Visa Changes | It's Getting Harder Each Year!

[@HowToExpat]

Find out more about, how to get Health Insurance in Colombia: www.colombiavisas.com/how-to-get-health-insurance-in-colombia/

[@keithsmith8543]

Thanks for the update, Sam! Much appreciated! 👊👍

[@SirBuffton]

Yeah this sounds like a lot of hassle. Might wait for this to settle down for a few months / year. I don't mind doing things by the book but when the front line staff can't agree on what the book says and it makes the difference between being able to live there....

[@keithaverill1223]

Very good information, thank you! It's not good news for me but at least now I know what I am going to need to do.

[@jorgequintero9453]

Thank you Sam. Your videos are always helpful.

[@carln.6934]

Great update Sam as always. One option, i just got my 3- year migrant Visa through a real estate investment in Cartagena (property investment above 600 mil Pesos).. the process with my attorney was very smooth last month. They didn't check these points : health care and tax.. but my attorney just confirmed it is getting more complicated to get a visa with the CoVID economic impact and crisis to come. Knock on woods for the future as things change rather quickly.. when the economy gets better they may change the rules again. Greetings from Cartagena

[@carln.6934]

Hi Sam, hope you are doing well. I'm about to transfer my visa to a resident R type visa. I believe i will have to fill tax in Colombia every year. Do you have any recommendations on a good CPA for filing in Colombia? Thank you very much, greetings from Cartagena

[@ohno-zx4if]

They changed the rules big time.

[@hachemahmed9941]

THANKS BRO, still need your answers bro

[@masthedecart7650]

In the UK, if you have work visa you pay Health insurance directly from your salary as any other citizen in the UK. However, when you applied to extend your visa, you need to pay again the Health insurance because they said you are a foreign who does not pay taxes. What!! Hold on as legal worker I have to pay all taxes as anyone else, but immigration don't care. Therefore, I have to pay twice Health insurance. This mean Colombia is just learning what we as Colombians has to face in other countries and applying the same rules to foreigners in Colombia. If I have to pay a lot of money for insurance and in this case pay twice for the same thing, I consider very fair for Colombia to request a Health insurance for all foreigners.

[@JeremyRiera]

Fair would be the UK not charging you twice - Citizens getting ripped off by any Govt is not fair.

[@sdnalyam]

I know of a couple of American retirees on social security. They have the pensioner visa. They never had health insurance, too expensive because they are over 70 and never paid taxes. I am sure they and others will have to leave next time they apply for another extension.

[@ohno-zx4if]

Isn’t it incredible how people will actually have to leave these new rules are insane

[@onlyinamerica0073]

Thanks for the info

[@tombosserman3460]

Thanks again Sam. Great work for Expat's thinking about Columbia

[@Ocean245]

I was looking to retire in Colombia at 68 on social security but if you have to have public health insurance and you have a private plan that sounds very expensive this will cause people to look at other places to retire. You definitely would need to have a lawyer. I guess some of us can stop following Colombian travel flogging. I guess they want to cut down on retirement their.

[@Ocean245]

@@RC94332 Absolutely!

[@gregoriosmith6994]

looks like a disincentive

[@ohno-zx4if]

They literally destroyed the visas for retirees for investor for everyone. It’s sad I’m starting to think they don’t like money in Colombia

[@johnwright2509]

I am confused about how much I am supposed to pay a month for EPS health insurance....and really also taxes. Me and my Colombian spouse use a lawyer in Pereira. I had my spouse go get us health insurance EPS, but I do not know if the amount we pay is an issue? Are you saying that for example if someone has a monthly pension of $6,000, then they have to pay .125 x $6,000= $750/month for EPS health insurance? That is $9,000/year!!!!

[@dareasonx24]

What if you marry a colombian? Is that an easy way to become a citizen?

[@rockywaters6714]

When I applied this year for a pensioner visa i ran into another complication. I have the required insurance that they state. However, they insisted that my insurance policy specifically state that it would cover all costs if i got Covid-19. My insurance evidence of coverage does not specifically state Covid coverage (although it is covered) and the legal dept did not have such a letter. I tried sending the company statement from their website, but that was unacceptable to migración. I chose not to pursue the visa. Maybe later. Their system is a mess, nowhere is the requirement for covid coverage mentioned.

[@Bravo78631]

Hello,I’m trying to find on www.cancilleria.gov.co. Where it says insurance is now required having hard time finding it,did my residents visa this yr never had to talk to anyone since everything is online and nothing about insurance at that time,thanks

[@EdTowel-ww7yh]

They just don't want you there.

[@Bravo78631]

@@EdTowel-ww7yh in February did the residence 5 yr visa took 20 minutes on their site with a few clicks a couple of uploads and approved,never had to talk to anyone or had anyone go on about insurance ,not able to find it on the website where it’s required and the person who was denied never responded as to where it is......

[@rockywaters6714]

@@Bravo78631 Yes, i looked for it, but did not find the official place again. If I remember right it was in some Spanish language document and my Spanish is not extensive, so it wasn't worth it to me to go try reading through then again. I don't remember which site it was likely to have been migración or cancillería. There are lots of unofficial references to it in english, but none that I saw have a link back to the official document.

[@2001lextalionis]

Clearly this is a situation that is in flux. Appreciate the heads up

[@Rohawk009]

Thanks sam

[@RaySmith79]

Colombia is wise to other countries problem with people who make money by being a fraud. I like that honest hard working people will be the type of people they are looking for.

[@ohno-zx4if]

I have a 4K a month pension I was buying a 200k apartment cash and they said I’m only allowed to stay in Colombia for 6 months. Colombia is hurting its economy terribly all those buildings being built will stand vacant for many many years. Who in there right mind would invest there. I feel for the people who bought units already

[@chrisbutler6258]

Colombia is looking less and less likely as a retirement destination for me, I,m Canadian and unless you had a government job, we do not get much of a pension.

[@Ralphie_Boy]

*OMG, Wasn't that way back in 2007!* 😳👍🏻

[@CharlesMuccia]

My one take away from this video is: I'm gonna need a lawyer!

[@HowToExpat]

Absolutely!

[@davegarmendia1717]

Always

[@CARACAS1]

I have been wanting to move to Medellin with a retirement visa. You said you don't know why someone you know was denied a visa renewal after being there for 3 years. Was he an American with a social security benefits or 401 K ?

[@viajerozz]

Thanks for the info! I see I will need an immigration lawyer :-)

[@dougness1971]

They are going to tax your retirement pension income?

[@Harry-rk8tl]

This information is entirely accurate. I just this past week (Feb. 2021) renewed my three year resident visa and the details with which you need to comply regarding health care coverage in Colombia are daunting! You may not need an immigration lawyer but, believe me, you will have a real headache before it is all finished and you are granted a resident visa!

[@HowToExpat]

Thanks for sharing. What did they ask for?

[@Harry-rk8tl]

@@HowToExpat I just wrote a long message and then lost it. I had a basic EPS policy alread but had to upgrade it. Bogota was not satified with the first upgrade so I ended up getting a better policy which they approved of. That cost 265,000 pesos monthly, plus 43,000 affiliation fee. Bogtoa accepted that but they wanted the confirmacion certificado the following day.

[@Harry-rk8tl]

Pensionado visa was approved yesterday. Cost was 865,000 for the visa itself and about 11,200,000 for the agency that assisted me in the process.@@HowToExpat

[@Harry-rk8tl]

@@HowToExpat I had to vastly upgrade my EPS coverage and it cost 265,000 monthly. Had some snafus with EPS assessor. Bogota was demanding instant receipt of the PDF certificado. Things do not happen that fast in Colombia, as you know.

[@Harry-rk8tl]

@@HowToExpat Finally receive my new Pensionado visa but it was costly experience. 863,000 pesos for the visa itself and another roughly 1,200,000 pesos paid to the agency that assisted me in the process. I could have NEVER done all that was required myself online without agency assistance! They are also now asking for a listing of all of an applicant's social media accounts. That is something new.

[@jesperjensen293]

What if yo get married to a colombian, don't you automatic get a visa ?

[@StevenMRose]

Hi! I went through this process and it’s not the easiest not is it automatic. I recommend Googling the tax lady from Medellín named Paula Cruz. She’s welll worth the money to help and you have to fly to Bogota for an in person interview with a govt official to assure your marriage is real. Ours was easy, they literally looked at my wife’s Instagram photos of the wedding and approved. Others have it tough and will say things like “what is the image of the tattoo of your partners in we thigh? (You need to disclose all scars and tattoos prior)” You might say “...he doesn’t have a tattoo?” Them”...are you sure” to throw you off.

[@bebop504]

Hi Sam I have a question that's somewhat unrelated to this video. I know you said that Colombia is no longer requiring covid tests for international travelers so I am planning to come back in February... But do you know if Panama is requiring covid tests? I heard that they are, so I might have to cancel my trip there because I do not want to take a covid test. Can you provide any information about Panama? Thanks !!

[@HowToExpat]

Please ask the airline you'll be flying with. I had a client that told me he didn't need a test because he didn't leave the airport.

[@bebop504]

@@HowToExpat Ok thank you

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

So, If I want to just travel to Colombia, and stay for a couple weeks the way I have 8 times before, I can still use just my passport without a visa, correct? I'm from US

[@sianstpaul1349]

Yes, It is correct. This coming Monday I will fly from Boston to Cali.

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

@@sianstpaul1349 Thank You! Have a safe trip!! I’m gonna go back to Pasto Colombia sometime in late January, early February.

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

@Olga Rincon I have a girlfriend who lives in Pasto. (Long distance relationship).

[@StarFlagMedia]

you can thank venezuelan immigration for these changes

[@alanestes6784]

When you say taxes are taking income taxes? And in which country Unless my wife paid them and didn't mention it I am not aware that I paid any the years I lived there.

[@HowToExpat]

Hi Alan. More info here: www.how-to-expat.com/post/taxes-in-colombia-real-talk

[@FlexNFly]

Hi, I was wondering if you could do a video on Vaccines? when traveling to Columbia?

[@juliosantana4368]

I was thinking the same..cause I got sick last time i got really sick in Cartagena..

[@FlexNFly]

@@juliosantana4368 Omg really? What happened? I'm heading to Santa Marta for a month!

[@TheViking34482]

I have a question about driving in Colombia which I have done many times over the 20 years I have visited Colombia and I know that you can drive there with a foreign license for 3 months, but what about the other 3 months that you can get to stay there from what I understand is that you can't drive after the 3 months that sounds strange, so I am asking if you know anything about that thanks Bert

[@HowToExpat]

Hi Bert, As far as I know you're a allowed to drive as long as you're a tourist. That would be 6 months per year. But after getting a long-term Visa you'll have to apply for a Colombian drivers license.

[@iandykes757]

Can you advise me I am going to Bogota on Tuesday but I need register the coronapp but it does not let you change the country code on the phone number so you cannot register ?

[@harryb7149]

Hola Sam and Tacha! I just wanted to tell you about my experience during December of 2023 to obtain a Resident Visa. I had previously had two consecutive Migrant Visas. I applied for the Resident Visa the week prior to Christmas, 2023. They did require documentation from my EPS (Salud Total) concerning my health insurance coverage. I had asked my EPS agent to send me an official document about my coverage before I submitted the visa application. That was smart thinking ahead. Amazingly, the Cancilleria office never asked for ANY proof of my income.! I do not know why. Perhaps because my only income is U.S. Social Security and they already had my proof of income from my previous visa applications? Even more amazing, I submitted my complete application online on a Friday afternoon. On the following Tuesday afternoon I received an e-mail telling me that my Resident Visa had been approved! Strange but TRUE!! I wonder if submitting my application during the Christmas week might have contributed to my visa being so quickly approved. Just thought you might like to know about this.

[@HowToExpat]

That's awesome, lucky you! Thanks for sharing.

[@jackrose2795]

Jesus this insurance thing sounds hard; I need someone to throw me a fastball!

[@rich5759]

Does this apply if you just want to get a student visa?

[@tonyma40]

Thanks for the information, Sam I have a question, I just got news that the Corona virus cases in Colombia just climbed to over a million cases, do you suspect another shutdown? Should I be safe in February?

[@davldmorand8125]

If I pay taxes in my home country, Canada, do I pay tax again on that money in Colombia?

[@Robertsdogs]

I've lived abroad before, so usually there is an agreement between countries to even though 100% of my income is in the US, I have to pay US Taxes. Even though I'm living in Colombia you must pay income tax. Usually, Colombia charges less and there is a deduction on your US tax forms. I highly suggest a tax attorney to help you with that. I'm sure it may be similar in Canada as well.

[@WelcomeHome76]

How long do you have to live in Colombia before you have to pay income taxes?

[@HowToExpat]

After living in Colombia for around 183 days you have to file taxes.

[@gregoriosmith6994]

@@HowToExpat and if your income consists of US social security and pension of US1250 per month?

[@seeitwithme1412]

Helllo. The PCR test is required again to enter Colombia😣. I just heard it on the news.

[@HowToExpat]

Please only trust official sources. As far as I know that's not true. The following official website was last updated on November 27th and it still states that a PCR test is not required: co.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

[@danielk8213]

www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/juez-ordena-exigir-prueba-covid-negativa-a-viajeros-en-vuelos-del-exterior-EB14155881

[@danielk8213]

As far as I understand they are saying you also have to comply with 14 days quarantine in addition to the test

[@HowToExpat]

A judge wants to bring it back, as far as I understand. But it hasn't been decided yet.

[@seeitwithme1412]

@@HowToExpat Oh thank goodness for that. That test really complicates everything. Thank you

[@godofyota9541]

This sounds like Obamacare... mandatory insurance requirements with penalties... I dont like!

[@sandraduncan4372]

This is fucked up. As a us citizen you have to pay a minimum of $149 for Medicare, as a basic care. And now if you go to colombia you have to pay travel insurance and colombia health insurance. Smh

[@sandraduncan4372]

@Wolf if you refuse medicare they penalize you buy charging you an extra 10% for each year you refused it. If you have to go back and get it your screwed. For me I have military insurance champva . I ordered for them to pay or reimburse you 75% you have to pay for Medicare part b. If you don't they will pay none of your bills

[@kingjahman7905]

So with American passport we can't get Visa upon entry right at the air port?? We have to apply in advance??!

[@ThePhillomenon]

Having an American passport is not like having a key to the world. Yes you have to apply for a visa if you want to stay longer then the initial tourist period. Just like everyone else. Everywhere else.

[@kingjahman7905]

@@ThePhillomenon I didn't need all the BS cuz u know better it's access to the WORLD!! It's Normal protocol to apply after initial time anywhere if u want to extend the stay u gotta apply but not upon arrival!! Nothing to gain there only spend n have good times like any other country nothing special! So make yourself feel better! It's only China requires visa in advance due to political BS going on for awhile n it's not hard at all! I travel the world n I know what am saying.

[@ThePhillomenon]

@@kingjahman7905 If you honestly think that right now only China require visa in advance then you, in fact, have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Laters.

[@kingjahman7905]

@@ThePhillomenon your respond was downing to anyone holding American passport! Talking about ohh "having American passport isn't the key to the WORLD" That was not my question! Answer should only be yes or no that's what I had an issue with.. sounded too much arrogance From u when in reality....! Fill the Blanks

[@wy7128]

visa difficult to get to colombia? wtf . is this world coming to? does colombia produce diamond or some shit?

[@CarltonsTravelAdventures]

Damn.

[@LegendsofWorldMusic]

My brother Carlton is in da house

[@brucemunro7499]

If that’s true...9.5% of my retirement prnsion would go to health insurance i will not choose colombia for retirement as an ex-pat (and then to have additional coverage privately!) in 2 years. Ecuador is looking like the better south american option for me. I would still come back to visit...but that’s too much $ for me to give away...

[@Agustin-jo8mv]

Yeah, I agree. This sounds like a bad policy. 10% really does sound like a lot. At that rate the health insurance in Colombia would be more expensive than the health insurance in the US..

[@sandraduncan4372]

I thought you need insurance to get into Ecuador as well

[@brucemunro7499]

It’s not pegged as a % of your retirement income...their national health insurance is super affordable

[@Dividenddream]

@Euro DudeSo they have different options for this health insurance?

[@Dividenddream]

@Euro Dude Good to know thanks for the knowledge!

[@keeshenk]

You have to pay 12% of your annual income for your healthcare? PFFFF

[@sandraduncan4372]

The insurance sounds like a cluster fuck

[@pd1648]

Colombia needs to attract Westerners for the $$$ - balances with a great life in Colombia and wonderful people

[@renemontenegro6143]

If you have a child from a colombian in colombia can i get a visa faster?

[@EletiseMincey]

I also have a child from a Colombian here in Colombia. What I found out over a year ago is that you also must be married. With that, you can apply for a resident Visa which is good for 5 years.

[@renemontenegro6143]

@@EletiseMincey You have to be married or no visa?

[@EletiseMincey]

@@renemontenegro6143 you can get a Visa as long as you meet the requirements. What you're going after with the question you asked is a Resident Visa. The Resident Visa will give you more time here than the other Visas.

[@renemontenegro6143]

@@EletiseMincey 👍

[@johnj7286]

@@EletiseMincey This is incorrect, you don't need to be married to get a resident visa if you have a Colombian born child.

[@johnesmer5635]

First 5 minutes .was long winded Just health insurance now ,,booom,, done

[@GS-ms1cj]

Colombia 🇨🇴 government is costing its government a lot money turning people away from caring to go anymore I just got back from Medellin and the country is dead

[@freespirit6746]

What do you mean by "the country is dead"?.... Genuinely curious.... Is it related to covid-19, or else?...

[@GS-ms1cj]

@@freespirit6746 cov19 destroyed everything there is closed