Colombia E-Visa Guide
Colombia is characterized by relatively soft entry rules: tourists from more than 100 countries can travel to Colombia without a visa. In most other cases, you can obtain a Colombian visa online without visiting a consulate. This article serves as your comprehensive e-visa instructions, offering essential information to ensure a smooth application experience.
Table of contents
- Colombia visa policy
- Who can apply for a Colombia visa online?
- Online Colombia e-visa application
- Documents required for Colombia e-visa
- Colombia visa photo requirements
- Get a Colombia visa photo online!
- How much does it cost to get a e-visa to Colombia?
- How long does it take to get a Colombia e-visa
Colombia visa policy
Citizens of more than 100 countries worldwide can enter Colombia visa-free for 90 days, with some countries having the right for even more extended periods. See "A. Visa Waiver: Nationalities and Special Conditions" on Cancillería's site for the official Colombian visa-waiver list and conditions.
Citizens of countries that do not have visa-exempt status can apply for a Colombian visa electronically. Still, many first-time Colombian visitor (V) visa applications made from abroad are usually processed through a Colombian consulate. Applicants may also need to present original documents, attend an appointment or interview, and complete payment or document verification steps in person, depending on the consulate.
In addition to tourist visas for nationalities that are not eligible to enter Colombia visa-free, the e-visa portal processes applications for various types of long-term visas.
Who can apply for a Colombia visa online?
As stated above, citizens of countries that do not fall under the visa-exempt categories can apply for a Colombia tourist visa online. These countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Cape Verde
- Chad
- China
- Comoro Islands
- Congo (Rep.)
- Congo (Dem. Rep.)
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- India
- Ivory Coast
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Territory
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Additionally, citizens of any country may electronically apply for the following Colombian visa categories:
- Visitor visa. Suitable for tourists, digital nomads, volunteers, exchange programs, business trips, medical treatments, etc. This is a temporary visa that is granted for 90 to 180 days.
- Migrant visa. Intended for those who want to obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit in Colombia. Suitable for refugees, spouses and partners of Colombian nationals, parents of Colombian nationals by birth, investors, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. A Colombian migrant visa is issued for up to three years and can be renewed.
- Resident visa. Can be obtained after 2-5 years of residence in the country on a migrant visa. Issued for 5 years and is renewable.
Online Colombia e-visa application
To apply for a Colombian eVisa, begin on the official Sitac portal. Keep in mind that submitting the online form is often only the first step: for many applicants, especially first-time Visitor (V) visa applicants, the process must be completed through a Colombian consulate.
- Gather your required documents, such as your passport bio page, a recent photo, proof of onward travel, financial documents, and any invitation or supporting letters. Some documents may need apostille/legalization and official Spanish translation.
- Complete the online application form and save your application number and confirmation email for future tracking.
- Select the correct visa category and fill in all requested personal, travel, and financial information.
- Upload your documents in the accepted file formats and sizes, making sure scans are clear and legible.
- Pay the application fee following the instructions provided by your assigned consulate, as payment methods vary by location.
- If consular processing is required, schedule an appointment and bring all original documents, translations, and payment confirmation.
- Monitor your email and the Sitac portal for updates, additional requests, or final visa instructions.
Documents required for Colombia Visitor (V) eVisa
When applying through the official Sitac portal, you will usually need to upload several supporting documents. Exact requirements vary depending on your visa category and the Colombian consulate handling your application, so always confirm the latest rules before applying.
- Passport scan: a clear copy of your passport bio page. If applicable, include previous Colombian visas and recent Colombian entry/exit stamps. Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months.
- Proof of accommodation: hotel booking, rental reservation, or an invitation letter from your host in Colombia.
- Proof of onward travel: return ticket or flight itinerary showing your planned departure from Colombia.
- Proof of financial means: recent bank statements or sponsorship documents showing you can support your stay.
- Passport photo: a recent color photo meeting Colombian visa photo specifications, usually with a white background.
- Purpose-specific documents: invitation letters, business correspondence, event registrations, school acceptance letters, or other documents supporting your reason for travel.
- Police certificate: may be required for certain visa categories or consular applications.
- Additional supporting documents: depending on the visa type, this may include contracts, civil status documents, investment proof, or relationship evidence.
Documents issued outside Colombia may need apostille/legalization and official Spanish translation.
Files should be uploaded as clear, legible scans — usually PDF for documents and JPG or PNG for photos. Some supporting documents may also need to be recently issued, often within the last three months.
Colombia visa photo requirements
The Colombian Cancillería and Sitac portal require a recent passport-style photo that meets specific technical standards. While minor upload limits may vary by consulate, these are the standard photo requirements for most Colombia visa applications.
- Size: 3 × 4 cm (30 × 40 mm), with digital versions commonly prepared at approximately 900 × 1200 pixels.
- Recency: the photo should be recent and reflect your current appearance.
- Framing: your full face must be clearly visible, centered, and facing directly toward the camera. The photo should show your head and upper shoulders, with the face filling most of the frame.
- Expression: neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed.
- Background: plain white with even lighting and no visible shadows.
- Image quality: sharp, clear, well-focused, with natural skin tones and no red-eye.
- Accessories: no sunglasses, tinted glasses, or anything that obscures facial features. Religious head coverings are generally allowed if the full face remains visible.
- File format: JPG or JPEG is typically required; some consulates may also accept PNG.
- File size: upload limits vary, so check the Sitac portal during submission.
- Use a new photo: avoid reusing older visa photos unless they still accurately reflect your current appearance.
Here is a Colombian visa photo example:
Get a Colombia visa photo online!
To make sure that your photo fulfills the requirements we mentioned above, you may trust this task to a professional online visa photo editor. Visafoto has been converting photos for visas, passports, and other documents since 2013, and it can also take care of your Colombian e-visa application photo!
Simply follow the posing and dress code instructions explained in the requirements listed above, take a portrait picture with decent lighting and any background, and then upload it to our tool below.
Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.
Visafoto will then adjust the parameters according to the Colombian electronic visa requirements, such as size, background color, proportions, even down to the subtler things such as head tilt and improve the overall quality of the image.
Source
Result
Follow the dress code and posing rules in your photo. Make sure you take your photo in decent lighting.
You will get a digital photo like this one:
How much does it cost to get a e-visa to Colombia?
Colombia visa fees vary depending on your nationality, visa type (Visitor V, Migrant M, or Resident R), and the Colombian reciprocity fee schedule. For many applicants, Visitor (V) visa fees typically fall within a common range, but exact costs can differ significantly by country.
In most cases, you will pay two separate fees:
- Application (study) fee: paid when submitting your visa request. This fee is usually non-refundable, even if the visa is denied.
- Issuance fee: paid only if your visa is approved.
Payment methods, accepted currencies, and any additional local consular charges vary depending on where your application is processed. Some consulates accept online card payments, while others require bank transfer, deposit, or in-person payment.
Always check the latest fee schedule through the official Colombian Cancillería website or your local Colombian consulate, and keep your payment receipt for future processing steps.
How long does it take to get a Colombia e-visa
Colombia visa processing times depend on the visa category, the consulate or Cancillería office handling your application, and whether additional documents or background checks are required.
Simple Visitor (V) visa applications may be processed within a few business days, but many take between one and three weeks. Migrant (M) and Resident (R) visas generally require more review time and can take several weeks or longer.
It is wise to apply well in advance of your planned travel date, as extra time may be needed for document legalization, consular appointments, or requests for additional information.
Last update: May 2026