The visa process for Colombia is very much easier to understand. The application process is online and the visa will be electronic for all travelers. As the whole process is now made online so you can carry out the whole application process by sitting at your home. Now, the need to go to the nearest consulate or embassy is also minimized.
Colombia visa requirements
Application Process
Before applying for the visa application you need to specify which kind of visa you need. You may also get an eligibility check for your visa from the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You can fill out your application process here. Here are some things which you’ll find useful for the application process.
- You may apply for the Colombian visa now on online and in-person also. You may also go to the Colombian Consulate or Embassy for your visa. If you’re applying online then you’ll receive an electronic visa sent over the mail. You may need to get this visa printed before entering Colombia.
- The normal visas issued (Electronic visa) are valid for up to 90 days. In case you may need to stay longer than that then you must need to apply in-person by going to Consulate or Embassy.
- There are various customer support services available to help customers. These services will help customers with the online visa application process. You can also call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hotline at +57 (1) 3826999 or chat with the bot for your queries.
Documentation Required
These are the required documents that you may need for the visa application process:
- Make sure you have a valid passport with you and get a copy of the front and the last page of your passport. Make sure that all the details are visible on the photocopy.
- Get a copy of the previous Colombian visa/stamps from your passport (if any applicable).
- Another thing you need to make sure is that when applying for the visa through the agent. You need to provide a letter stating that you are granting the right to apply for the visa on your behalf.
- You need to provide the bank statement of at least three months.
- Must get your tickets booked for going and return as well.
Visa fee
Usually, the Colombian visitor visa charge is $82 USD. Once your electronic visa gets authorized you’ll receive the mail to your given e-mail. After getting authorized for the visa you need to pay the visa fee in the given timeline of 15 days. You can do this payment on the online portal or you may go to the nearest Colombia’s Consulate. There may be some chances that you need to pay the charge at the Bogota visa office. You can confirm the details with your nearest consulate on this charge.
Apply in person
As specified above as well, there are two ways in which you can apply for the visa process, online and in-person. So, while applying for the visa application in person there are some things that may change. You need not submit the passport photographs. Consulate will take the photographs at the time of appointment. Do remember to carry all the original documents as well with photocopied ones.
Apply through visa/travel agency
Applying for the visa application through a visa/travel agency is also available. You may contact any visa/travel agency which suits you for the application process. While applying through an agency you need to provide a letter for the application. This letter states that you’ve granted the rights to a particular agency for the visa on your behalf.
Priority visa service
If you’re running out of time then you may adopt the priority visa service. As the regular visa process usually takes three to four days to get approved. In this service, your visa application in priority and will get approved in lesser time as of the regular. NOTE: Time taken to approve the visa may subject to the Consulate holidays.
Business visa application requirements for a Colombian visa
- Visa May Not Be Required
The Consulate of Colombia determines whether you need a business visa based on individual circumstances. As a general rule simple business meetings or negotiations will not require a business visa. However, a business visa is likely required if your business matters involve monetary transactions or remunerative activities or if you intend to enter Colombia more than 2 times in a 12 month period. Regardless of your circumstances, CIBTvisas advises that you contact the consulate directly for the final determination on the requirements for your individual situation. If you plan to travel to Colombia visa-exempt, then we recommend that you hold a passport that is valid six months beyond your stay, hold proof of onward and return flights, hold proof of sufficient funds, and travel with an invitation letter from the company in Colombia, if possible.
If you do not meet the visa exemption requirements listed above, then please refer to the consular contact information listed below.
- Personal Appearance
The consulate requires travelers to apply directly and a personal appearance may be necessary to obtain your visa. We recommend that you contact the consulate to obtain the most current forms and requirements before making a personal appearance at the consulate. Many consulates require an application appointment. Please contact:
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 387-8338It is important to note that most consulates and embassies are only open to the public during the morning hours. Please consider these hours when contacting the consulate about your visa application. - Yellow Fever Risk Area
Applicants traveling to a Yellow Fever risk area in Colombia or arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country must provide a Yellow Fever certificate showing vaccine administration at least 10 days before entry into Colombia. A list of Yellow Fever risk countries and areas can be found at https://www.iamat.org/country/colombia/risk/yellow-fever.
- Previous visits to China or other areas impacted by COVID-19
Colombia has temporarily suspended entry to travelers who have been to China or other areas impacted by COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Tourist Application Requirements for a Colombia Visa
- Hold a passport valid at least six months on entry with one blank visa page
- Hold proof of onward/return flights
- Hold all documents required for the next destination
- Hold documents showing proof of travel purpose (e.g., business cover or support letter, conference registrations, tour itinerary, etc.)
- Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay
- Confirm with your airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change
Visa Exempt
A visa is not required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must:
- Yellow Fever Risk Area
Applicants traveling to a Yellow Fever risk area in Colombia or arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country must provide a Yellow Fever certificate showing vaccine administration at least 10 days before entry into Colombia. A list of Yellow Fever risk countries and areas can be found at https://www.iamat.org/country/colombia/risk/yellow-fever.
- Previous visits to China or other areas impacted by COVID-19
Colombia has temporarily suspended entry to travelers who have been to China or other areas impacted by COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- When is the best time to apply for my Colombia visa? The best time to apply for your Colombia visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.
2. Do I have to send you my passport to get a Colombia visa? Is it safe to send a passport? You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The Colombia visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa requests cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application and passport to CIBTvisas in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx, UPS, Express Mail, or Certified Mail.
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