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Paul Anthony has left 20 comments

Comments:

Investment Visa Legal Advice Hi Scott, sorry I've taken so long to get back to you (and anyone else that's interested) on this subject. I have now received the advice from my Colombian lawyers on the matter. Please find below a direct quote from the letter I received them which I have copied and pasted for your information:

"As you mentioned in your e-mail and pursuant to Colombian migratory law, if a foreigner makes a direct foreign investment in his/her own name, in a minimum amount of USD $ 100,000, in accordance with the rules of the International Investment Statute, he/she may obtain a resident investor visa.

The International Investment Statute sets forth that the purchase of an apartment is deemed a direct foreign investment, provided the foreigner meets the following requirements:

- The money must be assigned to the authorized investment, in our case it would be the purchase of the apartment.

- The money must be sent to a local bank, and a exchange declaration form must be filed (No. 4), in order to negotiate the currency (dollars) and obtain Colombian pesos from the local bank in order to purchase the apartment. This local bank will inform the Central Bank for purposes of recording the exchange operation and the investment.

- The foreign investor must have the qualification of non resident in Colombia.

In this sense, Decree 1735 of 1993 states that the individual who does not live in the Colombian territory, and the foreigner who has not stayed in Colombia for more than 6 continuous or discontinuous months in a 12-month period, are deemed non resident for investment purposes.

Colombian migratory law requires the following documents:

- Original passport, which must be valid for at least three (3) months, in good condition, with blank pages and photocopy of the used pages of same document.

- Application form duly completed, which is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Bogotá.

- Three (3) recent color photographs, with front pose and light background, size: 3x3 cm.

- Certificate issued by the Central Bank, stating the registry of the investment as a direct foreign investment in the name of the foreigner.

As we mentioned before, this visa would give you the status of Colombian resident, and it is granted indefinitely, unless you leave the country for more than two (2) continuous years, case in which the visa will be cancelled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Said entity has informed us that such visa could be requested here in Bogotá. However, we recommend you to confirm this information by the time the visa is be requested."

I hope this is helpfull to everyone who is complating doing the same thing. In my case it's exactly what I wanted to hear and it means in short that I can benefit in two ways; firstly I can buy an apartment instead of renting and secondly I can use that money to obtain permanent residency. Since I plan to settle here in Colombia indefinitely it's excellent news for me.

Paul Anthony comments on Investor Visa

I have just asked my Colombian lawyers to look into precisely whether residential property is considered a valid investment for this type of visa. I hope to have an answer from them in the next few days so will leep you posted.

Paul Anthony comments on Calling All Bogotá Based Immigration Lawyers

Thanks Very Much Thanks Brian I'll call him this evening but are you sure he won't mind you giving his number out?

Paul Anthony comments on Racial Attitudes of Colombian Women

I May Be Blind But I Don't Get It or See It One of things I love most about Colombia is the huge variety of skin shade I see when moving around the city whether I’m having dinner in an expensive restaurant in Zona T or wondering around the market in Paloquemao. It seems to me that Colombians range from blonde blue eyed Aryan types, olive skinned Spanish, indigenous Indians and people who are absolutely pitch black, plus there is every imaginable combination in between, so people must be dating and marrying people of different racial origins.

I think attitude to colour is often in the minds of the people of colour. I myself am a combination of a blonde blue eyed Anglo Saxon English mother and an Afro Caribbean father from Jamaica with a touch of Indian from India thrown in and I expect there is probably a bit of Arawak Indian swilling around in my gene pool somewhere as well. I was raised never to even consider my skin shade as being relevant to anything. Because I thought and acted that way in England, where I born and raised, people treated me that way there. Now I may be mistaken, but I’ve never imagined for one moment that any of my Colombian friends or family sees my colour as relevent either. My partner is what I suppose people would call “White Colombian”, we met in England and came to live in Bogotá and colour was never an issue between us, it was never even really discussed. So really guys don’t get hung up on this racial/colour thing, part of the beauty of Colombia is its rainbow nature.

Where I perceive a problem in Colombia is in class and social differences which are huge and very obvious here. I must also assume that due to historical reasons, class is to some extent, and only some extent, reflected in skin colour. It seems that indigenous and black people tend to come from the poorer elements of society. However, the clear fact that most Colombians are very obviously of mixed race tells me people don’t have such a big problem with dating and marrying each other. You can’t miss how mixed the people are, it can be seen in the faces of almost everyone, whether they are a government minister or a street vendor. Also white Colombians as well as black and Indigenous Indian Colombians can be found begging at the traffic lights, which tells me that social class is not completely something to do with skin colour. However, I suspect that if you tried to marry someone who is of a different class then you might well have a problem, which is just the same in England.

Anyway, I’d really like to hear other people’s views of my opinion. Am I right or am I just another dumb foreigner who’s so in love with Colombia that I can’t see things clearly?

Paul Anthony comments on Searching For English Speaking Colombian Immigration Lawyer

Paul Anthony Revised Email Address Sorry made an error with the email address. It should read paulbogota2000 at yahoo.com

Paul Anthony comments on Calling All Bogotá Based Immigration Lawyers

Paul Anthony Revised Email Address Sorry made an error with the email address. It should be paulbogota2000 at yahoo.com. Sorry about that.

Paul Anthony comments on How to be English teacher in Colombia

Calling All Native Speaking English Teachers I am looking for a Native English as a Second Language teacher in Bogotá and/or those who can pass as native speakers. I am only interested in talking to individuals and not established schools/organizations. If you fit this category I would be very interested in talking to you about mutually beneficial teaching opportunities. I can be contacted by email at paulbogota2000 at yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from anyone interested.

Paul Anthony comments on Teaching English in Colombia

Calling All Native Speaking English Teachers I am looking for Native English as a Second Language teachers in Bogotá and/or those who can pass as native speakers. I am only interested in talking to individuals and not established schools/organizations. If you fit this category please get in touch to talk about mutually beneficial teaching opportunities. I can be contacted by email at paulbogota2000 at yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from anyone interested.

Paul Anthony comments on Teaching English in Colombia

Info about British Council CELTA course? Hi Carl

Saw your message posted here and thought I’d reply.

I took the CELTA course in Bogotá last year and I’m currently living and teaching English privately here. I’m coming to London on a short trip week after next and would be happy to get together and give you some pointers based on my experience. If you’re interested post a further message and we can arrange to get together.

Paul.

Paul Anthony comments on Finding private students if you are teaching English

Learning Spanish & Teaching English Hi Alexander

I’m a Brit living in Bogotá and I’m desperate to build a future for myself here. I’m about to start looking for work teaching English. I’ve tried to make a start, by doing the CELTA course with the British Council in July, which I really enjoyed. So I suppose technically speaking I’m a trained English teacher but since I haven’t had any experience other than on the course I’m not sure whether I can really call myself an English teacher yet. I’ve also begun learning Spanish and can now speak enough to just about get by on my own but I’ve really got improve it very fast.

I don’t have many friends here, so getting help and advice is proving a bit difficult. I see that you teach English and Spanish, so I’d like to know a bit more about the Spanish teaching part because I definitely need more tutoring. I’d also like to talk to you about teaching English; perhaps you could give me a few tips about either getting private students or teaching at an institution.
If you live in Bogotá it would be really helpful for me if we could get together for a chat about Spanish lessons and any suggestions about teaching English.

I hope to hear from you soon.

All the best,
Paul.

Paul Anthony comments on Teaching English in Bogota

CELTA Qualified Looking For English Teaching Work I am a British Citizen currently living in Bogotá who is looking for work teaching English.

Until last year I lived in London where I worked as a consultant for a small Business systems Analysis Consultancy. I came to Bogotá in June 2004 to visit some friends and fell in love with the place and the people.

When I got back to London I talked my colleagues into sending me to Bogotá to undertake some research for the company. The company organized a 3 year Business Visa for me and I have been working for them here ever since. Unfortunately they plan to recall me to London in February 2006. I absolutely do not want to go back permanently, because I have decided that I want to build a future for myself in Colombia.

In order to make my dream a reality I started taking Spanish lessons and now speak basic Spanish. Also in June/July of this year I took some extended leave and successfully completed the CELTA course with the British Council in Bogotá, which I really enjoyed. I have now decided to try and change my career and look for work here as an English teacher but I really don’t know how or where to begin looking.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions as to what I should do next or better still does anyone have a job? I have had some ideas of my own but they don’t seem to be getting me anywhere. I am hoping that posting this message may help to change that. All suggestions would be gratefully received.

Paul Anthony comments on Teaching English in Colombia

Paul Anthony comments on Survey: Are Colombians Progressively Open-Minded or Homophobic?

Interesting Are you suggesting it’s OK for a man to grope a woman uninvited? In both cases its gross unacceptable behavior or maybe you think its how any guy should conduct himself.

If you had looked at what I had written more carefully you would have noted that I confined my examples to Western Europe, every case you quote refers to the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

Society’s opinion is irrelevant and more often than not wrong, that’s why laws exist to protect people, particularly minorities, from the more badly educated, ignorant and extreme elements of society.

I don’t recall having said anything about “adoption”, furthermore I was very careful to use the phrase “same sex partnerships” consequently “husbands” don’t come into it. I also wonder why you assume these same sex partnerships refer only to men. And what is all this about older men going to Colombia to meet beautiful young Colombianas. Are saying its bad or good? In fact what are you saying?

Anyway Albatross your views are interesting and very enlightening. Thank you.

Paul Anthony comments on Survey: Are Colombians Progressively Open-Minded or Homophobic?

What A Shock!! Being European, I have been quite shocked to read many of the remarks provoked by this simple request for information. The hysteria would be laughable except for the fact that it’s rather sad. In most of Western Europe gay people are seen as merely another element of society, they are protected by law, receive the same respect as any other members of society and are frequently viewed as valuable contributors to the society, economy and culture of their country. In recent years most member states of the European Union have enacted laws recognizing gay partnerships as similar if not the same as marriage between heterosexual couples and the European Court has outlawed discriminatory laws, employment practices etc which make gay people second class citizens. Consequently I am beginning to wonder whether homophobia is limited to this side of the Atlantic. And I really don’t understand what religion has to do with it, surely how you relate to your god is a private matter between the individual and God alone, whether that individual is homosexual, heterosexual or whatever.

Paul Anthony comments on Need help

Documents Go to the Colombian Consulate web site (http://www.colombianconsulate.co.uk), they have a list of approved translators. you get the apostille from the Foreign & Commonwealth office (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Old Aldmiralty Building, London SW1A 2PA
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
Switchboard: 020 7008 1500
You will find instructions on their web site about how to get your apostille. But best of all hire a solicitor to do the leg work it may be a bit expensive but at least you know it will be done properly and he/she can notarise all the necessary documentation.

Paul Anthony comments on Scientists believe insects would kill coca crops

Terrible Idea!!! I can only imagine the ecological consequences of such an action! Besides which, what about the damage to legitimate crops grown by poor farmers, who are probably struggling anyway. The problem of coca production can only be solved by cutting off demand, as long as rich spoiled individuals in Europe and the North America continue to demand the product, ways will always be found to supply it.

Paul Anthony comments on Nueva Lengua at Univ. de la Sabana?

Nueva Lengua I spent several weeks learning Spanish with Nueva Lengua in September/October 2004. I loved every minute. University De La Sabana is in a great location just outside of the city. The teachers were excellent and fun and the syllabus was really interesting, Nueva Lengua create most of their own material. I met a very cosmopolitan group of students whilst I was there, from Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, USA and a few like myself were from the UK. The course director Pedro Niño regularly organised excursions in and around Bogotá which meant I got to see a lot of places I wouldn’t otherwise have known about. On the down side classes start very early 8:00 am and as it takes a minimum of an hour to get there depending on where you’re staying in Bogotá, you will have to be an early riser. Also the courses are rather more expensive than most however, for me it was worth every penny. I highly recommend it.

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