VISA GUIDE (2020) CONSULATE GENERAL OF COLOMBIA IN

VISA GUIDE (2020)

CONSULATE GENERAL OF COLOMBIA IN FRANKFURT

AM MAIN

Cancillería

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

República de Colombia Página 2 de 49

Thank you for your interest in applying for a Colombian visa.

This guide will help you to navigate your way through the

process. Please bear in mind that this is a supplementary

document crafted by the Consulate and in no manner

replaces current visa regulations (such as Resolutions 6045

of 2017 and Resolution 10535 of 2018 issued by the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs, and Resolution 3167 of 2019 issued by

MIGRACION COLOMBIA

–

Colombia’s border control and

migration authority).

Also, please remember that this is how the process is done

at the Consulate General of Colombia in Frankfurt. Different

Colombian consulates have their own approaches concerning

how they receive applications, payments, visa stamping, etc.

IMPORTANT: The Consulate ONLY accepts

applications of persons located in Hessen,

Baden-Württemberg, Nordhein-Westfalen,

Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Bayern, and

Thüringen (see yellow-coloured map)

No exceptions to this rule.

If the applicant is located in Berlin, Niedersachsen, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-

Vorpommern, Sachsen-Anhalt, Sachsen, or Schleswig-Holstein (see purple-coloured map), please refer

to the consulate of Colombia in Berlin (c[email protected]). For other countries, please check with

the Colombian consulate that holds circumscription over that country.

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Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

República de Colombia Página 3 de 49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BEFORE YOU START – DO YOU NEED A VISA?

……………………………………………………………………………4

CHOOSING A VISA – BASIC INFORMATION

AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

…………………………………………………………………………...11

C. VISA TYPES

1. VISITOR (V)

2. MIGRANT (M)

3. RESIDENT (R)

4. BENEFICIARY VISA (“VISA DE

BENEFICIARIO”):

5. VISA TRANSFER (“TRASPASO DE VISA”)

…………………………………………………………………………...14

…………………………………………………………………………...20

…………………………………………………………………………...24

…………………………………………………………………………...27

…………………………………………………………………………...28

D. REQUESTING A VISA …………………………………………………………………………...29

E. AFTER APPLYING …………………………………………………………………………...44

F. VISA PRINTING AND REGISTRATION …………………………………………………………………………...46

VISA EXPIRATION

…………………………………………………………………………...47

ANNEX I –COSTS

…………………………………………………………………………...48

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A. BEFORE YOU START – DO YOU NEED A VISA?

Please consider carefully if you need a visa. A good way to start is to consider two variables:

FIRST VARIABLE: Your nationality

SECOND VARIABLE: Your activity in Colombia/purpose of your travel and how long you plan to stay in the

country.

A visa is needed for a foreigner of

ANY nationality

who plans to enter Colombia to carry

out paid activities or engage in gainful employment, regardless of how long he/she plans

to stay in the country.

1. FIRST VARIABLE: NATIONALITY

As per visa waiver agreements in force between Colombia and other countries, nationals from these

countries do NOT need a visa for Colombia. Please note this is an indicative list - for the latest information

please check https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visa/requirements

LIST OF COUNTRIES (correct as of October 2020)

Albania

Georgia

Palau

Andorra Germany Panama

Antigua and Barbuda

Greece

Papua New Guinea

Argentina

Grenada

Paraguay

Australia Guatemala Peru

Austria

Guyana

Philippines

Azerbaijan

Holy See

Poland

Bahamas Honduras Portugal

Barbados

Hungary

Qatar

Belgium

Iceland

Romania

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Belize

Indonesia

Russia

Bhutan Italy San Marino

Bolivia Jamaica Serbia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Japan

Singapore

Brazil

Kazakhstan

Slovakia

Brunei-Darussalam Latvia Slovenia

Bulgaria

Liechtenstein

Solomon Islands

Canada

Lithuania

South Korea

Chile Luxembourg Spain

Costa Rica

Malta

Surinam

Croatia

Marshall Islands

Sweden

Cyprus Mexico Switzerland

Czech Republic

Micronesia

Trinidad and Tobago

Denmark

Moldova

Turkey

Dominica Monaco Ukraine

Dominican Republic

Montenegro

United Arab Emirates

Ecuador

Netherlands

United Kingdom

El Salvador New Zealand United States of America

Estonia North Macedonia Uruguay

Fiji

Norway

Venezuela

Finland

St. Kitts and Nevis

France Saint Lucia

Ireland

St. Vincent and the

Grenadines

Israel

Samoa

IMPORTANT

: Nationals of Cambodia, India, Nicaragua, Myanmar, People's Republic of China, Thailand,

and Vietnam may be authorized to enter Colombia without a visa if they fulfil any of the following

requirements:

 The person has a residence permit issued by a Member State of the Schengen Area or issued by

the United States of America.

 The person has a Schengen visa or a visa from the United States of America with a minimum validity

of 180 days at the time of entry to Colombia.

Are you a national

of one of the

countries listed

above?

YES

Depending on the

activity, you might not

need a visa

Now, please consider the

activity you plan to undertake

in Colombia

You need to request a

visa for whichever

activity you plan to

undertake in Colombia

Please refer to visa

information below

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República de Colombia Página 7 de 49

2. SECOND VARIABLE: ACTIVITY IN COLOMBIA/PURPOSE OF TRAVEL AND

LENGTH OF STAY

Now that you have checked whether you need a visa

as per your nationality, you must consider the

purpose of your travel.

When you arrive to border control, the immigration

officer will ask the purpose of travel. Depending on

this and, if the officer approves, you will get a

special permit on the passport so that you can enter

Colombian territory (see image).

You will be asked to provide the documents

(physical or digital) that confirm the activity to be

carried out, such as: letters of invitation, return

ticket, place of accommodation, proof of financial solvency (having credit/debit cards, cash, cheques,

etc.), proof of registration or acceptance into an educational institutions, medical certificates, copy of the

administrative or judicial proceedings, and so on.

There are currently three (3) special permits: PT, PID and POA:

2.1. PT (“

Permiso de Turismo”,

tourism permit)

It is granted to foreigners wishing to enter the country for tourism, leisure, receive medical treatment, to

attend academic/cultural/scientific/sporting events and/or business conventions.

 The PT permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar days.

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2.2. PID (“

Permiso de Integración y Desarrollo”,

integration and development permit)

It is issued to foreigners wishing to enter the country for one of the following activities:

 For activities considered within the scope of international agreements or treaties in force between

Colombia and other states.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

 To participate or take part in legal, administrative, or refugee-related proceedings, among others.

Also, to participate in job recruitment processes/attend job interviews.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

 To participate in activities deemed important by Colombian authorities, such as the consolidation

of the peace process.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

 To take part in non-formal academic programs; to do an internship; to participate in an academic

exchange program; or to be trained in an art of craft. The duration of these activities cannot exceed

more than 180 days.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

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 To participate as a guest lecturer, teacher, researcher, and the like, in events or activities organized

by universities, private firms, etc.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

 Journalists covering international-related events:

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 90 calendar

days

 Urgent cases: defined as cases when in the opinion of the immigration or health authority, there is

a pressing need of the foreigner to enter Colombia due to a natural disaster, a public order situation,

human rights’ vulnerability, stowaways, shipwrecks or health problems that imply a risk to life.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the PID permit can be issued for a maximum of 15 calendar

days

2.3. POA (“

Permiso Otras Actividades”,

other-activities permit)

It is issued to foreigners wishing to enter the country for one of the following activities:

 To provide urgent specialized technical assistance that cannot be obtained in Colombia.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the POA permit can be issued for a maximum of 30

calendar days

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República de Colombia Página 10 de 49

IMPORTANT

: If the foreigner must provide urgent specialized technical assistance for

more than 30 days and/or will get paid while in Colombia for his/her work, a V- PRESTADOR

DE SERVICIOS TEMPORALES visa is mandatory.

 To perform in concerts, in artistic events, or as part of a tour.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the POA permit can be issued for as long as the

concert/artistic event/tour lasts

 To do transit in Colombia as part of a trip to a third state.

 For the above-mentioned activity, the POA permit can be issued for a maximum of 15 calendar

days

To request an extension of one of these permits please check

https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/prorroga-de-permanencia

Please note that MIGRACION COLOMBIA is the entity in charge of this, so it is suggested you check with

them in case of doubt.

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República de Colombia Página 11 de 49

B. CHOOSING A VISA – BASIC INFORMATION AND

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

If you need a visa, you need to have:

 A valid passport,

laissez-passer,

or travel document: It must have enough pages for visa

stamping.

 A passport-type photo: You must upload a colour photo with white background - 4

centimetres high by 3 centimetres wide. You should be facing the camera and your head

should be centred and complete. Both eyes should be open, and the ears should be visible.

There should be no glare in the photo, no hair or other accessories covering the face. The

image format is .JPG and it should have a maximum size of 300 KB. Please refrain from

uploading selfies, photos-of-photos, etc.

 Supporting documents not older than three (3) months.

Foreigners who apply for a visa in a country different than that of their nationality (i.e. a non-German

person applying for a Colombian visa in Germany) must provide a copy of the document that proves that

the applicant has a regular/legal/authorized stay in the country where the application is filled.

Every visa (except V – CORTESIA, V – PROGRAMA VACACIONES – TRABAJO and M – REFUGIADO) has a

cost:

 Processing fee: Non-reimbursable fee

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 Issuance fee: To be paid only if the consulate approves the application.

For information about the costs, please check Annex I at the end of this document.

IMPORTANT:

If the applicant is under-18 years old, additional documents must be added to the

application:

 A document that certifies the name of the minor's parents or of the persons who hold

parental authority or guardianship, such as registration or birth certificate of the minor, civil

registry, a judicial ruling assigning parental authority or guardianship, etc.

 A written request for a visa by one of the parents or the persons who hold parental authority

or guardianship of the minor, identifying who will take personal care of the minor while he/she

is in Colombia.

 When the person who take personal care of the minor in the national territory is not a parent

or does not hold parental authority or guardianship (for example a friend or a relative), said

person must also provide a signed letter accepting such responsibility.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

República de Colombia Página 13 de 49

IMPORTANT: The consulate reserves the right to request an

interview with the applicant, as well as the right to request

additional documents as it sees fit. Please bear in mind that

granting a visa is a discretionary faculty of each country, so you

cannot assume that because you provide all documents the

visa will be automatically granted.

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Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

República de Colombia Página 14 de 49

C. VISA TYPES:

There are three (3) visa categories: V (

“Visitante”, VISITOR),

M (

“Migrante”, MIGRANT),

and R

(“Residente”,

RESIDENT)

Also, there are two (2) visa-related issues: beneficiary visa

(“Visa de beneficiario”

) and visa transfer

(“Traspaso de visa”

)

All Colombian visas have multiple entries.

1. VISITOR (V):

WHAT IT IS: This is a visa for foreigners wishing to visit Colombia once or several times and stay

temporarily (that is, there is no interest in residing in the country or migrating to it). The V visa may be

granted with a maximum validity of up to 2 years, considering the activity the foreigner intends to carry

out in Colombia.

WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE: All V-visa applicants must upload:

I. A set of documents that are needed for every V visa (i.e. standard documents)

II. a set of documents appertaining the activity the foreigner wishes to undertake in Colombia (i.e.

supporting documents).

As standard documents, all V-visa applicants must upload:

1. A signed cover letter from the applicant and/or the person who sponsors the visa application that

clearly contains the following content:

- Full identification of the applicant/and of the person supporting the application, if relevant.

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- Brief explanation of the relationship between the applicant and the person supporting the application,

if relevant.

- Explanation of the activity that the applicant proposes to carry out in the territory (details, participants,

duration, schedule, location).

- A declaration of financial responsibility for the expenses derived from the applicant’s travel and stay

in Colombia.

If the application is sponsored by a person, both the applicant and the sponsor must sign the letter.

Also, please upload the letter in either English, German or Spanish.

2. Proof of liquidity of the applicant and/or the natural person supporting the application: Please upload,

as a single PDF file, bank statements for the 6 months prior to visa application. The applicant can

upload one page per month and we strongly suggest you blacken out all personal details and only

present the balance at the beginning/end of each month.

IMPORTANT: If the application is sponsored by a legal entity (i.e. a

private sector firm) and not by a person, the standard documents vary:

1. A signed cover letter from the representative of the legal entity that sponsors the visa application that

clearly contains the following content:

- Full identification of the applicant and of the legal entity supporting the application, and of the

former’s relationship to the sponsoring entity.

- Explanation of the activity that the applicant proposes to carry out in the territory (details, participants,

duration, schedule, location).

- A declaration of financial responsibility for the expenses derived from the applicant’s travel and stay

in Colombia.

Please upload the letter in either English, German or Spanish.

Cancillería

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores

República de Colombia Página 16 de 49

2. Proof of liquidity of the legal entity supporting the application: Please upload, as a single PDF file, bank

statements for the 6 months prior to visa application of the sponsoring party. The applicant can upload

one page per month and we strongly suggest you blacken out all personal details and only present the

balance at the beginning/end of each month.

3. Proof of legal existence: Please provide a document confirming that the sponsoring entity is duly

registered under the commercial law of the country where the visa application is made. In Germany,

this is usually the

Existenz

- und

Vertretungsbescheinigung

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

For the supporting, documents you need to provide as well, please refer to the table below.

Hence, for a V visa a rule of thumb for what you must provide would be: STANDARD DOCUMENTS +

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

ACTIVITY VISA SUPPORTING DOCUMENT WORK PERMIT

Airport transit

V – TRANSITO

AEROPORTUARIO

Flight tickets and proof of admissibility to

the destination

(i.e. visa for the third

State in case it is required)

Tourism V - TURISMO

NONE –

Must explain the motivation in

the cover letter

Doing business V – GESTIONES DE NEGOCIOS

NONE –

Must explain the motivation in

the cover letter

The V- TRANSITO AEROPORTUARIO visa is valid for up to thirty (30) days for multiple transits and the authorized

stay of the visa holder will be a maximum of 24 hours restricted to the transit area of the airport. IMPORTANT:

Please apply for this visa 30 days before your travel date and not before.

The authorized stay in Colombia of foreigners holding a V- TURISMO, V-GESTIONES DE NEGOCIOS and V-

PARTICIPANTE EN EVENTO is of 180 days (continuous or discontinuous), which cannot be renewed in every 365

days of visa use.

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Graduate studies

V – INTERCAMBIO

ACADEMICO, ESTUDIOS EN

ARTE U OFICIO Y

POSTGRADOS

Certificate of admission or registration

issued by an academic institution

stating that the intensity of the program

of study is of at least ten (10) hours per

week

Academic exchange

Studies other than primary school,

secondary school,

or higher

education

Attend a medical consultation,

intervention,

or treatment, or

accompany someone who will

V – TRATAMIENTO MEDICO Y

ACOMPAÑANTE

Certificate issued by the health care

institution

Attend administrative and/or legal

procedures in Colombia

V – TRAMITES

ADMINISTRATIVOS/JUDICIALES

Certificate of the entity or authority with

confirming the legal procedure

Participate in events as a speaker,

exhibitor, artist, athlete, jury,

contestant, or logistical staff

V – PARTICIPANTE EN EVENTO

Letter from the

event organizer

explaining the applicant's role/functions

YES –

RESTRICTED

Exclusively for

the event,

project, boat,

internship,

mission,

office or

position and

entity for

which the visa

is granted

Internships V – PASANTE/PRACTICANTE

Letter from the place where the

applicant will do the internship

Participating in volunteering and

development cooperation projects or

in the promotion and protection of

human right

V - VOLUNTARIO

Certificate issued by the organisation

that has the

volunteer program explaining

the role of the applicant and all relevant

details

Create audio-visual

production or

digital content

V – PRODUCCION

AUDIOVISUAL/CONTENIDO

DIGITAL

Letter explaining the project

To carry out journalistic coverage or

stay temporarily as foreign press

correspondent

V – CUBRIMIENTO

PERIODISTICO

NONE -

Must indicate the activity in the

letter

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To provide temporary services to

individuals or legal entities in

Colombia.

V –

PRESTADOR DE SERVICIOS

TEMPORALES

The "

Resumen de contrato

form issued

by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, duly

signed by the contracting person and the

foreigner applying for a visa

To occupy a position in a Colombian

branch of a multinational firm

(applies only when the applicant is

relocated by his employer to

Colombia)

V – TRANSFERENCIA

INTRACORPORATIVA

Letter from the firm

explaining the

applicant’s situation

Participating in working-

holiday

programs when these are in force

between Colombia and other states

through agreed and ratified treaties

V – PROGRAMA VACACIONES-

TRABAJO

- The "

Formato de compromiso”

form

issued by the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, duly signed by the applicant.

- P

hotocopy or electronic information

of the departure ticket from the

country, or

proof that the applicant

has sufficient funds to acquire it, and

- Ba

nk account statements of the

applicant from the last 3 months:

the

overall balance must be of more than

five (5) Colombian monthly minimum

wages (approx. 1200 EUR)

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENT:

This visa is

only available to Peruvian, French,

and

Mexican applicants.

The V – PROGRAMA VACACIONES-

TRABAJO visa is valid for one (1) year, and

the holder can stay in Colombia for the

length of the visa duration.

YES - OPEN

work permit

for any kind of

legal activity

in Colombia

Available at https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa/formatos

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Reserved for special circumstances:

For the spouse or partner of a

Colombian career diplomat.

For holders of a diplomatic

passport:

For participants in academic

programs organized by the

Colombian

Institute of

Educational Credit and Technical

Studies Abroad (ICETEX).

For applicable foreigners when an

international cooperation treaty

duly agreed and ratified by

Colombia allows them.

- For

foreign artistic, technical and

production personnel who enter

Colombia with the purpose of

shooting foreign films.

For a foreigner who applied for

refugee status but whose

condition as such was not

recognized by Colombian

authorities

(can only be

request

ed in Colombia, not at a

Consulate).

- When the foreigner is

deemed

particularly relevant to

Colombia

due to cultural, political, social,

economic reasons

V - CORTESIA

This is a very special and somewhat

complex visa.

- To

keep matters as simple as

possible, no further elaboration will

be made regarding the documents

needed for each of the special

circumstances listed in the leftmost

column.

- For any query on this visa, pl

ease

check with the consulate via email.

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2. MIGRANT (M):

WHAT IT IS: This is a visa for foreigners wishing to migrate to Colombia and who do not meet the

requirements for a R visa. The M visa may be granted with a maximum validity of up to 3 years.

WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE: The table below explains the different M – visas and the documents that

must be uploaded to the visa application.

Please bear in mind that a Colombian monthly minimum wage (for 2020) is COP 980.657 (approximately

240 EUR)

APPLICANT PROFILE VISA SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT WORK PERMIT

Spouse or permanent

partner of a Colombian

national

M - CÓNYUGE O

COMPAÑERO

PERMANENTE DE

NACIONAL

COLOMBIANO



Authentic copy of the Colombian marriage

registry (“

Registro Civil de Matrimonio

”) or of

the foreign marriage certificate (with apostille

or legalization and

official translation to

Spanish)



Letter signed by the Colombian spouse/partner

requesting the visa



Copy of the Colombian spouse/partner’s

Colombian ID (“

cédula de ciudadanía”

)



Power of attorney granted by the Colombian

spouse/partner allowing the applica

nt to

request the visa

YES - OPEN work permit

for any kind of legal

activity in Colombia

Parent or offspring of a

person who adopted the

Colombian nationality

M -PADRE O HIJO

DE NACIONAL

COLOMBIANO POR

ADOPCIÓN

 Copy of the naturalization letter (

“Carta de

naturaleza”

) or resolution of inscription

(

“resolución de inscripción”

) of the Colombian

national



Authentic copy of the foreign birth certificate

proving parentage of the applicant and the

Colombian national (with apostille or

legalization and official translation to Spanish)

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

Letter signed by the Colombian national

requesting the visa. If the Colombian national is

under-

18 years old, the letter must be signed by

the persons who hold parental authority or

guardianship of the minor.

Be a national of any of the

States party to the

“Acuerdo sobre Residencia

para

nacionales de los Estados

Parte del Mercosur, Bolivia

y Chile”

M - ACUERDO

MERCOSUR

 Criminal record of the applicant

issued either by

the country where the applicant has been living

for the past three years, or by his/her country

of birth.

Having refugee status

granted by the Colombian

government

M – REFUGIADO



Copy of the document acknowledging the

applicant’s refugee status.

Having permanent or long-

term employment in

Colombia, by virtue of a

labour relationship or

contract to provide

services with a natural or

legal person

M – TRABAJADOR

 The "

Resumen de contrato

" form issued by the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, duly signed by the

employer and the prospective employee

 Letter of motivation issued by the employer



Bank account statements of the employer from

the last 6 months: the overall balance must be

of more than one hundred (100) Colombian

monthly minimum wages.



If the employer is a natural person (i.e. not a

firm), the applicant must upload proof o

f the

employer’s income –

average income must be

higher than ten (10) Colombian monthly

minimum wages



If the employer is a Colombian public entity, an

international organization,

or a

diplomatic/consular office in Colombia, only the

letter of motivation is

required. The letter must

be signed by the legal representative of the

public entity, international organization,

diplomatic/consular office.

YES-

RESTRICTED to the

workplace/job/role/project

for which the visa is

granted

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Investing in a commercial

firm

M-SOCIO /

PROPIETARIO

The applicant must be an investor/shareholder in a

commercial firm. The investment must be higher

than one hundred (100) Colombian monthly

minimum wages.



Letter requesting the visa, stating the

commercial firm’s business name, address,

and

tax number (NIT,

“Número de Identificación

Tributaria

”)



If it is a stock corporation, the applicant must

upload a certificate issued by a public

accountant

indicating the value of the stock

ownership

YES –

RESTRICTED to work in

the firm in which the

applicant is an

investor/shareholder

Foreigner with expertise or

qualifications to work as

an independent worker

M-EJERCER

PROFESIÓN O

ACTIVIDAD

INDEPENDIENTE

 Letter requesting the visa

 Three (3) certificates of experience



Bank account statements of the employer from

the last 6 months: the overall balance must be

of more than ten (10) Colombian monthly

minimum wages.



If it is a regulated profession, the applicant

must upload the permit issued by the body that

regulates the profession in Colombia.

If it is an

unregulated profession, the applicant must

upload his/her diploma, which must

homologated by the Colombian Ministry of

Education.

YES-

RESTRICTED to the

workplace/job/role/project

for which the visa is

granted

To travel to Colombia as a

religious, missionary, or

religious in formation, of a

church or religious cult

legally recognized by

Colombia

M – RELIGIOSO



Certificate issued by the Colombian Ministry of

the Interior, diocese or archdiocese

acknowledging the legal existence of the church

or religious cult.

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Be admitted to

elementary, secondary, or

middle school studies, or

higher education program

in an undergraduate

educational institution in

Colombia

M - ESTUDIANTES

DE PRIMARIA,

SECUNDARIA,

MEDIA Y

PREGRADO



Documents proving economic sufficiency, such

as bank account statements of the last six

months, certificate of scholarship, etc.



Certificate of admission or registration issued

by an academic institution

confirming the applicant is admitted as an

elementa

ry, high school or undergraduate

student.

Real-estate investor

M-INVERSIÓN

INMOBILIARIA

The applicant must own a property or properties in

Colombia, whose commercial value must be higher

than three hundred and fifty (350) Colombian

monthly minimum wages.



Certificate containing the cadastral history of

the property or properties (

“Certificado de

libertad y tradición”

) and which confirms that

the applicant owns it/them.



Certificate issued by the Colombian Central

Bank’s (

“Banco de la República

”) Department of

Foreign Exchange confirming the value of the

real-estate investment

Foreigner who retired and

has a pension or who

receives a regular income

from a legal source

M-PENSIONADO O

RENTISTA

 For retirees: Certificate stating the

monthly

pension’s amount. The pension must be higher

than three (3) Colombian monthly minimum

wages.

 If the applicant

receives a regular income from

a legal source, he/she must upload a certificate

stating the amount that is paid and its

regularity; such payment must be higher than

ten (10) Colombian monthly minimum wages.

3. RESIDENT (R):

WHAT IT IS: This is a visa for foreigners wishing to settle and live in Colombia. The R visa is always granted for

5 years.

IMPORTANT: The validity of the R-visa is UNLIMITED; however, it is suggested that every 5 years the visa holder

requests a visa transfer

(“Traspaso de visa”,

see chapter 5) so that a new R-visa label is stamped on the

passport.

WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE: The table below explains the different R – visas and the documents that must be

uploaded to the visa application.

APPLICANT PROFILE VISA SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT WORK PERMIT

For applicants who

resigned their Colombian

nationality

R - POR HABER

RENUNCIADO A LA

NACIONALIDAD COLOMBIA

Copy of the nationality

resignation act ("

Acta de

Renuncia a la Nacionalidad

Colombiana

YES -

OPEN work permit for any kind of legal

activity in Colombia

Parent of a Colombian

national (by birth)

R-PADRE O MADRE DE

NACIONAL COLOMBIANO

POR NACIMIENTO



Copy of the Colombian

birth registry (

“Registro

Civil de Nacimiento”)

the Colombian

daughter/son.



Application letter: When

the Colombian

daughter/son is a minor,

the letter will be signed by

the other parent stating

that the visa applicant is

fully complying with

his/her alimony

obligations.

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

If the Colombian

daughter/son is 18 years or

older, the letter must be

signed by her/him, and the

applicant must upload a

copy of her/his Colombian

ID (

“cédula de ciudadanía”)

For registering foreign

direct investment

R-INVERSIÓN

EXTRANJERA DIRECTA

Certificate issued by the

Colombian Central Bank’s

(

“Banco de la República

”)

Department of Foreign

Exchange confirming the

value of the foreign direct

investment –

which must be

high

er than six hundred and

fifty (650) Colombian monthly

minimum wages.

After living in Colombia for

an extended period with a

M-type visa

This visa is for:

 Applicants that have

been living in Colombia

continuously and

uninterruptedly

for

two (2) years as the

main holder of M -

CÓNYUGE O

R - POR TIEMPO

ACUMULADO DE

PERMANENCIA



Copy of the visas the

applicant has had during

his/her stay in Colombia.



Migratory record

certificate

(“Certificado de

Movimientos Migratorios”

)

issued by

Migración

Colombia

–

Colombia’s

border control and

migration authority.



Document certifying

occupation and/or source

of income.

The applicant has remained in Colombia”

continuously

” if during the visa validity period he/she has not been absent

from the country for more than 180 continuous days; and “

uninterruptedly

”, if the applicant has extended his/her stay

in the country by getting a new visas before the expiration of the previous one or before 30 days have elapsed after the

expiration of his/her current visa.

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COMPAÑERO

PERMANENTE DE

NACIONAL

COLOMBIANO; M-

PADRE O HIJO DE

NACIONAL

COLOMBIANO POR

ADOPCIÓN; or M -

ACUERDO MERCOSUR

visa

 Applicants that have

been living in Colombia

continuously and

uninterruptedly for five

(5) years as the main

holder of any other

type of M-visa, or a

beneficiary visa (see

chapter 4 below) of a

R-visa.



Document that certifies or

validity of the

cir

cumstances or

conditions that led to the

approval of the applicant’s

last visa

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4. BENEFICIARY VISA (

“VISA DE BENEFICIARIO”

WHAT IT IS: This is a feature of M, R and three V visas, allowing its holder’s family members or a person who

financially depends on him/her to request a visa. All M and R visas allow beneficiaries, as well as V –

CUBRIMIENTO PERIODISTICO, V – PRESTADOR DE SERVICIOS TEMPORALES and V – TRANSFERENCIA

INTRACORPORATIVA only.

WHO ARE CONSIDERED TO BE FAMILY MEMBERS?

 The visa holder’s spouse or permanent partner

 The visa holder’s parents when they are financially dependent on him/her

 The visa holder’s children under twenty-five (25) years old or over this age when they have a disability that

prevents them from being financially independent.

The beneficiary visa has the same category as the holder’s but with the label

“Beneficiario

(for example,

M – TRABAJADOR (BENEFICIARIO) and does not exceed the validity of the holder’s visa.

IMPORTANT

: A person with a beneficiary-type visa is NOT allowed to work!

WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE:

o A copy of the visa to which the beneficiary visa would be tied.

o An authentic copy of the document that certifies kinship, marital or family relationship with the

visa holder.

o A letter signed by the visa holder in which he/she applies for the beneficiary visa, stating economic

dependence and taking full financial responsibility for the travel and stay expenses of the applicant

while in Colombia.

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5. VISA TRANSFER (

“TRASPASO DE VISA”

WHAT IT IS: Printing a new label with the same data of an already-granted visa to stamp it in another passport.

WHEN CAN IT BE REQUESTED:

o When the applicant has a new passport due to loss or renovation of his/her former passport.

o When the visa was issued with a typing mistake and correction was not asked within 30 days of its

issuance.

o When the visa was not stamped on the passport within 30 days of its issuance (see section F. below).

o When clarification is needed regarding the name of the applicant, occupation in Colombia or change of

employer’s name.

WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE:

o Copy of the visa to be transferred and of the “

Cédula de Extranjería”

(see section F. below) if available.

o Migratory movements’ certificate

(“Certificado de Movimientos Migratorios”

), a document issued by

MIGRACION COLOMBIA – please check https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/certificado-de-

movimientos-migratorios

 This document is not required when transferring a V-type visa, a M-type visa issued less than

six months ago, or a R-type visa issued less than two years ago.

o Copy of the documents that justify the visa to be transferred (i.e. for a visa transfer of a R – POR HABER

RENUNCIADO A LA NACIONALIDAD COLOMBIA visa, a copy of the nationality resignation act must be

provided)

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D. REQUESTING A VISA:

Application is online-only:

https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarVisa.xhtml

Please bear in mind that you do not have to complete “Application registry number” if you are

requesting a new visa. Also, please make sure that tramite@cancilleria.gov.co is added to your

list of trusted email addresses.

The website can be used in Spanish or English. In this example, we will consider a V – TURISMO visa.

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After filling out Identification Data, Personal Data, consenting to the use of personal data and processing the

CAPTCHA challenge, please click on

IMPORTANT

: When applying for the first time, you do not need to fill out “Application Data” Please make

sure that PERSONAL DATA contains the SAME information that is in your passport. Also, please fill the

application as carefully as possible and avoid typing mistakes (i.e. wrong passport number or birth date, etc.)

________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the next screen, you must choose one visa type or visa-related process:

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APPLICATION TYPE means whether the visa is requested by an individual or as part of an artistic group,

cultural/sports group, work group or family group. If “INDIVIDUAL” or “FAMILY GROUP” is chosen, you

can select on NAME OF APPLICANT whether the applicant is a main applicant or a beneficiary applicant;

if any other option under APPLICATION TYPE is selected, only MAIN APPLICANT will be displayed under

NAME OF APPLICANT

APPLIED BY is related to whether the applicant is requesting the visa himself/herself or someone else is

doing the process in his/her stead. If the latter is the case, you must upload a power of attorney

authorizing the agent to request the visa on your behalf.

After providing the information, please click on

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Please provide your personal information on the next screen. Please be very careful when writing email and

telephone number. Per the guidelines of the Visa Coordination Office in Bogota, applicants must provide a

Colombian phone number and Colombian address during the visa application.

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After providing the information, please click on

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the next screen, please complete the blank fields as applicable and click on

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____________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the next screen (SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS), you must upload all the documents needed for the application,

and the photo.

Depending on the visa type, the “Visa supporting documents” table varies.

 Please remember that each document must be uploaded as a PDF file. We suggest that you scan

documents, instead of photographing them and uploading bad-quality scans to the system.

 For visas that require bank account statements as supporting documents, we kindly ask that the applicant

uploads a document of six pages with account balance at the beginning or end of each month. All

personal/private information should be blackened out.

Click on + for uploading each document.

After doing so, you will see under the “Saved document” a check sign (✓) You can review the uploaded

document by clicking on the small magnifying glass icon.

Once you have uploaded every document and the photo, click on

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____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next screen allows you to review the information and request, under the “OFFICE” section which consular

office will process the application or, if the applicant is currently in Colombia, the visa Office in Bogota.

If you are in Hessen, Baden-Württemberg, Nordhein-Westfalen, Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Bayern, or

Thüringen, please select C. FRANKFURT under “current location”

To finish, please click on

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____________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the next screen, you can choose a payment method (under

“Pago en”

): please select credit card (only VISA

or MASTERCARD) or bank transfer accordingly. You will also receive an automated email from

tramite@cancilleria.gov.co with the initial application number and the subject “SOLICITUD VISA EN LÍNEA”

For credit card payment, please check https://tramites.cancilleria.gov.co/pago.aspx and use the application

number (“

Solicitud

”) you are allocated. Please note this application number.

For bank transfer payment, you will receive an email from [email protected] with the IBAN

information.

IMPORTANT: Regardless of the payment method you select, you have 15 days to pay the processing fee. If you

do not do so, the application will be cancelled automatically, and you would have to apply again.

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E. AFTER APPLYING:

After the processing fee has been paid, you will receive consular feedback.

Please note that visa processing times depend on whether documents are complete and how long does

payment processing take (in payment by bank transfer this refers to the time it takes for money to be

deposited and reflected on the consulate’s account).

VERY IMPORTANT I: You can check the status of your application at

https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/consultarEstadoSolicitud.xhtml

After applying and paying the processing fee, four outcomes are possible:

EMAIL SUBJECT

EXPLANATION

“SOLICITUD VISA – REQUERIDA”

Your application is missing some documents, or the consular official

deems that additional documents /interview are needed.

“SOLICITUD VISA – APROBADA” Your application was approved. You must pay the issuance fee to receive

the visa. You will receive also receive an email from the consulate with

payment information (credit card or bank transfer) VERY IMPORTANT: If

you do not pay the issuance fee within 15 days, the system will

automatically cancel the application.

“SOLICITUD VISA – INADMITIDA”

Your application was not approved. You can apply again, and a new

processing fee must be paid.

“SOLICITUD VISA – NEGADA” Your application was rejected. You are banned for six months and cannot

request a new visa until the ban is lifted. The consulate has no legal

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obligation to explain why such decision is taken given that each state has

full discretion on whom receives a visa, so we kindly ask that you abstain

from requesting feedback, for it will not be provided.

If you are missing some documents, or the consular official deems that additional documents for processing

your application, you must collect the missing documents and visit

https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarVisa.xhtml

Please log in with your application data and upload/modify what is needed on the “Visa supporting documents”

screen.

VERY IMPORTANT I: When you upload a document on the “Visa supporting documents” screen, please make

sure that you are not overwriting a previously added file. Otherwise, you might end up adding a document but

deleting another one. It might be useful for you to check on the “Visa supporting documents” screen for the

check sign (✓) to keep tabs of which documents are already on the system.

VERY IMPORTANT II: If you do not provide the required information within 15 days, the system will

automatically

cancel the application. That is why we strongly suggest that [email protected] is added to your list of

trusted email addresses. We also suggest you check your spam folder regularly.

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F. VISA PRINTING AND REGISTRATION:

After the issuance fee is paid, you will receive an email with the subject “SOLICITUD VISA – PUBLICADA”

After receiving the email, you have 30 days to visit the consulate with your passport and get the visa stamped.

If you do not do it within 30 days, you must either request a VISA TRANSFER or ask that the stamping is done

in Colombia (only in Bogota at the Visa Coordination Office - you have 15 days after entering Colombia to do

so)

If you cannot visit the consulate, you can provide another person with a power of attorney so that he/she can

request the stamping instead.

IMPORTANT: Visas that are granted with a duration of less than 3 months

are not stamped.

Please print the

PDF file you receive and present it upon arrival to Colombia.

If the visa is valid for more than 3 months, you must register it at MIGRACION COLOMBIA in Colombia and

apply for a "

Cédula de Extranjería

" (the identification card for foreigners in Colombia). You have 15 days from

the day you enter Colombia to do so.

This document costs 196.000 COP (about 50-52 EUR, 2020 prices) and its validity is the same as that of the

visa.

A list of MIGRACION COLOMBIA offices in Colombia can be found at

http://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/index.php/es/noticias/269-centros-facilitadores-de-servicios-

migratorios, and more information at http://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/index.php/es/tramites-2016/3281-

tramite-cedula-de-extranjeria

IMPORTANT: V- TURISMO, V - GESTIONES DE NEGOCIOS and V-PARTICIPANTE EN EVENTO visas are exempt

from registration.

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G. VISA EXPIRATION:

A Colombian visa expires when its end date is reached or when a new visa is issued.

There are some rules that should be considered as well:

 V and M visas automatically expire when the conditions or circumstances under which the foreigner

obtained the visa are modified or do not exist anymore.

 M visas automatically expire when the person is not in Colombia for six months

 R visas automatically expire when the person is not in Colombia for two years

The time of absence is counted from the date of departure from Colombia as recorded in the passport or in

the migration records held by MIGRACION COLOMBIA.

A beneficiary-type visa expires when the visa to which it is tied expires and when:

 Financial independency is reached by the holder of the beneficiary-type visa.

 A spouse/partner relationship with the holder of the visa to which the beneficiary-type visa is tied does

not exist anymore.

 The holder of the beneficiary-type visa reaches 25 years old - only applies when the holder of the

beneficiary-type visa is not in a situation of absolute disability.

 The holder of the visa to which the beneficiary-type visa is tied acquires Colombian nationality.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserves the right to cancel a visa when its holder is subject to a deportation

or expulsion order, and when evidence arises that the person misled consular or migratory authorities when

requesting a visa.

IMPORTANT: Once a visa has expired, the foreigner will automatically have 30 business days of regular stay to

leave either leave Colombia or request a new visa.

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H. ANNEX I –COSTS:

Costs are correct as of 2020. All values in EUR.

The costs of the beneficiary-type visa are the same one as that of the visa to which it is tied.

TYPE OF VISA

PROCESSING

FEE

ISSUANCE

FEE

TOTAL (PROCESSING + ISSUANCE

FEES)

VISITOR (V)

TRANSITO AEROPORTUARIO

40 52 92

TURISMO

40 63 103

GESTIONES DE NEGOCIOS

40 188 228

INTERCAMBIO ACADÉMICO,

ESTUDIOS EN ARTE

U OFICIOS Y POSTGRADOS

12 40 52

TRATAMIENTO MÉDICO Y ACOMPAÑANTE

40 131 171

TRAMITES ADMINISTRATIVOS / JUDICIALES

40 131 171

TRIPULANTE DE EMBARCACIÓN O EN

PLATAFORMA COSTERA

40 131 171

PARTICIPANTE DE EVENTO

40 131 171

PASANTE / PRACTICANTE

40 131 171

VOLUNTARIO

40 131 171

PRODUCCION AUDIOVISUAL Y/O DIGITAL

40 131 171

CUBRIMIENTO PERIODISTICO

40 131 171

PRESTADOR DE SERVICIOS TEMPORALES

40 131 171

TRANSFERENCIA INTRACORPORATIVA

40 188 228

OFICIAL O REPRESENTATE COMERCIAL DE

GOBIERNO EXTRANJERO

40 188 228

PROGRAMA VACACIONES-TRABAJO

0 0 0

For Ecuadorians, the issuance fee is free of charge and the processing fee is EUR 23 (except V- INTERCAMBIO

ACADEMICO, whose processing fee is EUR 12), whereas for Japanese and Korean, the issuance fee is free of charge.

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CASOS NO PREVISTOS

40 131 171

CORTESIA

0 0 0

MIGRANT (M)

CÓNYUGE O COMPAÑERO PERMANENTE DE

NACIONAL COLOMBIANO

40 177 217

PADRE O HIJO DE NACIONAL COLOMBIANO POR

ADOPCIÓN

40 177 217

ACUERDO MERCOSUR

40 177 217

REFUGIADO

0 0 0

TRABAJADOR

40 177 217

SOCIO/ PROPIETARIO

40 177 217

EJERCER PROFESIÓN O

ACTIVIDAD

INDEPENDIENTE

40 177 217

RELIGIOSO

40 177 217

ESTUDIANTES DE PRIMARIA, SECUNDARIA,

MEDIA Y PREGRADO

12 40 52

INVERSIÒN INMOBILIARIA

40 177 217

PENSIONADO O RENTISTA

40 177 217

RESIDENT (R)

R - VISA 40 301 341

VISA TRANSFER (“TRASPASO DE VISA”)

VISA TRANSFER

40 40 80

Author:

Nicolás Alberto Mejía Riaño

Second Consul / First Secretary

Consulate General of Colombia in Frankfurt

01.10.2020