Colombian visas for foreigners

[Cali vet]

Perhaps of interest to those few out there who are thinking of retiring to Colombia is the fact that the Visa Temporal Especial covers both pensionados (retirees) and those wishing to marry in Colombia. My understanding is that this is relatively new, that before you had to obtain a visa for either or. Earlier this month I went by Notaria 14 in Cali and they swore I could only marry with a visa conjugal (marriage visa). The pertinent info is on page 29 when  you go to: www.minrelext.gov.co  then:Servicios/Atencion Publico/Normas y Regulaciones/Normas Basicas . This is the page of the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Bogota. In Spanish.

[Calipro]

... in response to Colombian visas for foreigners, posted by Cali vet on Jan 21, 2003


 It is my understanding that now that I am married to a colombiana I can apply for a visa to live in Colombia. But, I hear that it is only good for two years and then I have to renew it. I am interested in finding out how to obtain a visa that would allow me to buy real property and own a business in Colombia and permit me to live in Colombia once I retire.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Colombian visas for foreigners, posted by Calipro on Jan 21, 2003

The ministry in Bogota told me that the (marriage) visa conjugal has to be renewed anualy for three years after which it's permanent. I don't know if you have to register that visa if you're just going to marry and leave. The visa temporal becomes permanent after five years. Once you get the visa you have to register it at the DAS office where you're going to reside with in 60 days. Registering the visa means getting a cedula extranjeria. With that cedula you can do everything except vote. I think you can even join the army if you're so disposed. Anyway you can then buy property, business etc. although employing Colombians and or investing are also grounds for a visa. For information in English you can search the Colombian Consulates of New York or Houston. The horse's mouth is the Bogota site I listed above. What you'll need for DAS is listed at www.das.gov.co.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: Colombian visas for foreigners, posted by Cali vet on Jan 21, 2003

I thought the spousal visa was only good for getting the marriage certificate and had heard for about $500 the notary will forget about it.I kind of kicked myself because I think I spent about $700 getting my visa($300 for translations alone)plus lots of effort,several,trips to SF.I didn't know it had any other use.
I also qualify as a pensionado and sometimes think about living in Colombia,usually every time it gets tough to make the kind of money I need to live in California.I have been told I could live like a king on my $40,000 pension,plus SS around the corner,$900-$1800 more a month depending on how long I wait.
I get concerned that the lifestyle I would like would make me a target.If I rent or buy a nice house and drive a nice car or SUV I am afraid it would not be safe.One as-hol- robber could make it all not worthwhile.

Pete