Previously, the background check certificate was only required for specific visa categories where it was mandatory. However, in recent months, criminal records have become one of the most requested documents in visa application processes by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even if your visa category does not explicitly require this certificate, submitting it in advance is the best way to avoid delays or even a potential denial.
At expatgroup.co, we first noticed the increasing recurrence of this requirement in July 2024, particularly for Colombia digital nomad visa applications. Our professional advisors immediately advised all new clients to obtain this document in advance. Based on our experience, when authorities start emphasizing a particular document, it often means it will soon become common for many visa categories.
This insight led us to launch the FBI Background Check service for U.S. citizens and American residents. Additionally, we introduced a fingerprinting service to assist other foreigners who require biometric verification to obtain criminal records in their countries of origin.
FBI Background Check Service
The FBI Background Check service of expatgroup.co, consists of intermediating with the FBI to obtain a digital background certificate for American citizens, that is valid before the Colombian government for visa applications from Colombia.
As we anticipated, by December 2024, this additional requirement was extended to Colombia’s most popular visas and many other non-so-common categories. Now, at the time of this publication, it has become standard for applicants to receive this requirement if they have not submitted the certificate in the first submission.
In this blog, we’ll provide all the essential details about criminal records and the best strategies to submit them, increasing your chances of visa approval.
Is the background check mandatory for Colombian visas?
Yes, the background check is mandatory for some visas in Colombia, including the retirement visa, annuity visa, work and holiday visa, Mercosur visa, and Andina visa. Although it’s not listed as an obligatory document for all other categories, the truth is that criminal records have increasingly been requested as an essential additional document during the application process.
Colombian visas that are being required for a background check as additional documentation
Digital Nomad Visa
Available for remote workers with foreign employment contracts who wish to live and work from Colombia.
Spouse Visa
Available for foreigners married to Colombian citizens or other foreigners holding a Colombian visa.
Domestic Partnership Visa
Available for unmarried couples in a legally recognized marital union.
Investment Visa
Available for individuals who own residential or commercial properties in Colombia.
Business Visa
Available for company owners or shareholders incorporating businesses in Colombia.
Beneficiary Visa
Available for dependents of primary visa holders, such as spouses or children.
About the additional requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The implementation of Resolution 5477 in 2022 resulted in stricter immigration measures and requirements. However, over the years that this regulation has been in effect, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found it necessary to request additional information beyond the standard requirements for each visa category.
The requirement for additional documentation is covered by Resolution 5477 of 2022, which states that the visa authority “shall have the power to request additional documentation... in cases it deems appropriate” (Article 19). Also, the law states that they would “require the applicant to submit a record from his or her country of nationality or residence” (Article 26).
Once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks your application as “Required” for additional documentation, you will receive an email requesting further information. It is important to submit the requested documents within 10 calendar days. If you fail to provide the documents or if they do not meet the required specifications, your visa application may be denied or inadmitted. This underscores the importance of timely and accurate document submission to prevent any setbacks in the process.
The immigration authorities may require not just the background check but also any other document they consider relevant to the processing of your visa application.
How to fulfill the background check requirement for a visa application?
Remember that it is not enough to send the additional documents without verifying that they meet the technical requirements necessary to be accepted. Based on our experience, we offer some advice that can be helpful for you during the obtention of your background check.
Provide the criminal records certificate in advance
To prevent delays in your visa application, we always recommend submitting the background check certificate with the first submission step, even if you’re not obliged to do so due to your selected visa category.
In the image above, you can check one of the requirements applicants receive when the migratory authority is requesting the criminal records of the applicant’s country of origin. This could have been avoided if she had initially sent the certificate.
Use the fingerprint service if you need biometric verification to obtain it.
Submit the FBI Background Check certificate of the USA
If you are an American citizen or you stay for a while in the United States before applying for your Colombia visa, the best choice is to get an FBI Background Check certificate that can prove your federal criminal records. You must obtain multiple certificates if you have resided in various countries during the last few years.
To get the FBI Background Check, it’s crucial to provide the primary requirements requested by the FBI, including the FD-258 Fingerprint Card.
Make sure your criminal records are apostilled and translated
It’s important to remember that “all documents created or issued abroad must include an apostille or legalization, depending on the issuing or certifying authority, as well as an official translation into Spanish if not originally in this language” (Article 21).
As highlighted in the examples above, all official communications emphasize that the background check must be apostilled by corresponding authorities to certify the signature’s authenticity.
Regarding translations, they must be performed by a certified specialist.
Processing time taking the FBI Background Check service with expatgroup.co
Fingerprinting process
1 to 3 business days
Submission to the FBI
10 to 15 business days
Apostille and translation
10 to 15 business days
The processing time indicated is approximate. Times may vary according to the internal processes handled by the issuing entities of the background certificate and apostilles.
We strongly recommend obtaining it in advance rather than waiting for it to be requested during the visa application review stage. Keep in mind that once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests the document, you only have 10 calendar days to submit it, while the background check processing time exceeds this deadline.
To sum up
The visa application process in Colombia requires compliance with certain mandatory requirements, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can request any additional resources to verify information about the applicant. The background check is crucial to verifying the security and legality of those wishing to enter the country. Implementing these verifications addresses the need to improve national security, prevent criminal activities, and align with international migration standards.
If you are in the middle of your immigration process or plan to do it soon, do not hesitate to contact us. At expatgroup.co, we help you understand and complete all the requirements efficiently and facilitate your legal stay in Colombia.
FAQs about FAQs about Background Check for Colombia Visa Applications
Background check is only required for some visas. But even if criminal records are mandatory only for certain visas, such as the retirement visa, the Colombian government has been requiring them as additional documentation for almost all visas, including marriage, investment, business, and digital nomad visa applications.
While Colombia does not directly conduct background checks on foreigners, applicants are being required to submit criminal record certificates from their home countries or other countries of a recent residence.
Obtaining an FBI background check from Colombia involves completing fingerprinting locally, submitting the prints to the FBI in the United States, and ensuring the document is legalized for use in Colombia. Our service provides comprehensive support for the entire process.
If you are a foreign national, Colombian authorities generally require a background check from your home country rather than issuing one locally. However, if you have resided in Colombia for an extended period, you may request a judicial background certificate through official channels.
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Fingerprinting service
- Fingerprinting (Medellin)
- FD-258 fingerprint card
- Note: The service offered includes the card printed on normal letter paper.
Fingerprinting service and FBI Background Check
- Filling out the FBI form.
- Fingerprinting (Medellín).
- International shipment to USA.
- FBI criminal record certificate (digital).
- Note: To request fingerprints in other cities in Colombia, request a quote.
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