How Long Can You Stay in Colombia Without a Visa?

Digital nomads have exploded in popularity in Colombia in recent years, thanks to the country’s fantastic year-round weather and low cost of living. The good news is that you don’t need a visa to stay in the country for up to 180 days a year.

Travelers who have a US, Canadian or European Union passport do not need a visa to enter Colombia. Upon arrival, they’ll have their passport stamped with a PIP-5 Entry Permit by an immigration control officer.

1. Tourist visa

If you’re planning a trip to Colombia for tourism purposes, you should obtain a tourist visa before traveling. You will need to meet a few requirements to get your visa approved.

You’ll also need to make sure that your passport is up-to-date and in good condition. If you don’t, you may be denied your visa.

The visa you receive is valid for 90 days from the date you arrive. After that, you can extend your stay up to 180 days within the following year.

Most travelers from countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and most of Europe do not need a visa to enter Colombia. However, there are some exceptions to the rule, including those who plan to work in Colombia.

These workers can receive a business owner or real estate owner visa, but they must meet more strict criteria than regular tourists. They must register a capital investment of at least $25,000 in Colombia (based on current exchange rates), prove their business has an income and conduct a personal interview with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For a long-term visit to Colombia, you’ll need a resident visa. Depending on your situation, you may need to apply for this visa before traveling, or you can request it upon arrival in the country.

You’ll need to fill out an application form and provide the required documents. This can be done online or at the Colombia consulate. You’ll need to pay an acknowledgment fee when you fill out the application form and a visa processing fee once you have received the approval letter.

If you’re a digital nomad or remote worker, Colombia will soon be issuing a new visa that will offer an immigration pathway to the country. This new visa is expected to be launched in October 2022.

When you’re in Colombia, it’s best to keep your passport secure and out of sight at all times. This can be difficult when you’re in a busy city, but it’s essential. You should also consider getting a passport holder to hold all your travel documents.

2. Business visa

If you want to enter Colombia for the purpose of business, you may need to apply for a business visa. Each country has its own rules and regulations for issuing business visas, and it is important to check these requirements before you make final arrangements to travel with a business visa.

Generally, simple business meetings and negotiations will not require a business visa, but if your activities involve monetary transactions or remunerative work you must have one. The Consulate of Colombia will determine whether a business visa is required for your situation, and CIBTvisas recommends you contact them directly to obtain the information you need.

There are several different types of business visas available for foreign nationals who wish to travel to Colombia. Depending on the type of visa, you may need to obtain a visa before entering the country or be issued a temporary visa on arrival.

For those wishing to travel to Colombia for medical reasons, you can apply for a visa that will allow you to undergo diagnostics and treatments in the country’s hospitals. You can also apply for a medical tourist visa, which is a type of travel authorization that permits a limited period of travel on holiday in a foreign country, but no business activities are permitted.

Another common business visa is the Colombia Marriage Visa (TP-10), which is a long-term visa that allows you to live and work in Colombia with a spouse who is a Colombian citizen. This visa requires that you meet financial requirements and prove a long-term commitment to living in Colombia.

In addition, you must submit a valid vaccination certificate with a final vaccination dated 14 days prior to entry into the country. The vaccine certificate can be paper or digital, and you should carry both on your person at all times.

For foreigners who plan to visit Colombia for longer than 90 days, you can apply for an extension of your visa at Migracion Colombia offices in most large cities. The extensions are usually granted on a monthly basis. If you stay beyond the extension date, it will count as overstaying and you will be fined or deported.

3. Migrant visa

If you’re from the US, the EU, or Great Britain, you can stay in Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. If you want to extend this stay, it’s easy — you just need to make an online booking and pay the visa extension fee.

The government has also recently made it easier for digital nomads to travel to Colombia, though it’s important to note that you must apply in person for this visa. The process isn’t cheap, and the application can take up to six months to complete.

In addition, you must have an apostille or Certificate of Authentication for any supporting public documents you might have, like birth certificates, college diplomas, technical licenses, or Social Security documentation. Depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, it might be required that you submit copies of those documents in person at your nearest embassy or consulate.

Another option for digital nomads is to apply for a residency visa. This can be a complicated process, but if you’re sure you’ll be living in Colombia for a while, it may be worth the effort.

For those who can meet the financial requirements, there are 11 different types of migrant visas available. For example, the Rentista (TP-7) visa is a long-term residency option that allows you to live in Colombia for up to three years without having to leave.

This visa is ideal for those with a monthly income of at least $1,700,100 pesos. This amount can be earned by a pension from a foreign bank, investment income, dividends, or interest in rental property.

However, you’ll need to be careful with your money, since Colombian currency is relatively weak compared to other South American currencies. Similarly, you should be wary of ATM skimmers or devices that steal your card number.

For those who plan to remain in Colombia for a long time, you should consider investing in real estate or a business. Colombia is a friendly country for foreign investors, and there are several visa options that can help you get started. For instance, you could invest up to USD 100,000 in a property and receive a residency visa that will allow you to live and work in Colombia for life.

4. Resident visa

Colombia is one of the few countries that allows its citizens to enter on a visa-free basis. This includes United States, Canadian and European Union citizens.

Upon arrival, the immigration official will stamp your passport and typically grant you a 90-day tourist visa. However, it’s important to note that you may be fined for overstaying this period.

If you have a valid tourist visa, you can extend your stay by visiting Migracion Colombia. You can also apply for a resident visa before you arrive, if you plan on staying in the country for more than three months.

There are many types of residency visas available in Colombia. The most common are the business owner and real estate owner categories. To get a business owner visa, you must register a capital investment of at least $25,000 (based on current exchange rates), and have a personal interview with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You’ll also need to prove that your income from the business is sufficient to cover your expenses and living costs while you’re in Colombia. In addition, you’ll need to have a Colombian accountant verify your income.

If your application is approved, you’ll be given a visa and a cedula (identification card). You can show this at the airport or land border crossings when entering and exiting Colombia.

The visa process is not cheap. You’ll need to pay a visa processing fee and then another fee if you are granted the residency visa. These fees can vary depending on your country of residence and the type of visa you are applying for.

Once you’ve been approved, you’ll need to register your new visa with the Foreign Registry of Migracion Colombia. You can do this online or at a local consulate.

In addition, you’ll need to provide your Colombian address and contact details. This is important to ensure that you don’t get lost or separated from your family while you’re in Colombia.

It’s best to apply for a residency visa as early as possible, especially if you need it for more than three months. You can do this online or by making an appointment at a Colombian consulate.