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Getting ready to pull the plug on the USA. Thinking of moving to Colombia.
I need some info on getting my pension and social security checks in Colombia, Right now I have direct deposit on both and when I travel I use ATMs with no problems. Also I hear you are only allowed 6 months a year in country. Is that true?
Either a PM, a post or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Vic
Peirera is like alot of smaller towns. Everybody knows your business, there is not a whole lot to do. Especially during the day and the pro scene is hit and miss as the girls are in Cali, Bogota or Medellin earning money. That said, if your Spanish is good there is fun to be had in the smaller towns.
Personally, I like Cali as healthy competition seems to ramp up the enjoyment factor.
I wouldn't change your checks, having them mailed to Colombia. Just leave the set up as is, use the ATM's. At least in the U. S. You have FDIC, and don't have to worry about them being lost or stolen in the mail.
Delays and paperwork on recovering lost checks.
I just got an email from the Colombian Consulate in Atlanta, with the documents required for a Pensionado Visa. Not much, about the same as for a Tourist Visa. Said the fee is US$175, but waived for Americans and a few other countries.
Check the web, see if there's a Consulate near you.
KT
[QUOTE=Vics Picks]Getting ready to pull the plug on the USA. Thinking of moving to Colombia.
I need some info on getting my pension and social security checks in Colombia, Right now I have direct deposit on both and when I travel I use ATMs with no problems. Also I hear you are only allowed 6 months a year in country. Is that true?
Either a PM, a post or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Vic[/QUOTE]Without a VISA you are limited to 180 days in a calendar year. With a VISA, you never have to leave.
Keep your US banks, and continue to use ATMs. Colombian banks suck the big one.
[QUOTE=Vics Picks]Getting ready to pull the plug on the USA. Thinking of moving to Colombia.
I need some info on getting my pension and social security checks in Colombia, Right now I have direct deposit on both and when I travel I use ATMs with no problems. Also I hear you are only allowed 6 months a year in country. Is that true?
Either a PM, a post or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Vic[/QUOTE]My recommendation is to keep your checks being deposited in the U.S. bank and withdraw from an ATM in Colombia,just make sure you have a card that has little or no fees like Capital One.The banking system in Colombia is terrible and until you get a cedula I don't think you can even open a bank account in Colombia.
Yes,you are only allowed a total of 180 days per year and when you enter Colombia your passport will be either stamped for 60 days or 30 days depending on the mood of the agent,almost always 60 though.You can have it extended to 90 days by paying a few bucks at the DAS office in Bogota,not sure if there are other ways to get an extension.
I am in the process of applying for an investors visa which is pretty simple but you have to invest $100,000.USD (I am buying a house) which will allow me to stay 5 years and then I can renew it.
I strongly recommend that before you "pull the plug" that you spend considerable time visiting Colombia for extended periods of time if possible to get to get a feel for the MAJOR cultural change you are going to have to deal with along with everything else.I am moving to a beautiful city in the coffee region,the people are wonderful,the city is beautiful as I said but make no mistake about it Colombia is a third world country and certainly has its issues no matter what part of the country you are in.As one of our fellow mongers wrote, "You're Not In Kansas Anymore".P.M. me if I can be of any help.
Good luck.
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[QUOTE=Manizales911]Yes,you are only allowed a total of 180 days per year and when you enter Colombia your passport will be either stamped for 60 days or 30 days depending on the mood of the agent,almost always 60 though.You can have it extended to 90 days by paying a few bucks at the DAS office in Bogota,not sure if there are other ways to get an extension.
I am in the process of applying for an investors visa which is pretty simple but you have to invest $100,000.USD (I am buying a house) which will allow me to stay 5 years and then I can renew it.[/QUOTE]Short of a VISA, there is no other way to get an extension.
The Investor VISA is issued for life.
You just need to get a new Cedula with an updated photo every 5 years.
I am being vetted for a job in Colombia. The company is located in Europe and the offer is very tempting. The job comes with an apartment and a car or car and driver. My question is how long is the process to get a permanent resident visa since this job will be a two year contract. I already have an idea of where I would like to love but wanted to know if there was a waiting time period for a person to be able to work in Colombia.
[QUOTE=Slyman]I am being vetted for a job in Colombia. The company is located in Europe and the offer is very tempting. The job comes with an apartment and a car or car and driver. My question is how long is the process to get a permanent resident visa since this job will be a two year contract. I already have an idea of where I would like to love but wanted to know if there was a waiting time period for a person to be able to work in Colombia.[/QUOTE]There are many routes to permanent residence. And things change on a regular basis. If you marry or have a common-law wife, permanent residence takes 3 years. If you hold a Rentista VISA, it takes 5 years plus you cannot have been out of the country for more than 2 months in any of those 5 years. With the Investor VISA, you get permanent residency now.
All VISAs are granted by MRE. How is your Spanish?
[url]http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/wps/portal[/url]
I'm curious why anyone would want a permanant visa. iiuc you're then liable for worldwide tax. With a non-res visa you've got 4(?) years tax free.
In a rush to pay tax?
[QUOTE=AddictedToWomen]I'm curious why anyone would want a permanant visa. iiuc you're then liable for worldwide tax. With a non-res visa you've got 4(?) years tax free.
In a rush to pay tax?[/QUOTE]That is a whole other issue. Most Colombians pay no income tax. That is why the VAT is so high and why there is an asset tax. You pay those taxes whether or not you are permanent.
I am not sure that permanency triggers any income tax. But then most Colombian accountants, lawyers, and government officials including DIAN agents do not know either.
Tom 33,
I read and write spanish, thanks for the link. Addicted to Women, thanks for the advice. The job might start in spring and I am just gathering some information.
[QUOTE=Slyman]I am being vetted for a job in Colombia. The company is located in Europe and the offer is very tempting. The job comes with an apartment and a car or car and driver. My question is how long is the process to get a permanent resident visa since this job will be a two year contract. I already have an idea of where I would like to love but wanted to know if there was a waiting time period for a person to be able to work in Colombia.[/QUOTE]I know where I'd like to love also.
I'd sugest you look at sites like Escape Artist and International Living.
These are geared speifically for Ex-Pats.
[QUOTE=Tom 33]I am not sure that permanency triggers any income tax. But then most Colombian accountants, lawyers, and government officials including DIAN agents do not know either.[/QUOTE]I'm not 100% sure either. As you intimate the folks who should know don't. But an internet search found two sources, one, iirc, by deloite, which stated that as a permanent resident, or after 4 years temporary residence, one becomes liable for tax on one's world-wide income.
What happens if you allow your temporary residence to lapse then start it again I have no idea.
Any information you've got I'd really appreciate a pointer to.
The moment you make money in Colombia you are liable to the DIAN regardless of immigration status, just like in the USA.
[QUOTE=AddictedToWomen]I'm not 100% sure either. As you intimate the folks who should know don't. But an internet search found two sources, one, iirc, by deloite, which stated that as a permanent resident, or after 4 years temporary residence, one becomes liable for tax on one's world-wide income.
What happens if you allow your temporary residence to lapse then start it again I have no idea.
Any information you've got I'd really appreciate a pointer to.[/QUOTE]In Colombia you have the law that is written and the law that is enforced. They are rarely the same. One example comes to mind: capital gains resulting from the sale of residential property. Very few Colombians report the real sale price. And attorneys and accountants are complicit in this under reporting.
I have been filing Colombian tax returns for maybe 5 years now. I just use a Colombian accountant and let him worry about the laws.