Pensionado progress and help needed.

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 21 February, 2008 - 14:51.

I am not sure if this is helpful to others or not, but I think I should post it just in case.

I have been working to get all of my paper work submitted to the Nica consulate in Miami. I have been asking questions mostly via email and they have always given me a response the same day. In fact I think I have been emailing too much as they have suggested I call them --ha ha.

Any how, I was a little confused about which documents I needed to get certified with a state apostille. It turns out, which makes sense in hind sight, that the documents that have been translated into Spanish need to have the apostille. The Consulate does not seem to be interested in the English versions much at all. I mention this because I spent $90.00 for a Notary to make copies of the English documents. This is basically money that I did not need to spend as the translation service I am using will translate and certify the documents all at the same time. All I need to do after that is to get an apostille for each of them from the state.

My latest email informed me the Consulate wants the entire package including the INTUR application and the letter requesting pensianado status. Not just the forms that I planned to send them (proof of income, birth certificate, health certificate, background check, passport photos, copies of my passport).

This creates two new point of confusion for me in regards to the letter requesting pensianado status. I thought I saw one on special legal paper. Is this paper available outside of Nicaragua? Does anyone have a good example of a letter requesting pensianado status?

This brings me to the INTUR application itself. I am not sure where I can find the INTUR application. Is it available on the Internet?

I plan on asking the consulate about all this as well, but asking here cannot hurt.

Thanks!

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UPDATE 10 APRIL 2008

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 10 April, 2008 - 16:31.

I thought everyone might like to know I had sent off my paperwork about two weeks ago and just received it back from the Miami Consulate today.

I have heard horror stories about needing color copies and other little things preventing the paperwork from being authenticated by the different consulates. I am happy to say I had none of those problems, and my birth certificate is yellow -- my copy was not. In the only reason it took two weeks is because I forgot to include a Self addressed and stamped envelope for the Consulate to return my paper work in. They were kind enough to call me and let me know.

Before I sent my paperwork I called to see what they need from me. I was pleasantly surprise as all I need to send was the original and one copy of each document. All documents I sent in were notarized, translated to Spanish and had a Florida Apostille attached to them. I guess technically I did not need those documents for everything, but I was hoping doing more than required would help the process along.

Here is what I sent them --remember I sent the original plus a copy.

1. Proof of income

2. Background check

3. Birth certificate

4. Copies of the used pages in my passport

5. A certificate of health

Nicaragua, I am on my way!!

1st Capt. Ron

The one question I can never

Submitted by charliedawson on 10 April, 2008 - 19:43.

The one question I can never seem to get a clear answer for: What did your "Certificate of Health" consist of?

Certificate of Health

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 10 April, 2008 - 19:53.

I thought this would be some formal document the medical community used. I figured it would be routine and they had stacks of these blank forms stacked in piles throughout the office.

I was really surprised when my Doctor whipped out a perscription notepad and scribbled I am free from communicatble diseases and I am healthy and have no travel restrictions.

I had it translated into Spanish, Notorized and apostilled. The consulate did not seem to have a problem with it.

1st Capt. Ron

Raises a good question

Submitted by fyl on 11 April, 2008 - 07:02.

While Jon suggests "just doing what is asked" makes everything easy, the problem I see/I had is understanding what is asked. this is a good example. I have read and was told that the only thing they would accept is the official document from a Nicaraguan government Centro de Salud. That may still be what you need but your doctor's "note" will enable you to get that with no further hoop-jumping.

You need to remember that all the consulate is doing is saying "this is a legitimate document". That doesn't mean it is what immigration will be happy with.

Right

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 11 April, 2008 - 07:46.

All the embassy is doing is validating the document is an actual document. --only a government could come up with that idea. I am hoping that the consulates approval of the document will help convince INTUR, but you are correct. I am just trying not to think too much about possible bumps in the road. I will just face them as they come.

1st Capt. Ron

Question about the translation to Spanish

Submitted by jwgrace on 11 April, 2008 - 06:49.

...of all the required documents; are there any specific requirement(s) as to who can actually do the translation? Is any "official" translation service necessary, or is it possible to have an literate spanish speaking person do the translation? I have in mind my daughter's high school spanish teacher. What were your costs for the translations you obtained.

Thanks for the tip on the "prescription pad health certificate"...it does seem to simplify matters.

Translation services

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 11 April, 2008 - 07:50.

I went to a profesional translation service here in Orlando. This was very convieniant as they not only certified the translation, they also made copies and notorized all the paper work. I paid about $120 for this service, but it did eliminated any possibliity of problems. I was working off of FYL's saying, "You can trade time for money" I traded a few more bucks to save some time due to possible problems.

1st Capt. Ron

Translations

Submitted by fyl on 11 April, 2008 - 07:07.

My experience with this (all done in Nicaragua because that's where I was when I was getting residency) was that the translation could be by anyone (and it was). Then a Nicaraguan notary notarized the translation.

The notarization consisted of a document that included the information on the translator (name, cedula number, ...). I forget but it is possible the text (English and Spanish) was also included in that notarization document.

My guess is that you are better off having a Nicaraguan do the translation because you can then get a Nicaraguan notarization but that is just a guess.

Finally

Submitted by nicareal on 10 April, 2008 - 18:48.

someone does what is asked by Migration!

I found it easy as well and we followe the requirements. No more -no less.

Steps

Submitted by Alra on 24 February, 2008 - 17:38.

I'm assuming that there are several steps in the process of becoming a Nica resident, the sample government sealed letter, (papel sellado)imo is to be personally presented and notarized by a Nica lawyer before the INTUR Offices in Managua, check this: "The application should be presented in a personal way or for the applicant's manager before the adress of the Judicial Matters of the INTUR in its main offices in which the presentation of the documents will be verified. In this application the general of the applicant's law will be identified with their passport (according to their nationality) and/or identification of identity" www.nicaliving.com/node/380.

I'm applying for repatriation and retirement under law 535 and according to the document given to me by the Chancellors Office in Managua, there are four steps to be completed before my returning (with all my household belongings and vehicle) and retiring in Nica., 2 of those steps, are to be completed here in Los Angles Consulate, one at the Ministerio de Hacienda and one at La Aduana (Customs office), both of the last 2 steps are to be completed in Managua.

Good Luck,

Al

example

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 21 February, 2008 - 22:50.

This link shows an example of the letter I need to create. The letter itself shouldnt be a big deal, but does anyone know how I can get some of this paper while I am in the US?

http://www.consuladonicamiami.com/pdf/ejemplo%20de%20carta.pdf

1st Capt. Ron

Legal paper

Submitted by fyl on 22 February, 2008 - 06:06.

That seems strange. This is typical legal paper where the lawyer makes a copy for his protocol book (actually a different original). While you can buy it here in a stationary store, it seems a bit strange that this would be used by anyone other than a Nicaraguan notary.

When I did my residency paperwork (not through INTUR) the letter was just that--plain paper statement that I wanted residency because I lived here, was married to a Nicaraguan, ...

keeping residence once you've got it

Submitted by expat on 24 February, 2008 - 09:06.

Although I'm planning to live in Nicaragua full-time, I did read something (on this forum, I believe) saying that you can lose your residence if you're out of the country for a certain amount of time. No time was specified though, and I'm wondering about that. How many months of the year does Nicaragua require your physical presence in order to maintain your residence?

UPDATE

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 22 February, 2008 - 10:51.

Ok here is what I found out from the consulste. I do not need to submit the INTUR application or the letter requesting residency. Those are completed in Nicaragua; Which makes obtaining them so much easier. So in short this is what the consulate wants me to submit:

1. Proof of income.

2. Birth certificate.

3. Police background check

4. Health certificate.

5. Photocopy of the applicant and dependents’ passports.

6. Two passport photos

7. Description of household goods (if any).

8. Specifications of the automobile to be imported (if any).

All documents must be translated to spanish, and documents not issued from the government must also get an apostille. The apostille is cheap, so I recommend just gettting everything apostilled and prevent any potental set backs.

1st Capt. Ron

police report

Submitted by expat on 24 February, 2008 - 00:14.

I have a question about the police report. Here (in El Paso, Texas), I asked around and found out that a police report is issued by the County Sheriff's office. So I went there, got a report. That's nice, but all they check is El Paso County. I could have a criminal record in another county of Texas, or another state, and there is no record of that here. Furthermore, the paper they gave me doesn't have any kind of seal - I could really produce one on my own computer that would look just as good.

So I'm wondering - is this what the Nicaraguan government will accept? Or do they want something more? And if they want something more, where do I get that?

regards

Probably needs a seal

Submitted by fyl on 24 February, 2008 - 07:33.

Everything seems to need at least a nice looking rubber stamp on it to make people happy here. What is available as far as police report varies from county to county and state to state. But, it appears that something from "any" law enforcement agency is all that is needed.

In the State of Washington, police reports are issued by the Washington State Patrol. You can go to their web site, enter your name and birthdate, pay $10 with a credit card and instantly get the report on-line. For an "official copy", you just mail what you printed out to them and they will "make it official". No additional fee.

Same here

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 24 February, 2008 - 06:49.

That's the same type of thing I got here, from the county sheriff. As far a I know that is what they want. I am going to get this apostilled, but supposedly this is an extra step not required by the Nica consulate.

If I run into any problems with it, I will let you know.

1st Capt. Ron

This posting is very helpful for future reference

Submitted by dirtbag on 22 February, 2008 - 13:29.

This might seem a silly question begging an obvious answer, What constitutes proof of Income? Bank Acount status? Government pension withdrawels? Stock Dividend income? In Canada we have RRSP's(registered retirement Income funds)would that do? I think that you have to show income of $500 per month I was just wondering what would satisfy as some of the applicants would have a varied portfolio including investment income from Real Estate amongst other income producing funds. How simple or sophisticated does it have to be?

Tried RRSP's, no luck. Had

Submitted by salvadorel on 22 February, 2008 - 17:28.

Tried RRSP's, no luck. Had plenty to show but they will not accept them. Seems they want to see a monthly income, not what you will receive in the future. My wife who collects a monthly income needed to show a Canadian government 'T' something form. Sorry, I don't recall which T form it was she needed to prove her monthly income, but there is one available which the Nicaraguan government will accept. Nevertheless, even though I could prove plenty of RRSP's none were worth the paper they were written on, as far as the Nicaraguan government is concerned. End result for me, I had to apply as an investor which took plenty of paperwork to achieve but I did receive my residency. We also had income from real estate, it was accepted but it needed all the approvals before submission. We used Paul Tiffer, a Nicaraguan lawyer who advertises here on NL. Paul was very attentive and made sure that all the paperwork was in order before being submitted. My wife was approved for retired residency status in two weeks of submitting her paperwork, and mine as an investor took one week after approval of paperwork, all thanks to Paul's hardwork.

If you have any questions, we would be happy to help you with what we have experienced.

T4 or T5

Submitted by dirtbag on 22 February, 2008 - 17:54.

Thanks for the personal insight and experience. I have spoken with Paul Tiffer on another matter and will likely be in contact with him again. T4 and T5 forms are probably what you are referring to issued by Employers or Financial Institutions annually, in time for you to attach to your income tax return to Revenue Canada.

proof of Income

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 22 February, 2008 - 13:36.

In my situation this is a Veteran's Administration letter stating my monthly income. It could be a letter from social security or another government source of income.

If you have income from a company, I believe you need a letter from the company as well as a letter from the state to verify this ia an actual company.

1st Capt. Ron

apostille

Submitted by dirtbag on 21 February, 2008 - 19:49.

I could guess. But, what exactly is the meaning of apostille relative to your application for pension status?

Document Authentication

Submitted by 1st Capt. Ron on 21 February, 2008 - 20:03.

An apostille is what Nicaragua wants to see to validate the document is original. A notary is not enough. I believe is it because Nicaragua is not a signature of the Hague Convention of 1960.

Here is a link that gives more information about the Hague convention. http://www.travisa.com/hague.html

This is a link to the Florida Secretary of State's apostille procedure. http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/notproc7.html

1st Capt. Ron

Thanks for the reply and information

Submitted by dirtbag on 21 February, 2008 - 20:53.

The reason I asked is because I recently had my sons "Live Birth"(original) registration done(authenticated) here in Ontario for the mexican consulate to, in turn validate by the consulate in Spanish, so that I could send same to him in mexico so that he could get married to a mexican lass.

I have nothing but good things to say concerning the Mexicans in Toronto consulate. extremely helpful,expeditious and gave me a menu of documentation for all kinds of needs AND a price list. Ha! They treated the process for foreigners like a well oiled business.