Colombian Student Visas

CONSULADO GENERAL DE COLOMBIA 2400 Augusta Dr. Suite 400 􀁹 Houston, Texas 77057 Telephone: (713) 527-8919 􀁹 Telefax: (713) 529-3395 􀁹 http://www.colhouston.org 1   TEMPORARY STUDENT VISA (TE)

It is issued to individuals who wish to study in Colombia as a regular academic student in an elementary, middle, or high school institution; as a student of an institution for higher education in virtue of an exchange student program, or in any other program at a public or private institution recognized by the National Government of Colombia. This visa allows multiple entrances and it may be issued for up to one year. It may be renewed in Colombia until the completion of the applicant’s studies. This visa does not allow the applicant to work. When the program requires the student to have a labor practice, the visa may state occupation “practicante” previously certified by the educational institution.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

            • Valid Passport with available pages and good at least three (3) months.

            • Two (2) photocopies of the pages of the passport containing information, as well as all previously granted visas.

            • Two (2) originals of the Visa Application Form completely filled out and duly signed.

            • Three (3) color passport-type photographs (1.5”x1.5”).

            • Original of the Admission Certificate from the Colombian Institution. This certificate may be a copy of the registration certificate or a fully certified copy of the agreement between the educational institutions in the case of an exchange student. It must state that the educational institution commits itself to accept the student covered by the agreement. A Colombian Public Notary must notarize it and it must be certified with an APOSTILLE.             • Proof of legal existence of the Educational Institution in Colombia. This is a certificate known as: (Certificado de Personeria Jurídica) in Colombia. A Colombian Public Notary must notarize it and It must be certified with an APOSTILLE

            • Proof of Financial Solvency. Bank statements of the last three months, certificates of income, income tax, or any other financial documents of the applicant, or affidavit of support from the parents or the person paying for the applicant’s studies and related expenses while in Colombia.

            • If a scholarship is financing the studies, a certification from the International Organization, or State, or Private institution stating this fact is required. Likewise a certificate of economic solvency of the student or the parents’ in case that the financial assistance provided by the scholarship is partial.

            • In the case of a minor, authorization to stay in Colombia and assignment of a tutor issued by the minor’s parents is required. This letter must be translated into Spanish if originally issued in a language other than Spanish. Both versions must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE.

            • A document in the original certifying that the study program requires labor practice by the student as an academic requirement.

            • A certificate or a document in the original from the corresponding educational institution stating that the weekly class schedule has an intensity of at least ten (10) hours.

CONSULADO GENERAL DE COLOMBIA 2400 Augusta Dr. Suite 400 􀁹 Houston, Texas 77057 Telephone: (713) 527-8919 􀁹 Telefax: (713) 529-3395 􀁹 http://www.colhouston.org 2

US$ 40 in cash or money order only (Cost exempt for citizens of: Bolivia, South Korea, Spain, United States and Japan)

If the visa is issued for more than three (3) months, the visa holder should register it in the Immigration Office of the Administrative Department of Security (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad – DAS -) within fifteen (15) working days from the arrival date.

IMPORTANT NOTES

            • All applicants are required to appear in person at the consulate’s office either when submitting the documentation or when receiving the approved visa. No exceptions.

            • All Documents issued in languages other than Spanish MUST be submitted duly TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH, and both versions should be notarized by a Notary Public. They must be also certified with an APOSTILLE by the Office of the Secretary of State at the State where they were issued.

            • For U.S citizens the study of the visa application form and documents takes three (3) working days; for non-U.S. citizens it may take up to two (2) weeks, and it is subject to the approval of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  

Medellin-Passports and Visas

You need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining.  You do not need a visa to visit Meellin for up to 60 days.  Beyond 60 days, you will have to go to DAS (immigration)and get up to a 30 day extension.  This is a painless event.

Maximum stay per visit is 90 days.  Maximum stay in any given year on a tourist visit is 180 days.

 More permanent visas for students, retirees, businesses and investors are available.  Please check the Colombian Consulate closest to you that serves your state for details.

Medellin Lifestyles

Medellin Colombia

 

About 10 years ago, I made a business trip with an associate from Bogota to Medellin for a business meeting with a client. We arrived at the national airport and within about 10 minutes were at our client’s office.  It was a late afternoon meeting so we decided to stick around.  We stayed at the Dan Carlton in Poblado because their offices were located right cross the street.

 

We made plans for dinner but it started pouring so we just ate at a restaurant in the hotel.  Unfortunately, we had an early flight back to Bog. The next morning and I didn’t have much of an opportunity to see the sights of the city.  I always swore that someday I would return because from what little I saw, it looked like a pretty interesting place.

 

About 3 years ago, I had a chance to visit Medellin for a 10 day consulting project on which I was working.  This time, I checked into a bed and breakfast kind of place because I needed to work some during the daytime but be close to my client’s office (next door).  We went to several areas of the city for lunches and dinner’s everyday and I became somewhat fascinated with just how beautiful Medellin was.  Incredible year round spring like climate, very friendly people, upscale malls and shopping areas, cheap local transportation by taxi or the metro, good food, nice clubs, good infrastructure and roads. What was not to like?

 

I started thinking about retiring early and where I might want to live for a while.  I tried another country but was constantly concerned about safety and security issues after being mugged 3 times in a year in broad daylight and once in front of a group of about 25 people.  They just stood there and watched!

 

So, I decided to give Medellin a 3 month test run.  I moved here and moved in with a local family to get a real flavor of the Paisa (what the people of Medellin are called) lifestyle.  It was actually the nicest 3 months of my life.  My Spanish was horrible but we managed to communicate quite effectively.  They showed me around the city, kept me out of the more dangerous places I might wander into, showed me where to shop economically like a local, cooked some fabulous meals, washed my clothes and kept my room nice and tidy.  I literally went all over the neighborhoods known as Poblado, Envigado, Sabonetta and several other areas.  I would walk, ride in taxis, stop in stores or restaurants, have coffee and fresh bread in the local places and really got a good feel for what it would be like living here. 

 

I finished up my last year of working in my consulting business and made a bee line move to Medellin. Found an apartment, got a student visa, enrolled in a Spanish Language Course and am now taking private lessons 4 hours per week.  I am loving living here and may seek a more permanent visa arrangement so I can continue to call this beautiful city home.

 

Safety?  Well, don’t believe all the hype you see on the State Department Website.  Yes, there are some very dangerous areas of Colombia where the rebel guerillas (FARC) are alive and well and quite active.  There are areas in Medellin where if you go there at night, you will have a high probability of being robbed (just like any big city) but overall, I never felt as safe in that “other city” for one day as I do in Medellin everyday.

 

MedellinTravelGuide

Medellin Information-Medellin Travel Guide

Tourist Information: Medellin Travel Guide
Average Temperature: 24°C / 75 F;  Relative humidity 87% by day and 54% night.  Atmospheric pressure 1,012 millibars.  Mean annual rainfall 200cm per year.   This is one of the compelling reasons why Medellin is such an attractive place to visit or live.  It bills itself as the City of Eternal Spring and rightly deserves the name.  At nights it will get into the 60’s and the highs of the day will reach 82-85 but rarely hotter although sometimes cooler.
Altitude: 1538 mts / 5045.93 feet above sea level. It is about the same height above sea level as Denver.  If you are coming from a sea level state like Florida, you may experience a little adjustment to the altitude.  Don’t worry, a couple of aspirins work wonders for becoming acclimated.
International Airport: Jose María Córdoba (Rionegro) A very modern and well functioning airport inaugurated in 1985 it was awarded the National Architecture Prize.  It handles both national and international flights with direct connections to Panama, Venezuela and the US. For connections to European or south east asian destinations, you will have to connect through Bogota or other international cities.

It sits on 600 hectares of land and has a 3,500 meter long runway.  It also has a 3,000 meter long taxing runway and 10 air bridges for arrivals and departures.

Immigrations and customs is quick (unlike Bogota which can take an hour or more) and usually without hassle (unless you are bringing in large quantities of new electronics, car parts or non allowable food. (later)
National Airport: Olaya Herrera-First opened in 1932 and updated in the 50’s, it is limited to Regional traffic and is loctated 7 kilometers away from the city center. It also serves as a base for small private airplanes.

Electricity:  Electric power in th city is 110 volts with American type two pronged plugs. Adaptors and converters are available in various markets.

Medellin Travel Guide

This BLOG is going to be dedicated to anything and everything about Medellin Colombia.  A beautiful, modern, upscale city with a wonderul climate, low cost of living, excellent medical facilities, universities, shopping malls and more.

Our website Medellin Travel Guide is under construction and we will be posting on the internet soon.  In the meantime, we will use our Blog to begin introducing world travelers to all the great things about Medellin Colombia.

Welcome and feel free to post or ask questions about any topic.