The Passport

Welcome to The Passport

Because One Country Isn’t Enough.

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

U.S. Citizens Abroad — Filing, FBAR, and Foreign Accounts

For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, moving abroad usually does not end U.S. tax filing obligations. The IRS says U.S. citizens and residents living or traveling abroad are generally required to file income tax returns based on income, filing status, and age, similar to...

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Posted in 💬Healthcare

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Healthcare in Colombia — Excellent Care, But Learn the System

Colombia can offer very good healthcare, especially in major cities with strong private hospitals and specialist networks. But the experience depends on your setup: local insurance, international insurance, prepaid medicine, private-pay appointments, EPS access, city,...

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Posted in 💬Healthcare

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Insurance Abroad — Know What Actually Happens When You Need Care

Having insurance is not the same as knowing how to use it.Before choosing or relying on a plan, ask:Is it direct-pay or reimbursement?Which hospitals and clinics are in-network?Do specialists require authorization?Are pre-existing conditions excluded or limited?Is emergency...

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Before You Rent in Colombia

A good rental in Colombia is not only about nice photos.Before signing or sending money, try to verify:The exact address and neighborhoodNoise at different times of dayWater pressure and hot water situationInternet provider and actual speedBuilding rules: visitors, pets,...

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Buying Property in Colombia — Due Diligence Comes First

Foreigners can buy property in Colombia, but the safe way to approach it is with professional help and proper document review.One of the most important documents is the Certificado de Tradición y Libertad, issued through Colombia’s Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro. It...

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Posted in 💬Water Cooler

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Start Here — Say Hello, No Pressure

Welcome to the Water Cooler.This is the easiest place to jump into The Passport Community. You do not need to have a visa question, a tax problem, a relocation plan, or a perfectly organized life abroad to post here.Use this space for the small human stuff:What city are you...

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Posted in 💬Visas & Immigration

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Start Here — Visa Categories Are Not All the Same

Before asking which visa is “best,” it helps to understand the basic structure.Colombia generally organizes visas into three broad categories: Visitor Visa / Type V, Migrant Visa / Type M, and Resident Visa / Type R. Visitor visas are usually for short- or medium-term...

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Posted in 💬Visas & Immigration

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

Documents First, Panic Later

Most visa stress comes from documents, not the online form.Before you apply, create a digital folder with clean scans of:Passport ID pageEntry stamp or current permitExisting Colombian visa, if anyCédula de extranjería, if you have oneBirth/marriage/divorce certificates, if...

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Posted in 💬Water Cooler

Ozzy G. · May 14, 2026 Pinned

How to Make This Space Useful for Everyone

The Water Cooler works best when posts are easy to answer.A few ideas that usually get good conversations going:Ask one specific question.Share one short experience.Mention the city or country if relevant.Tell people whether you are visiting, relocating, retiring, working...

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Posted in 💬Water Cooler

Rachel Brennan · May 14, 2026

Anyone else completely lose track of what day it is?

Working from Bogotá on Pacific time clients and I genuinely had to check my phone twice this morning to confirm it was Wednesday. The remote-from-Colombia time-fog is real.

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Posted in 💬Healthcare

Marcus Williamson · May 14, 2026

The first doctor visit abroad: what surprised you?

Your first medical appointment in another country can be oddly revealing.Maybe the doctor spent more time with you than expected.Maybe the clinic felt more modern than you imagined.Maybe the billing was confusing.Maybe the appointment was fast, but the follow-up process was...

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Marcus Williamson · May 14, 2026

Furnished doesn’t always mean move-in ready

One of the biggest surprises when renting abroad is how flexible the word “furnished” can be.Sometimes it means: bed, couch, table, washing machine, kitchen basics.Other times it means: technically there is furniture… but no sheets, towels, pillows, coffee maker, decent pans,...

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Posted in 💬Medellín

Chris Davidson · May 14, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

El Poblado is fine but Laureles is where it's at

New-arrival hot take: 2 weeks in El Poblado and I already get why people leave for Laureles. El Poblado is fine — the amenities are great, the food is good, the bars are dense — but it feels like an expat bubble. Laureles feels like Colombia. Walked around there yesterday and...

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Posted in 💬Visas & Immigration

Marcus Williamson · May 14, 2026

The immigration folder check

What is one document everyone should scan, save, and back up before moving abroad?I’m building my “immigration folder” and trying to avoid learning the hard way.

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Posted in 💬Water Cooler

Marcus Williamson · May 14, 2026

What’s your comfort food when you’re far from home?

Living or traveling abroad makes you adventurous with food… until one random Tuesday when all you want is the thing you grew up eating.Could be mac and cheese.Could be arroz con pollo.Could be a very specific sandwich from a very specific place that nobody else...

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Posted in 💰Cost of Living

L Linda Greene · May 14, 2026

What feels most expensive in your Colombia budget?

2 votes View discussion →

Posted in 💬Santa Marta

Linda Greene · May 14, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Minca is the reset button Santa Marta needs

Minca might be the reason I could actually imagine staying longer in Santa Marta.When the heat, traffic, noise, and beach crowds start feeling like too much, going up into the Sierra Nevada changes everything. Cooler air, green views, coffee, cacao, rivers, waterfalls, birds,...

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Posted in 💬Taxes & Banking

Greg Sullivan · May 14, 2026

Tax residency is not immigration residency

A reminder that comes up constantly: tax residency and immigration residency are different concepts.A visa may let you stay legally.Tax residency determines how a country may tax you.Banking compliance is another layer.U.S. filing obligations are another layer again.Has...

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Posted in 💬Remote Work & Business

Greg Sullivan · May 14, 2026

Are you more productive abroad or back home?

I go back and forth on this.Sometimes being abroad makes me more focused because life feels exciting and I don’t want to waste the day.Other times, the newness is distracting and every errand takes twice as long.What about you?More productive abroadMore productive back...

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Posted in 💬Medellín

Greg Sullivan · May 14, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Medellín’s Metro made me understand why people love this city

One of the first things that impressed me about Medellín was the Metro.Not just because it works, but because people actually seem proud of it. There’s a different energy around it, cleaner, more orderly, and more respected than I expected from public transport in a big Latin...

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