General Info

[QUOTE=JustTK;2571390]Does anyone happen to know the rules if you overstay as a tourist?
Yes, I know there may be a fine, but how much and for how long an overstay? Grcs![/QUOTE]Ok so I went thru all this recently. Here are the details I found.

You get 90 days on a standard tourist entry visa stamp, and you can extend once online for another 90 days. You can stay 180 days as a tourist in any calendar year. But you can only extend your tourist visa one time. So if you arrive close to the end of the year, you must leave before your 180 days are up.

If you overstay or want to overstay, the offical route si that you need to set up an appointment online at your local immigration office. You can make a claim if you are sick etc (e. G. COVID positive cert), and the office will hear and deal with your claim. You cannot simply turn up at the immigration office and expect them to deal with you. They will give you a Salvoconducto and apparently a fine of COP 50.000 per month (unless you can substantiate your claim (e. G. COVID poaitive est result).

The other option is just to leave. I heard from people that they had just turned up at the airport and the immigration official just stamped them as normal and let them go. I guess you might get lucky, especially in a really busy airport like Bogota. I was found out and had to go to the "office". They fined me 550.000 for 6 weeks overstay. Took 30 minutes extra, so if you choose this route, turn up a little earlier.

I left the country for 1 week and re-entered on a second passport. I was a little concerned bcos I used a small aiport for exit and re-entry, but no hassles, they gave me another 3 months (in effect, another 6 months). So effectively, the 180 day rule is per passport number. They don't check names.

Hope that helps.

[QUOTE=JustTK;2589981]Ok so I went thru all this recently. Here are the details I found.

You get 90 days on a standard tourist entry visa stamp, and you can extend once online for another 90 days. You can stay 180 days as a tourist in any calendar year. But you can only extend your tourist visa one time. So if you arrive close to the end of the year, you must leave before your 180 days are up.

If you overstay or want to overstay, the offical route si that you need to set up an appointment online at your local immigration office. You can make a claim if you are sick etc (e. G. COVID positive cert), and the office will hear and deal with your claim. You cannot simply turn up at the immigration office and expect them to deal with you. They will give you a Salvoconducto and apparently a fine of COP 50.000 per month (unless you can substantiate your claim (e. G. COVID poaitive est result).

The other option is just to leave. I heard from people that they had just turned up at the airport and the immigration official just stamped them as normal and let them go. I guess you might get lucky, especially in a really busy airport like Bogota. I was found out and had to go to the "office". They fined me 550.000 for 6 weeks overstay. Took 30 minutes extra, so if you choose this route, turn up a little earlier..[/QUOTE]So if you arrive close to the end of the year, you must leave before your 180 days are up.

[QUOTE=JustTK;2589981]Ok so I went thru all this recently. Here are the details I found.

You get 90 days on a standard tourist entry visa stamp, and you can extend once online for another 90 days. You can stay 180 days as a tourist in any calendar year. But you can only extend your tourist visa one time. So if you arrive close to the end of the year, you must leave before your 180 days are up.

If you overstay or want to overstay, the offical route si that you need to set up an appointment online at your local immigration office. You can make a claim if you are sick etc (e. G. COVID positive cert), and the office will hear and deal with your claim. You cannot simply turn up at the immigration office and expect them to deal with you. They will give you a Salvoconducto and apparently a fine of COP 50.000 per month (unless you can substantiate your claim (e. G. COVID poaitive est result).

The other option is just to leave. I heard from people that they had just turned up at the airport and the immigration official just stamped them as normal and let them go. I guess you might get lucky, especially in a really busy airport like Bogota. I was found out and had to go to the "office". They fined me 550.000 for 6 weeks overstay. Took 30 minutes extra, so if you choose this route, turn up a little earlier.

I left the country for 1 week and re-entered on a second passport. I was a little concerned bcos I used a small aiport for exit and re-entry, but no hassles, they gave me another 3 months (in effect, another 6 months). So effectively, the 180 day rule is per passport number. They don't check names.

Hope that helps.[/QUOTE]I too got the extension and of this writing they're sorting out the situation with the Vennies coming over in droves so everything is super slow.

That being said I'm considering getting residency but I defenitely will do a quick trip to the DR when my Visa runs out. I plan to come back to Colombia and I have only one passport.

I wonder if I would be turned around at the airport?

[QUOTE=TripleDarknes;2589997]I defenitely will do a quick trip to the DR when my Visa runs out. I plan to come back to Colombia and I have only one passport.
I wonder if I would be turned around at the airport?[/QUOTE]I believe so. If you only have one passport. Thats how they check, from the passport number and passport scanning when you enter. Maybe you should "lose" your passport and get another one?

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a touristic Visa on arrival at Bogota Airport?

Thank you.

I am off tomorrow to Medellin!

I filled out the Check Migration form on the Colombia website--it lists it as a 'pre registration' and it says they will email me--but, outside of the 'receipt' I haven't gotten any additional emails. It seems no testing is required. Is it really this easy? Just fill out an online form and then go?

Has anyone traveled to Colombia lately--from a place outside the USA (I will be in Curacao tomorrow when I fly)?

I don't think testing is required for just passing through airports, right? Like if I fly curacao-panama city-Medellin. I don't need a test because one is needed in Panama (if one is needed there--I don't know and that's not the point LOL). Needed Covid tests are only required for clearing customs, right?

This is my 1st time traveling during the pandemic and it seems pretty easy--almost too easy to get to Colombia: fill out the checking form on the Colombia migration site and that's it. Can anyone confirm this or correct me, please?

Thanks!

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591435]I am off tomorrow to Medellin!

I filled out the Check Migration form on the Colombia website--it lists it as a 'pre registration' and it says they will email me--but, outside of the 'receipt' I haven't gotten any additional emails. It seems no testing is required. Is it really this easy? Just fill out an online form and then go?[/QUOTE]You should have received a confirmation email, that's all they send. It really is that easy.

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591435]I don't think testing is required for just passing through airports, right? Like if I fly curacao-panama city-Medellin. I don't need a test because one is needed in Panama (if one is needed there--I don't know and that's not the point LOL). Needed Covid tests are only required for clearing customs, right?[/QUOTE]I have flown through Panama eight times since the pandemic began and there are no requirements for just passing through. Sometimes they take your temperature.

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591435]This is my 1st time traveling during the pandemic and it seems pretty easy--almost too easy to get to Colombia: fill out the checking form on the Colombia migration site and that's it. Can anyone confirm this or correct me, please?
Thanks![/QUOTE]It is that easy to get into Colombia. Getting back into Curacao is a different story, but you probably know that.

I filled out the form last night and never received an email, but it did confirm online that my information was accepted.

I logged on again this morning, but using my phone and it says (translated) It is not possible to send pre-registration, I have a record with the same travel details, verify the information.

I assume I am good, but I guess I will find out in the Bogota Airport. Leaving for the Toronto airport later today. Maybe it is different if Canadian and coming non-stop from Canada, as I am doing.

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591435]I am off tomorrow to Medellin!

I filled out the Check Migration form on the Colombia website--it lists it as a 'pre registration' and it says they will email me--but, outside of the 'receipt' I haven't gotten any additional emails. It seems no testing is required. Is it really this easy? Just fill out an online form and then go?

Has anyone traveled to Colombia lately--from a place outside the USA (I will be in Curacao tomorrow when I fly)?

I don't think testing is required for just passing through airports, right? Like if I fly curacao-panama city-Medellin. I don't need a test because one is needed in Panama (if one is needed there--I don't know and that's not the point LOL). Needed Covid tests are only required for clearing customs, right?

This is my 1st time traveling during the pandemic and it seems pretty easy--almost too easy to get to Colombia: fill out the checking form on the Colombia migration site and that's it. Can anyone confirm this or correct me, please?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2591479]You should have received a confirmation email, that's all they send. It really is that easy.

I have flown through Panama eight times since the pandemic began and there are no requirements for just passing through. Sometimes they take your temperature.

It is that easy to get into Colombia. Getting back into Curacao is a different story, but you probably know that.[/QUOTE]Easy to get in it seems. Got the email confirmation but no other email--could just be a translation thing. Need a test within 48 hours to get back. That should be pretty easy in MDE. Then another test a few days after returning and filling out some forms before the flight. They can't make it too hard-its not good for them or you if you get stuck somewhere LOL.

If I test positive before the return--but then go to another lab and test negative (after using afrin or something) can I just submit the negative results for travel or is the lab that takes the test reporting to the airlines or immigration or some govt entity that could block travel?

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591545]If I test positive before the return--but then go to another lab and test negative (after using afrin or something) can I just submit the negative results for travel or is the lab that takes the test reporting to the airlines or immigration or some govt entity that could block travel?[/QUOTE]I don't think the labs report the results to the government. I travel on Copa. The counter agent takes a picture of my phone with the test results displayed. They should not need to do that if the airline or government had the information. My test results have always been negative. The labs may have to report any positive results.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2591624]I don't think the labs report the results to the government. I travel on Copa. The counter agent takes a picture of my phone with the test results displayed. They should not need to do that if the airline or government had the information. My test results have always been negative. The labs may have to report any positive results.[/QUOTE]I know in Costa Rica if you get a positive preflight test the Health Department gets notified and you cannot leave the country until you have completed quarantine and test negative, or have sufficient time after symptoms to be given a letter saying you are over it.

So I suspect Colombia would have a similar process. So the airlines would not automatically have all test results, but my bet is that if you test positive you will not be making it to the airport.

And if you are coming back to Canada good luck if anything about your test looks suspicious. Plus of course you will be tested when you arrive back as well.

[QUOTE=Guerinto;2591516]I filled out the form last night and never received an email, but it did confirm online that my information was accepted.

I logged on again this morning, but using my phone and it says (translated) It is not possible to send pre-registration, I have a record with the same travel details, verify the information.

I assume I am good, but I guess I will find out in the Bogota Airport. Leaving for the Toronto airport later today. Maybe it is different if Canadian and coming non-stop from Canada, as I am doing.[/QUOTE]I thought you can fomevij the country in Canada regardless of the test if you are fully vaccinated.

[QUOTE=JustIncognito;2591545]Easy to get in it seems. Got the email confirmation but no other email--could just be a translation thing. Need a test within 48 hours to get back. That should be pretty easy in MDE. Then another test a few days after returning and filling out some forms before the flight. They can't make it too hard-its not good for them or you if you get stuck somewhere LOL.

If I test positive before the return--but then go to another lab and test negative (after using afrin or something) can I just submit the negative results for travel or is the lab that takes the test reporting to the airlines or immigration or some govt entity that could block travel?[/QUOTE]Does that work? I can't imagine any decongestant having any effect on a Covid test. I can't imagine getting a nasal spray nearly as deep into the sinuses as they jam the swab.

I also can't imagine getting a positive test and then getting on a crowded plane for at least a few hours. I can imagine some of the legal repercussions if, while on the flight you developed life threatening symptoms, and it was discovered you knowingly boarded after testing positive. At a minimum that would probably be your last commercial flight.

I don't know if there is any reporting of positive tests. Delta airlines didn't already know when I informed them of my need to change flights after I tested positive. The hotel I was at also didn't know. However, once I informed them of my need to quarantine, they stuck to protocol.

I can tell you that I went from feeling fine to being flat on my back in a convenience store, wondering if the ambulance would arrive in time in about 90 minutes.

If you use the ATM's in Colombia, you should withdraw money today before 6 pm. The Visa exchange rate is 3979 to $1. That is the rate you should receive if using any Visa card. The value of the dollar is falling fast. Right now, the mid-market rate is 3859 to $1.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2591849]If you use the ATM's in Colombia, you should withdraw money today before 6 pm. The Visa exchange rate is 3979 to $1. That is the rate you should receive if using any Visa card. The value of the dollar is falling fast. Right now, the mid-market rate is 3859 to $1.[/QUOTE]Outlook for COP remains weak. Most currency futures are 4000 next month. Personally, I wouldn't rush to the ATM to stock up on pesos.