Colombia Expat Forum

Kiwi33
Joined 2014
Posts: 22

9 years ago

Thumbs up to immigration Colombia!

9 years ago

Just thought I'd post about my recent visa experience....

My partner and I are a gay couple, and the thought of going through this process of obtaining a Marital de hecho or couples visa concerned me a bit. I had read a number of blogs and posts and I was anticipating some road blocks. Plus we (according to other blogs) were meant to have been living together for 2 years, which we hadn't, and I was not keen on telling lies!!

However, having had the necessary documents notorized, the process was very smooth from there. I do need to mention that at the notaria they insisted on me having a certified translator for signing the documents, it was only $60mil for this, so no biggie.

The next step was the visa process. This process took no longer than an hour and a half, with my partner being asked all the questions, and no translator being required.we arrived about 9:30, we were anticipating a long wait, but not the case. I left with a visa stamped for 3 years!!

The next step was migration Colombia to register my visa and apply for my cedula. I went there that day and obtained the necessary application form, and left with a few things to do: blood test for blood type, passport photos and make a payment at a bank, and return to migration Colombia. The process from here was very quick, maybe 45min and I had arrived around 11:00, visa and cedula approved. I was informed after 4 days to check on their website for my visa number, when it appeared my cedula was ready. It was a long weekend, and I had heard it can take months, but no, the following week my cedula was ready! I called in to the office, signed for it and away I went, all legal to stay :)

I was very happy with the whole process, all very professional, and nothing like what I was anticipating!! Kudos to Colombia!! I might also mention have all your paper work ready, and don't overstay the 3 month tourist visa, leave and come back as I imagine this would cause a problem, because they require copies of all the stamps in your passport.

Thumbs up to the process!! Much more complicated and expensive in my country New Zealand!!!

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Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.