Frequently Asked Questions about Visas for Colombia

Visas for Colombia

Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for foreigners and expatriates seeking to reside in the country for a variety of reasons, from job opportunities to family reunification and study.

Below, we will answer the most frequently asked questions we receive from our clients about visas for Colombia, providing accurate and updated information based on official sources.

1. What visa can I apply for in Colombia?

In Colombia, foreigners may apply for different types of visas depending on their purpose of visit.

The main categories are:

Visitor Visa (Type V):

For short stays for tourism, business, short studies, among others.

Migrant Visa (Type M):

For those who plan to reside temporarily in Colombia, such as workers, students, spouses of Colombian citizens, etc.

Resident Visa (Type R):

For those seeking permanent residency in Colombia.

1. How powerful is the Colombian visa?

The Colombian visa allows foreigners to live and work legally in the country, and depending on the type of visa, may facilitate travel to other countries in the region.

1. How many types of visas are there in Colombia?

In Colombia, visas are mainly classified into three types:

Visitor Visa (Type V)

Migrant Visa (Type M)

Resident Visa (Type R)

1. What is the type R visa in Colombia?

The type R visa is the Resident visa, which allows foreigners to reside permanently in Colombia.

It is granted to those who have held an M visa for a certain period of time or meet other specific requirements such as significant investment in the country.

1. What is the type M visa in Colombia?

The type M visa is the Migrant visa. This visa is for foreigners who wish to reside temporarily in Colombia.

It can be requested for reasons such as work, study, marriage to a Colombian, among others.

1. What is the value of the visa in Colombia?

The cost of the visa in Colombia varies according to the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant.

Specific values are periodically updated on the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

1. How long does it take to get a Colombian visa?

The processing time for a visa in Colombia can vary, but generally takes between 5 to 30 business days from the submission of all necessary documents.

1. What visa do Colombians have?

Colombians do not need a visa to reside in their own country.

However, if they reside abroad, they must follow the rules of the country of residence.

1. What benefits does a foreigner have when marrying a Colombian?

Marrying a Colombian woman allows the foreigner to apply for a Migrant Visa (Type M) for marriage, which offers benefits such as the possibility of residing and working in Colombia.

Eventually, it may also lead to permanent residency and Colombian nationality.

1. How many years are needed to obtain Colombian nationality?

To obtain Colombian nationality by residence, a foreigner generally needs to have lived legally in Colombia for at least 5 consecutive years.

This period can be reduced to 2 years if you are married to a Colombian citizen, have Colombian children, or are a Spanish citizen due to reciprocity agreements between Spain and Colombia.

1. How many visas are denied in Colombia?

The rate of visa denials in Colombia varies, but official statistics can be consulted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. How to obtain permanent residency in Colombia?

Permanent residency in Colombia can be obtained by applying for a type R visa after meeting certain requirements such as having held a type M visa for a certain period of time or having made a significant investment in the country.

1. How to obtain Colombian nationality by marriage?

A foreigner married to a Colombian may apply for Colombian nationality after residing legally in Colombia for at least 2 years.

1. How do I lose my Resident Visa in Colombia?

The Colombian Resident visa may be lost if the holder resides outside the country for more than two consecutive years without a valid justification.

1. What is the type V visa in Colombia?

The type V visa is the Visitor visa. It is granted to foreigners who wish to enter Colombia for short stays, such as tourism, business, short studies, among others.

1. How to apply for a Mercosur visa in Colombia?

The Mercosur visa facilitates temporary residence in Colombia for citizens of Mercosur member countries.

The procedure is carried out through the Colombian Foreign Ministry by presenting the required documents.

1. What is required to obtain a visa for the first time in Colombia?

To apply for a visa for the first time in Colombia, you must comply with the specific requirements of the type of visa requested, submit the corresponding forms, and pay the applicable fees. Common documents include a valid passport, photos, and justification of the purpose of the visa.

1. What is a visa worth in Colombia 2024?

The cost of the visa in Colombia for 2024 will be updated on the Chancellery’s website and varies according to the type of visa and the applicant’s nationality.

1. What is the easiest visa to obtain in Colombia?

The Visitor visa (Type V) is generally considered the easiest visa to obtain, especially for tourism or business.

1. How long is the visa appointment in Colombia taking?

The waiting time for a visa appointment may vary.

It is advisable to consult the Foreign Ministry’s website for updated information on waiting times.

1. Who grants visas in Colombia?

Visas in Colombia are granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. How can I obtain Colombian nationality?

Colombian nationality can be obtained by birth, adoption or naturalization.

Naturalization requires meeting certain residency requirements and other criteria established by law.

1. Which countries does Colombia require a visa?

Colombia requires a visa for citizens of certain countries.

The updated list of countries requiring visas to enter Colombia can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. What is the type M visa in Colombia?

The type M visa is a Migrant visa, used by foreigners who plan to reside temporarily in Colombia for work, studies, marriage, among others.

1. How to obtain a Colombian marriage visa?

To obtain a Colombian visa for marriage, the marriage certificate, proof of the relationship and other required documents must be submitted to the Colombian Chancellery.

1. How long does the marriage visa last?

The marriage visa in Colombia is generally granted for a period of 3 years, with the possibility of renewal at a later date.

1. How much is civil marriage in Colombia 2024?

The cost of a civil marriage in Colombia may vary depending on the region and other factors.

It is advisable to consult with local authorities to obtain the most accurate information.

1. How long must I live in Colombia to obtain residency?

To obtain permanent residency in Colombia, a foreigner generally needs to have held a type M visa for at least 5 consecutive years.

1. When a foreigner marries a Colombian national, does he/she acquire Colombian nationality?

Marrying a Colombian woman does not automatically grant nationality, but it allows the foreigner to apply for a type M visa for marriage, and after 2 years of residence, he/she can apply for Colombian nationality.

1. Who is entitled to Colombian nationality?

Persons born in Colombia, children of Colombian parents born abroad, and foreigners who meet the requirements for naturalization are entitled to Colombian nationality.

1. What happens if your visa is denied 3 times?

If a visa is denied 3 times, the applicant must review the reasons for the denial, correct any errors or deficiencies in the application, and may attempt to reapply or appeal the decision.

1. Why don’t you approve the visa?

Visas can be rejected for various reasons such as incomplete documentation, criminal record, lack of justification of the purpose of the trip, among others.

1. What are the benefits of the R visa in Colombia?

The R type visa offers benefits such as permanent residency, the possibility to work and study in Colombia without restrictions, and eventually the possibility to apply for Colombian nationality.

1. What does the R in a visa stand for?

The R in the Colombian visa refers to the Resident Visa.

1. How long does the R type visa last in Colombia?

The type R visa is a permanent residence visa and does not have an expiration date, although it may be lost if the holder resides outside Colombia for more than two consecutive years.

1. How much does a permanent visa cost in Colombia?

The cost of the permanent visa (Type R) varies and can be consulted on the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the most updated information.

1. What is the Mercosur visa and what is it for?

The Mercosur visa allows citizens of Mercosur member countries to reside and work temporarily in Colombia under more favorable conditions.

1. How to obtain a residence visa in Colombia?

To obtain a residence visa in Colombia, you must comply with the specific requirements of the type of visa requested (e.g., type R visa) and submit the necessary documentation to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. How much money is needed to obtain a visa in Colombia?

The specific cost of the visa depends on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an updated list of tariffs.

1. What percentage of visas are approved in Colombia?

Colombia’s visa approval rate varies depending on the type of visa and other factors.

Specific statistics are available on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

1. What is the most difficult visa to obtain?

The most difficult visas to obtain tend to be those that require proof of significant investments, high professional qualifications or a clean criminal record.

1. Which visa comes out the fastest?

Visitor visas (Type V) for tourism or business are usually processed the fastest.

1. How to apply for a migrant visa in Colombia?

To apply for a Migrant Visa (Type M), the corresponding application must be submitted to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the necessary documents that justify the purpose of temporary residence in the country.

Conclusions

Obtaining a visa for Colombia involves understanding the different types of visas available and meeting the specific requirements of each.

Accurate and up-to-date information can be found on the Colombian Foreign Ministry’s website, which is the best resource for applicants.

Cybergraphy

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia

If you need more information about visa for Colombia and want to obtain it, please contact us!