Colombia Visa Guide — Every Visa Type Explained
Key highlights
- Three distinct categories: Visitor (V), Migrant (M), and Resident (R)
- Leading Digital Nomad visa for remote workers and freelancers
- Investment-friendly options for property owners and business founders
- Straightforward pathway to permanent residency for long-term holders
- Entire initial application process is digital via the MFA portal
- Visa-free entry for over 90 nationalities for tourism purposes
- Cédula de Extranjería system provides easy access to local services
Processing time
5-30 working days
Processing time officially starts once the 'Study Fee' is paid. Incomplete documentation can lead to a 'Requerimiento' (request for more info), which resets the clock.
Estimated cost
$300 - $800 depending on visa type
- Initial Application Study Fee (Non-refundable)$52 - $55
- V-Type Visitor Visa Issuance (Varies by category)$230 - $280
- M-Type Migrant Visa Issuance (Varies by category)$250 - $450
- Cédula de Extranjería (Foreign ID Card) fee$200 approx.
Requirements
- Valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity
- Proof of financial self-sufficiency (bank statements or payslips) ministerial requirements change annually based on minimum wage
- Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled or legalised) for M and R visas
- Proof of health insurance with specific coverage for 'all risks' in Colombia
- Official translation into Spanish of all documents not issued in Spanish
- Apostilled or legalised version of official documents (birth/marriage certificates)
- Specific minimum income thresholds (usually 3 to 10 times the Colombian minimum wage)
- Payment of the non-refundable study fee before the application is reviewed
- Personal appearance at a consulate or in Bogotá if requested by the visa officer
- For work visas: A summary of the hiring company's bank movements and legal existence certificates
Documents you'll need
- Current passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages
- Recent passport-style digital photo (JPEG format, white background)
- Proof of legal entry/status if applying from a country other than your nationality
- Bank statements or proof of income for the last 6 months
- Health insurance policy with coverage in Colombia for the duration of stay
- Criminal record check (apostilled/legalised) for Migrant (M) or Resident (R) visas
- Specific supporting docs (e.g. employment contract, marriage certificate, or school enrolment)
- Copy of previous Colombian visas if applicable
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Choose Your Visa Category
Identify whether you need a Visitor (V), Migrant (M), or Resident (R) visa based on your intentions and financial status.
- 2
Prepare and Documentify
Gather all necessary documents, ensuring that birth certificates or criminal records are apostilled and professionally translated into Spanish.
- 3
Online Application Submission
Upload clear, high-quality scans of your documents to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) online portal.
- 4
Pay the Study Fee
Pay the 'Application Study Fee' via the online portal. Note that this fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- 5
Await Review (Requerimiento)
The visa office may contact you via email to request additional information or clarify details of your bank statements.
- 6
Visa Approval and Payment
Once approved, pay the second fee for the visa issuance and download your electronic visa (e-visa).
- 7
Register and Obtain Cédula
If your visa is valid for more than 90 days, you must register the visa and apply for your Cédula de Extranjería at a Migración Colombia office.
Tips to avoid refusal
- Always ensure your scans are in color and under the file size limit (usually 5MB total) to avoid technical rejection.
- Calculate your income against the current Colombian Minimum Wage (SMLMV) as requirements change every January.
- Ensure your health insurance policy explicitly states it covers repatriation and has no high deductibles.
- Do not book non-refundable flights until the e-visa has been officially issued and received.
- If your application is 'Inadmitted,' you can usually re-apply immediately, but if 'Rejected,' you must wait 6 months.
- Double-check that the name on your application matches your passport exactly, including all middle names.
Frequently asked questions
Related visa guides
Visa policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or consulate before applying. PermitlyHQ provides general guidance and is not a substitute for legal or immigration advice.