Among South American countries, Colombia is famous for its beautiful and shiny emeralds. Almost 70-90 percent of the emeralds products are manufactured in Colombia and exported to the rest of the world.
The country is also important for tourists because of its culture, forests, beaches, world heritage sites, natural parks, etc. So, if you want to travel to this region of the world, make sure to get a Colombia visa for Indians first.
This blog will help you learn all the essential visa details when traveling from India to Colombia.
About Colombia
Also known as the Republic of Colombia, the country lies in South America with several regions located in North America. Moreover, the country joins its borders with Brazil, the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador & Peru, and Panama.
The country has a population of almost fifty-two million. Besides, Spanish is the national language of Colombia. Whereas, people also speak English, Creole, and other 64 regional languages in this state.
Furthermore, Colombia has several tourist spots that will help you make a perfect holiday plan.
What is a Colombia Visa for Indians?
When planning to visit any international country, make sure to fulfill certain requirements to show your eligibility. Similar is the case if you are planning to visit Colombia from India, you should get a visa or permit to enter the country legally.
This is called a Colombia visa for Indians.
This visa allows you to travel to the country, visit your family members and friends, conduct business, or continue your studies in Colombia.
Moreover, a Colombia visa has different types depending on the reason for visiting the country. Besides, the validity period of each visa varies considering the visa type and the requirements of the applicant.
Do Indians need a visa to travel to Colombia?
Yes. As an Indian citizen, you must apply for a visa before leaving your home country to visit Colombia. Regardless of the trip purpose, you can only enter the territory of the country with a valid Colombia visa for Indians.
After the submission of the documents, the relevant embassy will take some time to analyze the purpose of your trip to the host country and the supporting documents.
Exceptions
Consider the following certain points before applying for a Colombia visa from India.
- Indian travelers are not required to get a visa to enter Colombia if they have a Schengen or United States visa with a validity of at least one hundred and eighty days.
- Secondly, if they have a residence permit for any of the Schengen member countries or the United States of America, they can enter Colombia without a visa.
In all other cases, you, as an Indian, must get a Colombian visa through the Embassy or Consulate of Colombia nearest to your residence place.
Colombia Visas for Indians Categories
A Colombian visa is further categorized into various types based on certain criteria. For example, depending on the purpose and duration of your stay in Colombia, Indian citizens can apply for the following three categories of Colombia visa.
Visitor visa (V)
This is a temporary Colombian visa that you can use for several purposes. For example, this includes business, tourism, transit, internship, medical treatment, exchange programs, volunteer work, etc.
Also, you may or may not extend this visa type considering the purpose. Two common types of visas fall into this category.
- A tourist visa permits you to enter and explore the country for a given period. Under a reliable reason, you can apply for a tourist visa extension, however, it is rare. It is a single and multiple-entry visa that you can get after paying an application fee of almost 82 dollars (6,895 INR).
- Secondly, you can use a business visa to conduct meetings/conferences or carry out other business activities. For this purpose, you should submit commercial documents to show your bond with the company in the target country.
Validity
The validity of the visitor visa and its subclasses is three months (90 days).
Migration visa (M)
If you want to move to Colombia from India and live permanently in the country, you must apply for a migration visa. The visa also includes various movement permits and permanent residence cards that you can use.
Besides, a migration visa also deals with the rest of the long-term and permanent types of permits.
Validity
Usually, this visa is valid for almost the entire life. However, the validity period may change under special circumstances.
Resident visa (R)
A resident visa allows you to stay in the country temporarily. You can use this visa for several purposes including,
- Work
- Invest
- Study
Depending on the purpose of your visit, you will be granted the most accurate type of resident visa.
Validity
Typically, the validity of a resident visa depends on the length of your stay in Colombia and the reason for your visit.
Colombia Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens
Make sure to fulfill the following Colombia visa requirements for Indian citizens to submit your application easily.
Standard documents
- The first important document is the passport which should have a validity period of at least six months ahead of your stay in Colombia.
- Furthermore, submit a completed visa application form that you can get from the relevant embassy in your home country.
- You should also submit documents that prove your nationality and citizenship. For Indians, this would be an Aadhaar Card or PAN Card.
- Two recent passport-size pictures should also be attached to the visa application form. They must be according to the following specifications.
- The size of the picture should be 1.5 inches x 2.5 inches (35mm x 45mm).
- It should be a colored copy.
- The photo must cover 60-70 percent of the face and shoulders.
- Ensure that the picture is not older than the last six months.
- The background of the picture should be white, bearing neutral expressions.
- Moreover, provide proof of accommodation to show that you have a place to stay in Colombia. This could be a hotel or a rental apartment/house.
- In addition, submitting proof of flight reservation demonstrates that you have an intention of flying out of the country. The document includes details such as your flight number, IATA codes, airport terminals, etc.
Where to get these documents?
You can visit RFV Travels to get these documents at a reduced price.
- You can also write and submit a cover letter to explain your trip from a personal point of view.
- Buying a travel health insurance policy will help you bear uninvited medical expenses related to health and trips.
- Proof of financial resources such as income tax returns or bank statements will show the officials that you can support yourself without burdening the host country. Also, make sure to translate these documents into Spanish language.
- You can also submit a recommendation letter from the organization you are currently working in to strengthen your application.
- If you have been to any of these countries in the past, you can submit your older visas as well. The countries include the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Schengen, and Chile.
Requirements for a visitor visa
- Cover letter
- Bank statement
- Round-trip itinerary
Requirements for a migration visa
- Migration visa application form
- Document justifying the reason for your migration
- Letter of employment
- Educational certificate
- Character certificate
- Health certificate
Requirements for a resident visa
- Health certificate
- Financial documents
- Police clearance certificate from the local police station
- Letter of invitation from the Colombian employer
- Academic certificates such as transcripts or mark sheets
Colombia Visa for Indians Application Process
You can apply for a Colombia visa for Indians using either online or offline methods. The online method is simple, you just have to fill out a visa application form online, upload the documents, and submit the application.
If you want to apply for your visa physically through the Embassy of Colombia in New Delhi, India, follow the steps given below.
- Firstly, select the visa type as per the purpose of your visa.
- Fill out your visa application form. After completing it, print it on a page for physical submission. You can also send it to the embassy via email.
- Then, collect the required documents and compile them in a logical sequence.
- After that, submit the supporting documents and the application form to the embassy.
- The embassy will notify you if they need any other documents.
- Then, pay the visa fee and attend the interview to complete all the procedural steps.
- Wait for the processing period until the officials decide on your application.
- Once your visa is approved, pick up your passport from the same embassy or application center.
Visa Application Amount
Normally, the application cost for a Colombia visa for Indians varies considering the following factors.
- The length of your stay in the country
- Purpose of your visit
- The type of visa you have applied for
Therefore, the following table sums up the fees for each visa type.
| Visa type | Fee in Indian Rupees |
| Tourist visa | 6,895 Indian Rupees |
| Business visa | 19,000 INR |
| Migration visa | Minimum 22,960 Indian Rupees |
| Resident visa | The fee varies depending on the visit’s purpose |
The visa application amount is calculated based on the current exchange rate, so always check the latest fee before starting the process.
Colombia Visa Processing Time
The standard processing time for a Colombia visa for Indians can take up to two working weeks (10 to 15 days). The required time to process the applications can also be extended in rare circumstances.
For example, it may include the visa type and the duration of your stay in Colombia. Therefore, it is always advisable to visit the Colombian Embassy to check the processing time.
For fast processing time, you can pay an additional fee. This will reduce the processing time to 5-10 business days. Moreover, always make sure to apply in advance to avoid any last-minute problems.
Common Reasons for Colombia Visa Rejection for Indians
The embassy may reject your Colombia visa from India due to any of the following reasons below.
- If you have a criminal record, this will force the embassy to reject your visa application instantly.
- Moreover, if you have a poor health condition, you are not fulfilling the eligibility criteria for health.
- Your visa application form has incomplete or invalid information that cannot be cross-checked.
- Lastly, if you have failed to provide sufficient financial funds, the officials will reject your visa.
What can I do if my visa is rejected?
If your Colombian visa is rejected, make sure to follow the tips below during the reapplication process.
- Resubmit your new application within two weeks of your rejection. Ensure to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
- Follow the latest requirements of the Colombian Embassy and submit all the required documents along with the recent photos.
- Complete a visa application form without leaving any blank unfilled. Always double-check the document before submitting it to the authorities.
- Also, contact the Embassy or Consulate to learn about the reasons for your visa rejection before starting a new application.
FAQs
- Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Colombia?
No. Indian citizens are not eligible to get a visa on arrival in Colombia. However, the visa policies may change regularly. So, check the latest guidelines before starting the process.
- When should I apply for a Colombia visa?
It is always advisable to start the visa process earlier to avoid any delays. The ideal time to submit your application is at least two months before your intended departure date.
- Is it possible to extend my stay in Colombia?
Yes. You can extend your stay in Colombia by submitting an extension application to the Immigration Agency of Colombia. Make sure to do it a few weeks before your current visa expires.
Also, note that your application will be approved only in case you provide genuine reasons for an extension.
- Should I attend the Colombian visa interview?
Yes, applicants must attend the Colombian visa interview by visiting the Embassy or Consulate of the target country. Other than that, the embassy may also request you to provide biometric information such as fingerprints or retina scans on the same day.
- Can I apply for two Colombia visas simultaneously?
No. You cannot apply for two Colombia visas at the same time, as you are allowed to submit only one application. In case you apply for two, the first application will get processed. Whereas, the second one will either get rejected or canceled.
- Which medical test is required for a Colombia visa?
A medical test is required to check if the applicant is physically fit for travel. It is usually needed for long-term stays in the country such as the Migration or Resident visa. A visitor visa has no such requirement to submit a medical certificate.
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