Colombia Visa Requirements: How to Apply, Costs, Policy, Visa Types [2022]

What are the updated travel requirements for foreigners entering Colombia in 2022?

As of May 1, 2022, the Colombian government's Ministry of Immigration (Migración Colombia) eased all nationalities' domestic and international travel restrictions. Entry rules no longer require COVID-19 vaccination administration. 

Foreign nationals who are not residents of Colombia can now enter the country via one of the international airports without proof of vaccination with only a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test. However, all cruise ship passengers entering Colombia, regardless of citizenship, must still be fully vaccinated AND show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.

Regardless of vaccination status, all foreigners must complete the Check-Mig online form at least 24 hours before arrival in Colombia. I recommend carrying both a hard copy and digital version of the form ready on your phone for Colombian authorities to check. In addition, foreigners must submit a contact tracing form online before departing Colombia. Lastly, you must wear a facemask on entry until leaving the airport.

Entry Requirements For Fully Vaccinated Foreigners Entering Colombia

1. Show a valid vaccination certificate with a final vaccination dated 14 days prior to arrival.
2. The vaccine certificate must show your full name as printed on your passport, the date of vaccination, the vaccine type, and the number of doses administered.
3. The certificate can be paper or digital.
4. The Colombian Health Ministry only accepts vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization or officially recognized by the country where you were vaccinated. You can check for eligible vaccines on the Colombian Health Ministry website.
5. Additionally, vaccinated foreigners must fill out the "Check-Mig" requirement below.
6. Proof you have an airline ticket departing the country

Entry Restrictions For Unvaccinated Foreigners Entering Colombia

1. Starting May 1, 2022, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated nonresident foreigners over 18 years old can now enter Colombia.
2. The current entry requirement is proof of a pre-travel negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 72 hours before departure.
3. A negative antigen test taken 48 hours before departure is also accepted.
4. Be prepared to show either paper or digital proof of the COVID-19 test result.
5. Additionally, unvaccinated foreigners must fill out the "Check-Mig" requirement below.
6. Proof you have an airline ticket departing the country
   

Colombian Immigration Check MIG Online Form

Do I need to fill out the Check-Mig form online if I am vaccinated?

Yes, all foreigners entering Colombia must enter their contact details into the Migracion Colombia Health Declaration form online, known as Check-MIG, regardless of vaccination status. 

Do I still need to use the Colombian Check-Mig Form if I have a permanent residency visa?

Yes, all foreigners must complete the Check-MIG form. The Check MIG form is a travel authorization document, not a Colombian visa.

Due to the pandemic, the Government of Colombia implemented this online form as a new entry requirement to track all foreign nationals entering and leaving Colombia. Every non-Colombian citizen must complete a form at least 24 hours before entry into Colombia and no more than one hour prior to departure.

How long is a Check MIG form valid?

A Check-MIG form is valid for 30 days from the approval date. However, each issued form is good for a single use. You must complete a new Check-Mig each time you enter and exit Colombia. 

Foreigners Visa Holders Require Colombian Health Insurance

Starting July 2022, partly in response to the pandemic, the government now requires all foreigner visa applicants to purchase medical insurance specifically covering accidents, illness, hospitalization, disability, repatriation, death, and in the case of female expats, maternity coverage.

The mandatory health insurance minimum coverage depends on your visa type:

• Visitor Visas $35,000 USD
• Migrant Visas $60,000 to $70,000 USD
• Resident Visas $100,000 USD

Medical coverage must be for the entire duration of the expat's visa.

OVERVIEW: Visas In Colombia

Colombia has a very accessible visa policy. You may not even need a visa application form to enter Colombia, depending on your citizenship. Foreign nationals can stay in Colombia with a simple tourist visa for up to 180 days in a CALANDER YEAR. Note the bold letters around calendar year, as this visa policy differs from many countries that use 360 days as the duration.

The Ministry of Immigration revamped the Colombian visa policy in 2017. There are now new visa requirements, classifications, and regulations. Colombia offers more than 30 different types of visas available, each with a different purpose, duration, and eligibility. 

Use this guide to simplify your research on the visa process and clarify the visa rules for foreigners who want to stay in Colombia.

Colombian Visa Policy For Different Nationalities

There are different requirements for a Colombian visa, depending on the applicant's nationality. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants foreign citizens from 107 different countries visa-free entry into Colombia for stays up to 90 days. Most of these foreign nationals can then be extended their visa for an additional 90 days, allowing many foreigners to stay in Colombia for 180 days in a calendar year.

Countries That Can Enter Colombia Visa-Free

Countries With Special Entry Privileges

Foreign citizens of certain countries have a special waiver and do not need to obtain a Colombian tourist Visa for stays up to 90 days. However, these citizens must have a residence permit or visa issued by the United States or a Schengen visa valid at least 180 days from their arrival date in Colombia.

• Cambodia
• China
• India
• Macau (180 days)
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Countries That Require A Colombian Visa To Enter

However, Colombia requires a visitor visa for citizens of the 89 countries not on the visa-free or special entry lists above (primarily from Africa and the Middle East).

Colombia Electronic Visa System

The Colombia immigration website has an evisa system where foreigners can apply for a new visa or extend their current visa. There have been past issues with the system not accepting foreign credit cards for visa payments and requiring in-person visa applications. Since then, Migracion Colombia has worked most bugs out of the system. You should be able to apply for and renew a Colombian tourist visa online and save on the number of visits to the immigration office. 

1. Evisa Application Website
2. Electronic Visa Extension Website

Some Visas that need to be affixed to a blank passport page can get approved online but will still need a trip to Migracion Colombia or your local consulate to complete the application process.

What are the different types of visas for Colombia?

Colombian Visas come in three visa categories. The (M) Migrant Visa and (R) Resident Visa are long-term types of visas, where R is a permanent residence permit, while the M has a visa validity of up to 3-years. The (V) Visitor Visa is for short-term or temporary visits to the country.

Colombian Visa Minimum Financial Requirements Updated 2022

Colombian Visas- Validity, Duration, and Extensions

How long is a Colombian visa valid?

A Colombian tourist visa or passport stamp is valid for a maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year if you enter Colombia visa-free or visa on arrival. After the initial 90-days visa validity, you can extend a tourist visa for an additional 90-days once you are in the country. 

On January 1 of the following year, you are eligible to live in Colombia for another 180 days. 

However, Colombian visa policy places a hard limit on foreign nationals of 180 consecutive days in the country without a formal Colombian visa. A new calendar year does not reset the 180-day consecutive limit. You will need to leave Colombia for a visa run for at least 24 hours. A fresh 180-day visa duration starts again when you re-enter the country. 

How to legally stay in Colombia for a year without a proper Colombian visa? XXX

How do I extend a Colombian Visa?

For citizens of a visa-free country with a tourist permit, visa on arrival, or tourist stamp, their "tourist visa" can be extended online at the Colombia immigration website (Migracion Colombia).

A tourist visa extension no longer requires an in-person trip to a Migracion Colombia office unless the Migracion Colombia website is down or you have problems paying for the visa extension online. 

Extending your visa is relatively straightforward--you need to gather the required documents, including a departure airline ticket, and submit PDF copies online. The website comes in both English and Spanish, though I could not get the English version to load correctly. 

You can use this guide to help you extend your visa online xxx. 

Tourist permit extensions should be applied for at least two weeks before the existing entry stamp expires. Don't procrastinate or wait until the last minute, or you may need to spend additional money on a visa run. 

Colombian Visa Requirements

The complete requirements for a Colombian visa application vary depending on the relevant visa (Resident, Migrant, or Visitor) and a class of visa (work, investment, retirement, marriage).

However, the minimum requirements for most types of visa include:

What documents do I need to apply for a formal tourist visa at a Colombian Embassy?

If you are from India, Pakistan, or any other country ineligible for a Colombian visa exemption, you can apply for a temporary visitor's visa using the Colombia evisa system (SITAC Sistema Integral de Trámites al Ciudadano) or at the Colombian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

You need to submit the following documents to apply for a temporary visitor's visa:

• A valid passport with an expiration date at least six months from your intended departure date from Colombia
• Photocopy or electronic onward flight ticket proving your departure date from Colombia
•  Photocopy of the passport data page
• Photocopy of the passport stamp showing your last date of arrival and departure from Colombia
• Photocopy of any previously held visas for Colombia
• Duly accomplished DP-FO-67 visa application form filled out and signed
•  Three (3) passport-type photograph on a plain white background, 3 cm X 3 cm. 
• Digital passport photos in JPEG format with a file size no larger than 300 kb to submit for online application.
• Proof of sufficient financial capability- 6 months of your most recent bank statements 
• Letter of purpose describing what you plan to do in Colombia
• Documents certifying your intended purpose and activity
• Any documents required by Colombian authorities or consular services, such as
  • Proof of Relationship- Visiting family or friends
  • Proof of Enrollment or Admission - Student Visa
  • Program and Planned Agenda- Event or Convention Visa
  • Company Registration- Business Visa
  • Letter of Economic Responsibility - A commitment letter pledging financial support of the visa applicant

Colombian Visa Application, Process, and Costs

How do I apply for a Colombian visa?

There are three ways to apply for a Colombian visa. The easiest is using the tourist visa-on-arrival privilege available to citizens of the US and 107 countries. If you need to apply for a different visa, the Colombian immigration website's e-visa system is your next best option.  

Additionally, you can make an appointment at your Colombian Consulate General or Embassy to apply.

Does a visa allow me to get health insurance in Colombia?

A valid visa is the first step to getting Colombian medical insurance. After obtaining your visa, apply for a cédula de extranjería (Foreigner ID Card) at the closest Migración Colombia office. With your cedula, you are eligible to apply for EPS insurance (Colombia's universal healthcare plan).

The great news is Colombia has an excellent healthcare system. 

What is the processing time for a Colombian visa?

The average time for government officials to process your visa application is two weeks if all your documents are in order and there are no missing requirements. However, A visa processing time can vary up to 30 days if your Embassy and immigration office has an application backlog. 

How much does a Colombian visa cost?

Colombian visa costs depend on the type of visa application. Technically the cheapest visa is the "visa on arrival." This free "tourist visa stamp" is available to citizens of the United States and 107 visa-free countries.

For any other type of visa or for foreign citizens not from a visa-free country, Colombian visas have two fees: Visa Study Fee and Visa Processing Fee. 

STUDY FEES: A non-refundable visa cost to research and analyze your visa application. 

VISA PROCESSING FEE: You are only charged this one-time processing fee if your visa application is approved. This fee includes a $45 USD stamp tax.

There are three ways to apply for a Colombian visa. The easiest is using the tourist visa-on-arrival privilege available to citizens of the US and 107 countries. If you need to apply for a different visa, the Colombian immigration website's e-visa system is your next best option.  

Additionally, you can make an appointment at your Colombian Consulate General or Embassy to apply.

Exemptions to Standard Colombian Visa Costs

How can I save money on Colombian Visa processing fees?

Citizens of Ecuador, Japan, and South Korea are exempt from paying processing fees for any type of visa. Foreign nationals from these countries only need to pay the study fee for the visa application. 

The visa processing fee exemption also extends to Peruvian citizens settling in the Amazon of Putumayo river basins. 

Additionally, the visa processing fee is free for Bolivian citizens pursuing an academic training program.  

The government of Colombia allows citizens of Spain to apply for and receive any qualified Colombian visa free of charge. 

Additionally, visitor visas are free for authorized boat crew from fishing boats from the areas surrounding San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.

How do I pay for my Colombian visa application fees?

You have 5 payment methods for your visa fees:

1. Local bank transfer using Pagos Seguros en Línea (PSE)
2. Online using a Mastercard or Visa credit card
3. In-person at a Colombian Embassy or Consulate-General
4. In cash at Banco GNB Sudameris
5. Using a Servibanca ATM in Colombia.

Government of Colombia Immigration Offices

You can find Migración Colombia offices in all larger cities. I gathered and sorted the Immigration Office addresses in the major cities for you below.

COLOMBIAN EMBASSY AND CONSULATE GENERALS WORLDWIDE

Check the drop-downs below to find the Colombia Embassy and Consulate General in your country.