Colombia tourist visa application, requirements, price, and processing time
- nTourist visanot required
- nBusiness visanot required
Colombia has a budding tourism industry that welcomes millions of tourists from other South American countries, North America, and the rest of the world. From its budding resort towns to lovely beaches and amazing nightlife, there is a lot to see in Colombia should you choose to visit the Latin American country. But to enter Colombia, you will need to apply for a Colombia tourist visa.
Do You Need A Tourist Visa To Enter Colombia?
You definitely need a Colombian visa to enter Colombia unless you are from a visa-exempt country. To be sure, you can browse the visa-exempt countries to see if your country is on the list; if it is not, you will have to apply for a Colombia visa. The good news is the tourist visa application process is relatively easy to complete.
What Is A Colombia Tourist Visa, And Who Qualifies For One?
A tourist visa was designed by the Colombian government for foreign nationals who wish to spend their holidays in the country. Only applicants 18 years and above can apply for a tourist visa but minors may enter the country but their parents or legal guardians will have to apply for the visa on their behalf. The visa was established by resolution 5707 in the year 2008 to simplify the application process for foreigners who want to visit the country for tourist-related activities.
There are two ways to apply for a tourist visa: the Colombian consulate application method and the online method.
The Colombian consulates application method is a complex method that requires the applicant to appear in person at the Colombian consulate and present physical copies of their travel documents. While this method works, it takes a longer time and is stressful.
How To Apply For a Tourist Visa Online?
Applying for a tourist visa online is the easiest route. You don’t have to visit the consulate in your country, nor do you have to send hard copies of your documents. The process is so easy that you don’t even have to apply through a third party. All you need to do is the following.
Visit VisaHQ to access the online Colombia visa application form
Select your country of citizenship and pick Colombia as your travel destination
Select “Tourist visa “ as your preferred visa of choice
Fill all the fields with accurate information
Attach all the necessary documents by scanning and uploading them
Submit the application form
Once you submit the completed application form visa VisaHQ, the Colombian authorities will take a few days to process the application, and if successful, they will forward the visa to the registered email you provided on the application form.
Also, note that a visa application fee must be paid using a credit or debit card. This fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.
Colombia Tourist Visa Requirements
Here are the tourist visa requirements you must meet to qualify for it.
Valid Passport: You must scan and upload the bio page of your Passport. The Passport must have at least 6 months of validity and contain nothing less than 2 blank pages for visa stamps by Colombian immigration.
Recent photograph: 2 recent photographs taken not later than 6 months before the day you use it. The applicant must face the camera, and their face must be clear on every side. The photo must also be in colored form against a white background.
Proof of funds: The applicant must scan and upload a signed and authorized bank statement of account showing transactions for the last six months and sufficient funds to cover their travel expenses during their stay in the country.
Invitation Letter: If the applicant is coming to Colombia on an invite, they must scan and upload the invitation letter sent to them by the Colombian resident or citizen. The letter must show the inviter’s contact address and the purpose of the visit.
Return Ticket: A scanned copy of the return ticket for the flight back to their home country
Note: Citizens of most EU countries and a few other countries may visit and stay in Colombia for a period of 90 days without a tourist visa. Residents of the US, India, China, Macau, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand also enjoy some degree of visa waivers if they are coming for tourism.
However, those who are simply transiting through Colombia do not need to apply for a tourist visa if their connecting flight out of Colombia leaves in less than 24 hours after they arrive in the country or if they don’t leave the Bogota Airport during their short stay in Colombian soil. But transit visa exemptions do not apply to Cubans and Palestinians.
You can apply for a Colombia tourist visa online, so visit VisaHQ to fill out and submit 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.