Colombia business visa application, requirements, price, and processing time
- nTourist visanot required
- nBusiness visanot required
Colombia is a South American country with a rich history dating back centuries before the first Spanish conquistadors landed. The country may have a terrible past of organized crime, but there is more to Colombia than drugs and war. This South American country is home to some of the most unique flora and fauna on the continent. It also has a very rich culture and an amazing social scene that draws millions worldwide. Many foreign nationals who visit Colombia do so with a Colombia business visa because it is a top business destination on the continent as well.
If you want to visit for a business-related activity, you need a business visa to get into the country. Keep reading to know how to successfully apply for the visa.
Do You Need A Colombia Business Visa To Enter Colombia?
You need a business visa to enter Colombia if you are coming for business-related activities. The only visitors who don’t require a business visa are citizens from visa-exempt countries.
What Is A Colombia Business Visa?
A business visa is a special travel document issued to foreigners for business-related activities. There are three categories of this Colombian business visa, and we briefly explain them below.
Business Owners Visa: This type is a visa with a 1-3 year validity and is the lower level version.
Investment Visa: This one is for investors who can make significant investments in the Colombian economy
Migrant Business Visa: The migrant Visa is for foreigners who can invest up to 100 million Pesos and above into the Colombian economy
Permanent Residency Visa: This one has a minimum requirement of 600 million Pesos of foreign investment and above and guarantees the holder a permanent stay in Colombia without limitations.
You should also know that the Colombian visa is also divided into two categories called the temporary and permanent visa class. All the visas, excluding the permanent residency visa, are under the temporary legal representative category.
The Validity of A Business Visa
The average temporary business visa is valid for three years maximum, and they start counting from the day they are used, regardless of whether you visit the country or not. However, they lose their validity automatically if you stay out of Colombia for more than 6 months at a time.
As for a permanent residency visa, you can enter and leave the country as you like, but you can’t stay for more than 2 years at a time; otherwise, you would violate the terms of the visa. Also, note that business visas are renewable a month before they expire.
Where Can You Apply For A Business Visa?
You can apply for a business visa at the Colombian consulate in your country or online. If you want a longer-term visa of one year and above, you may have to visit the consulate to kick-start the application process. For short-term visas, you can apply for it visa VisaHQ. Just follow these steps.
Log onto VisaHQ
Choose Colombia as your destination and select your citizenship from among the list of countries on the portal
Complete the application form by filling in all the required fields with accurate data
Scan and upload the necessary documents where required
Pay the visa fee using a debit or credit card and submit it for processing
The Colombian authorities will take between 3-5 working days to process your application and send the visa to your registered email address if your application is successful. To avoid rejection or delay, endeavor to provide only valid documents and accurate information. Also, note that the visa fee is nonrefundable.
Documents Required For Colombia Business Visa
Here are the documents you must submit when applying for a business visa. Note that only valid documents are accepted.
Valid Passport: A copy of your passport bio page must be scanned and uploaded on the application form portal. Only passports with at least 6 months of validity are allowed.
Previous stamps/Visa: If you have visited Colombia before, you must provide a scanned copy of the old visa and a stamped page of your passport where the visa was affixed.
Recent Photograph: 2 copies of recent photographs showing your face clearly.
Proof of Funds: A statement of account showing proof of funds and sufficient balance to meet the financial requirements for the type of business visa you are applying for.
Letter of Request: A letter of request showing your company name, tax identification number, company address, certificate of incorporation, and other relevant documents.
Declaration Form: A foreign exchange declaration form
Note that other documents will be required of you besides the ones listed above. Kindly do your due diligence and compile all the documents you need before you start the visa application process.
For a short-term Colombia Business Visa that is obtainable online, visit VisaHQ to access the application form.
Colombia Visa Policy
According to the Colombian government's visa policy, all visitors not from visa-exempt countries must obtain visas before they are allowed into the country. The policy is constantly being updated to reflect the demographical changes and needs of the country. Currently, visa-exempt visitors are allowed to stay in Colombia without visas for 90 days, but should they wish to stay for much longer, they will need visas.
Colombia Visa-Free Countries
The government of Colombia has a visa waiver program for visitors from visa exempt countries. Eligible visitors can stay in Colombia for 90 days without a visa if they come for tourism, business or are transiting through Colombia to another country. This visa free list is always updated yearly so foreigners who qualify for visa free entry this year may not qualify next year. That is why travelers are advised to consult the visa free list before every trip so they will not be caught unawares.
Substitute Visa
The Colombian government issues special substitute visas to visitors who have visas or resident permits issued by a Schengen country or the United States. Citizens of Cambodia, India, Nicaragua, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam can visit Colombia without applying for online or consular visas as long as they are not staying for more than 90 days. Check the list to know if your country is on the approved list.
Colombian e Visa
The electronic visa is for short-term visitors. This visa is for tourism, business, and transit, and the holder can stay in Colombia for 90 days or less. The Colombian government introduced this visa program to ease the visa application congestion at foreign missions abroad. E visas are easy to apply for as they take only a few minutes to complete. Also, the application is approved within 24-72 hours so you don't have to wait for weeks or months to get it.
The application is online so you can fill it anywhere and submit for approval. Interested applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the Colombian e visa
- They must come from eligible countries
- They must have valid passports to cover their stay in Colombia
- They must have sufficient funds to cover their expenses
If you are from an eligible country you may visit the nearest Colombian embassy to apply for a consular visa.
Key Information About Colombia e Visa and Trips To Colombia
Only Use Approved Routes: Although e-visas are valid for entry into Colombia but not all routes are open to such visitors. Always make sure you use approved routes for your travels. For instance, if you are a transit visitor, you are only allowed to use the approved international airports for your entry, and you may only be allowed through if you arrive at an approved airport.
You May Be Questioned: To combat illegal migration, Colombian border control agents may ask you about your visit, and you are expected to answer their questions truthfully. According to Colombians law, an officer of the law can deny you entry into the country despite having a visa if you cannot clearly explain the purpose of your visit or if your answers differ from what your visa suggests.
Additional Documentation For Minors: Those traveling with minors must provide extra documents like original copies of birth certificates (to prove blood relationship if you are the parent) or a notarized letter of consent by both parents (if you are a legal guardian).
Travel With The Same Passport: You must travel with the same passport used for the application, not a different one. Your electronic visa is linked to your passport, and the border control agents will scrutinize all your documents. You must use a different visa to be allowed into the country.
Not For Residency or Work
Electronic visas are short-term travel documents for tourism, transit, and business and not for long term residency or employment. If you wish to stay longer than the allotted time to secure a job in Colombia, you should visit the nearest Colombian foreign mission in your country to apply for a consular visa.
Visa Fee: The visa fee is not refundable and is a requirement for submitting your application for the visa. Without paying the fee your application will not be processed. The fee is paid with a credit or debit card, not with cash.
Apply At The Right Time: The visa becomes active the moment it is approved and sent to your email and the countdown will begin. If you wish to enjoy the visa to the fullest you must submit your application at least 4 days before the day you plan your trip. Since the application takes 3 days or less to process you should get it on time. You want want to make sure that you leave the country before your visa expires or at least, on the day it expires not is illegal to stay in Colombia on an expired visa.
Colombia Visa Online – Get your Colombia e-Visa with VisaHQ
Your electronic visa application can be sorted out using VisaHQ's online services. Applicants for Colombian e visas can skip visiting an embassy or Consulate or going through the stress of waiting in line for Visas as they can submit their application online using our user-friendly website and system.
How To Apply For A Visa With VisaHQ
Did you know you will not need a travel agent or middleman to get your e visa if you use VisaHQ?In only a few steps, your application should be completed, and you can submit it with only a click of a button with our platform. If you would like to apply for any of these visas, please do the following.
Complete The Application Form: Start by choosing the visa you want, then take your time to carefully fill out the form. There are sections for your personal, travel, and passport details. Ensure that all the information you provide is accurate and conforms with what is on your documents. Then pay the application fee and submit it for approval.
Get Your Colombian Visa: If your application is approved within the next three days or less, the online visa will be forwarded to your email address. Please print out a copy and keep it safe for your trip.
Why Use VisaHQ
VisaHQ makes online visa applications easier, so it has become a trusted platform for eligible applicants. We have been active for more than 2 decades and many have come to trust us for our value added services. With offices in six countries and across two continents, we have built a rich network of professionals that can provide the support you need to get your online travel documents sorted out in no time.
When you use our platform you
- Enjoy all the support you need from our experts
- Your information is safe and secure
- Apply for as many visas as you want
- Save your data for future use
- Track your application status in real time
Applying for an online visa doesn't have to be hard; complete your application form in 20 minutes or less, submit it, and await your visa in under 72 hours.