Our Colombian Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Colombia’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to Colombia.
Who needs a visa to visit Colombia?
Tourists from 102 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as the majority of EU and EEA countries, can enter Colombia without a visa. Visitors from countries on the approved list receive a passport stamp allowing them to stay for up to 90 days upon arrival.
Entry into Colombia
All travellers coming in Colombia must register their information on the CheckMig application of the Colombian government within 72 hours before to boarding an inbound or outgoing flight.
All passengers 18 years and older arriving in Colombia by air or land are required to present proof of immunisation. If a traveller is not fully immunised, they may present a negative result from a PCR test administered within 72 hours of boarding or an antigen test administered within 48 hours of boarding.
The requirements for entry and leave are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on changes to entrance requirements, all citizens should check the Colombian Ministry of Health or their local Colombian embassy.
Eligibility to apply for a Colombian visa
In order to be eligible for a Colombian visa, you must meet their criteria for documentation before applying. It is advised for you to apply for your Colombian visa at least 8 weeks before travelling to ensure there is enough time to get your visa processed, and sort any problems should any arise. The criteria for a Colombian visa is straight forward, and is listed below.
Your valid passport.
Passport size picture of yourself.
Bank statements from the last six months (as proof of financial resources)
Travel itinerary and airplane ticket.
Proof of accommodation/address in Colombia.
Processing time for Colombia visas
The processing time for a Colombia visa application is approximately five business days, but can take up to thirty days if there are any abnormalities or documents are missing. Be careful to submit your application well in advance of your intended travel date.
Appointment waiting times
If you are eligible for the “Interview Waiver Program” and submit your application via courier without attending an interview, you will not be required to attend an interview. Visa processing takes typically 21 business days from the date the Embassy receives the application. Allow an additional two to three business days for the return of your passport.
Who can visit Colombia without a visa?
To enter and exit Colombia, all U.S. citizens who do not also hold Colombian citizenship must display a valid U.S. passport. Citizens of the United States do not require a Colombian visa for tourist or business stays of fewer than 90 days or cumulative stays of less than 180 days per calendar year.
Colombia visa types
There are three main types of visas available for travellers wanting to enter Colombia. The type of visa you will recieve will depend on the purpose for your visit trip. The three types of visas available are:
- Visitor Visa (V) for Colombia, often known as a Tourist Visa.
- Colombia Migrant Visa (M)
- Colombia Resident Visa (R)
What to do if your Colombian visa is refused?
If a visa application is denied following completion of the study process, the foreigner must depart the country within 30 days and cannot reapply until six months have passed. You have the right to contest this verdict. The embassy of the Member State that decided to deny the visa distributes a standard form to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Colombia visa and the reasons for the refusal.
People also asked...
The initial visas a foreigner obtains in Colombia do not confer citizenship. You are granted temporary residency.
Yes. You must send your original passport, not a photocopy. The Colombia visa is imprinted in your passport and becomes one of its pages. Your visa application cannot be handled without the original of your passport. Due to the significance of your passport, we strongly advise you to submit your application via a safe way, such as a guaranteed postal service or courier.
The optimal period to apply for a Colombia visa is one to two months prior to departure. However, if you are short on time, we may be able to expedite your visa processing at the discretion of the Embassy.