U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Colombia for tourism or business; they receive a stay on arrival that can be extended up to a maximum number of days per calendar year. Colombian visa work from the United States therefore concerns longer stays and other nationalities, and it is handled almost entirely online.
Quick facts
Visas come in three families: visitor, migrant and resident. The decision is taken by the visa authority in Bogotá, not by the consulate where you live, and the whole file is uploaded rather than handed over a counter.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application study fee | Charged when the file is submitted | Not refundable if refused |
| Issuance fee | Charged only if granted | Varies by visa category |
| Foreigner identity card in Colombia | Separate fee | Required for stays over three months |
| Apostille of supporting documents | $3–$25 per document | Secretary of State |
| Translation into Spanish | Per page | Where documents are not in Spanish |
The two-stage fee structure surprises people: the study fee buys a decision, not a visa, and it is lost if the application is refused.
How to apply
- Identify the category that fits: visitor for short professional or digital nomad stays, migrant for work, study, marriage or investment, resident for long-term settlement.
- Create the application online and upload the documents as the portal requires.
- Pay the study fee and wait for the decision or for a request for more documents.
- Pay the issuance fee if the visa is granted.
- Print the visa and, for stays over three months, register for the foreigner identity card in Colombia within the deadline.
- Keep the confirmation, since the card application depends on it.
Required documents
- Passport valid for the stay, with blank pages, and a scan of the biographic page.
- Photograph to the portal’s specification.
- Proof of financial means, usually bank statements over several months.
- Category evidence: employment contract, enrolment letter, marriage record or investment certificate.
- Health insurance covering the stay in Colombia.
- Apostilled and translated documents where they were issued abroad.
Where to apply
Online, to the visa authority. Consulates advise and, in some cases, receive documents, but they do not grant visas.
Consulado de Colombia e n Atlanta
View details →Beverly HillsConsulate of Colombia in Los Angeles
View details →BostonConsulate of Colombia Boston
View details →ChicagoConsulate General of Colombia
View details →HoustonConsulate General of Colombia
View details →New YorkConsulado de Colombia en Nueva York
View details →OrlandoConsulate of Colombia
View details →San FranciscoConsulate General of Colombia
View details →WashingtonConsulate General of Colombia
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Colombia
View details →Additional notes
Tourist stays have an annual cap
Extensions are possible but the total time as a tourist in a calendar year is limited. Exceeding it is a matter for the migration authority, not the consulate.
Register after arrival
Most visas valid for more than three months require registration and a foreigner identity card within a short window after entry. Missing it carries fines.
Documents go stale
Bank statements and background checks are expected to be recent. Sequence them so they are still valid when the file is reviewed.
Refusals
A refusal does not bar a new application, but the study fee is not returned, so it pays to get the category right first time.