Foreigners require a visa to enter and remain in Colombia. However, temporary visitors from countries listed below may enter and remain in the country for up to 180 days with just their passport, a return ticket.  If the foreigner is staying in Colombia for more than 180 days an additional authorization from the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) is required.

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cypress, Czech, Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador,Finland, France, Germany, Granada, Great Britainand Northern Ireland, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana,Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland,Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico,Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama,Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Dominican

Republic, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino,Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St. Lucia,St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sweden,Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey,United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The following table shows the most common visas required of foreigners wishing to visit Colombia for reasons other than tourism:

For foreign nationals considered technical or artistic crew, actors or actresses participating in the making of films or other audiovisual productions to be produced or shot on Colombian territory; as well as foreign staff participation in co-productions with Colombia, the written request for a Courtesy Visa must be made by the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Culture’s Film Office or by any governmental agency taking their place.

The period of the courtesy visas are 90-day to 1-year visas.

The petitioner must present the following documents to the Ministry of Culture:

• Written request addressed to the Ministry of Culture’s Film Office Dirección de Cinematografía del Ministerio de Cultura (for films) or to the Ministry of Culture’s Communications Office Dirección de Comunicaciones (for television projects) signed by the producer.
• Synopsis of the project.
• Summary of the producer(s)’ biography.
• Data fact sheet for the work in question.
• List of persons entering the country for the purpose of filming, listing their identification documents and the functions they will fulfill during filming of the work.

Name and Last Name

Function

Nationality

Passport Number

Date of arrival

Date of departure

City of origin (for visa submission purposes)

• Information regarding Colombian artistic and technical personnel scheduled to intervene in filming, when applicable.
• Estimate of financial resources to be invested in filming on Colombian territory.
• Places and dates foreseen for shooting.

With this information fulfilled, the Ministry of Culture issues the authorization and requests the courtesy visas to the Ministry  of Foreign Affairs.

Once approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the petitioner will receive a communication and a file number in order to set an appointment at the Colombian consulate.

Requirements for submitting the courtesy visa:

• Visa application form.
• Original and photocopy of the passport.
• Photocopy of the visa application letter issued by the Ministry of Culture.
• Two photos 3cms x 3cms (1.2” x 1.2”)

THE WRITTEN REQUEST MUST BE SUBMITTED FIFTEEN (15) DAYS IN ADVANCE.

Note: If you are applying for the film office authorization for filming in national territory, specify as well the visas request and include the additional information.

Petitioner:
Business professionals, industrialists, executives and sales professionals wishing to enter the country to do business or perform market studies

Conditions:

• The petitioner may stay no longer than 6 consecutive months in Colombia.

• The petitioner may not receive remuneration while in Colombia.

Period:
Maximum 3 years, multiple entries, for no longer than 6 months

Requirements:
Letter from the legal representative of the company sponsoring the foreign national stating the activity(ies) to be performed and accompanied by the company’s articles of incorporation or the legal representative’s certification or similar document, depending on the country of origin, or; A letter from the petition stating the reasons for his or her request for a visa, backed by bank certificates or certificates of financial solvency required to conduct business in Colombia, or; Public or private letter from the company established in Colombia and sponsoring the visit of the foreign national in which they accept responsibility for the person during his or her stay in the country, accompanied by certificates of incorporation and legal representation, depending on the case.

Petitioner:
Persons contracted by local companies to perform specialized activities, technicians, journalists, members of artistic groups, legal representatives, and others

Conditions:

• This is a multiple visa, but the worker may remain outside the country no longer than 180 consecutive days, or the visa will be cancelled.

Period:
Maximum 2 years

Requirements:

• Original copy of contract

• In case of transfer, a note from the business or industry specifying the post to be assumed.

• Original letter from the Colombian company to the Colombian government making a commitment to cover all expenses related to the person’s return to their country of origin.

• Certificates of incorporation and legal representation.

• Certificate of proportionality from the Ministry of Social Security.

• Notarized photocopy of professional diploma duly certified by ICFES, professional license or identification number or certification of experience, whichever applies, or temporary permit or license to exercise profession or activity in Colombia, as granted by competent authority.
  

Petitioner:
Foreign nationals making a direct foreign investment on his or her own behalf under the terms of International Investment Regulations

Conditions:
The foreign national may use this visa to carry out activities specific to business activities related to his or her investment.

Period:
Indefinite with multiple entries. However, the visa will expire if the foreign national leaves Colombia for more than 2 consecutive years.

Requirements:
Certificate from the International Exchange Department of Colombia’s Central Bank (Banco de la República) stating that the direct foreign investment appears in their database under the name of the foreigner requesting the visa, for no less than USD$100.000, the minimum amount required to invest in Colombia.

Those granted a visa good for more than 6 months must register with the Department of Administrative Security (“DAS”) within fifteen (15) days of entering the country, or from the date on which the visa was granted if it was processed inside the country.

Once a visa is registered, DAS will issue the visitor a Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner’s identification card), which will serve as an ID card while in Colombia. This card must be carried at all times while in the country and can be used to sign contracts and open bank accounts, among other activities.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.cancilleria.gov.co