On my second day in Bogota, my company asked me to get my work visa. They provided me with all the documents I will need. 

I left my hotel to go to Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores around 6:30AM to be there when they first opened. I arrived before 7AM and they did not let us in until 7:30AM. Good thing, I was on the first batch. 

We were sent to the 3rd floor, the first window is to get your number then go to the next window to pay the processing fee. 

After just 5 minutes of waiting, my number was called. I faced the interviewer with a big smile. The only questions I remember him asking were my educational background and if I have been to South Africa which I told him not yet, but it’s next on my list. He seemed very nice. After he put my information on the computer and checked my documents, he asked me to go back to the waiting room. After about 30 minutes of waiting, my number was called again. I went back to the same guy, he told me my visa has been approved and he gave me a piece of paper to pay for my visa. I went back to him with the receipt, he stamped my visa to my passport in front of me. 

  
I was on a cloud 9. I wanted to hug him but of course I did not. I just told him how happy I was which was very obvious anyway. 

It took about 1 1/2 hours to get my visa. I then walked about 15 minutes to get to Migracion for my Cedula. 

I first went to Information area where you have to show the filled out form required, a copy of your passport, visa and a photo. Then, I was sent to second floor where I had to wait literally 1 1/2 hours before my name gets called. Then the lady put my information on the computer, gave me a piece of paper to pay the amount of 162,000 COP in the nearby Banco de Occidente. I went back to the same lady with the receipt, then my photo and finger prints were captured. That’s it! My cedula will be available for pick up after 4 business days. 

The visa and cedula cost no more than USD 350 and getting them only took 4 hours. 😴 😊

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