Colombia is a country in Latin America known for its vibrant culture, history, and natural beauty. It borders the Caribbean Sea on its northern border with the Pacific Ocean to the west. With a population of approximately 52 million people, the country has a passport that ranks in the 76th position in the Global Passport Index. It gives visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to over 130 countries around the world. 

Colombian Passport Benefits

The global mobility power of the Colombian passport is considerable: Colombian passport holders have visa-on-arrival or visa-free access to over 130 countries, including the Schengen states in the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and Russia. 

In addition to travel benefits, Colombian passport holders also enjoy the following advantages:

  • Citizenship rights: As a Colombian citizen, you have the right to vote, run for public office, and enjoy social security benefits, among other rights.
  • Work and study opportunities: With a Colombian passport, you can work and study in many countries without the need for a work or study permit.
  • Personal and business opportunities: A Colombian passport can open doors to personal and business opportunities abroad, such as networking, cultural exchange, and investment.

Colombian Passport Requirements

To obtain a Colombian passport, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a Colombian citizen: You must be a Colombian citizen by birth, descent, or naturalization.
  • Have a Colombian national identification card (Cedula): You must have a valid Cedula issued by the Colombian government. If you do not have a Cedula, you must apply for one before applying for a passport.
  • Be at least 18 years old: If you are under 18 years old, you must have consent from your parents or legal guardian to apply for a passport.

Colombian Passport Cost

The cost of a Colombian passport depends on the type of passport and where you are applying for one. Emergency passports are emitted in exceptional circumstances and are valid for a short period: seven months instead of the ten years of a regular document.

Cost in Colombia:

Bogotá:

Regular passport: $41 (COP$ 121,000 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)
Executive passport: $62 (COP$ 216,500 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)
Emergency passport: $52 (COP$ 170,000 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)

Outside Bogotá:

Regular passport: $54 (COP$ 185,000 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)
Executive passport: $76 (COP$ 280,500 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)
Emergency passport: $52 (COP$ 170,000 for the passport + COP$ 64,000 tax)

Cost abroad:

Europe and Cuba:

Regular passport: €67,70
Executive passport: €119,35
Emergency passport: €85,55

Rest of the world:

Regular passport: $94
Executive passport: $166,88
Emergency passport: $122,52

Application process

In Colombian territory, you may obtain your Passport at the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located in Bogotá or at the government offices that have been authorized for such in other cities of Colombia. Abroad you may visit a Colombian consulate, the only entity officially authorized to issue Passports to Colombian nationals.

For the application process, follow these steps:

  • On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, book an appointment for the application
  • Fill out the relevant forms online
  • Pay the passport fee
  • Attend the appointment with documents of identification and the confirmation of payment of the passport fee.
  • Once the passport is ready, you must attend the office to collect it. Don’t forget to bring a valid form of identification.

Timeline

According to the Colombian government website, your passport will be ready for dispatch once payment is received, within:

  • Twenty-four working hours in Bogotá D.C
  • Forty-eight working hours outside Bogotá D.C
  • If you are overseas, your passport will be available for dispatch or collection from the Colombian diplomatic mission or consulate where you applied within eight working days.

Colombian Passport Renewal

If you are a citizen of Colombia and your passport is about to expire, it is essential to renew it as soon as possible to avoid any travel inconvenience. Check the expiration date and ensure you don’t travel with a Colombia passport that is valid for fewer than six months. You can do that using the following steps:

  • Pay the renewal fee, through an authorized bank or financial institution.
  • You must schedule an appointment with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Appointments can be scheduled online through the Ministry’s website or in person at a designated office.
  • On the day of the appointment, attend the designated office with the documents for identification, previous passport (in case of a stolen or lost passport, you must provide this information in writing), and confirmation of payment of passport fee. You will be interviewed by an official who will verify the documents and take your photograph and fingerprints.
  • Once the new passport is ready, collect it in person at the designated office. You must bring a valid form of identification, such as a national identification card, to collect the new passport.

Colombian Nationality

Foreign nationals can obtain Colombian citizenship through naturalization (after living in Colombia for at least five years), marriage, or descent. Another way to become a Colombian national is via citizenship by investment. In this case, the process has two phases. First, you must make an eligible investment in the country, and in exchange for supporting the development of Colombia, you will be granted a residency visa, also known as investor visa. After five years as a resident, you can apply for naturalization and become a Colombian citizen. 

There are three types of investor visas: 

  • R Visa: You must make a minimum investment equivalent to 650 times the minimum wage (about $130,000) in either real estate or a business in the country. This visa is a permanent resident visa, valid indefinitely. 
  • M-10 Visa: In exchange for an investment of at least 350 times the minimum wage (equivalent to $70,000) in real estate, you can receive a residence visa valid for a year, which must be renewed at the end of each period. After three years, you will be eligible for permanent residence. 
  • M-6 Visa: You must invest 100 times the minimum wage ($20,000) in a business enterprise. This residence visa is valid for a year and must be renewed at the end of the period. After three years, you will be eligible for permanent residence. 

Global Citizen Solutions: Who We Are and How We Can Help You

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right relocation, residency, or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. If you want to apply for a residency by investment (RBI) or citizenship by investment (CBI) program but are still determining which program is for you, we are here to help.

If you are considering applying for a global passport, such as the Colombia passport, we can help with the following:

Eligibility assessment: We can conduct a thorough assessment of your eligibility for obtaining Colombian nationality based on your current citizenship, residency status, and other relevant factors.

Document preparation: We will assist you in preparing all the necessary documents for your passport application, including identification documents, proof of residency, and other supporting materials.

Application submission: We can help you submit your passport application to the Colombian consulate or embassy in your country, ensuring that all the required documents are in order and the application is completed accurately.

Expedited processing: We can provide expedited processing services for your passport application, which can be particularly useful if you need to obtain your passport quickly for business or personal travel.

Renewal and replacement: We are also available to assist you with renewing or replacing your passport, ensuring the process is completed efficiently and without unnecessary delays.

If you want to know more about citizenship and residence by investment countries, the following articles may also be of interest to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Colombian Passport

Can I enter the US with a Colombian passport?

A Colombian passport holder needs a visa to enter the United States. There are several types of visas available for Colombian citizens, including tourist, business, and student visas, among others.

For short-term visits (90 days or less), Colombian citizens may be eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). To qualify for the VWP, travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and meet other eligibility criteria, such as having a return or onward ticket and not having a criminal record or history of visa violations.

Which countries accept a Colombian passport?

There are over 130 countries where Colombian passport holders can enter visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. The list of visa-free countries for Colombian citizens includes the Schengen states in the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and Russia.

How can I get a Colombian passport?

If you are a Colombian citizen, you must attend an appointment at the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located in Bogotá or at the government offices that have been authorized for such in other cities of Colombia, at a pre-appointed time, with the relevant documents.
If you a foreign national, you can obtain Colombian citizenship through naturalization (after living in Colombia for at least five years), marriage, or descent. You can also become a Colombian national by making an investment in the country and then, after five years, applying for naturalization.

How can I get a Colombian passport in the USA?

If you are a Colombian citizen residing in the United States, you can apply for a Colombia passport at the Colombian consulate or embassy nearest to your location. If you are a US national, you must obtain Colombian citizenship first. You may be able to obtain Colombian citizenship through marriage or descent, but also by making an investment in the country and, after five years, applying for naturalization.

Once you have a valid passport, the list of visa-on-arrival and visa-free countries for Colombian citizens has more than 130 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.

How long does it take to get a Colombian passport?

According to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, once payment is received, your passport will be ready for dispatch in 24 working hours if you applied in Bogotá, 48 working hours if you applied elsewhere in Colombia, or eight working days, if you applied abroad.