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Jon´s visa sleight of hand

According to this post from a while back, Jon apparently got the student visa paperwork (and subsequently the visa), without paying a dime. Is this indeed possible? I have considered taking classes at a university in Medellin, but am nervous they are going to make me pay up front, and it will be hard to back out at that point without it being real akward. Does anyone know how the process works?

original post (http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/jons-journal-18/)

> Fortune shined on me though because the nice lady at enrollment(not the same one who
> wasn't "wowed" by my teaching audition) gave me all the necessary paperwork for the visa
> application of 10 months without asking for a dime, or peso as the case may be.
> According to her, if the visa is applied for in the states, its not necessary to actually pay
> for the classes, just enroll, which I did, level 5 I think.

I have also heard of dubious services that will get you a visa for a couple hundred US, but i have no idea if these sorts of things are legit, and i wonder if I will get hassled with a lot of probing questions by the DAS lady?

By wabbits on Aug 21, 2008, 14:33 in Visa & paperwork.

Gator says on Aug 21, 2008, 18:30:

You still pay the consulate/MRE to have the visa itself issued.

The the school wants the tuition up front you pay-if the school gives you all the required paperwork up front you are good to go. But you will have to prove to DAS you are, in fact, a student, to apply for the required cédula.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Monita Linda says on Aug 22, 2008, 06:38:

Don't go for the dubious visa routes. The DAS is now trying to crack down on those non-existing institutes that help gringos with visas for a lot of $$$$.

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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juli says on Aug 22, 2008, 06:41:

My brother's friend just got deported after 3 months with one of those student "pay the money and we'll send it to you in a week" Student Visas. They are saying he will never be allowed back - although I don't believe that. Isn't it like 10 years?

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catboy says on Aug 22, 2008, 10:03:

Beware of the pay for visa - they sound good but there are consequences like risk of deportation and not being allowed back into Colombia. Buyer beware.

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Monita Linda says on Aug 22, 2008, 12:14:

Just don't get your visa the illegal way - paying a lot and have someone bribed at the DAS (or however they do it) and you getting a visa. They are trying to crack down on those "tipos" and if you have such a visa they will deport you and you can't come back. Better get your visa the legal way, it's cheaper and it's safe! (Not always easier, but well worth it).

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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