This morning (April 2013) I went to the DAS office in Colombia to extend my visa and though I had read online some horror stories of people waiting 4 hours and only receiving a 1 month extension, for me the process was easy, relatively fast and painless. The process involves filling out a form, going to the bank to pay the visa fees, returning to the office with the bank receipt, documents and to get your fingerprints taken, waiting upstairs for your visa to be processed, done!
Most travellers to Colombia are entitled to stay maximum 180 days in the country per year on a tourist visa. You normally receive 90 days on entry and then can extend your visa up to another 90 days by visiting the DAS office in Edificio Platano on calle 100, 11b-27. How many days extension you get can vary person to person from 30-90, however I received a stamp for 90 days without even having to ask. It's best to get there early as the place gets crowded at lunchtime and be prepared to wait around a bit (For me the whole process took about an hour and a half). Also don't forget to bring a pen and money/card to pay the visa fee (76850cop at the time of writing).
Documents to bring with you to the office:
-Passport
-1 photocopy of passport information page (There are photocopying places nearby the office)
-1 photocopy of passport visa stamp page
-1 passport photo (I had heard that they had to have a blue background but I just took a normal UK passport photo and it was fine. If they did have an issue with your photo there are people on the pavement outside who can take/ print passport photos in 5 mins)
-Copy of a flight ticket out of the country (If you don't have a ticket I don't think it is too much of a problem. A guy I met at the office had no flight and they simply asked him to state what he was doing in the country. Other people I've met have just explained that they are going to book a bus nearer the time out of the country and have been okay- It really depends on the person processing your forms).
Documents to get at the office/bank:
-Visa extension form
-receipt of visa fee payment
What to do when you arrive:
1. Head to the information line and at the desk you will be given a form (In Spanish/English) to fill out and a piece of paper with a list of required documents and an explanation of how to pay the visa fee of 76850cop.
2. Fill out the form with your details (takes about 5 mins- I had no idea about my blood group so just put A+) then walk right out of the building about 4 blocks to Banco Occidente to pay the visa fees. When you arrive at the bank on the right there is a selection of pay- in slips and you need to fill out the one numbered 3, which is easy as there is a big example slip on the wall above showing you how to fill it in. Take the slip and money to the counter, pay, get a receipt and return to the office.
3. Go back to the information desk with all your documents, completed form and receipt. If everything is in order your documents will then be taken and you sit and wait until your name is called. Once your name is called you go get you fingerprints (huellas digitales) taken and are told to wait on the second floor at visa registration. Here you wait about 20mins until your name is called again and hey presto you (hopefully) receive your extension!
Overall a pretty simple process, just bring the right documents and be prepared to wait around a while!
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