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
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PermitlyHQ provides informational software tools only and does not offer legal, immigration, or consulting services. Visa policies change frequently — always verify current requirements with the official embassy or consulate before applying.