VISA RESIDENTE - Five years in Colombia

elk says on Jul 28, 2008, 05:48:

Note: His current visa expires 5 September 2008

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Bill Turley (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 28, 2008, 05:54:

Lowell says on Jul 28, 2008, 06:46:

Will write more later. On my way to Das in Pareira to get my new cedula. Now have permanent residency visa. Used my daughter and wife to qualify. Did the whole process with MRE in Bogota in less than 2 hours.

Wife called MRE ahead of time and they were very helpful. Even e-mailed some forms. Yes you have to go to your local Das before. Start the whole process at least 1 month before expiration of your visa.

I needed to complete form, letter from wife, notarized copies of marriage, baby birth, my passport, cedula. Will confirm with wife. Cost 526K pesos.

Stayed with Bogota Lodging $70.00 usd for nice 2 br house/apt. Used them for transportaion also.

Flew out of Cartago on Easy Air 1,026.000 pesos.

In all instances be super polite will all personel, even when it's clear that they are being jerks. Play the game. It helps.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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Gator says on Jul 28, 2008, 08:05:

Lowell has excellent advice. Always check FIRST before beginning the process and memorize his last sentence: "In all instances be super polite will all personel, even when it's clear that they are being jerks. Play the game. It helps."

The requirements are different, somewhat, for a pensionado request so make sure your paperwork is up to date-make extra copies of EVERYTHING, when in doubt have the paper(s) authenticated (notarized).

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

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elk says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:13:

Gator: Good advice...I have always felt more is better when it comes to notarized copies etc. and being nice goes a long way.

Lowell: I can't seem to find the phone number for MRE in Bogota. Can you or Gator provide the phone number and best time to call.

I have always found MRE in Bogota to be very helpful. I currently on my third pensionado visa.

I had a friend renew my pensionado visa last week. I sent her a power of attorney, my passport and other documents via Depris. (Art Brode furnished the forms) She had the visa within two hours including a trip to legalization. It saved me a long trip to Bogota from my home here in Medellin.

If anyone would like to use the same service, please feel free to contact me.

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vicshere says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:50:

What exactly is the Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio?

Its a police record check and can be gotten at the DAS for about 46,000 and take 2 days..but if you sweet talk could be the next day

listo

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Gator says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:18:

Address; Coordinación de Visas e Inmigración del MRE, Carrera 13 No.93 - 68, 2° piso, up by the Parque 93.

(57 1) 640-8977 or 640-0534, fax (57 1) 64 -05055 640-5997

I THINK they are open 7:30 to about noon-I would get there a little early. You may have it but here is the web site: http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/ We have e-mailed them a couple and got a quick reply to our question(s). Well run and efficient by Colombian standards.

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

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elk says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:25:

Vicshere:

I made a trip this morning to DAS in Medellin. Both documents are issued here, but in different departments and require various other documents and photos. I was told it took two to five workings days.

According to Gator the Antecedentes judiciales is the criminal background check.
I will let you know.......

Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio that is issued by the DAS, any office.
Antecedentes judiciales,(Criminal record check) issued by the DAS.

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vicshere says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:32:

shit your right sorry
Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio?
is a report of all your exits and entrance through the Colombian border...and you better not be missing a date...mine had an incorrect entrance and the MRE wouldn't accept it had to go to DAS..thank god I had all my passports with stamps. they gave me a new one the next day then back to the MRE I think this was around 46,000 no photo
Antecedentes judiciales is the police report which can be gotten at the DAS to and you need a photo and 46,000

listo

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Lowell says on Jul 28, 2008, 13:31:

A friend in Bogota provided this info to me.

1. What exactly is the Certificado de Movimiento Migratorio? It a document you get from DAS to show your time in Country. You go to the first window on your right..with the longest line at the Bogota office anyway. You get the form, fill it out and go to the bank to make the deposit.

2. Is the police background check required if you have lived in Colombia for the past five years as a pensionado? Yes it is required, you can get that at the same window you got the other. Pay for it at the same time as well.

3. Photos: Is a blue or white background required? White background same as your temp visas. The blue is for the Cedula.

You will hand in all the forms for these two things and will need ot come back in three days I beleive it was to claim it. You can claim it at the little box window that is to your left in Bogota. There is a line for that as well.

The pictures and copies can be had at a little place beside Bancafe where you make the deposit to DAS. Walk down 100, and it is in that central commercial you come to after crossing 15 and the overpass. It is on your left.

You can pass this on to him from me if you want. I appreciate it.

Note he has to have 5 years in country on his visa, not just five years in country. That is what I was told anyway when I first went to get it I could not. I had 8 months in country without the temp resi visa. Just fyi

More tips. Don't look like you're in a rush or bothered, with any official, desk clerk....or while you are waiting. If you do, it's a long wait at the end of the line. Also if 1 copy is asked for get 2 or 3. It doesn't cost much more. Early really helps. We were second in line at 6:50 A.M.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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elk says on Aug 28, 2008, 11:44:

Resident visa based on Pensionado status:

A friend of mine just applied for and received his permanent resident status based on being a Colombian "Pensionado". He has five years in country and now only needs to renew his cedula every five years. (No more trips to MRE in Bogota)

He tells me the process was very easy. I have had the same experiences with MRE in Bogota.

I recently completed my annual pensionado visa renewal via mail. I live in Medellin and sent all the required documents via Deprisa here in Medellin to a person in Bogota. The process was fast and saved me a trip to Bogota.

If anyone would like to know a reliable contact in Bogota please contact me.

Again, thanks to Art Brode and others for their help and sharing of information.

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