Republic of Colombia · short term business

Visa V (Visitante)

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Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 13 September 2026

The Visitor (V) visa for temporary stays in Colombia where the holder has no intention of establishing domicile in the country.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyIssued for a defined temporary period that varies by subcategory; not a settlement track. Confirm the current validity for your subcategory on the official page.
Processing time
Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Cancilleria visa page.
Government fees
Indicative only - a study fee and an issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
Typical duration
Issued for a defined temporary period that varies by subcategory; not a settlement track. Confirm the current validity for your subcategory on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
No

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Visa V (Visitante) for Republic of Colombia is an unsponsored Colombia immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Colombia government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/colombia/visa-v-visitor#answer

What is the Visa V (Visitante) in Republic of Colombia?

Visa V (Visitante) is an unsponsored Colombia route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a study fee and an issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Cancilleria visa page; typical duration is Issued for a defined temporary period that varies by subcategory; not a settlement track. Confirm the current validity for your subcategory on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Under Resolucion 5477 of 2022, the Visa V (Visitante) is the temporary, non-establishment category of Colombian visa. It covers a range of short- to medium-stay activities - business, tourism beyond visa-waiver limits, study, medical treatment and similar - where the holder does not intend to settle. Some V subcategories authorise a specific activity for a specific entity, but most do not grant a work permit, and time on a V visa does not count toward residence. The Visa V is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm which Visa V subcategory under Resolucion 5477 of 2022 matches your activity and that you do not need a Migrant or Resident visa, using the official Cancilleria page.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Assemble the passport, application form, photograph and the activity-specific supporting documents the subcategory requires.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply through the Cancilleria online visa system or at a Colombian consulate, as directed for your subcategory.

  4. After approval

    Enter Colombia within the visa validity and observe the permitted-activity and stay limits for the subcategory.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Visa V (Visitante), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Colombia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Visa V (Visitante) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Visa V (Visitante).

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Does time on a Colombian Visa V count toward residence?+

No. The Visa V (Visitante) is a temporary, non-establishment category, and time held on it does not accrue toward a Resident (R) visa. Establishment intent requires a Migrant (M) visa. Confirm the rules for your subcategory on the official Cancilleria page.

Can I work in Colombia on a Visa V?+

Only certain Visa V subcategories authorise a specific activity for a specific entity; most do not grant a general work permit. Check whether your subcategory allows the work you intend on the official Cancilleria page.

I studied in Colombia on a Visa V and want to stay and work after graduating - which visa do I need?+

Staying to settle and work in Colombia is not done on the Visitor (V) visa; if your true purpose is to settle, you need a Migrant (M) or Resident (R) visa instead. A recent graduate aiming to work and establish themselves would generally move to a Migrant (M) subcategory. Confirm which route fits your situation on the official Cancilleria page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Colombia

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology