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This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Colombian Visas and the application process.
Thinking about visiting the beautiful country of Colombia or even moving here? Figuring out the visa and entry requirements might seem tricky, but don’t worry—we’re here to help! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Colombia’s visa requirements for 2024.
Colombia offers a range of visa options to suit your travel plans, whether you’re visiting as a tourist or planning to live and work there. You can start the application process online, with fees ranging from $73 to $300, depending on the visa type.
Just make sure you have a valid passport with at least six months left before it expires. In some cases, you might also need to show proof of funds to cover your trip.
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei-Darussalam
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Holy See
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea (Republic of)
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papa New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia (Federation of)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
Venezuela
Others:
Hong Kong – SAR Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Cambodia
India
Nicaragua
Myanmar
People's Republic of China
Thailand
Taiwan
Vietnam
It is important to note that there are many website online that state you are eligible to enter Colombia simply by having a Green card. This information is only accurate if you have a passport from one of the countries listed above. If you do not hold a passport form one of the countries listed above you will need a visa to enter Colombia.
Citation: Cancilleria's Website
1. Nicaraguans who prove they are natives of the Autonomous Region of the North Caribbean Coast and the Autonomous Region of the South Caribbean Coast will be exempt from a short-stay visa if they hold a valid residence permit in a Member State of the “Schengen Area” or in the United States of America; or if they are holders of a Schengen visa or a visa from the United States of America with a minimum validity of one hundred and eighty (180) days at the time of entry into the national territory.
2. Third-country nationals who are Permanent Residents in member states of the PACIFIC ALLIANCE will be exempt from a short-stay visa, provided that said activities do not generate payments for services, wages or salary in Colombia.
3. Non-EU permanent residents in countries of the ANDEAN COMMUNITY, based on reciprocity and in application of the Andean Migration Statute, will be exempt from a short-stay visa.
4. Nationals of those States with which Colombia signs agreements on visa exemption, under the terms of the respective international instrument.
Colombia has three types of visas. Visitor (Type V) visas, Migrant (Type M) Visas, and Resident (Type R) visas. Each visa type has it's own characteristics.
For short or temporary stays in the country.
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For foreigners intending to live in Colombia for more than a few years.
Learn More
For individuals who have held a Migrant visa for at least a few years.
Learn More
Colombian visitor visas are typically for foreign citizens who wish to visit Colombia for short periods of time. These visas can be granted for up to 2 years, while most are granted for 180 days or less.
To apply for the visa, individuals must prove they are eligible to pay for the trip, describe their plans in the country, and sometimes complete an interview at the nearest embassy.
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The tourist visa is for those who wish you visit Colombia for a vacation or short stay.
For foreign students attending an accredited institution in Colombia.
For individuals with income from overseas investments.
For participants in special events or conferences in Colombia.
Designed for members of international flight or maritime crews.
For individuals who want to work remotely from Colombia.
Granted to religious workers and missionaries.
Granted to those seeking medical treatment or procedures in Colombia.
Allows travelers to pass through Colombian airports without entering the country.
Allows foreigners to engage in business activities within Colombia.
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These are the basic requirements to apply for a Colombian Tourist Visa, however the Foreign affairs ministry may ask for additional documentation.
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We will help you every step of the way, so you can focus on the enjoying everything Colombia has to offer.
Schedule A ConsultationMigrant Visas are great for foreign citizens seeking temporary residency in Colombia, with various categories available to accommodate different needs.
To requirements for a migrant visa typically include something permanent keeping you in Colombia, like a marriage, a child, work, or retirement.
Otherwise known as a spouse or pernament partner visa, this visa is for individuals who are married to a Colombian National.
Individuals who are in a civil partnership are eligible for the visa one year after registering.
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The Colombian parent visa is for individuals with a Colombian child.
In order to qualify for the visa the applicants name will need to be on the child's birth certificate.
The work visa is designed for those with full time employment with a Colombian company.
You'll need to secure employment from a Colombian company prior to applying and the employer will need to meet certain requirements.
The real estate investment visa is for foreigners who make a significant investment into real estate in Colombia.
The foreigner will need to invest $406.000.000 COP or 350 times the Colombian minimum wage and legalize their investment with the central bank.
The business visa is for foreigners who invest in a Colombian company or a company they start in Colombia.
The foreigner will need to invest at least 116.000.000 COP or 100x the Colombian minimum wage and legalize their investment with the central bank.
Colombian Resident visas are for foreigners who have held a Colombian Migrant visa for a specific time frame which varies depending on the type of migrant visa.
It is important to note that prior to October of 2022, foreigners could apply for a resident visa after investing a significant amount in Colombian real estate. The laws have since changed and foriegners will need to hold a migrant visa first.
These are the specific requirements to apply for a Colombian Resident Visa however you may be required to submit additional documentation.
The online application process for a Colombia visa in 2023 can be initiated through the official Cancillera website. Each visa type is different with different requirements and processes, so it is important to be prepared prior to applying.
Prior to applying for the visa application you will want to gather all the necessary documents for your visa application. As documents vary by visa type, you'll want to consult the Cancilleria's website prior to applying or contact Colombian Visa Services to learn more.
All applications are now online through the Cancilleria's website. It is important to make sure you select the correct visa type and follow the directions exactly or you may be faced with delays or a visa denial. If you have not applied for a visa in Colombia before it is recommended to work with a professional.
The Colombian government entity has 30 days to respond to your application.
The Colombian government will charge a "study" fee to review your application. The study fee for the application is around $50 USD and your application will not be reviewed until you pay.
Additionally, there will be an additional fee once your visa has been approved that can vary by visa type. These fees can range from $50 to $400 USD.
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The government entity will typically send you an email with requests for additional information or items that need to be corrected. You will want to respond to these requests as quickly as possible.
Requests can include additional documentation, resubmission of documents, and more.
Once your visa is accepted you will get an email to pay your fee. Once you have paid your fee, you will recieve your electronic visa in the form of a PDF document to your email.
You will not know how long the visa has been granted for until you receive the visa.
Once you have your visa, if you are eligible, you can begin the process of obtaining your cedula de extranjeria.
Learn more about what you need to obtain a Colombian Visa and how we can help.
The following countries need a visa to enter Colombia: Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Benin, Belarus, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Equatorial, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lesotho, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland, Thailand, Tanzania, Tajikistan, East Timor, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Yes, in most cases an individual will need a visa to enter Colombia even if they have a US Green Card. However, if you are a member of one of the following countries you can enter Colombia without a visa if you have a US Visa:
Cambodia
India
Nicaragua
Myanmar
People's Republic of China
Thailand
Taiwan
Vietnam.
Yes, if you normally need a visa to enter Colombia, you will need to obtain a Transit Visa to travel through the airport. This is the case even if you are not leaving the airport.
Individuals from more than 100 countries can stay in Colombia for up to 180 days per year without needing a visa.
Yes, all visas in Colombia are now electronic visas or E-visas. There is no need to go to Bogota or a consulate to get your passport physically stamped.
The government entity in Colombia has 30 days to respond to your visa application. While the time can be shorter, we recommend applying for the visa at least 30-60 days prior to your trip.
The Colombian Visa cost can vary by the visa and visa sub type you are applying for. However, most visas have around a $50 USD study fee. For the tourist visa, the government entity will charge $82 after your visa has been approved.
The easiest visa to obtain in Colombia is the visa that you fit all of the requirements for. Typically if you are just wanting to visit Colombia, the Colombian Tourist Visa (Type V) is the easiest visa to obtain.
Daniela Cordoba is a lawyer specializing in immigration and commercial law. Daniela Cordoba has helped individuals and businesses live and operate in Colombia for over a decade. She also has training in compliance with the respective accreditations to serve as Compliance Officer.
Mike co-founded Colombian Visa Services after moving to Colombia from the United States and finding the process of obtaining a visa difficult and frustrating. Daniela helped make the process so simple and stress-free that he partnered with her to provide the to help others.
For the past decade we have been helping travelers move to Colombia.
We work with you 1:1 throughout your entire process.
You don't have to worry about having to translate, our team is fluent in English and can help you with whatever you need.
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