Passport

Valid travel document, in good condition and with free pages to stamp visas.

Request.

Fill out the electronic visa application form on the line of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Apostilled documents.

All documents or requirements such as criminal records, apostilles, birth certificates, among others, must have an issue date no greater than three months before the visa application.

Official Translation.

All documents that come from abroad in a different language must have an official translation into Spanish. The official translation must be legalized or apostilled, as the case may be.

Bank statements.

In the case of requiring the presentation of bank statements for the Type M visa application, these can be presented without an apostille or legalization and without a translation into Spanish, if their content can be clearly established by the visa officer.

Electronic Visa.

Foreign citizens can apply for their visa before entering Colombia both at the Colombian consulate in their country and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bogotá.

Foreigner ID.

Once your visa is approved in Colombia, you must register it and request your foreigner’s identity card at the Colombia Migration offices, located nationwide, within fifteen (15) days after the issuance of your visa. Ask how to apply for Foreigner ID?

Although both documents identify their bearer, here you will find the main differences.

Passport

It is a document that proves the identity and nationality of a person. It is a necessary requirement to visit Colombia. The passport identifies its bearer in the country and is generally valid for 10 years, depending on its place of issue.

Depending on the country where you are, the passport is issued by the Secretary or Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To process it, the person must go to that entity.

Colombian visa

It is a “Verified Approval of International Stay” is a type of authorization that allows permanence in Colombia for a certain time. The visa is stamped on the passport, like a stamp, but also, the visa can be issued as an electronic document.

There are also different types of visas in Colombia, which vary according to length of stay, economic activity, among other aspects.

Visa requirements may vary, but you will need to fill out an online form with your information and personal data. They will ask for your identity document and a photograph. You must pay the corresponding fee and wait the indicated period to obtain it.