Colombia Visitor Visa | Visa type V

January 05, 2023

Colombia is a highly attractive country for foreigners because of its great biodiversity, tropical forests, mountains and its landscapes in general. The culture of each of Colombia's regions makes it a diverse country that encourages tourists to travel and live new experiences.

In order to visit and enter our territory legally, it is necessary to have a Colombia tourist visa granted by the national government for leisure, tourism, cultural exchanges, among other activities.

When applying for the Colombia tourist visa, you must take into account what activity you will perform in the country or the purpose of the visit. Due to the fact that, in Colombia you can only have one type of visa, either visitor, migrant or resident visa.

In this article we will tell you what is the Colombia tourist visa—Visa type V, its requirements, conditions, procedures for its issuance, among other important aspects. In AGT Attorneys, we analyze each specific case so that your visa application is viable before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contact us by phone or Whatsapp +57 310 5706331.

What is the Visitor or Colombia Tourist Visa—Visa type V?

The Colombia Tourist Visa—Visa type V is a type of authorization that may be requested by a foreigner who is interested in visiting Colombia once or several times to develop any of the activities contemplated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Resolution 5477 of 2022.

What are the types of tourist visas a foreigner can apply for in Colombia?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant a Colombia tourist visa to foreigners who come to Colombia in one of the following capacities:

Colombia tourist visa for airport transit.

The tourist visa for airport transit applies to foreigners of nationalities established by the aforementioned resolution who make direct transit in any of Colombia's airports, with destination to another state. In this case, the authorized stay will be only in international transit zones for a period of 24 hours, without such arrival being considered as an entry into the national territory.

To apply for a tourist visa under this modality, it is necessary that the applicant has entry and exit air tickets to Colombia with destination to another country and demonstrate that they meet all the conditions of admissibility required by the final destination, such as a visa for that state in case it is required.

This type of visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days for multiple transits; however, it does not contemplate the possibility for the holder to apply for a visa as a beneficiary.


Tourist visa for tourism and travelling

Foreigners may apply for a tourist visa in Colombia if they wish to come to the country in order to visit, go sightseeing, or learn the culture. In which case they must have a health policy against all risks in the national territory and present the reservation of the tickets to enter and leave the country.

This type of visa is valid for up to 1 year; however, it must be taken into account that the authorized stay in Colombia for the holders of this visa will only be for 90 days, which may be extended. However, when 180 continuous or discontinuous days are completed within 1 year, the initial stay of 90 days may not be extended.

This visa does not grant holders a work permit, nor does it contemplate the possibility for the holder to apply for a visa as a beneficiary.


Colombia tourist visa for business.

The tourist visa for business may be requested by foreigners who must stay in the country for a longer period of time to carry out business activities such as market studies, plans, direct investment procedures, conclusion of contracts.

It is important to clarify that this visa does not allow applications as beneficiary and does not grant work permits in the Colombian territory.


Student Tourist Visa

This type of visa may be requested by foreigners who wish to pursue on-site, virtual or distance studies. That is to say, if you wish to pursue higher education, preschool, primary, secondary, exchange, or internship studies in Colombia, you may apply for this type of visa, except for those foreigners who have passports from countries or territories exempted.

To apply for this type of visa, the applicant must attach, along with the application, the certificate of admission or enrollment in the educational institution indicating the grade, program for which he/she is admitted and its duration or endorsement of the educational entity in the case of student internships. In addition, you must have a health policy with coverage throughout the national territory against all risks.

It should be noted that this visa grants work permits only to graduate students up to 20 hours per week.


Colombia tourist visa for medical treatment

This Visa type V may be granted to those foreigners who attend as patients for specific treatments. The foreigner's companion may also apply.

In this event, the interested party must submit with the application a letter from the health service provider informing the treatment and the estimated duration. Additionally, he/she must submit a letter stating that the costs of his/her treatment and stay in Colombia will be assumed by themselves or by the foreign entity that endorsed the visa.

Finally, both the patient and the accompanying person must have a health insurance policy against all risks.

This type of Colombia tourist visa is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended.


Tourist visa for administrative and judicial proceedings.

This type of visa is granted to foreigners who are interested in carrying out administrative or judicial procedures before entities or authorities in Colombia. In this case, they must present an official document supporting the procedure they are executing and have a health policy against all risks.

The validity of this type of visa will be for one year and will not allow applications as beneficiary except for the cases established by law.


Colombia tourist visa as crew member.

This visa type V may be requested by those foreigners who are going to work in Colombian jurisdictional waters as crew members of a vessel. They will have to attach to the respective request, a copy of the crew member's passbook and a permit from the Colombian maritime authority, as applicable.

The validity of this type of visa will be for one year and will not allow applications as beneficiary.


Tourist visa as a seasonal agricultural worker

This type of visa may be requested by a foreigner who performs seasonal agricultural work under programs established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or the governors' offices.

In this event, the interested party must fill out a form for seasonal agricultural worker on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have a written communication from the employer requesting the visa. In this written communication, the employer must previously indicate the suitability for the agricultural work, together with the medical certificate issued by the health authority of the country of origin, which certifies the psychophysical attitude to perform the respective work.

This type of visa will be valid for up to 180 days and does not allow applications as beneficiary.


Colombia tourist visa for events

This type of visa may be requested by foreigners attending conventions and business, cultural or academic activities as lecturers, exhibitors, participants, artists, organizers, etc. It does not allow working within Colombian territory.

However, it is important to clarify that foreigners from countries exempted from visas will not have to apply for it as long as their stay in Colombia is 180 days, and they do not receive a salary in the country.


Tourist visa as for religious purposes

This type of visa may be requested by a foreigner who is going to exercise a religious ministry or as a missionary of a religious entity recognized by the Colombian State.

In this event, the interested party must present a letter from the legal representative of the religious organization confirming that they belong to its hierarchy and the type of relationship must be confirmed. Also, with the visa application, a certificate of recognition and legal representation of the respective religious organization by the Ministry of the Interior or by the competent Diocese or Archdiocese.

For other religious organizations, the Visa Authority will be in charge of consulting their recognition and legal representation in the Public Registry of Religious Entities of the Ministry. Additionally, the economic solvency of the entity must be accredited by means of bank statements.

The visa type v as religious will be granted for 2 years, and it will have the faculty to allow its holder to request visa for beneficiaries.

If you wish to know in detail the capital required to prove economic solvency before 'Migración Colombia', do not hesitate to contact our firm AGT Attorneys in the following Contact Form.


Colombia tourist visa as a religious student/volunteer

This type of visa is applicable to a foreigner who wishes to enter and stay in the country as a volunteer or student of religious training or to carry out teleological studies in a church organization.


Tourist visa as volunteers

This type of visa may be applied for by foreigners who are going to volunteer as social or development cooperation volunteers.

In this event, the interested party must present a letter signed by the legal representative of the entity, indicating the activity, the program of activities, the places where the volunteer work will be carried out and its duration.

Additionally, the entity or organization must affirm that it will assume the economic responsibility to cover all the expenses of returning to the volunteer's country of origin or last place of residence. The financial solvency of the organization must also be proven by means of bank statements.


Colombia tourist visa for film productions

This type of visa may be applied for by foreigners participating in film productions or large format documentaries, in which case they must have a health policy with coverage throughout the national territory against all risks.


Tourist visa as a digital nomad

This type of visa may be applied for by foreigners who provide remote work or teleworking services from Colombia through digital media on the Internet, exclusively for foreign companies, independent or labor-related, or to start a digital content venture of information of interest to the country.

If you cant to learn more about the Colombian digital nomad visa, read our blog about this visa type v.


Colombia tourist visa for journalistic coverage

This type of visa may be requested by foreigners who are going to carry out journalistic coverage of short duration in the country, in which case they must have a health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks.

Although it may be granted for up to 1 year, the authorized permanence to stay temporarily as a press correspondent may not exceed 180 continuous calendar days.


Tourist visa as permanent correspondent

This type of visa applies to foreigners who are interested in working in Colombia as permanent press correspondents of a foreign media.

It contemplates the benefit of allowing the main holder to apply for a visa for his beneficiaries and will be valid for up to 2 years.


Colombia tourist visa for technical assistance

This type of visa applies to foreigners who provide technical assistance to legal entities in Colombia, that is, companies, entities, or organizations duly registered in the country.

In this event, the interested parties must submit a contract form established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which must be signed by the legal representative of the legal entity and the foreigner applying for the visa.


Colombia tourist visa as an FTA Businessman

This visa may be requested by foreign businessmen in order to make their mobility in the country easier in application of commitments acquired by Colombia within the framework of Free Trade Agreements subscribed with other states.

This type of visa contemplates the possibility for the holder to request a visa for their beneficiary family members, and also grants a restricted work permit for the provision of the services registered in the visa and exclusively to the requesting entity.


Tourist visa as non-accredited officials

This type of visa applies to foreigners who serve as official commercial representatives of governments of foreign states or territories or specialized government agencies on mission, provided they do not require accreditation before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The interested party must make the request, in which case he/she must attach the official communication signed by the senior legal representative officer of the entity of the country represented.

It will be valid for up to two years, with the possibility that the visa holder may apply for a beneficiary visa.


Colombia tourist visa for vacations and work

This type of visa may be requested by foreigners between 18 and 30 years of age who wish to visit the national territory under vacation and work agreements signed by Colombia and are in force with other states.

In this event, the interested parties must submit the application through the Colombian diplomatic consular representation based in the country of nationality of the interested party, together with a letter stating the reasons for the visa application, indicating that they have not previously participated in the program and that they meet the age requirement.

In addition, as specific requirements, they must submit a bank certification showing a bank average of more than five legal monthly minimum wages in the last three months. Also, they must attach a certificate of judicial, criminal or police record and have a health policy with coverage throughout the national territory.

It will be valid for up to 1 year, and no beneficiary visa is granted.


Tourist visa for internship

This visa may be granted to those foreigners who perform labor practice activities in companies established in Colombia, that is to say, that are legally constituted under Colombian laws.

As specific requirements, the respective apprenticeship or internship contract signed by the legal entity in Colombia must be accredited and a letter from the legal representative of the legal entity must be attached, specifying the activities to be carried out by the foreign intern and in which he/she is responsible for the social security and departure of the foreign intern from the country.


Colombia tourist visa for the provision of services, work, or labor.

This type of visa may be granted to foreigners who are going to work temporarily in Colombia under a contract for the rendering of services, work, or labor.

This visa type v requires the presentation of the following specific documentation. Firstly, the interested party must fill out the service, work, or labor contract form established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying the start and end date of the contract. In addition, a letter of motivation from the employer and a bank certification from the employer for the last six months showing an average monthly income of 100 legal monthly minimum wages in force must be submitted.

It will be valid for up to 2 years and allows applying for a beneficiary visa.


Tourist visa to promote internationalization

This type of tourist visa to Colombia applies to foreigners who meet the professional profile established by the Directorate of Migratory Affairs and carry out productive, innovation or research activities aimed at the adoption or adaptation of technologies that complement or develop products, processes, or services that contribute to strengthen the country's competitiveness.

It will be valid for up to 2 years and allows applying for a beneficiary visa.


Colombia tourist visa as rentier

This tourist visa to Colombia applies to foreigners who receive a periodic and variable income from a creditable legal source.

In the respective visa application, the interested party must declare the origin of the income and provide certification issued by a public or private entity recognized by the government specifying the income paid in the name of the foreigner applying for the visa.

Additionally, the applicant is required to have a judicial record and a health policy with coverage throughout the national territory. It will be valid for up to two years, with the ability to apply for a beneficiary visa.


Tourist visa for cases not foreseen

In some cases and circumstances not foreseen in Resolution 5477 of 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant a visitor's visa on an exceptional basis, whose requirements will be determined depending on each specific case.

If you have doubts about which visa you should apply for in order to enter the Colombian territory, do not hesitate to contact us at AGT Attorneys, where our immigration lawyers will be able to support you throughout the Colombian visa process, starting with the choice of the type of visa that best suits your immigration situation.

We invite you to request legal advice to the following Contact Form, or contact us by WhatsApp to the following number +57 310 5706331.

What is the validity of the Colombia tourist visa?

The validity of the Colombia tourist visa —Visa type V will depend on each of the subclassifications and on the activity that the foreigner is going to carry out in Colombia. However, in no case may the validity be longer than 2 years.

According to Resolution 5477 of 2022, the Colombia tourist visa for transit in any of the Colombian airports to another country will be valid for a maximum of 30 days, with an authorized stay in the international transit zone of the respective airport for a maximum of 24 hours. In this event, it will not be considered an entry to the country.

The tourist visa —Visa type V in the categories of tourism, labor practice, medical treatment, administrative or judicial procedures, crew member, events, student or religious volunteer, film productions, journalistic coverage, vacations or work, may be granted for up to 1 year. However, the tourist classification contemplates a regular stay in Colombia for 90 days, which may be extended; on the contrary, the visa for medical treatment and events contemplates 180 days of authorized stay without extension.

However, the Colombia tourist visa in the categories of business, tourism, religious, volunteers, digital nomads, permanent correspondent, technical assistance, non-accredited officials, TLC entrepreneurs, promotion of internationalization, rentier, service provider, work or labor, will be valid for up to 2 years.

What permits does the Colombia tourist visa grant in Colombia?

The tourist visa— visa type V, grants an open work permit to those foreigners who have been granted it as a student. In this event, the foreigner may be hired to perform any lawful activity in the country.

However, in some cases the permit is restricted to the event, project, activity, or trade registered and authorized in the visa, such as the one granted to religious or missionaries who perform activities in religious organizations recognized by the State, the one granted to foreigners who perform technical assistance or the one granted to TLC entrepreneurs.

It is important to specify that the work permit may only be granted in the cases described above. Therefore, foreigners entering the country under other classifications of tourist visa will not be authorized to work legally in the national territory.

On the other hand, the Colombia tourist visa with a validity of 90 days or more allows the holder to carry out studies during the authorized stay, except for the foreigner's visa as a tourist or for airport transit.

Who can apply for a Visa type V by courtesy in Colombia?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant the Colombia tourist visa by courtesy to foreigners who meet any of the following conditions:

Courtesy visa for visiting diplomats

A foreigner holding an official diplomatic passport of a State recognized by Colombia who wishes to perform temporary activities other than diplomatic ones, provided they do not involve any remuneration in the country, may apply for a courtesy visa as a visiting diplomat, as well as his spouse or permanent partner.

In this event, the official must attach to the visa application his or her valid diplomatic passport and an official note from the competent authority of his or her country requesting the visa.

This type of visa is valid for up to 2 years and allows the principal holder to request a visa for his beneficiaries.


Courtesy visa for ICETEX program.

The courtesy visa may be granted to those foreigners who participate in ICETEX academic programs, in which case they must have a certification issued by said institute in which the grant of the scholarship is accredited. They must also attach a letter of responsibility from the person who will be responsible for the expenses not covered by the scholarship and a health policy with nationwide coverage.
This type of visa may be granted for up to 2 years. However, it does not allow the principal holder to apply for a visa for beneficiaries, nor does it authorize working in the country.


Courtesy visa for international commitments

Resolution 5477 of 2022, in its article 60, contemplates that this type of visa applies to cases contemplated by law or in compliance with international cooperation agreements or treaties in force.

It may be granted for up to 2 years.


Courtesy visa under the Cinema Law

The courtesy visa by film law may be requested by foreign artistic, technical and production personnel who wish to enter the country to carry out or participate in audiovisual production projects or foreign cinematographic works under the protection of the film law. In this case, they must have a communication from the Directorate of Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture stating that such project corresponds to a foreign work. In addition, they must have a health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks.

This type of visa may be granted for up to 2 years. However, it does not allow the main holder to apply for a visa for beneficiaries, nor does it authorize working in the country.


Courtesy visa as a complementary measure to the refuge

This type of visa may be applied for by foreigners to whom the Advisory Commission for the Determination of Refugee Status requests a complementary measure.

In this event, it is important that the interested party has an internal communication from the Internal Working Group for the Determination of Refugee Status of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will forward to the Visa and Immigration Authority on the adoption of the measure.

This visa may be granted for a period of up to 1 year and may only be issued once.


Courtesy visa for unforeseen cases

According to article 63 of Resolution 5477 of 2022, this type of visa is contemplated for unforeseen cases, provided that the presence of the foreigner is of particular importance to the Colombian State for political, social, economic, scientific, academic, cultural, sporting or artistic reasons.

Therefore, the issuance of such visa will always be subject to specific grounds of the Visa and Immigration Authority.

What is the procedure to apply for a tourist visa in Colombia?

Foreigners wishing to obtain a tourist visa in Colombia must verify, prior to the application, that their status or the activity they will perform in Colombia is within those contemplated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Visa type V.

Once the above has been checked, the applicant must fill out a visa application form electronically on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which must be submitted together with the following general documents:

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Digital photograph with the respective specifications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Copy of the main page of the passport or safe-conduct.
• Specific documents to be provided depending on the visitor visa classification applied for.

At the time of applying for the Colombia tourist visa, in case the applicant is in Colombia or in a state other than that of his/her nationality, they must present a document proving that they are in a legal and authorized stay.

Notwithstanding the above, the foreigner who submits the application in a personal capacity, must also submit a written communication in which they inform identification and the activity to be performed in the country. Additionally, will have to prove economic solvency, presenting the bank statements of the 6 months prior to the application, showing a monthly income of not less than 10 minimum wages according to the amount established by the national government for the minimum wage of each year.

However, when the visitor's visa is supported by a legal entity, the application must be made directly by the legal entity responsible in Colombia for the applicant, accrediting the requirements established in article 32 of Resolution 5477 of 2022 explained throughout this article.

It should be noted that, once the interested party fills out the application and digitalizes the respective documents, they must pay a fee for the study of the visa within the following 10 calendar days with the reference number that the platform generates, in order for the application to be effectively submitted and not to be interpreted as a withdrawal of the application.

Once the visa authority carries out the respective study within the stipulated period of up to 30 days, the interested party must pay a fee for the issuance of the visa in case it is authorized, with a maximum period of 10 calendar days.

If you need legal orientation, do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyers in the following Contact Form. Our experiences professionals will guide you through your immigration process in Colombia.

Do you need to consult your case with an expert lawyer in Tourist Visa procedures?

In our firm, AGT Attorneys, we have professional experts on Immigration Law in Colombia in charge of providing personalized advice regarding all the requirements to apply for a tourist visa in Colombia. Our lawyers are capable of carrying out a study of the activity you are going to perform in the country, in order to analyze the feasibility of applying for this or any other type of visa.

Write to us on our Contact Form, schedule your legal appointment with our lawyers through the following link or contact us at +57 310 5706331.

Want to know more about visa types in Colombia? Read our blogs about Visas in Colombia.

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