Securing a Colombian visa involves navigating a maze of paperwork, but few requirements cause as much frustration as the mandatory criminal background check. For U.S. citizens or residents, this means obtaining a federal FBI Background Check—a notoriously tedious process if you don’t have the right tools. Fortunately, our reliable partner expatgroup.co is eliminating that hurdle by bringing fast, FBI-certified digital fingerprinting in Cali. In this guide, we will walk you through the undeniable advantages of digital capture, the straightforward process of scheduling your appointment, and how to seamlessly secure your required FD-258 Card.
How Does Fingerprinting in Cali Work?
Recognizing how critical this step is for various official procedures, particularly for obtaining an FBI Background Check for Colombian visa applications, expatgroup.co has invested in state-of-the-art technology to guarantee maximum precision and acceptance. Expats in Valle del Cauca can now access top-tier digital fingerprinting powered by an FBI-certified biometric scanner. This cutting-edge equipment significantly improves image resolution and accuracy, ensuring your fingerprints meet strict official requirements and reducing the risk of rejection.
Expatgroup.co simplifies this process for expats by offering a local solution in Cali, eliminating the need for long-distance travel while providing expert guidance for any immigration or legal requirement. With their digital fingerprinting service, you can rest assured your record complies with FBI standards.
Fingerprinting Service
Digital fingerprinting with an FBI-certified scanner in Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, and Cali. (The fingerprints are printed on letter-size paper using the FD-258 Format Fingerprint Card, which includes high-precision digital fingerprinting).
Step-by-Step to Book My Fingerprinting in Cali?
Scheduling your fingerprinting appointment in Cali is simple and can be done 100% digitally.
Step 1: Complete the Payment Form
Go to the expatgroup.co service page and click the ‘Apply Now’ button to access the payment form.
You can also click the button below to use the payment form attached to this blog at no additional cost.
Select one of the 2 options for the fingerprinting service in Cali.
Note: If you wish to obtain the individual fingerprinting service and the FD-258 Card for other purposes, you can use the ‘Fingerprinting Services in Cali’ option for only $35 USD.
Step 2: Confirm the city and amount to pay
Confirm the city (Cali) and the total amount to pay for the process or package.
After verifying that this information is correct, select the ‘Apply Now’ button.
Step 3: Complete the requested personal information
In the following fields, complete the following information:
- First name and last name.
- Passport number.
- Email address.
- US Residential Address.
- US Phone Number.
- Nationality.
- Date and Place of birth.
- Social Security Number.
You must also confirm if you are a US citizen or legal permanent resident.
Step 4: Reason for fingerprinting request
Complete the following information for the person getting fingerprinted.
- Gender.
- Hair Color.
- Height (in feet).
- Race.
- Eye Color.
- Weight (in pounds).
Then, please indicate the reason for requesting the fingerprinting service in the following field. Finally, upload the first page of your passport to the system and click on Next.
Step 5: Comments and Observations
Complete the following 3 fields:
- First, provide the name of the advisor who suggested the fingerprinting service.
- Provide information about where you first met expatgroup.co (Google, IA, Medellin Guru, etc.).
- Provide your comments and observations about the service or your specific needs at this point.
Step 6: Check your email and book your appointment in Cali
After you complete your payment, check your inbox for a confirmation email containing your scheduling link.
Review the brief instructions inside and click the ‘Book an appointment’ button to select your date and time, and click ‘Schedule Appointment’ to finish.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Expatgroup.co for Fingerprinting in Cali?
Given the importance of obtaining your FBI Background Check, we recommend leaving the process in the hands of experts who not only have the tools to take fingerprints but can also advise and accompany you throughout the entire process to obtain your FBI Background Check or a Colombian visa.
Multiple Locations
You can get your fingerprints taken in Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, and Barranquilla.
Do it from Colombia
You don’t have to go to the USA to acquire your FBI Criminal Records.
Digital Fingerprint
High-precision scanner certified by the FBI.
All Include Princing
With just one payment, you’ll obtain all the features of your package.
Why Do I Need an FBI Background Check for a Colombian Visa?
Criminal background checks have become a critical hurdle for expats applying for a Colombian visa, such as the Digital Nomad visa, Spouse visa, Retirement visa, Domestic Partnership visa, Business Owner visa, Investment visa, and others. Under Articles 19 and 26, the government holds discretionary power to demand a “criminal record from the country of birth or residence” for almost any applicant.
U.S. citizens and residents must submit an FBI Background Check. Before applying, those living in southwestern Colombia must get their fingerprints taken in Cali on the official FD-258 card. Due to the recent surge in government requests, we highly recommend providing this document proactively with your initial application to avoid unexpected delays.
Keep in mind that the FBI strictly enforces biometric quality standards. Any poorly rolled or incorrectly captured prints are routinely rejected, causing frustrating visa delays. Having your prints digitally captured by trained professionals using FBI-certified equipment guarantees your documents are accepted on the first attempt.
Expatgroup.co—the official visa agency partner of Medellín Guru—already offers this 100% digital service in Valle del Cauca, allowing expats in the southwestern region to securely request their FBI Report in Cali, with apostille and translations, without the hassle and expense of traveling to other cities just for a single fingerprinting appointment.
What Are the Requirements to Obtain an FBI Background Check?
To complete your FBI Background Check process, there are some requirements you must meet:
Valid & Physical Passport
Bring your passport to your scheduled appointment.
FD-258 Fingerprinting Card
Standard form required for the FBI Background Check.
Social Security Number
If you are a U.S. citizen and/or U.S Permanent Resident, you need to provide your 9-digit SSN.
If you need the FBI Report for a Colombian Visa, keep in mind that once the FBI Background Check has been issued, the next step is to obtain the apostille and translation of the document. This is because, according to Resolution 5477 of 2022, all documents issued outside the country must be apostilled and translated if they are in a language other than Spanish. If you just want to obtain your fingerprints and your criminal record certificate on your own, we recommend that you read this article about how to get the FBI Report by yourself.
The FBI Background Check, with apostille, and translations from Cali service offered by expatgroup.co is a convenient alternative for expats, handling the entire process from obtaining the criminal record to its apostille and translation.
FBI Background Check Service
- Fingerprinting (Medellín, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and Cali)
- International shipment to USA
- VIP faster processing with electronic submission
- FBI criminal record certificate (FBI Report)
- Washington D.C. Apostille certificate
- Official translations into Spanish
GET 25% OFF IN YOUR FBI BACKGROUND CHECK
The expatgroup.co anniversary offer is now open! Obtain your U.S. FBI Background Check with Apostille and Translations with our reliable partner and meet the Colombian regulations.
*Offer available until January 30th.
*Apply terms and conditions.
FAQs About Fingerprinting in Cali and FBI Background Check
Yes. First, you have to pay for the service in order for expatgroup.co to send you the link to schedule your fingerprinting appointment in Cali. If you want to first check possible date availability, you can contact them through their WhatsApp Customer Service Channel.
Expatgroup.co offers digital capture using FBI-certified scanners in Cali. This avoids the use of traditional ink and drastically reduces the risk of the FBI rejecting the prints due to smudging or poor quality.
Both are used for FBI background checks. Expatgroup.co uses the FD-258 card, which is just as valid as the FD-1164.
No. To be legally valid in Colombia, the document must be apostilled in Washington, D.C., by the U.S. Department of State and subsequently include an official translation into Spanish.
Fees vary depending on the service coverage:
- Obtaining just the FBI Report, which includes getting your fingerprints taken in Cali, costs $220 USD.
- The complete package—including fingerprinting, the FBI report processing, the federal apostille in the U.S., and the official translation—costs $400 USD.
Digital fingerprinting with expatgroup.co takes, on average, between 15 and 30 minutes.
Yes. Resolution 5477 of 2022 states that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request additional documentation during the visa process whenever it deems it necessary. In these cases, the deadline for delivering this document is 10 days from the date of notification.
Expatgroup.co will send you the results of your FBI Background Check digitally to the email address you provided while filling out the payment form.
Medellin Guru's comprehensive visa and passport series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in October 2022 were significant. So, on the Medellin Guru site, we have a comprehensive series of visa articles that are kept up-to-date and should answer most visa questions. These articles include:
- Colombia Visa Guide: Ultimate Guide How to Get a Colombian Visa
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa with Up-to-Date Info – an overview of all the Colombian visas
- Popular Colombian Visas for Foreigners: Which Visa is the Most Popular?
- Coronavirus Impacts on Colombian Visas and Tourist Visas
- Visa Agencies: A Guide to Visa Agencies in Medellín and Colombia
- 9 Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the nine most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Retirement visa
- Marriage visa
- Investment visa
- Business Visa
- Resident visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Visitor visa
Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:
- Rentista visa (annuity visa) – for foreigners with a fixed income
- Beneficiary visa – for relatives of visa holders
- Expertise visa – for professionals
In addition, we have a guide to Colombia tourist visas and how to extend a tourist visa. Also, we have a guide to renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and a guide to obtaining a Colombian passport.
Furthermore, we provide information about travel health policy that meets the health requirements for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how to apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellín Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles are up to date (2025) and will continue to receive updates in 2026.
Get Fingerprinting in Cali for Your FBI Background Check
By now, it should be clear that you not only need an FBI Background Check, but also an experienced specialist to handle your fingerprinting. That’s why the option to obtain your FBI Background Check from Cali is great news for many expats in the visa process.
Don’t let location slow down your visa application. If you’re in Cali, expatgroup.co can help you complete the fingerprinting process required for your FBI Background Check. They handle the process from fingerprinting to submission, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and paperwork. Schedule your appointment in Cali and get your FBI Background Check process underway.
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