In-person visa requests no longer accepted

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Colombian authorities are no longer accepting in-person visa requests, and all visas must be applied for online.

What does the change mean? Visas must be requested online, even for applicants in urgent cases who previously relied on the in-person process.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: All visa categories, including visitor, migrant and resident visas, as well as renewals.
• Business impact: Foreign employees in Colombia should prepare to file online and factor in the online processing times.
• Impact on processing: Processing of the visa takes approximately five business days, plus additional time to request the visa stamp. The subsequent visa registration and processing of the foreign national’s ID card takes about another five days.
• Next steps: Applicants should plan to use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs online visa application process and allow at least five business days for processing when making travel plans.

Analysis & Comments: Businesses and foreign nationals applying for visas in-country should factor in the mandatory online process when planning business schedules and no longer rely on the in-person option for urgent cases. Applicants should only appear at the visa office in Bogota if they are summoned to do so via email. The consulate visa applications will remain the same and the requirements will depend on the individual Colombian consulates abroad.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.