New Here, and I Have Questions!!

Hello

Its 180 days not 183 days 183 is for tax residency purposes.

Getting a bank account withou a cedula is difficult although I have heard of people getting one with just a passport not sure if that is true or not.

To get a cedula you need to apply for a long term visa.

As far as english channels in Catagena not sure I dont live in that part of the country maybe someone else can weigh in.

Good Luck

Thanks Hutch.

What is a "Cedula" and how do I apply for a "long term visa"?

Ken Allen

Look on the cancelleria website for the different long term visas that would apply for your situation,

Marriage, Money as investment visa Work visa or Pensiion retirement visa if you are getting a pension

https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/

thank you, Hutch.

@HutchX2020 for the English speaking TV use a VPN google VUMOO I waych all my TV there most in English but like Netflix a lot is recorded in Spanish or French Most N American shows in English I get Mainstream new up to date movies anything that comes on Net or Prime ETC be sure to use a good VPN I use one called "Private Internet Access" or PIA

I'm trying to get to Colombia to live but I can't even afford any healthcare now they have prevented seniors from their local EPS Good luck

@brettfairweather

WHAT????

This is news!!  Are you telling me I can't get Colombian health insurance at my age (73?)

Ken Allen

Hi folks.
My name is Ken. I introduced myself here several days ago, and was a little surprised to receive so many quick responses from very friendly people, welcoming me to the forum. Thank you so much for that!!
If it's okay with everyone here, I have a few starter questions.

I know I can stay 90 days on my passport alone. I also know that I can apply for another 90 days, to extend my stay to a full 183 days. My question is, how does that process work? Where do I go to apply for that second 90 days, and is it ever a problem, or is the approval more or less an automatic thing? I have booked an AirBnB for 6 months, and given up my apartment here in Charlotte, NC. I'm hoping that wasn't a big mistake.
I'm really confused about getting a bank account in Colombia. I'd love it if someone here could give me a bit of guidance in that area. Are there special docs that I will need? Or will my passport and my AirBnB rental contract (proof of residence) do the trick?
Is English language TV available in Colombia? I will be in Cartagena. Will I be able to get English language networks such as Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max?

Thanks in advance to any and all here in this forum who can help me with these basic questions!!

Ken Allen
-@Remo Zimbaldi

Welcome, Ken! Last year I sold all my stuff in the USA and moved to Barranquilla. Here are some answers to your questions:

1. If you plan to stay in Colombia continually for more than the initial 90 days, then you can just apply for the extension online. But if you want to take a quick trip out of the country at your 89-day mark, and come back 2 days later, you'll get another 90 day stamp. When I first visited here (3 months last year), I had same concerns and doubts as you. But now I can tell you with 100% confidence, that these 2 paths to the 180-day stay are viable because I have hands-on experience.
2. Opening a bank account can be a little trickier, because each bank has their own requirements, and even within each bank, different branches might have different requirements. However, at the bare minimum you'll need your passport, proof of income, tax returns from your country, and your local address. Then go hunting for a branch that will let you open an account without a Cedula. Here's my (detailed) experience opening a Bancolombia account with my passport: https://chinedu.oparasjourney.com/2022/ … count.html
3. As long as you have internet access, you'll be able to access all those streaming networks (and then some). Some might detect your location and switch to Spanish, but you can just switch the language back (or use a VPN and call it a day). However, if you're single - and staying IN CARTAGENA - I doubt you'll have much time to sit around watching TV (wink wink, nudge nudge)! 😁

If you're not fluent in Spanish, don't forget to keep learning and practicing as much as possible... you'll really need it.

BTW, Barranquilla is just a cheap 2 hour bus ride away, and Santa Marta, 2 hours more. Since you'll be staying on the coast for at least 3 months, I suggest you explore these 2 cities and compare. And if you're coming to Barranquilla, give me a 2-3 days heads-up so we can meet up for a shared beverage of your choice 🍻

Buen viaje!

Hi Ken,

Welcome. I moved here (Medellin) last year from Charlotte (after living most of my life in NYC and two years in Charlotte, which I hated) at 74. If you are planning to live in Colombia, you need to get a residence visa, in your case Type M Retirement visa. When you get your visa, you get your cedula, which you can use to open a bank account. Once you have your visa, you can sign up for Colombian EPS health insurance, which has no age limit. Until then, you are required to have some form of health insurance. The cheapest I found which is acceptable for visa purposes was Continental Assist travel insurance about $2000 for one year. I now have EPS/SURA (price based on your income, mine is well under $100/mo).

Although it’s possible to get your residence visa without paying for a visa agency, I can tell that you will need one. I used expatgroup Colombia. You just give them the necessary documents (electronically) and they take care of the whole process for you.

Do some reading and research about all these things.

I’m loving it here. Don’t be afraid. You can do it, and you’ll be happy you did.

Good luck!

@karencds

Nay I ask what age you are?

Because from what I know and I have been living in Colombia long time you cannot sign up for EPS if you are over 61 I have some older expat friends and tbey all pay for Insurance Prepagada its expensive but tbey tell me they wont accept them in the EPS you would have to be signed up before 61

I am 74. It’s true I am too old to get Propagado Colombian insurance, but I can get EPS because I have a residence visa. My travel insurance is still good for now, and I do have EPS/SURA.

Is the second 90 day period 'automatic'?

  ------

More or less, provided the applicant for additional

time has been well-behaved during the initial period.

I'll bet Ken is wondering what web page he needs to

go to  .. to apply for that additional time.  I don't have

the answer, but suspect it has something to do with

Migracion Colombia.

cccmedia

You can get the additional 90 days on-line now, and probably in-person now that the covid fiasco is mostly past.

You should have a knowledge of Spanish to be able to navigate the trámites on-line.

Here is a website that lists the documents necessary:

https://estoyenlafrontera.com/regulariz … n-colombia

Go to the page below, the Registro En Línea. You fill in the form. Find and choose the Centro Facilitador de Servicios Migratorios nearest your location - the form has a drop-down and you fill out various fields.

https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/r … 27B1928C78

Check the box, Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia - this is the 90 day extension you are seeking.

Then next fill in your Datos Personales.

Under Archivos you may upload your scanned documents. Once you are done proceed to Consentimientos and enter the Captcha data to prove you are a human...

Here's a site in English that also gives instructions:

https://en.casacol.co/2022/04/25/extend … rist-visa/

Chinedu gave a pretty good answr, only theing I can say to expand on number 2 is you may have to look around a bit  to find a branch that will let you open a bank account with just a passport.

It actually varies from branch to branch within the different Bank companies, Banco Colombia, Davavienda etc

Also , even if you open an account, they might have restrictions on whether you can wire money with international Giros like Remitly

You need to ask about that and make sure the account is set up for what you want it to do.

Being fluent in Spanish would really help

If you are a US citizen should open a Charles Schwab account to avoid bank issues...can withdraw money from Davavienda  at Visa /MC exchange rates

Other countries you can set up prepaid credit/debit cards, and you can withdraw money from Davaienda at  close to Visa or MC exchange  rates.

But there are a lot of "tricks" to those cards <i dont want to get into

@karencds actually as Pensionada visa, you cant get EPS either by the new rules. You have to pay for a emergency medical insurance pckage which includeds repatriation insurance and costs around $500   for 6  month, as I understand.

They dont want people coming here and living onn their public medical system, But out of pocket payment is cheap

@karencds sorry Karen, if you already have EPS and a visa you are okay

If you should quite your visa for awhile, that is another issue. You will probably need to show an emergency travel insurance for 6 months.

But dont tell anybody I told, you, if you keep your EPS during the "breaak" 90% likely no one will  know or check you are without cedula  during that period, and if you keep paying your EPS, you will be good.

Also, like the banks, you can check around ewith the different EPS agents, and someone might give you a policy, as long as you are trying to get your new visa.

Worked for me last year, though I was on a Salvoconducto.

But on another note, dont allow your visa to lapse, because after 3 years you can apply for the "R" visa, 5 year term

@karencds

Thank you Karen!!

I think your message gave me the most useful information I've found in this forum (so far.)

I'm an unusual man, in that I don't get frustrated by governmental red tape.  I don't LIKE it...

but I do have the patience to deal with it, so I expect I'll be able to find my way to a resident

visa and affordable health insurance, sooner or later.

Another question I'm grappling with is about the taxes expats pay in Colombia.  I am not a

wealthy man.  I have two 6-digit retirement accounts that I rarely withdraw money from, and

I get a fairly sizeable SS check each month.  My monthly SS benefits are about $2800. 

Any idea on roughly how much of that I'll lose in Colombian taxes?  (I don't lose ANY to the

US government in taxes.)

Ken Allen

Ken

As far as taxes you have to your homework and read previous posts on this and othrer expat sites

There is a plethora of RECENT información there and I am sure people are tired of posting tge same thing over and over and more peoplereading the same stuff over and overstuff over from the same question over and over

Kinda like the Grounfd Hog day movie

Also as far as getting EPS if you are NEWLY applying for (not renewing) a pensionada visa, dont assume it will be a slamdunk,as like I said, tge rules changer in October last year.

I can give the latest Expat Forum.interpretación though..US pensions are not taxed,just like Colombian pensions at thst rate.

But this is just an assertion on expat sites in interpretation of DIAN the rules and has not been given a long term.real.life testing

@Remo Zimbaldi  I only know that they have changed thee requirements for getting a pension visa seniors after a pension vise can not apply for the local EPS maybe once you have your residency I don't know I only know you need another form of healthcare proof if you're a senior applying for a Colombia retirement visa This has put a stop to me going to Colombia

@nico  peligro

The key question would be what is considered a pension? SS income, 401 K? etc etc.

lpd

@brettfairweather  My understanding (questionable) is that you have to have the independent insurance policy for a period of one year. Once you are granted your visa you can/must get your cedula within 15 days or face a fine. Once you have your cedula you can get EPS insurance. Some have mentioned dropping your external policy at that point, but, I believe they collect the money up front. I received a quote today for $1,150 dollars for a one year policy that covers up to $150,000 and is supposed to meet the visa requirements. Time will tell.

The aggravating thing is that the visa can be issued for 1-3 years. Three guesses what they will issue. So if they issue for one year you will have to pay legal fees again the next two years, application fees, and insurance. Okay, okay, so I am taking the pessimistic view. I am muddling through trying to decide on this day to day. The only real reason to apply for a visa in my case is to be covered on my wife's existing policy (I currently plan on avoiding becoming a tax resident). I am currently listed on her policy with my passport; but, doubt that I could actually get any medical treatment without a cedula. So I really don't know if it makes sense to pay close to two grand a year to be covered "free" under my wife's policy.

lpd

@Lpdiver you worry way to much about.these things.

I did some research and found out México  has resideny tax laws just like Colombia, but I know lots and lots of guys that spend more than 6.months a year there, have more,$$$ than you, and dot worry about doing a Mexican tax return. And you never hear this subject discussed on Mexican expat forums.

Seems this topic takes on a life of its own.on Colombian expat sites, and has expandend the paranoia exponentially

Nobody even discussed this topic  at all on PBH 12 years ago.

Just  remember you are not in the US and in Latín América, the written law and practiced law are 2 different things.

LPD

I have heard you can getvtravel insurance for 6 months t $500 $USd that cover the requirements.

But the guy was not that reliable

LP dont think you are that ppessimistic..more like realistic

¨I did some research and found Mexico

has residency tax laws just like Colombia...¨

       -- Nico Peligro

  ----

You'll have to name or link to the source

of your research to that effect .. in order

for the above assertion to be credible.

I did some research to verify the assertion

and came up with a different result, i.e.

An Expat is considered a tax resident

of Mexico if he or she establishes a

home in Mexico.

   -- Source... expatden.com and several

     other websites that follow the tax issues

According to these sources, the tax-residency

status of a person with a home in Mexico

and a home in another country is determined

by which country is the financial center for the

individual.

cccmedia

@cccmedia yep-- I read it and in a little more detail, and you are right--the 183 day a year thing doesnt seem to apply, (it apears, with a superficial review) and if you have a home in US, Canada, wherever, and have your income coming from there, that is where you are taxed-not Mexico.

This is very similar to the situation Canadians have in Colombia with the Colombia-Canadian tax treaty. Actually, it reads almost exactly the same way, which is probably where tha Canadian mining and O&G executives got the idea when the pact was negotiated.

But we both still have not read the fine writing..there maybe alternate "special" clauses.

It just goes to show you how tax laws everywhere are complicated and open to interpretation and need a "test case" to go as a precedent.

Informative and at the same time leaves some items still in the question bucket.

I am seriously contemplation a relocation to the Medellin area, not in town but somewhere in the surrounding countryside where I can reside for the remainder of this life.

I do have an Ex that lives in Medellin and we are compatible and enjoy each others company.

I will be scanning the input on this Post and am appreciative of any and ALL information that will make this transfer of Local more easy and comfortable.

Social Security and Bank accounts are my most present concerns, Taxes????

Thanks for the input!

@nico peligro I have lost money twice in Davivienda ATMs with my Schwab card. I get a receipt saying that money is not available, but then I discover that it's been deducted from my account. I have read on a couple of expat sites that this is not uncommon. Both times, I had to work with Schwab to get reimbursed.

@paddyroyal It happened to me once with Davaienda, but not with my Davaienda card (yet) or with my Fintech card.

It happened with a TD debit card several years ago, and I got reimbursed. It took a month, but it happened.

I also heard Chales Schwab is really good at the reimbursements. They are partly TD owned as well.

You have to keep the reciept , take a foto of the screen with the code on it, time and date, everything.

I dread to think what would happen if it occured using my Fintech card, but I think I would eventually get reimbursed.

Even worse, if this happened with the actual Davavienda card. I think you would never get the money back. That is a risk, I guess. It supposedly happened to a woman in front of me once, but you never know with these Colombians, could be a bunch of made up drama. If it ever happens witha Davavienda card, I think you would never get your mone back from these ladrones.

Another time, it happened to me with a TD debit card in a Colpatria bank. I phoned my bank they noted it , and said I would expect the reimbursement in a month. It only took 3 days, and I am sure it was because Colpatria is owned by Scotiabank, which is like TD a Canadian bank.

So there is no guarantee and risks with any method you use to bring money here. No free lunch.

With a Charles Schwab or Capital one card you are well covered though.

@HutchX2020 you sre wrong about not being able to sign up for EPS. The basic EPS program is mandatory, it’s the extensive prepagado supplemental plan which is not available to >63? Once you’ve been on EPS for 6 months you can sign up for Sura Complementario 60+. The verdict is still out in our household whether it’s worth the added cost or not. Only direct access to 6 specialists and they are booked out for months. It does expedite other tramites.

@ChineduOpara We were able to apply online but you could not pay with a foreign credit or debit car.  Wound ip going to closest migracion office to pay and finish process. 

@Adriana Gutierrez No Adriana, since the new rules came out, apparently you cannot go on EPS on a pensionada Visa, according to migraciones

Okay for people whao are already vested.

In order to get a pensionada, or rentista, pretty well any type of visa you now have to have private insurance, which includes repatriation to your "home country" wher ever that may be.

So I dont think they want people quiting theiir fancy private insurance and going on EPS afterwards.

But I dont know if the EPS companies have been properly informed.

To them a cedula is a cedula, and is still valid , even if the expedition date is after Ocober last year.

Dont know if that will change in the future

There might not even be EPS in the near future..who knows what will happen?

Myself, I only got EPS because it was required for Visa renewal. Now you require private insurance with emergency repatriation.

Hi Ken, here's what I learned when I was in Bogotá last month (July 2023):

From a SURA agent in the Calle 48 SURA office in Teusaquillo, Bogotá:

A foreigner without a cedula (national ID card of Colombia) can buy a SURA policy only if he/she already has an EPS policy.  If the foreigner has an EPS policy, he/she can buy the SURA prepaid policy with passport only, even if the foreigner is not in Colombia.  "It's all done by internet."

A foreigner can buy an EPS policy without visa or cedula, with only a passport, even if the foreigner is not in Colombia.  This happens by internet.  However, after the EPS policy is given, the foreigner must present a cedula within 3 months, or the EPS insurance will be cancelled.  You cannot get a cedula without a visa.  So, to keep the EPS (and SURA, if you bought SURA insurance too), you have to have a visa and a cedula and give proof of the cedula to EPS within three months of the start of your policy.

Both EPS and SURA policies can be paid monthly.   SURA PREPAID plans are not really fully prepaid (unless you want to prepay the entire yearly premium), SURA PREPAID, like EPS, can be paid in monthly installments.

How you pay from outside Colombia may be a challenge.  In my case, if I buy these insurances, I will send money to my wife's Colombian bank account and she will pay the premiums each month.

This information, if accurate, may be of interest to foreigners applying for a visa, because the policies can be cancelled easily if the visa application is denied for any reason (I imagine they would cancel themselves if you stop paying.).  Other acceptable insurances, such as "Assist Card" require you to pay the entire premium up front, there is no monthly payment option, and even worse, if your visa application is denied, they will not refund your premium to you.  In my case, that's a $1000 US dollar payment to Assist Card that I'm not willing to lose if my visa is denied.  That's why I won't be using Assist Card or any other company who has such a restrictive and punitive policy.

The only insurance required for visas that I have not yet been able to find is the "death or repatriation" insurance also required for most (if not all) visas.  I have heard that SURA offers such a policy, but I have not yet researched it.

I hope this information is both accurate and helpful.  For me, even though I heard this information directly from the agent in her office, I would still not rely on it fully until I can confirm it with at least two other SURA representatives.

Many posts here speak of the 90 day permission to stay and the extension for another 90 days as givens.

First, if in Colombia on a "permiso" without a visa, and if you want to extend your permission to stay, you can do it online, and you will receive your permission or denial by email.   If granted the permission, you will have to pay the required fee.  Once you pay the fee, the government will send you your official permission by email, you simply print it out and present it to the immigration official when you leave Colombia.

But the important point I wish to make is that when you enter the country without a visa, based only on the permission of the Colombian government, you are not guaranteed to receive the permission.  Any individual agent can deny you the permission.   But if you are granted the permission, there is no guarantee that the official will grant you the full 90 days.   The 90 days permission is only the maximum that the official is allowed to give you, the permission given could be 90 days.    And, if you apply for an extension of the permission, it can be denied without any reason given to you, and if the extension is granted, it could be granted for less than 90 days.

Therefore, when you plan to visit Colombia, don't count on being given the first permission.  You might be denied entry and have to sit in the airport detention until you find a way to leave Colombia.  If you do get the initial permission, do not assume that the permission will be for 90 days, it may be less.   If you get the permission and want to extend, don't assume that your request will be granted, it could be denied without explanation to you.   And if you do receive the permission to extend your stay, do not assume that the permission will be for the maximum extension of 90 days.

I hope this information is helpful.

What is the address of the online

extension page?

@rf2023 So, any you aware of many if any unprovoked denials? All you say is true; but, it kind of falls under the same umbrella as the tax issues brought up so often here. All that being said, One should always have a plan A, plan B, etc, AND a defined exit plan for smooth and not so smooth exits. The degree you dive down that rabbit hole depends on you required comfort level. Few things in life are guaranteed. I once embarked on a cruise and during the first night exiting the port a note was slipped under the door ( after sailing) informing that the destinations have been changed. Get over it and just enjoy the ride.

elp

"What is the address of the online
extension page?
-@cccmedia"

Hello cccmedia,

Here is the link:

https://unidad-administrativa-especial- … ermanencia

I believe!  It's been over a year since I had to do this.

What is the address of the online
extension page?
-@cccmedia

@cccmedia

Apologies, the link I sent describes the process, but is not the actual link to make the request of the government. 

Try this:

https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/r … gistro.jsf