What you should know about Colombia's immigration regime

This new immigration regime is contained in Resolution 6045 of August 2, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which simplifies, standardizes and streamlines immigration procedures.

Foreigners coming from countries from which Colombia does not currently require a visa may continue to visit the country for the established time (90 continuous or interrupted days, plus 90 extendable days; that is, 180 days within a period of 365 days), and as they have been doing, as long as the purpose of the visit is for tourism and non-remunerated activities. This means that nationalities that do not require a visa to enter Colombia may continue to do so without any limitation, since there has been no modification in this regard.When a visa is annulled the holder will have to wait one (1) year to be able to file a new application and must leave the country within the following thirty (30) calendar days.

These visas may be annulled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when any of the following events occur: a) deportation or expulsion of the foreigner, b) the existence of fraudulent or fraudulent acts on the part of the applicant that induce to error in the study of a visa application.

General requirements to file a visa application:

• To have a valid passport or travel document, in good condition and with free space for visas.
• Fill out the electronic visa application form.
• Have all requested documents other than identity or travel documents, with an issue date no more than three (3) months prior to the registration of the application.
• All documents coming from abroad must have apostille or legalization and official translation into Spanish when it is not in this language. The official translation must be legalized or apostilled as the case may be.
• If bank statements are required, they may be submitted without apostille or legalization and without translation into Spanish, if their content can be clearly established by the visa officer.
• In the case of requiring the presentation of judicial records, when the application for this visa is presented before a Colombian consulate based in the foreigner's country of origin, the certification of judicial or criminal records in accordance with the procedures established in that country will suffice. When the application is submitted to the Internal Working Group on Visas and Immigration, the judicial or criminal record certified by the consulate of the country of origin accredited in Colombia or apostilled or legalized, as the case may be, may be submitted.

*It is clarified that visas issued before December 15, 2017 will maintain their validity and conditions.  The interested party must apply for a visa according to the new Resolution, only at the time of expiration of their current visa.

Regarding work permits, they will be granted as follows:

• With the limitations inherent to regulated professions, Resident visa holders, and to Migrant visa holders who are settled in Colombia for having a household conformed with a Colombian national, by Mercosur Temporary Residence Agreement and foreigners with refugee status, will be authorized to perform any legal activity in the country.
• If the interested party is not within these categories and wants to work in Colombia, he/she may obtain this permit, with the limitations of the regulated professions; in the Visitor visa, if it is temporary, occasional or short term work; or in the Migrant visa, if he/she has a permanent or long term employment in Colombia. In such cases, you must inform and accredit in your application who will be your employer or contractor.

Exoneration of responsibilities:

*The information detailed in this circular is purely informative, therefore it is not binding before the competent authorities. The documentation that the interested party must submit to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will depend on the type of visa required.

Visa applications may be approved or rejected at the discretion of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, therefore, in case of rejection there will be no refund. In case of approval, the applicant will have 15 calendar days to notify Migration Colombia.