Colombia Tourist Visa
Table of contents
- Table of contents
- Traveling to Colombia
- Who Needs an Colombia Visa?
- Colombia Tourist Visa Validity
- Colombia Tourist Visa Requirements
- Colombia Visa Application Steps
- Colombia Tourist Visa Interview
- Colombia Tourist Visa Fees
- Where to Apply
- Colombia Tourist Visa Processing Time
- Approved Visa Applications
- Denied Visa Applications
- Colombia Visa Extension
- Colombia Tourist Visa FAQ
Traveling to Colombia
With miles of stunning coastline, a vibrant arts scene, and beautiful rainforests, Colombia is a popular tourist destination. Due to the high volume of visitors that Colombia receives each year, they are well-equipped to accommodate and welcome tourists from all over the world.
Who Needs an Colombia Visa?
Nationals from the following countries must apply for and obtain a Colombia tourist visa before arriving in the country:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Colombia Tourist Visa Validity
A Colombia tourist visa is a type of Visitor Visa (Type V) intended specifically for travelers coming to Colombia for tourism purposes. Tourist visas are valid for up to one (1) year. The authorized duration of stay is 90 days, which is extendable for another 90 days. The maximum duration of stay (number of days) is 180 days within every 365 days from the date of issuance.
This visa type does not allow for dependents of the visa holder to apply for a Beneficiary Visa. It also does not allow for any type of lucrative work in Colombia.
Colombia Tourist Visa Requirements
To apply for a Colombian tourist visa, all applicants must submit the following required documents:
A valid passport
The applicant should hold a passport that is valid for at least six (6) months at the time of application and contains at least two blank visa pages.
Personal photos (2)
The applicant must submit two recent personal photos, taken within the last 6 months, in color against a white background. The photo size should be 3cm x 4cm. The applicant must be shown clearly facing the camera.
Proof of subsistence
Applicants must show that they have the financial capacity to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Colombia. This can be done using bank statements that demonstrate a regular monthly income from the last ten (10) months.
Invitation document
If the applicant was invited, they must provide a letter or document proving the financial solvency of the inviting party.
Return or onward tickets
Applicants must provide a photocopy of their return or onward tickets clearly stating their name and date of departure from Colombia that falls within their visa expiration date. Immigration officials may request to see the departure ticket at the port of entry in Colombia.
Health insurance
The policy should cover accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, repatriation, and more for the duration of the visa holder’s stay in Colombia.
Colombia Visa Application Steps
Applying for a Colombian visa is a straightforward process that can be completed online. Applicants can take the following steps to submit their visa application:
- Complete the visa application form
Applicants can complete the Visitor Visa application for tourism purposes through the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the application process, applicants must select the nearest Colombian Consular Office to their place of residence when prompted.
- Upload the required documents
All required documents can be uploaded to the SITAC platform during the application process. Document files must be in PDF format, and photographs must be in JPG format with a maximum size of 300 kb. Documents must have been issued within three (3) months of the application date.
- Pay the visa fee
After they submit the tourist visa application and upload the required documents, the applicant will receive a reference number. This number can be used to pay the study fee. The payment must be made within ten (10) days, or the application process will be terminated.
- Await visa decision
The Colombian Visa and Immigration Authority will receive the application once all information is submitted, and the study fee is paid. It usually takes five (5) business days to process a tourist visa application, but this processing time can be extended to 30 days if the Authority requests additional information/documents or an interview.
- Pay the issuance fee
Once the tourist visa application is approved, a second fee for the visa issuance must be paid. This fee must also be paid within ten (10) days, or the application is at risk of termination.
Colombia Tourist Visa Interview
The relevant authorities in Colombia do have the right to conduct interviews and request additional documents if they feel the application is incomplete or they need more information. This can be conducted in person or through an appropriate means of communication. The method of communication and the location of the interview will depend on the applicant’s nationality and the nature of their application.
Colombia Tourist Visa Fees
The Colombian tourist visa application process involves two fee payments. Fees are calculated based on the applicant’s nationality. The first, the study fee, will be paid before the application is processed by the Colombian Visa and Immigration Authority. The second is an issuance fee that must be paid after the visa application is approved. Applicants must pay the fees within ten (10) working days or forfeit their application.
Fees can be paid through one of the following options:
- PSE payment service
- Servibanca
- GNB Sudameris BankPayment at consulates
- Payment with a valid VISA or Mastercard
Where to Apply
All applications for Colombian Visitor Visas for tourism purposes must be completed online through the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application will be processed by the Colombian consulate abroad, which is selected by the applicant during the application process.
Colombia Tourist Visa Processing Time
The processing time for a Colombian Visitor Visa for tourism purposes will depend on the consulate the applicant selects, the applicant’s nationality, and the case's complexity. Once the study fee for the Colombian visa application is paid, applicants can expect to receive an answer within five (5) business days. If additional documentation or an interview is required, this processing duration may be extended up to 30 calendar days from the initial date of online application registration.
Approved Visa Applications
If the Colombian Visitor Visa application for tourism purposes is approved, the applicant has ten (10) business days to pay the issuance fee. Failure to pay this fee may result in the termination of the application. Once the issuance fee is paid, an electronic visa (eVisa) will be sent to the applicant’s email address within ten (10) days. It’s important to ensure that all information on the visa is correct and matches the applicant’s official documentation. Corrections can be made within 15 days of receiving the eVisa.
Denied Visa Applications
If the visa application is denied, the applicant must wait six (6) months to submit another Visitor Visa application for tourism purposes.
Colombia Visa Extension
It is possible to extend a Colombian tourist visa. Tourist visas are issued for an initial duration of stay of 90 days and can be extended for an additional 90 days. The number of days cannot exceed 180 days, continuous or discontinuous, within 365 days.
Colombia Tourist Visa FAQ
The cost of a Colombian tourist visa will vary depending on the applicant’s nationality. There are two types of fees that must be paid in order for the application to be successful: the study fee and the issuance fee. Both fees must be paid within ten (10) days at their respective stages of the application process.
If you require a Colombian tourist visa, you can complete the entire application online at the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All documents can be uploaded online and the application will be processed by the Colombian consulate nearest to your place of residence. You must select the correct consulate when you apply.
No, unfortunately, dependents of Visitor Visa (tourism purposes) holders are not eligible for a Beneficiary Visa.
Yes, you can extend your Colombian Visitor Visa for tourism purposes for up to 90 continuous or discontinuous days. The maximum number of days you can stay in Colombia on a tourist visa is 180 days within 365 days.
