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Pernament residency

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scotland222
  4/18/2016 07:29 EST

thank you very much for answering my previous question, I understand that with the spousal visa , I have to remain in Colombia 183 days of the year, after 3 years I may apply for pernament residency,can anyone tell me please what I have to do, do you have to travel to bogota, or can you apply in your home city in Colombia , thank you in advance.

bigjailerman
  4/18/2016 07:32 EST

You can do it in any city or a foreign Colombian consulate.

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livinginmedellin
  4/18/2016 09:11 EST

There is no visa named "permanent visa" for Colombia, it's the resident visa. See: http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visas/categories/resident/re

You can't get a resident (RE) visa in any city in Colombia. Visas are only issued in Bogotá in Colombia or in a consulate in another country. But you can use a visa service from another city in Colombia that for a fee will send your passport/paperwork to Bogotá and return your passport with the visa.

bigjailerman
  4/18/2016 09:40 EST

I got my pensionsdo in 2012 in Monteria, never stepped one foot into Bogota for Amy pay off the process and the RE I did it in New York..That was the easiest way...

bigjailerman
  4/18/2016 09:43 EST

"For any reason"

bigjailerman
  4/18/2016 09:45 EST

Now what is the deal with RE, It doesn't expire any more? Again? That was an on and off thing.

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Phillipjamesrogers
  4/18/2016 10:02 EST

If you are doing it yourself you will have to travel to Bogota, if you have an lawyer the lawyer travels to Bogota for you.

bickmed
  4/18/2016 10:15 EST

The RE visa is permanent now, however you still have to have it stamped every 5 years for validation - assume to check that you have not been out of the country for more than 2 years ( which is not ideal but is not as expensive and less hassle than having to redo it).

Where does it state that you have to remain in country for 183 days a year to maintain a T10 visa. I am out for more than that, and mine is still valid as far as I know.

'' I have to remain in Colombia 183 days of the year, ''

Phillipjamesrogers
  4/18/2016 10:18 EST

I don't know but I will ask my lawyer now. Thank you for this information.

cafetero
  4/18/2016 10:22 EST

my apologies Bigjailerman but I sometimes have difficulty following your posts, As I understand it you applied for and received a pensionado visa in Monteria? Did you do this through an intermediary or did you do it directly?
This is the very first time I´ve heard an expat can get a pensionado visa in any other place except bogota or in your colombian embassy or consulate in your home country. Just checking to be sure I read you correctly. Thanks in advance.

cafetero
  4/18/2016 10:24 EST

You still have to go to Bogota each five years to renew the Permanent Residency Visa.

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bigjailerman
  4/18/2016 10:45 EST

I never used a service or a third party. I went to Migracion while I was still on a visit and applied there. Of course, I had all my documents translated in hand for submission. I was also accompanied by my mother in law for possible translation issues. She does work for judiciary in Minteria is and she is pretty well known dor it is possible she used a little"juice" lol, but it was unbeknown to me. Again the RE was handled directly in N.Y.
Thank you for the info to verify I need to have the visa stamped in Bogota every five years and assuming a new updated cedular from Migraciion.
For what it is worth, Migracion is able to do much more than they process to. I find that the office in Barranquila the most helpful in my travels several weeks ago I needed a sealed official report noting my trips to and from Colombia. I requested it online and when I arrived to pick it up, of course it didn't show as the document as ordered. Generally it takes at least 3 days. I had zero time to wait another few days so I explained my situation. In less than 2-hours my phone rang and I was told to go pick it up..
A little friendly conversation can do wonders.

pocopelo
  4/18/2016 11:51 EST

With the spousal visa you have to spend at least 183 days in Colombia? This is the first that I have heard of this requirement. Can you tell me where you came across this information?

scotland222
  4/18/2016 12:12 EST

I was told by immgracion at the airport in bogota that I couldn't be out of Colombia more than 180 days or they would cancel my visa, once you live in a country more than 183 days you are classed as a resident and they charge you taxes.

livinginmedellin
  4/18/2016 16:51 EST

If you are country more than 183 days you are classed as a tax resident but that doesn't necessarily mean you need to pay income taxes or are charged taxes. It means you potentially have to file taxes if you meet particular income levels, net worth levels or spending levels during the year.

For example, in 2014, I was in Colombia more than 183 days and my income level required me to file income taxes in Colombia in 2015 (for 2014) but I paid absolutely no income taxes in Colombia.

Talk to a Colombian tax expert about your individual situation and don't believe anything written in English about Colombian taxes - I have seen too much inaccurate and obsolete information out there.

WhoaNellie
  4/18/2016 17:33 EST

livinginmedllin is right, there is a LOT of contradictory info both in Spanish and English.

PLUS Colombia is in the middle of changing things, most likely for the worse, for taxes with the reforma tributaria that they want to hammer out this year but who knows?

Consulting a Colombia tax professional is the only way to navigate the tax waters filled with shoals and breakers and rocks that all can sink your ship...

Waltercito
  7/14/2016 19:01 EST

OK, a question about obtaining a Residency Visa after being in the country 3 years on a Spouse Visa: Has anyone done this and, if so, would you share the wording of you spouse's letter requesting that you be granted the Residency Visa. I've heard the wording of that letter is important, Thanks.

bigjailerman
  7/14/2016 19:19 EST

Just fyi there is NO permanent residency. Just an RE. I secured mine when my girl had s baby with me. Just an easy letter with that one.

Waltercito
  7/14/2016 20:30 EST

I know, I know...but functionally, it's permanent, as long as you get it re-stamped.

I am asking specifically about moving from Spouse to Resident visa; a letter from the spouse is required, requesting that the *extranjero" be granted Resident status. I'm wondering if anyone has done this, and would like to hear how that letter was worded; I've heard it makes a difference.

jonrod888
  7/14/2016 21:06 EST

I recently got the RE visa (no children). Used basically the same letter we used for the TP-10 but of course requested the resident. Letter contained her name, that she's a citizen, cédula #, requesting resident visa for spouse, cédula #, passport #, length of time holding spouse visa. Also, definitely need certificado movimiento migratorio. I went to Bogota in person, no online.

bickmed
  7/15/2016 11:46 EST

Waltecito - I just did this and have the wording for the spousal letter- it has to be exact; even though we said the same thing in our first letter, they rejected it and asked us to resubmit with the wording they stipulated. I will find it and post it when I get home to my other computer.

Waltercito
  7/16/2016 10:54 EST

bickmed, hope you can share that letter with me. I want to got to Cancelleria on Monday. I sent you my email address via Private Message. Thanks.

bickmed
  7/16/2016 12:56 EST

Walter, I replied to your pm - so in your letter, besides putting your details etc, you need to include those words somewhere.

That was for an online application.

f9ers55
  8/15/2016 12:08 EST

Ummm, apparently you CANNOT do this in any city, as WE just discovered 3 days ago here in Cali.

When I got my Spousal in Bogota, we were told we did not have to go back TO Bogota, as they now had ALL of my information.

We went to the office here in Cali & were told we DO have to go back to Bogota.

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