visa requirements us citizens

According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, US visitors to Colombian soil account for over 20% of all foreign visits to Colombia as of last year. 

Outside of the relatively short travel distance between the US and Colombia, and the tropical weather, there are many reasons why Americans choose to flock to the country of vallenato and empanadas. Whether it’s about finding new job opportunities, property to invest in, a place to retire, or simply a new culture, Colombia has tempted millions of its northern neighbors to come to explore its breathtaking hills and beautiful rainforests. 

So, when it comes to having your visa information in order, there are plenty of questions. Do US citizens need a visa for Colombia? Are there specific US visa requirements in Colombia that differ from other countries? 

To keep you abreast with all the latest Colombia – US visa information, we’ve created a comprehensive article of the visa requirements for US citizens traveling to Colombia, and staying here permanently.

Do US citizens need a visa to travel to Colombia

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52849712 – stamping passport with red stamp accepted

US citizens with valid US passports don’t need a visa prior to traveling to Colombia. When you arrive on Colombian soil, immigration will give you a tourist stamp that lasts for 90 days. If you already have a valid Colombian visa that hasn’t expired, Colombian immigration will allow you to enter Colombia on that particular visa.

Before traveling to Colombia, US citizens must have proof of forwarding passage to their next destination, be it a return journey to the US or to a different country in Latin America. Failure to prove your travel plans after visiting Colombia could mean that you’re denied entry to the country. 

Valid documentation that proves forward passage would include flight, boat, or bus tickets leaving Colombia. Be aware that flight reservations — as opposed to booked seats — are not accepted as valid proofs of forwarding passage. 

If you’re worried about any of your documentation before you arrive in Colombia, make sure to consult an experienced migratory services company prior to traveling.

What do US citizens need to apply for a Colombian work visa?

apostilled university degree

Some of the rules around acquiring the migrant M-5 work visa have changed for 2022, so be sure to check out our article on How to Get a Colombian Work Visa. 

The Colombian work visa requirements for US citizens don’t differ greatly from other foreign nationals looking to find work in Colombia. Essentially, you need to provide the following documentation online to the Colombian government website Cancillería

  • A scanned copy of the front page of your passport and the page with your entrance stamp 
  • A passport style photo with dimensions 3cm x 4cm (width and height) 
  • A scanned copy of your original degree or certificate citing your educational attainment, with an official apostille certifying it’s validity. This document and its apostille also must be translated into Spanish. 
  • A scanned copy of the contract from your prospective employers
  • Proof of your prospective employer’s earnings (around $22,500 a month) via bank statements 

If this seems like a lot to take in, you’re not alone. When Americans ask about the Colombian visa requirements for US citizens, it’s common that they’re initially overwhelmed. 

Rather than taking on the task by yourself of making sure all your documentation is in order, we advise you to consult with a quality visa procurement agency that’s already helped tons of Americans go through the same process.

Can US citizens retire in Colombia?

The Colombian retirement visa for US citizens can only be acquired by Americans receiving their pension either privately or from the US government. 

To apply for the M-11 retirement visa, you first need to show that your pension pays out three times the Colombian minimum wage, which equates to around 3.000.000COP (USD 784) a month. 

The visa application process for the M-11 retirement visa is much more straightforward than the M-5 work visa for American pensioners. Again, you must provide the following documentation online to the Colombian government website Cancillería

  • A scanned copy of the front page of your passport and the page with your entrance stamp 
  • A passport style photo with dimensions 3cm x 4cm (width and height) 
  • Proof of pension issued by the government or a private corporation
  • International health insurance is not mandatory to start any visa process; however, it may be required during the process.

For more information on the above, make sure to check out our article detailing the full process for how to acquire the retirement visa in Colombia

The visa application is being done online. However, the consulate may require an online, in-person, or telephone interview.

Unfortunately, the Colombian retirement visa for US citizens does not preclude them from filing out tax returns to the IRS and should be handled with extreme care. Whether you will receive double taxation or not is something that you should consult organizations like American Overseas for more details.

Summing Up 

The process of acquiring a Colombian visa for US citizens isn’t particularly different to foreign nationals applying from other countries. 

Remember though, if you’re ever in doubt about aspects of your visa application, it’s always best to consult specialized Colombian migration agencies. Companies like these who’ve processed hundreds of visa applications for Americans are well-equipped to guide you through any doubts or queries you may have regarding visas in Colombia. 

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14 comentarios en “What Are the Colombian Visa Requirements for US Citizens? – 2023 Update

  1. Hello Sir/madam, how are you? My name is Chand Sukhi. I’ll like to live in Colombia as a pensioner from the United States. My monthly social security check is about $1,000. Please let me know what visa I’m qualified for to live here in Colombia. Kind regards, Chand.

  2. I would like to get a quote from you to assist me obtaining a migrant visa (for real estate purchases inside Colombia).

    Can you please write or call me in English?

    This is a serious inquiry that I will act upon right away.

    Thanks

    1. Hi, Douglas, I hope you are doing great! I see that Johana is already giving you advice, thank you very much for contacting us, and we hope to provide you with all the advice so that you can process your Colombian Visa with us. We also hope to assist you throughout the process of real estate. Greetings!

  3. Hello Expatgroup,
    My question is what visa should I apply for? My ultimate goal is to buy property in Colombia to be used as a rental property (airbnb). Me Immediate goal is to get a Visa so I can, get my cedula extranjeria, which is needed to open a bank account. The properties I am looking at, all cost more and would qualify for the investment visa approximately ($170,000 usd) but I think the rentista visa would be the easier for me to qualify for looking at the requirements.

  4. my daughter will be a high school exchange student in colombia beginning in the fall. we’re applying for a student (V) visa – which seems straight forward. we have a tourist trip planned for july so that we can see the country before she goes for her year of studying there since none of us have visited before. will visiting in july impact/delay her visa process?

    1. Hello Beverly, I hope you are doing well. If you are a U.S. citizen there is no problem entering the country, since with a U.S. passport you are allowed 180 days per year as a tourist.

      Remember that if it is a high school exchange the government can request the M student visa and not the V, but to give you better assistance, contact us at +1 (954) 799-3692

    1. Buenos días, Nuria, muchas gracias por escribirnos, si tienes pasaporte americano no es necesario tramitar una visa, pues como turista tienen 180 días por año para estar en Colombia, sin embargo, si no posees el pasaporte americano te dejo el siguiente link para que consultes si por tu nacionalidad necesitas tramitar un visado https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Fotos2017/nacionalidades_a_las_cuales_colombia_exige_visa_-_noviembre.pdf

      Estamos atentos para asesorarte en caso de que necesites tramitar la visa colombiana +19547993692

  5. Hello,
    My son plays soccer here in Texas. We are wondering how he could tryout to play for the Colombian under 20 team? He has Colombian parents. What does he need to do?

    Thank you,

    1. Good afternoon, Ms Patricia. Thank you for commenting in our blog, we appreciate you being part of our community. Answering your question, with this matter, you will have to contact the colombian chancellery and ask about the process to naturalize your son in Colombia. You will also have to contact the Colombian Soccer Association to see if they help you with this process.

      We hope you have a great day!

  6. We have a client/customer in Colombia who has hired our company to send one of our Professional Engineer’s to perform specialized work at their jobsite. We will send one of our employees to Colombia to execute the work, approximately 1-2 weeks he will be in the country. What Visa does he need for this short stay/temporary work and where can he find the application for it?

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