Navigating Colombia VISA Portal and Policies with Travel Guidelines
Planning to travel to Colombia in 2025? Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, digital nomad ventures, or long-term stay, understanding the updated Colombia visa application process is essential. This comprehensive guide provides the latest information on visa types, application steps, costs, processing times, and travel requirements — making your Colombian journey smooth and hassle-free.
Colombia offers various visa types for tourists, business visitors, students, workers, and residents. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees visa issuance and immigration policies. This guide provides up-to-date information on fees and regulatory requirements for entering and staying in Colombia.
Important Notice: Visa fees are subject to change without notice. Always verify current fees and requirements with the official Colombian immigration authorities or your nearest Colombian consulate before applying.
Who Needs a Visa for Colombia?
Citizens from over 90 countries can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days, including travelers from the USA, Canada, UK, EU Schengen countries, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
However, if you’re planning to stay longer, work, study, or invest, or you’re from a country not visa-exempt, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa in advance.
Quick Tip: Check your eligibility using Colombia’s official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or consult your nearest Colombian consulate.
Types of Colombia Visas in 2025
Colombia has a simplified visa system categorized into three major types:
1. Visitor Visa (V – Visa de Visitante)
Best for short stays such as tourism, events, medical visits, or short-term business.
- Validity: Up to 2 years (maximum stay 180 days per calendar year)
- Typical Applicants: Tourists, digital nomads, volunteers, conference attendees
2. Migrant Visa (M – Visa de Migrante)
For foreigners intending to live or work in Colombia long-term.
- Validity: Up to 3 years, renewable
- Typical Applicants: Foreign spouses of Colombian nationals, employees, entrepreneurs, retirees, students, and real estate investors
3. Resident Visa (R – Visa de Residente)
For individuals seeking permanent residency in Colombia.
- Eligibility: Long-term residents, parents of Colombian children, previous M-visa holders (after 5 years), or major investors
- Validity: Indefinite
How to Apply for a Colombia Visa
Step-by-Step Visa Application Process:
- Prepare Required Documents
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Recent passport-sized photo (white background, 3×4 cm)
- Purpose-specific documents (invitation letter, work contract, bank statements, etc.)
- Return ticket & accommodation proof (for Visitor visas)
- Proof of financial support
- Medical insurance (highly recommended)
- Online Application Portal
- Submit your visa application
- Upload documents in PDF format
- Complete the visa application form accurately
- Pay the Visa Processing Fee
- Fees vary by visa type and applicant’s nationality (details below)
- Interview (if required)
- Some applicants may be called for an online or in-person interview
- Receive Decision
- Visa approvals usually take 5–30 working days
- Approved visas are sent via email (eVisa)
Colombia Visa Fees (2025 Updated)
Fees depend on your visa category and nationality. Here’s a general breakdown:
| Visa Type | Application Fee | Issuance Fee | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | ~$55 USD | ~$82 USD | ~$137 USD |
| Migrant Visa | ~$55 USD | ~$230 USD | ~$285 USD |
| Resident Visa | ~$55 USD | ~$400 USD | ~$455 USD |
Note: Fees may vary for nationals of Mercosur or Pacific Alliance countries. Always check updated prices at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
All visa fees are in United States Dollars (USD) as per Colombian government regulations. Fees are non-refundable regardless of application outcome.
Tourist & Visitor Visas
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TP-11) | Up to 180 days | $75 | Single or multiple entry; Extendable up to 180 additional days |
| Visitor Visa (V) | Up to 2 years | $250 | For those performing activities different from tourism |
| Transit Visa | Up to 10 days | $40 | For travelers passing through Colombia to another destination |
Resident & Work Visas
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Visa (TP-4) | Up to 3 years | $320 | Requires employment contract from Colombian company |
| Migrant Visa (M) | Up to 3 years | $280 | For those intending to reside in Colombia |
| Resident Visa (R) | Up to 5 years | $550 | For long-term residents; renewable |
| Student Visa (TP-3) | Duration of study | $220 | Requires acceptance letter from accredited Colombian institution |
Additional Fees & Charges
| Service | Fee (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Extension | $30 – $150 | Varies by visa type and extension duration |
| Express Processing | $100 | 5-7 business day processing (when available) |
| Visa Replacement | $50 | For lost, stolen, or damaged visas |
| Cedula Processing | $20 – $40 | For foreign ID card (required for residents) |
Payment Information: All visa fees must be paid in USD or equivalent local currency at the official exchange rate. Payments are typically made via bank transfer or at designated payment centers. Credit card payments may incur additional processing fees.
Regulatory Policies & Requirements
Colombia has specific immigration regulations that all visitors and residents must follow. Below are key policy requirements for visa applicants.
General Requirements for All Visa Types
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Completed visa application form (online or paper)
- Recent passport-sized photographs (specific requirements vary)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for duration of stay
- Proof of medical insurance valid in Colombia
- Clean criminal record certificate from country of origin
- Payment of applicable visa fees
Entry & Exit Regulations
- Tourists from many countries can enter Colombia without a visa for up to 90 days (check specific country agreements)
- All visitors must have proof of onward or return travel
- Immigration officials may request proof of accommodation and financial means
- Overstaying your visa can result in fines, deportation, and entry bans
- Exit tax may be included in your airline ticket (check with your airline)
Important Policy Updates
- Digital nomad visa now available for remote workers (TP-7)
- Enhanced biometric data collection at entry points
- Stricter enforcement of 180-day annual limit for tourist visa holders
- New regulations for student visa holders regarding work permissions
- Updated reciprocity fees for certain nationalities
Visa Processing Time: Standard processing time is 15-30 business days from the date of complete application submission. Processing times may vary based on visa type, consulate workload, and completeness of documentation.
🌎 Entry & Travel Guidelines for Colombia (2025)
✅ Health & Vaccination Rules
- COVID-19 Restrictions: As of 2025, no COVID-19 test or vaccination proof is required.
- Yellow Fever Vaccine: Recommended if traveling to Amazon, Chocó, or jungle areas.
✅ Airport Entry Requirements
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months)
- Visa (if applicable)
- Return/onward ticket
- Proof of funds ($40/day for tourists)
✅ Migración Colombia Check-Mig Form
- Must be completed 24 hours before arrival/departure
- Fill it online
🌍 Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
Colombia is now a hotspot for remote workers and freelancers. If you’re earning income from outside Colombia, you can now apply for a Visitor Visa for Digital Nomads, which offers:
- Up to 2-year validity
- No local taxation if income is foreign-sourced
- Proof of $900 USD monthly income required
A great option for online entrepreneurs and remote professionals looking to live in cities like Medellín, Bogotá, or Cartagena.
📌 Key Tips Before Applying
- Start Early: Apply 30–60 days before your trip.
- Document Translation: All non-Spanish documents must be translated and notarized.
- Avoid Overstays: Colombia enforces strict fines for visa overstays.
- Extension Option: You can extend tourist stays online without leaving the country.
Whether you’re an adventurous traveler, a business explorer, or a digital nomad, Colombia offers flexible visa options to suit a wide range of needs. By staying informed about the updated 2025 visa procedures, travel regulations, and fee structures, you’ll ensure a smooth, enriching experience in this vibrant South American nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quick Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
- Visitor Visa (V): Tourism, business, medical treatment, events, short study.
- Migrant Visa (M): Work, marriage, student, investment, retirement.
- Resident Visa (R): Permanent residence and long-term stay.
Citizens of many countries can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. Nationals of other countries must apply for a visa before travel.
- Valid passport
- Completed online visa application form
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Bank statements or financial proof
- Travel purpose documents
- Study Fee: Approximately USD 52
- Visa Issuance Fee: USD 82–230 (depends on visa type)
Processing generally takes:
- 5–10 working days (standard)
- Longer if additional verification is required
Most visitor visas allow stays of up to 90 days, extendable up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
No. Employment is not permitted on a tourist or visitor visa. A Migrant (M) visa is required for legal employment.
You can apply:
- Online through Colombia’s official visa portal
- At a Colombian Embassy or Consulate
- Insufficient financial proof
- Unclear travel purpose
- Incomplete documentation
- Previous immigration violations
- False or misleading information
Note: Colombia visa rules may change. Always check official government sources before applying.