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Colombia visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: July 2, 2021

Colombia visa requirements for all nationalities

Colombia visa requirements are simple and easy to understand. Colombia has a liberal visa policy offering visa exemption to most nationalities. Colombia offers eVisa to those who require a visa.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS ARTICLE
You will learn everything about Colombia visa requirements, application procedure, documentation required, visa fee, payment methods, application status and entry/exit formalities at the airport. 

Colombia eVisa is available to many nationalities. The entire application process is online and a printable eVisa is issued. The only issue being the visa fee is quite steep and it needs to be paid in two payments. 

On the other hand, nationals from Cambodia, China, India, Macao, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Thailand and Vietnam holding a valid US or Schengen visa do not require a separate visa for Colombia.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Colombia visa requirements by nationality
    • Visa EXEMPT nationalities
    • Visa REQUIRED nationalities
    • Visa EXEMPT with US or Schengen visa
    • Minimum passport validity required to enter Colombia
  • Colombia visa application process
    • Colombia eVisa
      • Application procedure
      • Documentation required
      • eVisa Fee
      • Methods of payment
      • Processing time
      • Application status
      • eVisa approval
      • eVisa validity
    • Pre-approved visa from the consulate
  • Entry/exit formalities
    • Entering Colombia
    • Exiting Colombia
  • Summary

***

COLOMBIA VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Colombia visa requirements by nationality
Colombia visa requirements by nationality

Minimum passport validity required to enter Colombia

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entering Colombia

—

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

  • Maximum stay allowed 90 days each entry
  • Can be extended for an additional 90 days online
  • Maximum stay allowed 180 days in a calendar year
  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Antigua and Barbuda
  4. Argentina
  5. Australia
  6. Austria
  7. Azerbaijan
  8. Bahamas
  9. Barbados
  10. Belgium
  11. Belize
  12. Bhutan
  13. Bolivia
  14. Bonaire (Dutch territory)
  15. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  16. Brazil
  17. Brunei Darussalam
  18. Bulgaria
  19. Canada
  20. Chile
  21. Costa Rica
  22. Croatia
  23. Curacao
  24. Cyprus
  25. Czech Republic
  26. Denmark
  27. Dominica
  28. Dominican Republic
  29. Ecuador
  30. El Salvador
  31. Estonia
  32. Fiji
  33. Finland
  34. France
  35. Georgia
  36. Germany
  37. Greece
  38. Grenada
  39. Guatemala
  40. Guyana
  41. Honduras
  42. Hong Kong
  43. Hungary
  44. Iceland
  45. Indonesia
  46. Ireland
  47. Israel
  48. Italy
  49. Jamaica
  50. Japan
  51. Kazakhstan
  52. Latvia
  53. Liechtenstein
  54. Lithuania
  55. Luxembourg
  56. Malta
  57. Marshall Islands
  58. Mexico
  59. Micronesia
  60. Moldova
  61. Monaco
  62. Montenegro
  63. North Macedonia
  64. Netherlands
  65. New Zealand
  66. Norway
  67. Palau
  68. Panama
  69. Papua New Guinea
  70. Paraguay
  71. Peru
  72. Philippines
  73. Poland
  74. Portugal
  75. Qatar
  76. Romania
  77. Russia
  78. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  79. Saint Lucia
  80. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  81. Samoa
  82. San Marino
  83. Serbia
  84. Singapore
  85. Sint Maarten
  86. Slovakia
  87. Slovenia
  88. Solomon Islands
  89. South Korea
  90. Spain
  91. Suriname
  92. Sweden
  93. Switzerland
  94. Taiwan
  95. Trinidad and Tobago
  96. Turkey
  97. United Arab Emirates
  98. United Kingdom
  99. United States of America
  100. Uruguay
  101. Vatican City
  102. Venezuela

—

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

  • Maximum stay allowed 90 days each entry
  • Maximum stay allowed 180 days in a calendar year
  1. Afghanistan
  2. Algeria
  3. Angola
  4. Anguilla (British territory)
  5. Armenia
  6. Bahrain
  7. Bangladesh
  8. Belarus
  9. Benin
  10. Bermuda (British territory)
  11. Botswana
  12. Burkina Faso
  13. Burundi
  14. Cambodia
  15. Cameroon
  16. Cape Verde
  17. Cayman Island (British territory)
  18. Central African Republic
  19. Chad
  20. China
  21. Comoros
  22. Congo (Democratic Republic of)
  23. Congo (Republic of)
  24. Cote d’Ivoire
  25. Cuba
  26. Djibouti
  27. Egypt
  28. Equatorial Guinea
  29. Eritrea
  30. Ethiopia
  31. Eswatini
  32. Faroe Islands (Danish territory)
  33. French Guiana (French territory)
  34. Gabon
  35. Gambia
  36. Ghana
  37. Greenland (Danish territory)
  38. Guadeloupe (French territory)
  39. Guinea
  40. Guinea-Bissau
  41. Haiti
  42. India
  43. Iran
  44. Iraq
  45. Jordan
  46. Kenya
  47. Kiribati
  48. Kosovo
  49. Kuwait
  50. Kyrgyzstan
  51. Laos
  52. Lebanon
  53. Lesotho
  54. Liberia
  55. Libya
  56. Macao
  57. Madagascar
  58. Malawi
  59. Malaysia
  60. Maldives
  61. Mali
  62. Martinique (French territory)
  63. Mauritania
  64. Mauritius
  65. Mongolia
  66. Morocco
  67. Mozambique
  68. Myanmar
  69. Namibia
  70. Nauru
  71. Nepal
  72. Nicaragua
  73. Niger
  74. Nigeria
  75. Niue
  76. North Korea
  77. Oman
  78. Pakistan
  79. Palestine
  80. Rwanda
  81. Saint Martin (French territory)
  82. Sao Tome and Principe
  83. Saudi Arabia
  84. Senegal
  85. Seychelles
  86. Sierra Leone
  87. Somalia
  88. South Africa
  89. South Sudan
  90. Sri Lanka
  91. Sudan
  92. Syria
  93. Tajikistan
  94. Tanzania
  95. Thailand
  96. Timor-Leste
  97. Togo
  98. Tonga
  99. Tunisia
  100. Turkmenistan
  101. Turks and Caicos (British territory)
  102. Tuvalu
  103. Uganda
  104. Ukraine
  105. Uzbekistan
  106. Vanuatu
  107. Vietnam
  108. Yemen
  109. Zambia
  110. Zimbabwe

—

Visa EXEMPT with a valid visa from the US or Schengen

  • Only following nationalities are eligible for visa exemption
  • Maximum stay allowed 90 days each entry
  • Only C-Type or D-Type Schengen visas are permitted
  • All US visas are permitted, except C1 (transit)
  • US or Schengen visa must be valid for at least 180 days from the day of arrival
  1. Cambodia
  2. China
  3. India
  4. Macao
  5. Myanmar
  6. Nicaragua
  7. Thailand
  8. Vietnam

RELATED: Besides Colombia, you can also travel to 48 countries VISA-FREE with a US visa

***

COLOMBIA VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

The visa category for tourists and visitors is Type-V.

Check if you need a Type-V visa to travel to Colombia from the list of visa EXEMPT or REQUIRED nationalities above. Alternatively, check if you need a visa at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Colombia tourist visa must be applied online. An eVisa is issued and sent to your email. You must print and present this eVisa at the first port of entry in Colombia. If you prefer a sticker visa, you can obtain one from your nearest consulate after your online application is approved.

—

Colombia eVisa

eVisa Application Procedure

Start your Colombia visa application on SITAC (Sistema Integral de Trámites al Ciudadano) website. 

Colombia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a nice step-by-step guide on how to fill the online application. Refer to this guide if you need help filling the application. Unfortunately, this guide is only in Spanish.

At the end of your eVisa application submission, a registration code is displayed. This registration code is also emailed to you for records. You must retain this registration code. It’s required for your eVisa fee payment, application status tracking and inquiries. 

After your eVisa is approved, you will receive an electronic visa to your email. You will have to print this and present it on your arrival in Colombia. 

If you prefer to get a visa sticker in your passport, you can pay your eVisa fee at your nearest Colombian consulate and receive a visa sticker at no additional cost. 

Documentation Required

The following documentation is required

  1. Digital passport photo (JPG)
  2. Passport data/ID page (PDF)
  3. Passport pages with previous Colombian visa/stamps (if you have traveled to Colombia previously) (PDF)
  4. Visa or residence permit (if living in a country other than the country of your passport) (PDF)
  5. Additional documentation (PDF)
    1. Round trip flight tickets
    2. Hotel bookings
    3. Bank statements for the last 3 months

Combine all additional documentation into one single PDF.

Verifiable Flight Ticket for Visa Application

eVisa Fee

Colombia eVisa fee must be paid in two payments. 

  • First payment: $52 USD
  • Second payment: $82 USD

First payment: First visa fee payment of $52 USD must be made after submitting your Colombia visa application. This fee is for “visa study”, which means to process your visa application.

Second payment: The second visa fee payment of $82 USD must be made after your visa is approved. This fee is for “visa issuance”, which means to receive your eVisa. 

Though the eVisa fee is quite steep, you will only lose the first payment ($52) if your visa is denied. 

Methods of payment

There are 3 ways to pay your Colombia eVisa fee 

  1. Pay with a credit card (Visa or Master card only)
  2. Pay at any Colombian consulate
  3. Pay in Bogota

1. Pay with a credit card: Paying with a credit card is a new feature that was introduced recently. It’s not streamlined with the eVisa application process yet. Therefore, you must select the option to pay (a) at a consulate or (b) in Bogota while submitting your eVisa application. Otherwise, you cannot submit your eVisa application. 

After you submit your eVisa application, you can make your first eVisa fee payment with a credit card on the payment portal, which is a separate website altogether.

Colombia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a nice step-by-step guide on how to use the credit card payment portal. Refer to this guide if you need any help. Unfortunately, the portal and this guide are only in Spanish. 

It’s fine to pay the eVisa fee with a credit card even though you have selected the option to pay (a) at a consulate or (b) in Bogota as your payment options in your eVisa application. Hopefully, they will add CC payment as an option to the visa application itself in the future to avoid confusion. But for now, you will have to make the visa fee payment on the payment portal.

A service charge of 2,200 COP will be charged in addition to the eVisa fee. 

2. Pay at any Colombian consulate: You can pay the eVisa fee at any Colombian consulate anywhere in the world. If there is one near you, that’s good. If not, you can have a friend or family member pay on your behalf if they have a Colombian consulate near them.

NOTE
If you go to the consulate to pay your first eVisa fee, you can request the consul to process your visa immediately. In most cases, you can pay the second eVisa fee and pick up your visa sticker affixed in your passport.

3. Pay in Bogota: You can pay the eVisa fee in Bogota. For this, you must have a local Colombian bank account or have a local Colombian friend/agent help you pay the fee. This option is particularly not useful unless you have a local Colombian friend/agent who can help you.

IMPORTANT
You are required to pay the first and second eVisa fees using the same method. For example, if you pay your first eVisa fee with a credit card, then you must pay your second eVisa fee also with a credit card. Similarly, If you make your first eVisa payment at a certain Colombia consulate, then you must make your second eVisa payment at the same Colombian consulate.

eVisa Processing Time

The current visa processing time is 5 business days. 

If additional documentation or an interview is required, then it can take up to 30 calendar days.

eVisa Application Status

While your visa application is being processed, you will receive a few emails notifying the current status of your application. Alternatively, you can check your visa status online on the SITAC website.

Below are various statuses and their meaning.

Approved: This status indicates that your visa is approved. You have to make the second visa fee payment in order to receive your approved eVisa to your email.

Required: This status indicates that the Colombian consulate requires additional information or documentation. The procedure to provide additional information or documentation will be in the email.

Rejected: This status indicates that your visa is denied. You can reapply after 6 months of waiting period.

Inadmissible: Similar to the above “rejected” status but you are eligible to reapply immediately.

eVisa Approval

After your eVisa is approved, you will be notified to make your second eVisa fee payment. Once the payment is made, you will receive an electronic visa to your email. You will have to print this and present it on your arrival in Colombia. 

If you prefer to get a visa sticker in your passport, you can visit your nearest Colombian consulate and receive a visa sticker at no additional cost. 

eVisa Validity

Colombia tourist visa (Type-V) is usually issued for 6 months and multiple-entry. There were instances where visas were issued for 3 months to 2 years depending on your itinerary. You can stay up to 180 days in each visit.

—

Pre-approved visa from the consulate

The procedure for a pre-approved visa from the consulate is the same as eVisa, except the fact that you would need to visit your nearest consulate to pay the visa issuance fee (second eVisa payment) and have the visa sticker affixed in your passport. 

***

ENTERING AND LEAVING COLOMBIA BY AIR

Entering Colombia by air

At your first port of entry in Colombia, you will pass through immigration and customs.

If holding an eVisa, make sure you present a print of your eVisa to the officer.

You will be asked about your purpose of travel and the number of days you plan to stay in Colombia. Your passport will be marked with an entry stamped.

The number of days you are allowed to stay may not always be marked on your entry stamp. It is assumed that you can stay up to 90 days. In doubt, ask to make sure you can stay 90 days.

As always, carry a copy of your return ticket and accommodation booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to have proof of onward ticket.

Rent an onward ticket at OnwardTicket

—

Leaving Colombia by air

On exit, you will go pass through the passport control. Your entry stamp will be verified and a new exit stamp will be issued in your passport.

You will not be asked any questions while exiting the country unless you overstayed your visa. Just account for some additional time for the exit process.

***

SUMMARY

Colombia Tourist Visa Requirements - Plaza de Bolivar Bogota
Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota

Colombia visa requirements are simple and easy to understand. Most nationalities are exempt from visas. Colombian visa application process is online and an eVisa is issued. Passport holders from a few countries with a valid visa from the US or Schengen can enter Colombia without a visa. 

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

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01. Apply for your visa
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02. Book your fight
You can find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner. Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel
You can book your hotel from Booking.com. Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket
If traveling on one-way ticket, you can get your proof of onward flight from Expedia. Expedia offers free cancellation on tickets booked within 24 hours. Or use OnwardTicket to get a proof of onward ticket in just 2 minutes.

05. Purchase your insurance
You can purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo (for all international trips + 15% discount for visa traveler readers) or VisitorsCoverage (for US trips).

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
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About Me

About Thirumal Motati, founder and travel writer at visa traveler
Hi! I’m Thirumal Motati. I’m on a mission to travel to every country in the world on my “weak” passport. As a digital nomad, I have been traveling full-time for over 6 years. My knowledge and experience have helped many secure their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. Want to learn how to travel the world on a weak passport? Start here

Get your travel medical insurance from HeyMondo
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Rent an onward ticket at OnwardTicket

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