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Are you planning an extended stay in Colombia? Or are you in Colombia, have fallen in love with our beautiful country, and wish to extend your stay? You're in luck if you're curious about Colombian Visa application times.
This comprehensive guide will provide all the information you need to plan your visa application process, including timelines and procedures for tourist visa extensions, renewals, and new visa applications. After reading this blog, you'll be equipped with everything you need to know to navigate the Colombian Visa Application Process successfully:
Understanding Colombia Visa Processing Time:
When it comes to visa applications, timing is crucial. Wait too long, and you won't have enough time to receive a response from the Cancilleria. Apply too soon, and your visa may be denied.
90-Day Tourist Stamp Extension Processing Times:
If you find yourself falling in love with the wonders of Colombia and wish to extend your stay beyond the initial 90-day tourist visa, it's essential to understand the renewal process.
Most foreigners can stay up to 180 days in Colombia per calendar year. However, you'll likely receive a 90-day passport stamp and need to ask for an extension or leave the country to receive the full 180 days.
To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend requesting your renewal 10-15 days before your 90-day expiration date.
Considering any potential backlog, this will allow sufficient time for the paperwork to be processed.
Due to the high demand and occasional administrative delays, obtaining your visa extension may take 2-3 weeks. However, the good news is that as long as you apply for the extension within the recommended timeframe, you won't face fines or penalties from the migration office.
Submitting the visa extension request 10-15 days before your visa stamp expires provides peace of mind and allows you to continue exploring the wonders of Colombia without unnecessary worry.
We rarely see visa extensions denied so long as you're not forging documents and being honest about your intentions.
Colombian Visa Processing Times:
For those who need to apply for a visitor visa, or those seeking more permanent residency or long-term stays in Colombia, the visa renewal and application process can be more complex.
To ensure a seamless experience, we recommend applying 2-3 months before you need your visa or before your current visa expires.
When dealing with the Cancielleria, the entity responsible for processing these visas, it's important to know they have up to 30 days to respond to your visa request.
Delays can occur, and preparing for these possibilities well in advance is best. By applying with ample time, you can avoid any last-minute stress or complications that may arise.
Additionally, it's important to note that the Cancielleria reserves the right to deny any visa application, even for renewals. This emphasizes the need for thorough preparation and attention to detail when submitting your application.
By allowing sufficient processing time and anticipating delays, including delays with obtaining your documents, you can increase your chances of a successful visa renewal or new application.
Colombian Citizenship Processing Times:
If you qualify for Colombian Citizenship, the process can be very similar to applying for a Colombian Visa, but the processing times can vary greatly.
After submitting your application, the government will typically respond in 3-4 months. At this time, they will let you know if they need additional documentation or let you know if everything looks okay. If they request additional documentation, you have up to 6 months to submit it.
If they have received everything they need, they will inform you of this and start processing the application.
At this time, the timeline for a decision on your application can vary greatly. In accordance with Law 43 of 1993, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have a timeline to respond to the request for Colombian nationality by adoption.
Apostilles and Authentication of Documents Processing Time:
Any official documents in a visa application must be apostilled or authenticated in their country of origin. To learn more about this process, you can read our blog here.
Typically, we see that the apostille or authentication process of documents can take up to 2-3 weeks. However, the process can take long depending on the country, location, and even the state from which the document is requested.
Official Translations Processing Times:
All official documents used in visa applications written in a language other than Spanish must be officially translated to Spanish.
Luckily, most translation services take 3-5 business days to process your documents.
Navigating the Colombia visa application process requires preparation, regardless of the visa type.
Understanding the timeline for obtaining documents, being prepared for potential document requests, and taking proactive measures, you'll navigate the visa process like a seasoned professional.
If you have any questions about the process or timelines and would like legal guidance applying for your visa, Colombian Visa Services can help you and take the stress away from your application.
Daniela Cordoba is a lawyer specializing in immigration and commercial law. Daniela Cordoba has helped individuals and businesses live and operate in Colombia for over a decade. She also has training in compliance with the respective accreditations to serve as Compliance Officer.
For the past decade we have been helping travelers secure visas to Colombia.
We work with you 1:1 to ensure you not only have the best chance of getting approval, but that you have every one of your questions answers.
You don't have to worry about having to translate emails or communication, our team is fluent in English and can help you with whatever you need.
