Eligibility quiz
Are you a citizen of a country other than Colombia, and do you have a child who is a Colombian citizen by birth?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Colombia
You can live in Colombia for the time your permission is valid, up to two years.
If it is valid for more than three months, you can get an identity card showing your identity and lawful immigration status in Colombia.
Work in Colombia
You can work remotely from Colombia for companies abroad, as an employee or an independent worker.
You can also start a digital business in content or information technology that is of interest to Colombia.
Travel in and out
You can enter and leave Colombia while your permission remains valid, with the usual immigration checks.
How to apply
Applying from inside ColombiaApplying from inside Colombia
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your visa application.
See required documentsOpen the visa form
Open Colombia’s online visa application form.
Open the formFill in the application
Fill in the online form, choose “Oficina en Bogotá” and upload your documents and photograph. Use readable PDFs and a recent 3×4 cm color JPG photograph with a white background, facing forward; all attachments together must be no larger than 5 MB.
Fill in the formSubmit your application
Submit your application online and keep the reference number the system gives you. If the authorities specifically direct you to do so, you may submit in person instead.
Submit the applicationPay the study fee
Use your reference number to pay the application study fee within 10 calendar days using an available payment method. Your application will not be studied until you pay, and this fee is not refunded if the application is refused.
Find payment methodsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the study fee for a Colombia visa application?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status online and respond if the visa office asks for more documents or an interview. Go to the visa office if you are asked to attend in person.
Check your applicationPay the issuance fee
If your application is approved, pay the visa issuance fee within 10 calendar days, using the same payment channel you used for the study fee.
Find payment methodsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the issuance fee for a Colombia visa?”
Receive your visa
Receive your electronic visa after paying the issuance fee. The authorities will print a visa label in your passport only if they consider it necessary; your visa lets you stay in Colombia and work in lawful jobs.
Find visa delivery detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Colombia electronic visa after paying the issuance fee?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth registration
Get your Colombian child's birth registration. If both parents were foreign, it must say “válido para demostrar nacionalidad” and appear in the registry database; if it has a relevant note, such as a name change or a change to the registration number, also provide the earlier registration.
Child's citizenship card *
Provide a photocopy of your Colombian child's citizenship card. Include it with your child's signed request letter.
* Only if your child is an adult.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Foreign identity card
If your visa lasts more than three months, you and any family members with a family visa must get a foreign identity card.
Apply within 15 calendar days of entering Colombia or receiving the visa, as applicable.
The general fee published for 2026 is COP 294,000.
Limits on work
Your permitted work is remote work for companies abroad or the digital business described in your permission.
You cannot do paid work for a person or business based in Colombia.
Medical insurance
You must keep medical insurance covering your intended stay in Colombia.
It must cover accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospital stays, death and return to your country.
Permission can end
Your permission ends when it expires and does not renew automatically.
It can also end early or be canceled.
A family visa ends with yours; a child's also ends at 25 or on financial independence, unless disability prevents independence.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Medellin Expats
English Facebook group for people living in Colombia interested in Colombian local life
Join on FacebookMedellin Gringo Info
English Facebook group for people living in Colombia interested in Colombian local life
Join on FacebookExpat in Santa Marta - Magdalena - Colombia
English Facebook group for people living in Colombia interested in Colombian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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