Emigrating to Colombia

Emigrating to Colombia
If your visa for your stay in Colombia is for more than three months, then you have to register with the Direccion de Extranjeria of the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad or DAS. You have to do this within 15 days upon arrival in the country.  All foreign nationals are required to go through this registration procedure as this is a requirement before they can secure a Colombian residence identification document or the Cedula de Extranjeria. This requirement is based on the new regulation issued by the President of Colombia along with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Visa holders who must comply with this new regulation must appear before the DAS in person. This is so that he can supply his fingerprints as well as register for his Cedula. To register, a foreign national must bring his original passport to prove that he is a holder of an appropriate visa, as well as a Certificate of Blood Group/RH Factor which he must secure in a Colombian hospital or medical center. Three colored photos with white background, measuring 3cm x 4cm and a photocopy of the Cedula registration fee receipt (front and back) that has been issued by the Central Bank of Colombia in the amount of COP$86,400 should also be part of the documentation that must be presented.

Under this new regulation, it is also required of Colombian companies to notify the DAS if they have employed a foreign worker, within 15 days of the foreign worker's entry into the country.