Several types of visas are granted in Colombia to allow foreigners to enter and remain in the country for various reasons. Below, we will detail each type and explain what they entail. For a more in-depth understanding of the general process, you can consult our Complete Guide to Applying for a Colombian Visa: Steps, Requirements, and Tips 2025. To understand what happens if your application is not successful, you can read about What happens if my visa application is denied in Colombia?.
This is a visitor visa, intended for short to medium-stay activities in the country. This visa comprises 29 categories:
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Student Visa The student visa is intended for facetoface, virtual or distance education studies in arts and crafts, preschool, primary, secondary, middle school, education for wor...
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Colombia is a country that has become an attractive destination for many people around the world, whether to visit, study or work. However, in order to enter the country it is nece...
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Each of the above categories has different characteristics and requirements that can be consulted in detail on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/visas/larga-estancia). If you have frequently asked questions about visas for Colombia, we invite you to review our article Frequently Asked Questions about Visas for Colombia. You can also learn about The 10 Most Requested Visas in Colombia According to Resolution 5477 of 2022.
This visa applies to foreigners who wish to establish themselves permanently in Colombia and is valid for up to 3 years. This type of visa comprises 14 categories, of which 5 do not allow work; 9 do, 6 with a work permit allowing any lawful activity in the national territory, and 3 have restrictions associated with the activity for which the visa was granted. To better understand the categories by resolution, check our article on Types of Visas offered in Colombia under Resolution 5477 of 2022.
The 14 categories are:
All allow accumulating time for a resident visa after a minimum period of stay as a holder, which varies depending on the category. This type of visa may automatically lose its validity due to the holder's absence from the territory for more than 180 consecutive calendar days within a period of 365 days counted from the date of issuance of the visa. For more details on this type of visa, you can consult our article Types of Visas in Colombia 2025: Requirements and Recent Changes.
This visa is for foreigners who wish to establish themselves permanently in Colombia; it includes a work permit allowing any lawful activity in the national territory and must be renewed every 5 years through the digital platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa). Learn more in our Resident Visa in Colombia 2025: Complete Guide to Obtaining Permanent Residency.
It comprises 4 categories:
This visa may automatically lose its validity due to absence from the territory.
In conclusion, there are different options for legalizing your stay in Colombia. The most common are tourist, work, student, investment, and resident visas, each with its own requirements and procedures. It is important to be properly informed to obtain the visa corresponding to each foreigner's particular situation. If you need help, contact us. We also invite you to read about the Requirements and Process to Apply for a Colombian Visa 2025.
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