You will need a Colombian visa unless you are from one of the countries listed in the table below. Nationals of these countries can enter Colombia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days:
Colombia is worth a visit, especially if you love nature. This South American country is known as her second most biodiverse country in the world. Friendly people, beautiful architecture and culture, delicious food, and sunny beaches are also good reasons to visit Colombia. If you want to visit Colombia, you may need to apply for a Colombian visa. This article details Colombia’s visa requirements, including who needs a visa and the application process.
You will need a Colombian visa unless you are from one of the countries listed in the table below. Nationals of these countries can enter Colombia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days:
*Only ID cards can be used.
If you are from one of the countries listed above, you can apply for an additional 90-day residence permit in Colombia. This means you can stay visa-free for up to 180 days. You cannot request a second extension.
If you are from one of the following countries and already have a short-term visitor visa or Schengen residence permit, you can enter Colombia without a Colombian visa for up to 90 days. Country or USA:
Visa/residence permit must be valid for at least 180 days from date of arrival.
If you are transiting through a Colombian airport, you will need to apply for a V-transit visa at a Colombian embassy or consulate abroad. The V Airport Transit Visa can be issued for up to 30 days for multiple transfers at Colombian airports and allows stay at the airport for up to 24 hours. You will need a ticket to prove you can continue your journey to your third destination.
If your connecting flight is more than 24 hours away and/or you plan to leave the international area of the airport, you will need to apply for a Colombian short-term stay visa (e.g.tourist visa).
There are three main types of Colombian visas:
These types of visas have their own subcategories depending on the purpose of your trip.
The Colombian Visitor Visa (V), also known as the Colombian Tourist Visa, is issued to foreign nationals staying in Colombia for a short period of time. Issued for the following purposes:
Colombian tourist visas are usually issued for up to 90 days, but may be issued for up to 2 years in some cases. The decision lies with the consulate or immigration office that processes the visa application.
The Colombian Immigrant Visa is issued to foreign nationals who intend to stay long-term or establish temporary or permanent residence in Colombia. Colombian immigrant visas can be issued for up to three years and are renewable. Colombian Immigrant Visa categories are:
The Colombian Residence Visa is issued to foreign nationals who meet one of the following requirements:
If you are applying for a Colombian visa, you will need to submit several documents, including:
Note:
You cannot engage in paid activities on a Colombian visa unless you have a work permit. The types of Colombian visas that allow holders to obtain work permits are work visas, marriage visas, and investment visas. You cannot work if you have a student visa, retirement visa, or tourist/visit visa.
This only applies to those who wish to work for companies/employers based in Colombia. If you are a journalist or a temporary assignment worker and receive a salary from abroad, you can carry out your work.
Colombian visa applications take approximately 2-3 weeks to process, but can take up to 30 days. Please submit your application well in advance of your travel plans.
When applying for a Colombian visa, you will have to pay two fees: a visa processing fee and another fee if your visa application is successful.
The following payment methods are available for the Colombian visa fee:
Be sure to check the exact requirements with the contact details on the request website Payment of visa fees Please contact the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for any changes.
The validity period of your Colombian visa depends on the type of visa you have and the decision of the consulate or immigration office.