Colombia
What are the visa & residency requirements in Colombia?
We asked people about the visa & residency requirements in Colombia, they wrote...
"The first step in obtaining a visa for Colombia is to determine the appropriate visa category for the intended stay. Generally, tourists and business travelers require a tourist visa or a business visa. Depending on nationality and the University attended, students may require a student visa. Visitors with longer stays may require a temporary residence visa. Once the category is chosen and associated requirements are met, an appointment must be made at a Colombian embassy or consulate for visa processing. Residency applications in Colombia are done through the National Immigration Agency (Instituto Colombiano de Migración). To begin the process, it is necessary to ensure all required documents and fees are prepared, and that the right type of visa is obtained. The documents required to apply for permanent residency vary depending on the nationality of the applicant and the intended length of stay in Colombia. Once all documents have been prepared, they must be presented to the National Immigration Agency, which will review them and then authorize the residency. If a favorable decision is made, the applicant is then issued a visa that allows them to stay in the country indefinitely. The applicant is then expected to register the visa in a local police station near their residence, and then obtain an ID card at the local immigration office," remarked another expat in Colombia.
"The laws changed in December, 2017 and many of the visas, including retirement and investment visas are now for 3 years instead of 1 as they were before. Check local websites as this new information is updated," said a member in Medellin, Colombia.
Colombian Visa ServicesConnect
We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Colombian Visa ServicesWe have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Colombia?
- How do I meet people in Colombia?
- What is life like in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Colombia accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Colombia like?
- Is the cost of living in Colombia high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Colombia?
- What are healthcare services like in Colombia?
- Is the cost of living in Colombia high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Colombia?
- What is the weather like in Colombia?
- Are there good restaurants in Colombia?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Colombia?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Colombia?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Colombia?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Colombia?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Colombia?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
What are the visa & residency requirements in Colombia?
If you live in Colombia, newcomers to Colombia would love to hear your answer to this question:
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
