Visa Requirements for Colombian Citizens

Visa requirements for citizens of Colombia are the rules set by each country around the world for Colombian travelers to enter. They outline if a visa or travel authorization is needed and, if so, which type of entry permit is required in a particular situation.

The Henley Passport Index ranks the Colombian passport 41st most powerful passport in the world in terms of travel freedom in 2021. It allows the holder to enter around 130 destinations without applying for a visa in advance. In some cases, it may be necessary to register with an online travel authorization system or get a visa on arrival.

Most countries have different visas for different purposes. For example, Colombian nationals may be required to obtain a tourist visa, business visa, work visa, transit visa, or long-stay visa, depending on the purpose and length of their trip.

Visas for some destinations cover more than one purpose. Some allow Colombians to enter the country multiple times, while others are single-entry permits.

Colombian citizens can apply online for a visa or travel authorization to visit many countries and territories. These electronic systems are regarded as the easiest and fastest way for Colombians to get a travel permit.

Certain destinations allow Colombians to apply for a visa on arrival. However, this usually means the traveler has to spend lots of unnecessary time waiting in line at border control.

The visa requirements for Colombian citizens to visit some countries state that holders of passports issued by Colombia must apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate).

In addition, if a Colombian national plans to live and/or work abroad, most countries require them to apply at an embassy or consulate for the relevant long-term visa(s) and/or permit(s).

A number of countries have no visa requirements for Colombians for short-term visits. This is usually limited to trips for tourism and transit. In some cases, other purposes (such as business trips) are also permitted.

Learn more about the visa requirements for Colombian nationals below.

List of Visa Countries for Colombian Passport Holders

Colombian nationals must obtain a visa or travel authorization to visit over 170 destinations.

Colombians are able to obtain single-entry visas for certain destinations and multiple-entry visas for others.

Many destinations have an electronic visa (eVisa) for Colombian citizens. This can be obtained by applying online. This avoids the need to go to an embassy.

A number of destinations allow Colombian passport holders to enter visa-free.

In some cases, they are required to register with an electronic travel authorization (eTA) system online beforehand to make use of this visa exemption.

Nationals of Colombia can obtain a visa on arrival for certain destinations. However, if there is a problem with the application, there is no time to resolve it and the traveler risks being refused entry. It is advisable to apply online in advance if possible.

As a rule, eVisas, eTAs, visa-exemption, and visas on arrival can be used for short-term stays for tourism and transit. In some cases, business activities are also allowed.

The visa requirements for Colombians to visit many countries include having to apply at an embassy or consulate, including for short-term visits as a tourist.

Browse the map below to find out the visa requirements of each country for nationals of Colombia.

Electronic Travel Visa Authorization for Colombian Citizens

Citizens of Colombia can obtain entry permits online for a number of different destinations. These can either be an electronic visa (eVisa), electronic travel authorization (eTA), or online Tourist Card.

Around 40 different countries and territories have an eTA or eVisa for Colombians.

An eVisa for citizens of Colombia is a visa that is applied for and issued via a digital platform.

An eTA for Colombians is an online visa waiver. By registering with the electronic system, the traveler can avoid having to apply for a visa and may enter the destination country using their passport (and in some cases, printed confirmation of the eTA).

In practice, obtaining an eTA or eVisa for Colombian citizens is a similar process. Both involve filling in a quick online form. Supporting documents (such as the traveler’s Colombian passport) must be uploaded.

The eVisa or eTA is then received via email within a few working days. In some cases, it must be printed, while others are linked to the individual’s passport.

Both eVisas and eTAs for Colombian nationals are usually valid for short-term visits. The maximum length of stay permitted varies from 14 to 120 days, depending on the country.

Colombians may use an eVisa or eTA to visit a destination for tourism and, in some cases, other activities, such as business or medical treatment. Transit is usually also permitted.

See below the list of countries which have an eVisa or eTA system available to Colombian citizens.

Visa On Arrival for Citizens of Colombia

A visa on arrival (VoA) for Colombians is a type of visa that is applied for and issued at the border of the destination country.

VoAs may only be available at certain airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Colombian travelers should check which entry points issue visas when planning their trip.

Citizens of Colombia can get a visa on arrival in over 20 different destinations.

Visas on arrival for Colombian nationals typically permit short visits for tourism, although in some cases, other purposes of visit are allowed.

The longest that a Colombian visitor can stay in a foreign country with a visa on arrival ranges from 7 to 120 days, depending on the state or territory in question.

There are often long waiting times at border control to apply for a VoA. Colombians may have to pay the visa fee in cash in the local currency.

In addition, travelers from Colombia are advised to ensure they bring all the necessary supporting documents for the visa on arrival. If there is any sort of problem with the application, the Colombian passenger may be denied entry to the country and will have to return home.

For these reasons, it is highly recommended to apply for an eVisa in advance if this option exists. This eliminates the need to wait in line to apply at the border and allows time to resolve any issues in the rare case that an application is not approved.

Consult the list below to find out which countries have a visa on arrival for Colombian citizens.

Angola
Bangladesh
Burkina Faso
Comoros
Guinea-Bissau
Macau
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Nicaragua
Palau
Samoa
Somalia
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zambia

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Embassy Visa Required by Colombians

An embassy or consular visa for Colombians is any sort of visa issued by a diplomatic mission.

Most countries only issue long-term visas via embassies and consulates. Therefore, citizens of Colombia who plan to move abroad and/or work in another country should go to an embassy to obtain the relevant permit(s).

In addition, over 100 countries and territories require Colombian visitors to apply for a visit visa or tourist visa in advance for short trips.

Applying for a visa from a diplomatic mission usually means going in person and bringing all the necessary supporting documentation.

Processing times are frequently much longer than online systems. Colombians are advised to apply well in advance of their trip as it may take weeks or even months to receive the visa.

Many countries have a diplomatic mission in Colombia. Most are embassies located in Bogotá. There are also a number of consulates in other major cities, including in Barranquilla, Cartagena, Leticia, and Medellín.

Some countries do not have a diplomatic mission in Colombia itself. In this case, it will be necessary to go to a mission in a neighboring country. Brasilia, Caracas, Washington D.C., and New York City together host embassies from most countries that Colombia does not.

Colombians not resident in Colombia can find foreign embassies in their nearest capital city.

Find below the list of countries that require Colombian nationals to apply for all types of visa, including short-term tourist visas, at an embassy or consulate.

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Algeria
American Samoa
Antarctica
Australia
Belarus
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bonaire
Botswana
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curacao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guernsey
Haiti
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Japan
Jersey
Kiribati
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Malaysia
Mali
Martinique
Mayotte
Montserrat
Morocco
Namibia
Nauru
New Caledonia
Niger
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Puerto Rico
Reunion
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Syrian Arab Republic
Thailand
Tokelau
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Vanuatu
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

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Visa Not Required by Colombian Nationals

Colombian citizens do not require a visa or travel authorization to enter certain countries.

Over 70 destinations have no visa requirements for Colombian visitors.

In most cases, visa exemption for Colombians applies for short-term visits. The maximum length of time that a Colombian passport holder can stay in a foreign country varies between 14 days and one (1) year, depending on the destination.

Colombian nationals can generally only enter visa-free for tourism or to transit through the country. In some cases, business activities may also be allowed.

In most cases, citizens of Colombia cannot live or work in a foreign country without a visa.

However, under the Mercosur immigration agreement, Colombians can freely live and work in other Mercosur countries without a visa.

To relocate to other countries, Colombians will need to apply for the relevant visas and/or permits from an embassy.

See below the list of countries that allow Colombian citizens to enter visa-free.

Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Austria
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Uruguay
Vatican City
Venezuela

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Freedom of Movement for Colombians in Mercosur

Colombia is a member of Mercosur (the Southern Common Market). As such, its citizens have the right to travel to the other full members and associate members without a visa. They may visit for up to 90 days (up to 183 days in the case of Peru).

To enter any Mercosur country, Colombians simply need a valid identity card or passport.

Colombian nationals also have the right to live and work in any other Mercosur country, provided they have been a citizen from birth or have been a naturalized citizen for over 5 years.

Mercosur includes the following South American states: