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The Cédula de Extranjería (Foreigner Identification Card) is mandatory for all citizens of legal age and minors over 7 years old holding a valid visa for more than three months. It is issued by Migración Colombia and distinguishes foreigners from citizens. The visa registration process is a prerequisite for obtaining the Cédula de Extranjería, symbolizing the formal recognition of one’s status within the Colombian territory.
What is the Cédula de Extranjería?
The Cédula de Extranjería is an official, high-security identification card issued by Migración Colombia, the national immigration authority. This document serves as the legal proof of your immigration status and identity while residing in Colombia.
More than just a procedural formality, the Cédula de Extranjería is essential for everyday activities such as banking, signing contracts, and accessing various services. Migración Colombia has designed this card to meet the highest standards of durability and security, protecting your identity with advanced security features and biometric data integration.
The current Cédula is a laser-engraved, polymer card crafted to meet stringent global standards, specifically those outlined in ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Document 9303, the same protocol governing international passports. This design guarantees that the document is both internationally recognized and resistant to tampering and fraud.
Does the Cédula de Extranjería Have a Digital Version?
As of the 2025 update, the Cédula de Extranjería remains exclusively a physical, polymer identification card with no official digital counterpart. This distinguishes it from the Colombian Cédula de Ciudadanía, which has a digital version accessible via a mobile application. Consequently, foreigners residing in Colombia must carry the physical card for identification at all times.
How Companies Verify
When dealing with high-value processes (signing a lease, starting a job, getting a loan), the receiving party must verify your Cédula’s status. Migración Colombia provides a free, public-facing service called “Certificación del estado de Cédula de Extranjería” (Certification of the Cédula’s Status). They only need your Cédula number and the issue date printed on the card to confirm its validity instantly.
What Are the Key Uses of the Cédula de Extranjería in Colombia?
Possessing a valid Cédula de Extranjería is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for foreigners residing in Colombia. The following outlines key activities and services that require this official identification:
This efficiency is crucial given the series of advantages offered by the Cédula de Extranjería. As the main identification document for foreigners in Colombia, it is more than just a convenience; it becomes a necessity and an obligation. Therefore, applying for it immediately after the approval and issuance of the visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is indispensable.
When Should I Get My Cédula de Extranjería?
The procedure to obtain your Cédula de Extranjería must be initiated within 15 calendar days following the electronic issuance of your visa. If your visa was issued at a Colombian consulate abroad, the 15-day countdown starts from the date of your entry into Colombia.
Once your visa is registered and you have paid the required fees, Migración Colombia typically takes around 10 business days to process and issue the Cédula.
Colombian immigration law is strict about this registration timeline. Failing to apply for your Cédula de Extranjería within the 15-day window can result in significant fines from Migración Colombia, which may amount to up to seven (7) Minimum Monthly Legal Wages (SMMLV) depending on the seriousness and recurrence of the infraction.
Given the importance of this compliance, expatgroup.co offers to streamline the appointment and registration process, ensuring you meet deadlines and avoid costly penalties.
Get your Visa and Cédula de Extranjería with expatgroup.co
At expatgroup.co, we assist you with the Colombia visa application and the appointment to obtain the Foreign ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería).
What Documents Are Required to Apply for the Cédula de Extranjería in Colombia?
Obtaining your Cédula de Extranjería is a straightforward process, but it requires careful preparation and submission of specific documents to Migración Colombia. As of 2025, the application must be supported by verified, up-to-date paperwork to ensure compliance with current immigration regulations. The following documents are mandatory for all applicants aged 7 and older who hold a visa with validity exceeding three months:
Passport and Copy
Provide the original passport and copy of the main page with the personal data.
Approved Visa
You'll need a print of the approved electronic visa. It must exceed three months of validity.
FUT and Payment
Provide the confirmation of the Formulario Único de Trámites and the receipt of payment.
The Cédula de Extranjería costs 280.000 colombian pesos (approximately 72 USD) in 2025. This fees can be paid througth the Migración Colombia payment platform with Credit Card or PSE.
What is the Step-by-Step Process to Get My Cédula de Extranjería?
Once you have secured your visa, the process to obtain the Cédula de Extranjería is completed in four main phases: the online registration (FUT), payment, scheduling your in-person appointment, and document collection. Follow this detailed guide to ensure you complete each step correctly and within the mandatory 15-day deadline.
Step 1: Go to Migración Colombia Website and select the type of process
As the first step, you should complete the Migración Colombia’s Single Procedures Form, known as the «FUT» (Formulario Único de Trámites). This form is an essential step for requesting the Cédula de Extranjería.
After accessing the previous link, you will be redirected to Migración Colombia’s website, where you should click on the button «Continue.»
Step 2: Select your Alien Identification Card and the nearest immigration Facilitating
Choose your language and select «Cédula de Extranjería» (Foreign ID). You have to choose the nearest Migratory Services Facilitation Center to your residence and the form will be available.
Step 3: Provide your personal information
1. Enter the name and last names of your identification document.
2. Select the document type from the dropdown list and enter the ID number and the country, department, and city of its issuance.
3. Choose your gender, date, and place of birth, including country, department, and city. Also, select your nationality.
4. Authorize sending emails to receive Migración Colombia’s messages in an email address you can access.
Step 4: Information in case of emergency
First, select the blood type that will appear on the cédula.
Provides the primary contact information to contact in any emergency situation.
Step 5: Registration of foreigners
1. In this section, it is necessary to enter information about the visa that has been approved. The category, the number, the country of issuance, and the address data. Finally, you must select whether you are the applicant is the bearer or beneficiary of the visa.
2. Secondly, you must provide the details of the organization you are related. These fields must be completed as long as your visa applies to this information (work, study, etc).
3. Finally, provide other information such as your language, profession, address, and phone number.
Step 6: Add the passport in a PDF file and submit the form
The «Files» section will automatically sync the ID you selected in the form. Please click the «Add File» button to attach the corresponding identification document in PDF format.
The enabled identification types in the form include Citizen ID (Colombian Cédula), Foreigner ID (Cédula de Extranjería), Travel Documents, Foreign Documents or Andean Card, NUIP, Passport, Service Passport, Diplomatic Passport, Emergency Passport, Official Passport, Regular Passport, Provisional Passport, and Birth Certificate.
Once you have uploaded the document, complete the displayed captcha and click the «Accept» button.
The platform will generate a reference number, which we recommend saving. Click on «Download» and then on «Pay online» buttons.
Get your Visa and Cédula de Extranjería with expatgroup.co
At expatgroup.co, we assist you with the Colombia visa application and the appointment to obtain the Foreign ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería).
How to Pay the Fees of My Cédula de Extranjería?
After filling out the Migración Colombia’s Form and clicking the Payment button, the web will prompt you to choose your preferred payment method. You can select PSE (Colombian Payment System) or Credit Card payment.
Pay your Cédula de Extranjería with PSE
Choose the option to pay with PSE and click on «Pagar Ahora» (Pay Now) button.
Enter your personal information. Select the customer type and the bank details to proceed with the payment.
Save and print your PSE payment receipt.
Pay your Cédula de Extranjería with Credit Card
When you choose «Credit Card,» the payment platform will be activated. Click on the «Continuar con Wallet» (Continuar con Wallet) button. Then, you will receive a code in your email, which you should enter in the corresponding field on the website. Fill in the card information you wish to use for the payment.
Save and print your Credit Card payment receipt.
How to Claim my Cédula de Extranjería?
After your successful in-person appointment, Migración Colombia will process and print your physical ID. You are not required to schedule a second appointment to retrieve the card. Instead, you must check the status online using their official portal. Once the Cédula de Extranjería is ready (typically 10 business days after payment), you may visit the office you selected during the application with your original passport to collect the card.
The Cédula application process has multiple phases—from the online FUT and the crucial biometrics appointment to the final claim. Avoid common mistakes, unnecessary fines, and wasted time by having a clear roadmap.
For the final step, you must schedule an appointment to claim your cédula de extranjería at the migration office in the city you selected in the form. When you select the «Agenda una cita» (Schedule an appoiment) option to schedule, a pop-up window will ask you for consent to redirect you to the appointment window. Then, you must click on «Aceptar» (Accept) button.
You will be redirected to the scheduling form, where you should enter information regarding the appointment location and the migration office where you will claim the Cédula de Extranjería. This will allow the system to display available dates.
1. Choose the Colombian department where you will request the appointment.
2. Select the corresponding city.
3. Click on the enable office for your selected city.
4. In the option «Trámite» (Process), select «Cédula de Extranjería.»
When you select the corresponding process, the calendar will be active, displaying the available dates.
After selecting the date, click on «Buscar» (Search) to open the appointment schedule.
Select «Agendar» (Schedule) button, and then click on «Aceptar» (Accept) to go to the appointment window.
Fill out the form with your personal information, type and document number, email, and phone. Once completed, check the acceptance box, solve the Captcha, and click «Guardar» (Save). An alert window will appear with your reference number. We recommend taking note of it.
You will receive an official communication from Migración Colombia in your email, confirming the date, time, and location of your appointment to claim your Cédula de Extranjería.
Obtaining your Cédula de Extranjería is a straightforward process that you can confidently undertake yourself by following our detailed step-by-step guide. This guide is designed to make your application easier, more understandable, and more efficient, helping you secure your foreigner’s ID card smoothly so you can fully enjoy your life in Colombia. You can find the guide available for free download at the end of this blog.
When and How Do I Renew My Cédula de Extranjería?
While most visas tied to the Cédula de Extranjería, such as Visitor (V) and Migrant (M) categories, expire in line with their respective visa validity, the Resident (R) Visa grants indefinite residency rights in Colombia. However, the physical Cédula card itself requires periodic renewal.
- 5-Year Validity Period: Holders of a Resident (R) Visa must renew their Cédula every five years. This renewal is a mandatory process designed to update biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, as well as to incorporate enhanced security features onto the card.
- Important Clarification: The renewal of the Cédula card is distinctly separate from visa renewal. Your R Visa status remains valid indefinitely, provided that legal residency conditions are maintained, such as not spending more than two consecutive years outside Colombia.
- Renewal Procedure: The process mirrors the initial application. Applicants must complete the FUT (formulario único de tramites), schedule an appointment at a Migración Colombia office, provide biometric data, and pay the applicable fees.
What Legal Changes Must Cédula Holders Report to Migración Colombia?
Getting your Cédula is the start, not the end, of your compliance journey. Migración Colombia requires you to notify them of specific changes to your status, as this information is tied to your legal registration. Failure to report these changes can lead to fines.
| Change Event | Deadline | Consequence of Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Residence Address | 15 days after the move occurs. | Migración needs to know your location for official communications |
| Change of Civil Status | 30 days after the event (e.g., marriage, divorce) | Crucial for M-Visas and R-Visas tied to a Colombian partner. |
| Change of Employer/Activity | 15 days from the start or end of the activity (if your visa is tied to an employer/school). | Essential for M-Visa (Worker/Student) holders, ensuring you remain in compliance with the conditions of your visa. |
NOTE: You must use the official Migración Colombia portal to submit these change notifications (Novedades). Keep the confirmation receipt as proof.
What is Happening in Migración Colombia with the Scheduling Appointments for Cédula de Extranjería?
In many of the Centros Facilitadores de Servicios Migratorios (CFSM), that is, the Immigration offices around the country, and for different procedures, especially for the visa registration process and the Cédula de Extranjería application, Migración Colombia’s website enables scheduling appointments only on Sundays from 5 p.m. onwards.
Suppose you enter another day of the week, especially when looking for an appointment in Medellin and Bogota. In that case, the system shows all empty dates when you try to schedule appointments for Cédula de Extranjería, as you can see in the image attached for reference.
To Sum Up: What You Need to Know About the Cédula de Extranjería in 2025
The Cédula de Extranjería is your essential gateway to establishing a fully legal and functional life in Colombia. The 2025 process highlights a modern, secure identification system and emphasizes the importance of strict compliance with deadlines and ongoing responsibilities.
The important aspects that you should not forget from this guide are:
- The Deadline Is Real: You must complete the initial application process within 15 calendar days of receiving your visa or entering Colombia. Failure to meet this deadline can result in significant fines and complications in future applications.
- The ID Is High-Security: The Cédula is a physical, laser-engraved polymer card—the sole official form of foreign identification in Colombia. Currently, there is no digital version for the Cédula de Extranjería.
- Your Duties Continue: As a Cédula holder, you are legally required to notify Migración Colombia of any changes to your address or civil status within 15 to 30 days, maintaining your compliance with Colombian regulations.
For a complete walkthrough of the application process, we encourage you to download our detailed, step-by-step guide on how to apply for your Cédula de Extranjería. This guide covers all essential steps, from initial documentation and online forms to scheduling appointments and collecting your card, helping to make your application process straightforward and hassle-free. Access this valuable resource to ensure successful navigation through Colombia’s migration procedures.
Do you know how to obtain your Cédula de Extranjería (Colombian ID)?
At expatgroup.co, we understand how fulfilling it is to achieve the final step of obtaining your resident status in Colombia with cédula de extranjería. That’s why, we invite you to download our guide to confidently obtain yours.
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23 Responses
Hello, I am currently in Colombia on a volunteer visa that expires on June 30th. Do you know if I can re-enter Colombia as a tourist in July and stay till the end of the year? My cédula would be expired.
Hi, Michelle, I hope you are doing great. Normally, the issue of the Cédula de Extranjería takes 10 days, so you can go to the selected office to check if it is ready.
Thank you for this post. Will I receive an email to tell me the card is ready? I took the pictures and finger prints and made my payment December 21st and it is now January 9th. I did the procedure in Bogota and asked that the card be picked up in Cartagena. Any advice? I have not heard any news.
Hi, Brian. I hope you are doing well. The Cédula de extranjería can only be obtained at a Migration facilitator center in Colombia, and remember that in order to obtain a C.E. you must have first a visa valid for more than three months. Regards
Can I get the CE in an embassy/consulate in my country, or online, before i travel to Colombia?
Hey there, no, to issue the foreigner’s identification card (Cédula de extranjería) you must go directly to Migration Colombia since there they take your fingerprints and photo. Once the visa is granted and if you are in Colombia you have 15 days to issue it.
Can we pay a service to do this part for us? Or do we need to go in person ourselves? I need to travel after getting my visa.
Hello, Michelle, we recommend you go to a Migration office and explain your case since it was a long time and it is up to migration to indicate the steps to follow. https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/atencion-al-ciudadano
Thank you for being a great resource. I have a question, 4 years ago, I did the paperwork to get my cedula de extranjeria. My son was born in Medellin. Due to a family emergency, I had to go back to the states. Because it was an immediate decision, I wasn’t able to obtain my actual cedula de extranjeria card. Then the pandemic happened and I didnt come back until 1 month ago. Almost 4 years later, I’m back in Colombia, but in Cali, and my R Visa doesn’t expire until next year. It has been well over 180 days out of the country, where do I obtain my card and do I need to restart the process all over again? Any insight is greatly appreciated!
Hey, Saul, I hope you are doing great!
Among the benefits of having a CE:
-Open a bank account
-Affiliation to the EPS
-Obtaining a driver’s license
-Contract other essential services
To be able to travel to countries where Colombians do not need a visa is with a Colombian passport, not with a CE.
Can you give an overview of all the benefits of having cedilla de extranjeria other than traveling within Colombia and not needing a visa? I have one and I am not sure, can I travel to countries that Colombians can enter visa free also or am I not eligible for that? Thanks
Hi, Jenna,
Thank you very much for your comment, the process to follow would be to apply about 45 days before your visa expires, first go through the visa renewal process, and once approved you go through the CE renewal process.
To apply for an R visa for accumulated time with an M visa depends on the type, for example: with an M Retirement visa you can apply after 5 years, with an M Marriage Visa after two years.
Write to us and we will help you to have a successful process in the renewal of your visa +19547993692
Hello, thank you for your useful blog post. I have a Colombia M Visa and CE for one year, I am coming up to the expiration date and need to renew the visa and CE. Do you have to renew them separately? Does renewing your CE automatically renew your visa? After how many years with an M visa should I switch to a R visa?
Thank you!
The visa restrictions do not change because you are married to a Colombian, in this case, to qualify for a Colombian Marriage Visa you must apply through the consulate of your country of origin or residence.
To achieve greater success in your application or if you have doubts about how to start a new visa application, please do not hesitate to contact us at +19547993692
Hello, so I was given a volunteer visa with the condition that I can’t apply for another visa from within Colombia. If I married a Colombian, would this change things? Like would I still have to leave the country to apply for any kind of Colombian residence or permanence?
Thanks so much.
Hi, Andrea. According to Colombian law, if you have been abroad for more than 180 days, your visa is no longer valid, therefore your cédula is not valid either. The next step is to contact us when you return and start your Colombian visa process
https://wa.me/19547993692
If while holding an M visa, I stay out of the country for more than six months would that also render my cédula de extranjería invalid?
Hi, Victor! Thank you so much for contacting expatgroup, the agency with more than ten years of experience processing Colombian Visas.
Absolutely, we can help you to get the Colombia Retirement Visa, to give more accurate information please contact us at +1 (954) 799-3692
looking forward to helping you!
Hi, I am a US citizen that
entered Colombia on May 10th 2022 on a tourist visa but would like to obtain a “jubilado” visa. Can you process this for me, if so how much is your fee and about how long will it take?
Hi, Christopher, I hope you are doing well.
Indeed you can change a migrant visa to a resident, but this is a specialized process. To give the best advice on both of your questions, please get in touch with us at (+1)8507714928.
-What do I need to change my migrant visa to a residential visa after 2-years (marital)?
-I legally changed my name in my country of origin, what is the process for realising this name change in Colombia on my visa and Cedula?
Hello David, I hope you are doing well.
The process to renew the cédula is the same as it was for the first time. Only to schedule an appointment, you must select
Type of procedure (tipo de trámite) > Immigration ID (Cédula de extranjería)
In Sub-procedure (sub-trámite) > Renewal of foreign identity card (renovación cédula de extranjería)
You can follow the rest of the process as the blog indicates. However, if you did so and did not have a response, you should contact migration.
Greetings
Thank you for sending this but I don’t need information for a beginning cedula. I need an appointment for my second 5 year resident cedula. I’ve done the online thing including indicating today at 11-11:15 but heard nothing from migracion. I’m obviously doing something wrong AND NEED HELP GETTING THAT CITA. Thank you for your assistance.