visa service

[jim c]

For those who wish to have a residence visa for Colombia and live near the Miami area try Docurapid. They are one block away from the Colombian Consulate in Coral Gables. They do everything. I went to the sheriff office in Key west had a criminal check(5 minutes ), filled out the visa application, wrote a letter asking for a visa and provided a copy of a letter from my pension board. The service translated  the documents notarized and apostiled all of them and made an appointment for me at the consulate. The entire  service was handled by fedex and telephone and the cost was $85.00. On monday I picked up the documents walked to the consulate and in fifteen minutes had my pensionado visa.jimc

Docurapid  Olga Tapias
300 Aragon Ave suite 390
Coral Gables Fl33134    
tel 786 552 5011

[Gator]

... in response to visa service, posted by jim c on Jun 22, 2004

I am confused(as usual).  Do you mean there are no longer any fees for a visa to Colombia.  Exactly what kind of visa was involved in your transaction? Was it a Temporal Especial (TS)or a (TE)

Current charges are (were?): Temporary Working Visa $ 205.00,  Spouse Visa $ 160.00(this is what I paid.) Student Visa $40.00, Entrepreneur Visa $200.00 plus a lot more.

Is the consulate now able to provide an apostille for all documents?  I know the ones I needed ( divorce, birth, etc.) had to go to the Secretary of State offices where the docs. were issued.  This was in Tallahassee, Nashville and Atlanta.  Took some time to get those certification but if the consulate can do it now it would really save time and money-I think Tallahassee was $28.00 for EACH document and the other states were not far behind.

My process was a lot more complicated, but that was some years ago. I started out with a business visa but then
I got a TV for a spouse of a Colombian citizen then after two years applied for a resident.  The bigger pain for you is yet to come.  You will have to deal with DAS, (Administrative Department of Security) immigration department and have them issue a Foreigner Identification Card (Cedula de Extranjeria.) and there is not too much you can do in Colombia until you get the cedula.

For the business visa I had to supply the following:

Three passport pictures. Valid passport, Photocopy of Passport (The consulate was able to validate this from the original), Letter from me since is was self-employed and explaining the purpose f the visa. I also had to supply proof of my financial ability business in Colombia, the police report showing good moral character and, of course, the application form.  All documents had to be notarized and with an Apostille. For good luck I threw in my baptism and conformation certificates and a copy of my college degree from the U of F.  I had a good idea I would be there on a permanant basis so I had originals of every doc. I could think of.

Thanks for your time.

Gator

P.S. Lived in Key West and on Cudjoe Key for about ten years.      

[cancunhound]

... in response to ¿Otro Pregunta?, posted by Gator on Jun 22, 2004

The last time I dealt with visa matters in Houston there was no charge either like posted on their internet sites - maybe it's up to the individual mood of the consulate's employees?  I don't know but I certainly didn't inquire!

[jim c]

... in response to ¿Otro Pregunta?, posted by Gator on Jun 22, 2004

Well Gator I have been down here for about twenty years and was head of security for Venture Out on Cudjoe 15 years ago. We probably know each other. The document service did all the work. See you in Cartagena. I leave thursday. JIMC

[Cali vet]

... in response to visa service, posted by jim c on Jun 22, 2004

Congratulations and welcome to the Temporal TS club.

[jim c]

... in response to Re: visa service, posted by Cali vet on Jun 22, 2004

Thanks VET will probably see you when I visit Pete. jimc

[Gator]

... in response to visa service, posted by jim c on Jun 22, 2004

What does the visa cost now?  It was around $150.00 a couple of years ago.

[jim c]

... in response to This is a fantastic service.  ¿Una Pregu..., posted by Gator on Jun 22, 2004

Ther is no cost for a Colombian visa to Americans. jimc

[Heat]

... in response to visa service, posted by jim c on Jun 22, 2004

Outstanding post. I need to do mine. Thanks

I wonder if the can do other types of visas?  Great information.