Authorities streamline foreign degree validation process

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Colombia has issued a resolution that streamlines the process of validating foreign degrees.

What does the change mean? Foreign employees applying for visas and permits must submit an apostilled and certified copy of their diploma, an application form, and a copy of a valid form of identification through the online system. Once submitted, authorities will issue a decision within 60 days regarding the validation.

• Effective date: The Ministry of Education issued the resolution Oct. 9.
• Documents impacted: Visas; work and residence permits.
• Who is affected:  Employers and employees submitting requests for foreign degree validation.
• Impact on processing: Authorities will now process degree validation requests within 60 days instead of two to four months.

Background: Previously, authorities issued a preliminary letter and could request additional documents during a 30-day preliminary period. The final degree validation was issued one to three months after the preliminary letter. The new resolution eliminates the preliminary letter, and validations will be issued within 60 days. If more information is required, the Ministry will have an additional 15 days to request it.

Analysis & Comments: Overall, the change should reduce wait times and streamline the degree validation process. Applicants should keep in mind that health, law, accounting, and education degrees still require additional verification and the validation process for these degrees may take more than 60 days.

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