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Recent days may seem like mayhem. This unexpected pandemic has citizens of all nations locked down and adapting to new changes.
Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following Resolution 0918 issued by Migración Colombia last month, ruled some changes and updates on the visa processes for foreigners outside and within Colombia.
This is Resolution 1296 of April 21, 2020, which also gives foreigners a legal basis for their current status, processes, or concerns.
What is Resolution 1296 of 2020 about?
As part of our update service to our clients and any foreign national in Colombia, at expatgroup.co, our group of professionals keeps us updated with the Government resolutions and communication regarding the new conditions that the immigration service of the Republic of Colombia will enforce for the remainder of the State of Sanitary Emergency declared this current year.
Therefore, there is no need for foreign nationals in Colombian to get unnecessarily stressed up. These changes are now very simple and for the better. Let’s review most of them.
Foreign Affairs Resolution 1296 of April 21st, 2020 pronouncements:
Article 1. Visa applications for foreigners staying in the Colombian territory:
Foreigners in regular residence within Colombian territory may apply for a visa before the Visa Authority in Bogotá through the electronic means provided for this purpose by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the validity of this Resolution, foreigners holding a visitor visa in Colombia will not be allowed to make visa applications that signify class changes. They can only request the same class of visa as the holder, always in accordance with the requirements established in Resolution 6045 of 2017 and the principle of discretion in the granting of visas.
Article 2. Suspension in the processing of visa applications for foreigners staying outside the Colombian territory:
The processing of visa applications by foreigners staying outside of Colombian territory, established in Resolution 6045 of 2017, is provisionally suspended until the Sanitary Emergency declared by the Ministry of Health remains in effect. The Colombian consulates and the Visa Authority in Bogotá are prevented from admitting such visa applications during the referred term, regardless of their class or activity.
Article 3. Suspension of the validity terms of the visas:
It is provisionally suspended until the Sanitary Emergency declared by the Ministry of Health remains in force, counting the validity time of the visa for foreigners that are abroad and are holders of a visa in force at the time of issuance of this Resolution, in accordance with the following:
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Type (v) visitor visas to provide temporary services to a natural or legal person in.
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Type (M) migrant visas regardless of their activity.
Article 4. Suspension of the terms of early termination of visas due to the absence of national territory:
Provisionally suspend until the Sanitary Emergency declared by the Ministry of Health remains in force, the accounting of the time of absence from the national territory, as a cause of early termination of type M and R visas established in number 3 of article 66 of Resolution 6045 of 2017, for foreigners who are abroad and are holders of such classes of visa in force at the time of issuance of this Resolution.
Article 5. Suspension of the provisions related to the printing and stamping of the visa. Suitability of the electronic visa for purposes of registration in the Foreign Registry:
It is provisionally suspended until the Sanitary Emergency declared by the Ministry of Health remains in force, the terms established in article 89 of Resolution 6045 of 2017, relating to the duty of the foreigner to print and stamp the visa with validity equal to or more than three months, to advance its registration in the Register of Foreigners. Such registration may be advanced with the current electronic visa (e-visa), whose authenticity and conditions will be verified by the Immigration Authority at the time of the respective registration. This is in line with public policy regarding Digital Government and streamlining procedures.
The present resolution governs from the date of its publication and will remain in force until the end of the health emergency declared by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection through resolution 0385 of 2020.
That is all for now; we will keep you informed as changes appear. If you are a foreigner seeking assistance in understanding the impact of resolutions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we’re here to help. At expatgroup.co, we have over 10 years of experience and expertise in assisting expatriates with immigration and legal matters. Don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance and support. For any other information relevant to Foreign nationals in Colombia, please contact us or follow our blog at expatgroup.co for more updates.
