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The Colombian EPS are not valid as medical insurance for a Colombian visa, as they do not meet the specific requirements established in Resolution 5477 of 2022. These policies do not offer international coverage, repatriation, or other necessary services for foreigners without permanent residency in Colombia.
Yes, medical insurance for a Colombian visa is a mandatory requirement for any Colombian visa application. The coverage must meet the requirements established by Resolution 5477 of 2022, which are not provided by Colombian EPS.
No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not accept EPS (Empresas Promotoras de Salud) as a valid insurance for visa application. Read more in our dedicated blog.
No. Foreigners with category V visas, except for regulatory exceptions, are not required to join the Colombian health system since they are profiled as «visitors» with no intention of permanent stay in the country. For these cases, it is necessary, and in most cases, MANDATORY, to have a health policy with coverage in Colombia.
Health insurance companies offer extended benefits much more complete than EPS. In addition to the fact that it is helpful for visa procedures, it is a health plan that has international healthcare coverage, funeral repatriation, hotel expenses for convalescence, compensation for missed flights and lost luggage, short-term disability insurance, and pre-existing conditions coverage, and so on.
The private health insurance is a contract with an insurer that ensures healthcare coverage for all people who plan to travel internationally. The EPS is the mandatory medical insurance with coverage only in Colombia, which can be used by nationals and foreign residents with a foreigner identification card (Cédula de Extanjería) and meet the conditions to have this type of affiliation.
All foreigners residing in Colombia and holding a category M or R visa, except the M type Retirement visa, must enroll in the Colombian health system when they obtain their Immigration ID.
All Visitor visas, and some Migrant visas, require mandatory health plan coverage for the entire stay in the country. This health insurance policy must have nationwide coverage and comprehensive protection against all risks. On the other hand, the EPS constitutes mandatory and affordable health insurance within the national territory.
According to Resolution 5477 of 2022, holders of type M Retirement visas will not be allowed to affiliate with the Colombian Social Security System, so they must have a mandatory health policy whenever they wish to apply for a new visa.
Those foreigners affiliated with the Social Security System must consider that when the visa is renewed, the Colombian government may request a health policy as a requirement to continue the application.
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