Trying to figure out who to use to help you out with your immigration papers in Colombia? Remember that lawyers in Colombia dont get certified for immigration work like in the states. More often than not lawyers claim to know the subject well, but they are usually using professional immigration specialist like Visas y Tramies Internacionales to do the work. In Colombia just forget what you know about lawyers who work in developed countries, like the USA and certain countries in Europe. No certification for immigration attorneys exists here, and are very famous for running away with immigrants money. In the United States you have to specialize and take tests to practice immigration law. Further more for our clients and readers that are moving here and purchasing property, this is a bit off subject but very important. Do not give power of attorney to allow lawyers to manage your money in real estate transactions, or to close a deal without you being here. You will loose money, maybe not all of it, and you might arrive here with someone elses name on your deed! Its a very common problem in Colombia. Now with that said just remember, no escow accounts, and pay the sellers directly from your own account.

My clients that are lawyers in Colombia obviously know they are good attorneys, but there is a problem with regulation of lawyers in Colombia, and many of them just go on abusing clients, and getting away with it because they know how to work the system. Pick people carefully. With all that said our discount wholesale services are only around 200 bucks per visa, so its a pretty easy choice for lawyers who use our services in comparison to sweating it out themselves. Visas y Tramites Internacionales, has the experience with Colombian Visas, both in monthly volume and years of quality service. We are a well known part of the Expat Community in Colombia and plan to be here a long time.

Information and Requirements Can and Will Change without Notice! Requirements are GENERAL outlines provided by the Colombian Government. Please remember that Colombia has tight immigration requirements. Due to a long civil war, and batteling international criminal organizations Colombia has maintained strict and evolving immigration laws. Some people will understand this, some others will scratch their heads as they try to understand why a developing country has such strict immigration laws.

Common Problems Changing Visa Types or Status: Most People call us after they have problems with their immigration papers, or perhaps fall into a tight spot transfering between different types of visas, etc. Common errors for foreigners in Colombia include 1) getting a divorce while on a marraige visa and staying in the . country because your visa says you have another year or 2, switching jobs on a work visa and not notifying DAS, 3) getting fines for not updating DAS with new home addresses. You must always update DAS when you change addresses, or when you go to get your new cedula they will fine you

We hope that the information on this website helps people avoid common pitfalls, heafty fines or repeat trips to the Consulate or Ministry of Foreign Relations. Last but not least please remember to keep your papers updated, and if you fall out of status with your current visa it is important to go to DAS and inform them as quickly as possible. The simple reason is that if you do not, you will be consider as being illegal in the country when you go to renew or change your type of visa. The consequences are that you will have to pay a fine of course, but worse the DAS can force you to leave the country for an extended period of time. This can be 6 months to several years. If you dont pay the fine immediately and get deported you will get a ban of 2 to 3 years, requiring a visa to reenter the country.

Immigrants coming to colombia, or traveling in this country understand a bit more how the processes work here.realize that waiting in line and making several trips to the local consulate is time consuming and costly. Not to mention dealing with government officals is exausting. It is best to hire professional help, and save your self from the headaches and lost time from mistakes everyone makes. The process can be complicating complying with all the rules and regulations the Colombian government has regarding issuing Colombia Visas. Our main office is located in Colombia, with satelitte offices in the United States. We have experience with processing and gathering papers for visa applications at Colombian embassies and consulates around the world. The table below links to the basic requirements for different types of Colombian visas. Discounted Prices for Colombia Visa Processing Services: Just 195 US Dollars, or 395,000 Pesos for New Applications! (Started From January 15th until March 15th, 2011) Please email or call for details, or fill out one of our quick quote forms.

We can prepare applications via communcating online without passports in our hands. All necissary documents can then be prepared emailed or shipped out to applicants who wish to apply in person within 24 hours (M-F)! Email James@ColombiaVisas.com for more information. We offer complete support and secure consular messenger services for Colombia Visa applications for those who do not want to stand in line. (Service available for qualifying visas inside Colombia for People who are in Colombia). After all that is said we gaurantee our visa services. If your visa is not approved we will give you money back for our services, or reapply for your visa without charging addtional fees from our company. We dont want to waist your time or our time, so we do not recommend people do visas with low chances of success. We know what visas work for people in different situations. We are the professionals when it comes to obtaining residency and citizenship in Colombia.

Requirements subject to change without notice, and do vary depending on location which application is submitted!

Visa Name Brief Description of Visa Qualify Permanent Residency? Duration of Visa Next Step Adoption Visa For persons traveling to Adopt children in Colombia. N/A varies Beneficiary Visa For children and spouses who depend on a primary visa holder. Residency and duration of visa depend on Principal Depends on Principal Depends on Principal Colombian National Spouse Visa Marraige to a Colombian citizen in Colombia or outside of Colombia qualifies for this visa. Common law marriages also fall under this category but the duration of the visa is reduced from 3 years to 1 year. Yes, after 3 years if its a regular marraige, 5 years if its a common law marraige 1-3 years Courtesy Visa The courtesy visa is extended at the will of the consulate officials N/A Variable Exercise of Entrepreneurial Activities Visa For certified professionals which will come to Colombia to conduct entreprenuerial activities. No 1 year Student Visa For people studying at a certified education facility. No   Business Visa For people that work for a foreign company that conducts business in Colombia. (1 to 2 years) No 1-2 years Father or Mother of a Colombian National Visa For parents of a Colombian Child. Registering Colombian children born overseas is an additional service which we provide. Yes Permanent Pension Visa For retired persons receiving income from their country (1 year). 3 times minimum salary is what you must gain on a monthly income to qualify for this. $566,700 pesos is 2012 min salary. You must gain $1,700,100 pesos per month. Ministry using 2050 rate in January but can change without notice. Yes 1 year Administrative or Judicial Processes Visa For court or government ordered official hearings or trials No varies Religious Visa For people who are on a mission and wish to live in Colombia   1 year Rentista Visa This is for people that may not be retired, but can certify and gaurantee fixed financial income, usually from a financial institution, or trust. Confused by many people with the pension visa. To qualify for this visa you must show 10 times minimum monthly salary which in 2012 is $5,667,000 pesos   1 year Qualified Resident Visa See the qualified residency visa column to understand which visas accumulate years to qualify for this visa This is Perm Residency This is Permanent Residency Resident Investor Visa For people that buy homes for 200,000 USD or more, or invest 100,000 USD in stocks, or a corporation (can apply inside Colombia 1st time) Yes Permanent Business Owner or Associate            (Socio Propietario Visa) Partner or Owner of a Commercial Establishment or Corporation in Colombia Visa. To meet this requirement you must purchase shares in a corporation or own a business outright that shows your investment to be equal to or greater than 100 minimum salaries. For the year 2012 that is 57 million pesos or more per person. This option has a lower requirement than an investor visa, but it is another form of investing in Colombia. Additional Services offered by our company set up SAS, SA, and Sole Proprietor businesses for foreigners and Colombians. Yes 1 Year Temporary Visitor Visa Similar to a tourist visa No Variable Work Visa For people working directly for a Colombian Company or as independent contractors living in Colombia. Contract must be at least 1 year to get 1 year visa. Yes Up to 1 Year Medical Treatment Visa For persons who come to Colombia to under go Medical Treatment at clinics or licensed Medical facilities. No 1 year Crew Member Visa This visa is for crew members or staff of transportation companies such as airlines, ships,or bus companies. No   Tourism Visa This visa is for people which hold passports from countries which require tourism visas. No Variable up to 6 Months per year Volunteer Visa For people which wish to volunteer for ONG, (non profit) agencies, or organizations No 1 year

Some visas must be applied for outside of Colombia the first time, but can be renewed inside Colombia there after. For those people worried about sending passports in the mail we would like you to know that we can prepare applications, and organize necissary documents without your passport in hand. Security is important and we would like you to know that we can successfully organize all your required legal documents for your Colombia visa application via communcating online via email, or with scanned and faxed copies of documents. Once necissary required documents have been prepared we can then email documents or ship application documents to your address within 24 hours (M-F)! Email us at James@ColombiaVisas.com for more information.

We offer complete Colombia Visa support for those who do not want to stand in line. (Service available for qualifying visas inside Colombia for People who are in Colombia).