emerald788
Irish expat in Colombia
Forum posts
54
About me
Irish
Lives in Pereira, Risaralda
Registration: 23 January 2021
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
The ultimate answer is Bitcoin.International and no tie to your personal details if you set it up right. Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
@rf2023 I agree, I once nearly lost all my Revolut money because they don't have a Web interface. Also, even when a fintech has a web interface they want you to validate login with your phone. It's really annoying. Your bank account and your phone ... Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
By the way, I was just looking at Global66 and they require a cedula for signup from Colombia.Do all cash pickups require a cedula? Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
You know the way in the US, if you pay for groceries with a card, you can get cash back?Is there any store in Colombia where that works? Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
The amount of money you can pick up with Remitly at exito and other places is pidly-like 750 mil COP max.Never tried the actual pick up at exito, etc.聽myself-only at banks, and they give you a hassle -@nico peligroCheck out: ... Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
For cash pickup (I have done this only once in my adult life):USA Bank Account 馃憠 Remitly 馃憠 Cash pickup ($$ fees, available within minutes)Thanks for the advice!Where did you pick up, Exito? Was 750k the max, like @nico peligro ... Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash? by emerald788
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone.
I mean, what if you don't have a Colombian bank account and want to pick up cash. Read More
alternatives to Western Union for collecting cash?
Hi, I need to send myself some money from a bank account overseas, but heard that Western Union fees/exchange rates are exorbitant. What's a good alternative? I'm in the Coffee Zone. Read More
Receiving SMS's sent from abroad? by emerald788
Hi, I have a Movistar/Tigo SIM card and I noticed I cannot receive SMS's sent from overseas. I sometimes need to get verification SMS's, etc. Does anybody know if there is a trick to getting SMS's like this? Maybe a SIM with another network like ...
@ChineduOpara I have a dual SIM with my Tigo selected, but cannot receive SMS's from abroad to either SIM number. Are you sure it works with Tigo, or just Claro? Read More
Receiving SMS's sent from abroad?
Hi, I have a Movistar/Tigo SIM card and I noticed I cannot receive SMS's sent from overseas. I sometimes need to get verification SMS's, etc. Does anybody know if there is a trick to getting SMS's like this? Maybe a SIM with another network like ... Read More
Drink spiking experiences? by emerald788
Has anybody had problems in bars with their drinks being spiked, maybe by dishonest bartenders who want you to spend more or have other agendas?As I am relatively new to the DR, I wanted to get an idea from more experienced members of how common the ...
@Karin1 What if you don't want to buy a whole bottle and pour it? What is to stop local staff from messing with the alcohol content? Maybe they won't spike it. Maybe they will just make savings.They change prices all the time. For gringos ... Read More
Drink spiking experiences?
Has anybody had problems in bars with their drinks being spiked, maybe by dishonest bartenders who want you to spend more or have other agendas?As I am relatively new to the DR, I wanted to get an idea from more experienced members of how common the ... Read More
Renting in Puerto Plata
I'm in Puerto Plata now looking for an apartment to rent. Can anybody experienced with the area advise me on some good neighborhoods?Yesterday I had a look at a beach called Playa Dorada and a muddy settlement called El Pueblito. It seemed pretty ... Read More
accidental overstay, need advice by emerald788
I had an unexpected issue extending my tourist visa in Sal, and am now in the uncomfortable position of overstaying my visa. Has anyone else been in this awkward position? Were you fined when you left Sal? How do they compute the fine at the ...
Renewing your tourist visa is not so complicated. What was this "unexpected" issue?聽The unexpected issue was that the immigration officers in Espargos do not do their job. I don't know why they are even open. I repeat that the documents I had ... Read More
accidental overstay, need advice by emerald788
I had an unexpected issue extending my tourist visa in Sal, and am now in the uncomfortable position of overstaying my visa. Has anyone else been in this awkward position? Were you fined when you left Sal? How do they compute the fine at the ...
Thanks a lot adkins. I found it relatively easy to extend 3 months in Mindelo. I got complacent and thought it would just the same in Sal. But the Comando in Espargos is quite hostile. Even the guard at the door is hostile. As for the woman in ... Read More
accidental overstay, need advice by emerald788
I had an unexpected issue extending my tourist visa in Sal, and am now in the uncomfortable position of overstaying my visa. Has anyone else been in this awkward position? Were you fined when you left Sal? How do they compute the fine at the ...
I'd really appreciate it if somebody could tell me what the attitude is in Sal airport and if I could face a fine for just a couple days overstay. You see, I left things a little late, and then I suddenly got this surprise. I'm in contact ... Read More
accidental overstay, need advice
I had an unexpected issue extending my tourist visa in Sal, and am now in the uncomfortable position of overstaying my visa. Has anyone else been in this awkward position? Were you fined when you left Sal? How do they compute the fine at the ... Read More
How to save money in Cape Verde by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you plan your budget before your move to Cape Verde? If so, how did you go about it? How do you save money in your day to day life? Do you find there are any areas where you can't cut costs? Do you have any tips about ...
ACCOMMODATIONS While I would not suggest you live in a ramshack in a poor or dangerous neighborhood, a lot of new arrivals try to find apartments with a contractual agreement because that's what they were used to. Avoid signing a rental contract ... Read More
Travelling to Portugal from Brazil (quarantine?) by emerald788
Hi, I'm Irish (EU passport). I happened to get stuck in Brazil during the pandemic but I have a flight to Lisbon in a week (booked long ago). Can anybody tell me what the situation is now? Will I have to quarantine? How does that work? Could I ...
Thanks! So I guess if any question arose about "travel for essential reasons" I could state my visa's expiration as being forcing and hence an essential reason. About this quarantine (self-isolation), is that basically something I am ... Read More
Travelling to Portugal from Brazil (quarantine?) by emerald788
Hi, I'm Irish (EU passport). I happened to get stuck in Brazil during the pandemic but I have a flight to Lisbon in a week (booked long ago). Can anybody tell me what the situation is now? Will I have to quarantine? How does that work? Could I ...
I'm going to have a negative PCR test, so please don't worry about me infecting people. I just need to know what this "essential travel" thing means. I heard that it also applied to people travelling from the UK. Can anyone speak ... Read More
Travelling to Portugal from Brazil (quarantine?) by emerald788
Hi, I'm Irish (EU passport). I happened to get stuck in Brazil during the pandemic but I have a flight to Lisbon in a week (booked long ago). Can anybody tell me what the situation is now? Will I have to quarantine? How does that work? Could I ...
Thanks for that. It says I can travel to Portugal from Brazil for "essential" reasons, with essential being "professional purposes, study, family reunions, health and humanitarian". That seems pretty broad. Can I say I am going ... Read More
travelling to Spain, is it difficult right now?
I was considering a trip to Barcelona, and was wondering how difficult travel is right now with the pandemic situation. If anybody has travelled to Spain recently, could you share your experiences? Did you have to quarantine and what does that ... Read More
Travelling to Portugal from Brazil (quarantine?)
Hi, I'm Irish (EU passport). I happened to get stuck in Brazil during the pandemic but I have a flight to Lisbon in a week (booked long ago). Can anybody tell me what the situation is now? Will I have to quarantine? How does that work? Could I ... Read More
Overstaying visa: any Covid extensions in effect? by emerald788
Hello, my 180 days is nearly up. I'm due to fly to Lisbon, but Portugal has a ban on people coming from Brazil. So do most countries. If I overstay my visa, will I be fined, and how much per day?
Wait, is that how you got to stay in Brazil? Marrying into the PF? I should try that. Watch out ladies! Read More
Overstaying visa: any Covid extensions in effect? by emerald788
Hello, my 180 days is nearly up. I'm due to fly to Lisbon, but Portugal has a ban on people coming from Brazil. So do most countries. If I overstay my visa, will I be fined, and how much per day?
Nope. The PF saw things my way. I hope I'm not disappointing you, but it turns out despite the perverse financial incentives there are still some good people in the Policia Federal. It makes sense because in these difficult times governments ... Read More
Overstaying visa: any Covid extensions in effect? by emerald788
Hello, my 180 days is nearly up. I'm due to fly to Lisbon, but Portugal has a ban on people coming from Brazil. So do most countries. If I overstay my visa, will I be fined, and how much per day?
Thanks for offering me the alternative, this idea of paying 13K in fines and "interest" that others have been caught out by. We all want to fund the Immigration System to the best of our ability. There is in fact another option for those ... Read More
Overstaying visa: any Covid extensions in effect? by emerald788
Hello, my 180 days is nearly up. I'm due to fly to Lisbon, but Portugal has a ban on people coming from Brazil. So do most countries. If I overstay my visa, will I be fined, and how much per day?
Woah ab3, you nearly had me off on a jaunt to Mexico City! Surely we should be discouraging travel at this time? We don't want the variants to be spreading in crowded airports and planes packed like sardine cans. Scientists have confirmed that ... Read More
Overstaying visa: any Covid extensions in effect?
Hello, my 180 days is nearly up. I'm due to fly to Lisbon, but Portugal has a ban on people coming from Brazil. So do most countries. If I overstay my visa, will I be fined, and how much per day? Read More
covid19 PCR tests in S茫o Paulo? by brasilienfreund20
Hi everyone, has anyone get tested in S茫o Paulo? If so, can you share your experience? I wonder if getting tested at a public hospital (I have SUS document), they will give me some kind of document in English in order to travel back home? Or ...
This is a great thread. Has anybody taken the Einstein GRU test yet? Did you have to turn up at the airport 4 hours earlier than usual? What did they do to you exactly? Were there any problems or anything else that travelers should watch out for? Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
"Let us not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless when facing them." -- Rabdindranath Tagore I was thinking of fleeing Sao Paulo for the southern states, but then I read that the ICU occupancy rates down there are over 90% ... Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
Another option I was considering is simply going to another city in Brazil. I'm fortunate in that I'm not tied down to anything. I just need to figure out the best place to go. Right now, S茫o Paulo seems like a bad place to be. I heard ... Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
I'm also curious about PCR tests. Where is the easiest place to get one? Do they also require a CPF, etc? Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
That's awesome abthree, just what I was looking for. I'm not sure if the information is totally up-to-date though. For instance, about Brazil it says, Outbreak trend: Flattening Under lockdown since 21 Mar 2020 The situation varies ... Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
Thanks for your replies, Texanbrazil and abthree. Texanbrazil, you said I would be last on the list. OK. That is what I was afraid of. I have friends in Brazil and I like to have a good social life. But now that appears impossible... so I see ... Read More
how to get CoronaVac? by emerald788
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ...
Thanks Mr Texan. I'm glad you succeeded in getting vaccinated. I'm in my 40s so I might not be high priority. The reason I got concerned is that I heard the new variant (P1) is killing younger people. I don't have private health ... Read More
how to get CoronaVac?
What is the process for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sao Paulo? CoronaVac/Sinovac/Astra-Zeneca or whatever you want to call it. I read an article that said millions of doses had already been delivered via Guarulhos. So what's the ... Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Maybe I am misunderstanding you Pete, but are you saying I can go back to Lapa in May and extend to 270 days? Now THAT would be awesome. Anybody ever hear of that happening? Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Interesting. I think I actually arrived around 16:20. I must have been the last guy they processed. Phew, just made it. I was actually a bit amazed that a Brazilian clerk would still be working after 4pm on a Friday no matter what the official hours ... Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
So I woke up early today, bought the expensive air ticket, made the prints and copies, paid the boleto, filled out the 270, the whole damn caboodle. I was in a bit of a hurry because next week is Carnaval and god knows what happens to the system ... Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
JRomero, did you have to show them your ticket out of Brazil? Seems like a pain having to purchase the ticket 3 months in advance of departure. By the way, do you have to make an appointment in advance, and how do you do that? Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Thanks HaDov, I just did that. Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
So you needed to show proof of accommodation, right? Do you also have to show a return ticket out of Brazil? Also I take it the "entry card" requirement is obsolete because they no longer give those out? And about the R$110.44 fee, what ... Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Thanks! That's a relief. Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Just thinking about the bank statement. Does that have to be an original, or will they take a printout from the Internet? Because it could take a while to get a paper statement delivered to Brazil. All my finances are electronic these days. Read More
Extending 90-day Visa by emerald788
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ...
Hey Pete, that's great information thanks. Did you already renew successfully? Let us know how you got on. I'll be going down myself soon. And abthree, thanks for confirming Irish people should be ok with the visa extension. I already read ... Read More
Extending 90-day Visa
Hi all, I'm an Irish passport holder here on a 90-day tourist visa. The 90 days ends in one month. I want to extend my stay another 90 days. I'm in Sao Paulo, and I know I need to go to the Policia Federal at Guarulhos airport. But how ... Read More