and I would think the prices would not be cheaper than in the US, as Colombians tend to give emerald rings. Also, think of the safety of your girlfriend, do you want her walking around with a $5000 ring? Or will she keep it at home, and not wear it often???
The other poster may have bought a zironca ring, or maybe a plain gold ring.
Good luck.