After you have successfully received a Colombian visa, you have a maximum of 15 calendar days to register your visa with Migración Colombia and apply for a Cedula de Extranjeria (Colombian ID for foreigners) Or if you received your visa at a consulate, you will have 15 calendar days after you arrive in Colombia to register your visa. We provide a 2024 update on how to obtain a cedula.
Due to being photographed and fingerprinted this must be done in-person at a Migración Colombia office. The only exception to going in person for an application is if you are applying for a duplicate Cedula de Extranjeria due to your cedula being stolen or lost.
Especially relevant, it is very important to register your Colombian Beneficiary visa within the allotted time frame. If not, you will be liable for a big fine of up to seven times the minimum monthly salary in Colombia. The minimum salary in Colombia is $1,300,000 COP per month in 2024. So, the fine is up to 9,100,000 COP pesos in 2024.
Once you have a Colombian cedula it will make your life easier in Colombia. Most banks in Colombia require one to open an account. In addition, having one will make it easier to open accounts for Internet, TV and landline and cellular phone services.
Furthermore, you can travel domestically in Colombia with just your cedula and can leave your passport at home.
How to Apply for a Cedula Extranjeria
Applying for a Colombian Cedula Extranjeria is a relatively straightforward process as follows:
1. Get your blood test to determine your blood type if you do not know it.
If you are in Medellín or Bogotá, you could go to one of the best hospitals in Colombia or one of the many clinics found in each city. When I went for a blood test, I went to Clínica las Américas in Belén, which is the third best hospital in Medellín. I used to live within walking distance to this hospital. And it only took about 15 minutes to get my blood test showing my blood type.
If you previously had a Colombian cedula there is no need for a blood test as they already have your blood type from your previous cedula.
The report is not mandatory if you know your blood type. But be aware, you need to be sure about your blood type as if you are unconscious they use your blood type on your cedula for any medical care.
2. Fill out an online application.
Migración Colombia has an online application for a cedula that is available in English or Spanish. In the past Migración Colombia used paper applications that were available in their offices.
This online application asks some basic information including some personal information, emergency contact information and foreigner registration information as seen in the following three screen shots.
Personal information
Emergency contact information
Foreigner registration information
3. Schedule an appointment at one of the Migración Colombia offices.
Before going to Migración Colombia, you must make an appointment. And this can be done online here.
New entrance to Migracion Colombia in Medellín, on Calle 19A
You can find Migración Colombia offices in the major cities in Colombia.
- Barranquilla – Carrera 42 # 54-77, Barrio El Recreo
- Bogotá – Calle 100 #11B-27
- Cali – Avenida 3 norte # 50N-20
- Cartagena – Carrera 20 B # 29-18, Barrio pie de la Popa
- Medellín – Calle 19 #80A-40, Barrio Belén (the entrance is on the other side of the building on Calle 19A)
A complete list of the Migración Colombia offices by regions is found here.
4. Go to the Migración Colombia office on your scheduled date with the following required documents:
- Your original passport
- Photocopy of your visa.
- Photocopy of your blood test showing your blood type if this is your first cedula and you don’t know your blood type.
- Photocopy of the data page from your passport.
The cost of the Cedula Extranjeria is currently 267,000 pesos in 2024 ($66 USD). You can pay this fee at the Migración Colombia office with PSE or a credit or debit card.
After applying, you can check online here to see if it is ready to be picked up.
Migracion Colombia office in Bogotá
My First Three Cedula Application Experiences
I applied for my first three Colombian visas myself over the past several years. After receiving each visa, I also applied for a cedula. Each cedula will be valid for the same duration as your Colombian visa.
In addition, when you renew, the new cedula will have the same number as your previous one.
The first three times I applied for a visa, I traveled to Bogotá. And after I received the visa in my passport, I walked to the Migración Colombia office in Bogotá to apply for my cedula.
The Migración Colombia office in Bogotá is conveniently located within walking distance office from the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores office where you get your visa.
In Bogotá, the cedula application for me only took about an hour each time in the morning at the Migración Colombia office. So, it is possible to receive your visa and apply for a cedula in the same morning in Bogotá if you don’t run into problems.
You can apply for a cedula in Bogotá and request that it be sent to the Migration Colombia office another city.
The first three times I applied for a cedula, I was told that it would be ready in three days in the Bogotá office or if sent to Medellín it would take 7-10 days.
However, my experience was that two of my four cedulas took longer than this:
- My first cedula arrived in Medellín about three weeks after I applied in Bogotá.
- My second one was ready in the Bogotá Migración office three days after I applied.
- My third one arrived in Medellín after more than a month. This delay was due to problems Migración Colombia was having with the vendor they had outsourced cedula production to.
- My fourth cedula arrived in about 10 days after I applied in Medellín.
In addition, one problem I have found out is the number of my Cedula Extranjeria is the same as the number of a Colombian citizen’s Cedula Ciudadania who lives in Bogotá. This caused me problems when trying to sign up for some store rewards programs in Colombia as their systems don’t support both types of cedulas with the same number.
When you see the your cedula is ready online you have to go to pick it up. And bring your passport with you, as they will want to see your passport.
My experience in 2018 Getting a New Cedula
After receiving my fourth Colombian visa recently, a Colombia resident visa, I needed to also go to get my fourth cedula. I used the visa agency for my resident visa. And after I received the visa they filled out the online cedula application for me and provided me with the paperwork needed for a cedula:
- One page proof of applying for the cedula online with a confirmation number.
- Photocopy of the data page from my passport.
- Photocopy of my visa.
I went to the Migración office in Medellín on a Friday without an appointment. I arrived at about 8 am and was finished a little after 10 am. So, it took a little over 2 hours. I had to wait for over 1.5 hours before seeing a Migración officer. I then turned in the paperwork, answered a few questions, paid 190,000 pesos for the cedula with a debit card and they took my photo and fingerprints. Also, note the price increased to 246,000 pesos in February 2023.
I started checking online daily after five days to see if my cedula was ready to be picked up. And after eight business days (10 calendar days) my cedula was ready to be picked up. Overall this was a very painless process.
Duplicate cedula page on the Migracion website
How to Obtain a Duplicate Cedula de Extranjeria
If you Cedula de Extranjeria is stolen or lost, Migracion Colombia has a streamlined process for obtaining a duplicate cedula.
To obtain a duplicate Cedula de Extranjeria, go to the Migracion page to request a duplicate cedula. This website page asks for your cedula number. And after entering your cedula number you validate your name and enter your email address and the city in Colombia where you want to pick the duplicate cedula.
This website then goes to a payment page where you can print out a receipt to pay 245,000 pesos at Banco Occidente. Or you can pay online from a Colombian bank account.
I had my cedula stolen during a robbery in Laureles in January 2020. When I used this duplicate cedula process to obtain a duplicate cedula, I paid the same day at Banco Occidente. And I received an email from Migracion saying that the duplicate cedula would be ready to pick up in about three business days. A week later, I checked online and the duplicate cedula was ready to be picked up in five business days.
Medellin Guru’s Comprehensive Visa and Passport Series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in mid-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 seven most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Retirement visa
- Marriage visa
- Investment 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 insurance that meets the insurance requirement for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellin Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles were updated in 2023 to ensure they are up-to-date and are being updated again in 2024. In addition, all visa articles on this website will be kept up-to-date as new details are disclosed.
Using a Visa Agency for Visas
Medellin Guru has partnered with what we believe is the best visa agency in Medellín to offer Colombia visa services. Features of this service include:
- Online chat – get visa questions answered fast.
- Online quotes – get immediate visa quotes.
- Bilingual team.
- Office in El Poblado in Medellín.
- Competitive price compared to other visa services.
The Medellin Guru visa service partnership was launched in March 2019. And in 47 months, 630 visas were successfully received by clients.
Also, our visa service renewed 68 American passports in Bogotá using our passport renewal service.In addition, 53 clients extended tourist visas using our tourist visa extension service.
So, in total we had 751 clients of the Medellin Guru visa service in 47 months.
In addition, many more visas are in process – short, medium or longer term, depending on client needs.
Use the Medellin Guru Visa Service
We reviewed all the Colombia visa agency services in Medellín and found one agency that offers a more efficient visa service with more features and more comprehensive communications including online chat, WhatsApp, videocall, email and phone plus a low price and a convenient office in El Poblado.
Our visa partnership is an affiliate relationship (like the Amazon affiliate program). If you use our visa partner, Medellin Guru receives a small commission and you support the website. This is at no additional cost to you. The price remains the same, whether you use a button or affiliate link on this website or not.
Furthermore, the visa agency we partnered with offers visa services anywhere in Colombia. So, if you are located in another city in Colombia you can use this service.
sample of cedula de extranjeria
The Bottom Line: Receiving a Cedula Extranjeria
After you receive a Colombian visa the process to receive a Cedula Extranjeria is relatively easy with few documents required.
Once you have a cedula your life will become easier in Colombia. You will be able to open bank accounts in Colombia; apply for Internet, TV and phone services; start to establish a credit record in Colombia plus you can travel in Colombia with just your cedula and leave your passport at home.
86 thoughts on “How to Apply for a Cedula Extranjeria in Colombia – 2024 Update”
I recently went to migracion colombia to obtain a cedula. I completely forgot that I needed to register my visa within 15 days of arriving (I have now been here over a month). They did stamp my passport and I will receive the cedula in a couple days. Do you think I am still at risk of being fined? would they have fined me at the office itself?
Does anyone have any experience with being fined?
Thanks for your quick response! Do you know which of the two numbers would be the cédula?
It is the bottom number.
Thanks for this informative article – is the number the officials write in your passport under REGISTRO also the cedula or the number written above the date? or is there no way of knowing the cedula number until it is sent?
Thanks for your help!
Yes, that will be the number of your cedula.
Thanks Jeff!
I am in Bogota now on a 6 month Visitor visa. I have successfully applied online for the cedula however there are not available appointments for “Visa Registration” and the first available appointment for “Cedula de Extranjera” is in 20 days from now. (1) Which appointment should I be taking? and (2) How can I avoid the 15 day rule? – it seems impossible to not let it take more than 15 days or does the fact I have filled the online form mean I am safe?
Thanks a lot,
Will
Registering a visa is part of applying for a cedula. Very likely they are not enforcing the 15 day rule now with the difficulty of getting appointments.
If you are retired and you received Social Security and another form of income from the US, will the Colombia government tax you on those funds that you receive from the US?
Hello – I the daughter of a Colombian woman. I was born in NY. What do I need to do to get a dual citizenship and a Colombian Cedula?
If you are in NY, contact the Colombian consulate in NY, which has services for nationality – http://nuevayork.consulado.gov.co/tramites_servicios/nacionalidad
On the page for requesting a duplicate I get the “Señor ciudadano es necesario acercarse al Centro Facilitador más cercano para actualizar su foto, firma y huella”. I went there but they told me to fill in the form and make the payment online but I can only close the message, no other options given..
Sorry, but we can’t help with troubleshooting Colombian government websites. You will have to go to Migraction to sort it out.
Hi Jeff. I’m adding my huge thanks to you and all the extraordinary valuable information you have provided…and continue to provide and update. I had sent you a query through Patreon but haven’t received a reply so here it is again. You mentioned that a new requirement for a retirement visa is proof of international medical insurance. My husband and I are past the ages that we can obtain that type of insurance without being charged exorbitant rates which we can’t afford. We had planned to pay out of pocket if and when we were to need medical assistance. Right now we are very healthy and intend to stay that way but….who knows? Do you have any advice for us as we plan to relocate to Medellin next Fall. Thank you.
I did reply 2 days ago on Patreon. This was my reply “Having an international medical insurance policy is a new requirement for the Colombia retirement visa according to the visa agency we partnered with.”
It will take time but we plan to research and publish an article about international medical insurance policies.
Hi Jeff,
I had a cedula extranjera but I lost it in my own country. Now I’m back in Colombia and I want a new one. What do I need to do? Do I need to re-do the whole process?
No, don’t need to do the entire process again. See the article, it shows how to get a duplicate cedula and the process is different than a new cedula – look for “How to Obtain a Duplicate Cedula de Extranjeria” in the article.
Hello Jeff.
I’m American citizen and have lost my pension Cedula in a taxi. What are the steps in this case? Can I do this online or do I have to appear at the Neiva office to have it replaced??
Thanks
You can apply online for a replacement but have to physically go to a Migracion office as they take fingerprints and photos.
Thanks Jeff,
I appreciate your quick response. This is really helpful. Is there a site for the Neiva office where I can fill out the form? I’ve been looking for kt and haven’t found it yet. Can you direct me to it?
Thanks
Migracion has changed it’s website, will look to see if can find and update the article with a link to office locations.
Migracion office in Neiva is at Calle 8 # 7-70, Centro, [57] [8] 871-2112, Hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
I just recently got an M Type Rentista visa stamped in my passport (have a pension from a private company) and when I go to apply for my cedulla online and choose Migrante as the visa category it is asking me for my place of work in Colombia. Would putting No Aplica for those work the best and then I can explain at the office? As I do not have a place of work in Colombia nor, to my knowledge, does the visa allow for such a thing.
Thank you for having such a helpful blog!
Click on this link and it will bring up a page for the visa agency we partnered with – https://visasincolombia.com.
There is a chat at the bottom right where you can chat directly with the visa agency we partnered with that will be able to best answer your question.
Hi Jeff b
I had the same experience recently. All the fields on the website are mandatory whether they are relevant or not, apparently they used to be optional. I am in a similar situation to you, i.e. not working in Colombia. When I recently applied for my cedula I just put my previous occupation and my own address and telephone numbers in, and n/a where possible. All turned out fine and no questions asked at the Migracion office, although the rules/experiences do seem to change depending on which office and which member of staff you encounter.
If you’ve had a cedula in the past, do they need to retake your fingerprints again?
Yes, for a new cedula they retake your fingerprints and take a new photo.
Hello sir,
I have applied for a migrant visa and still awaiting the results, however my current visa will expire in few days so ive decided to head to ecuador as i await the decision.
In case of approval of the visa can i go to the embassy in quito to have it stamped on my passport? I have applied in bogota through an agency for the visa.
And does the 2 weeks rule for the cedula apply from the issuance of the visa or when i return to colombia ?
Regards
The 15 day rule for the cedula applies to when you return to Colombia. Regarding if you can get your visa stamped in your passport at the embassy in Quito, we recommend asking the visa agency we partnered with. Click on https://visasincolombia.com/ and there is a chat box at the bottom right where you can ask visa questions directly to the visa agency.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the incredible useful information. Do you know what happens with the old cédula when it expires? Do we need to bring it when we apply for a new cédula on a new visa?
No need to bring the old cedula with you.
Hi Jeff, All,
Thanks for the great guide – very useful. I’ve just got my first cedula and thought I’d share a bit of info that might be useful. Firstly, I wasn’t sure whether the cedula process also covered registering the visa, or whether they were separate processes – I can confirm if you go through the cedula process, your visa will also be registered with a stamp in your passport when you attend the Migracion office. The online application was pretty straightforward, the only documents needed to submit online were scans of passport details page and the visa (both on the same pdf document, max limit 1MB). I then received an email asking to attend the Migracion office and book an appointment, however the booking system was not working in English or Spanish, so I went to the Migracion office without an appointment. I went in the afternoon (probably not the best time, it was very busy) but was finished in around 2 hours. I took my blood type letter with me, which the officer didn’t ask for, I offered a copy but they handed it back to me. Personally, I would still take a copy just in case as I have heard others have been asked for it. The payment, a few questions and photo/fingerprints probably took a total of 10 minutes, the rest was just waiting! My cedula was ready for collection after 3 working days.
Hi! This is very useful information. I, myself, wasn’t sure also if visa registration and cedula application should be accomplished in separate process. Thanks!
Hi! I’m a Ukrainian citizen and therefore need a visa to visit Colombia as a tourist. I have received a visa type V for tourism purposes. The visa is valid for four months. Since the validity is more than three months I seem to need to register the visa. Does that also mean I need to apply for the Cedula? That sounds absurd, since I’m only trying to visit as a tourist.
I’m trying to figure out if I need to go through the whole circus described above; if so, I will cancel my visit and go to a different country.
Yes, if a visa is for more than 3 months you need to register the visa and apply for a cedula according to the visa agencies I have talked to.
Try to use a credit card that doesnt have foreign transaction fee such as Chase United Mileage Plus.
Once you get your cedula, head over to Bancolombia to open local bank account. Will make things a lot easier. Be prepared to show proof of income and source of funds (which all banks demand nowadays)
That’s only an american thing – no credit card in the world that i’m aware of other than those issued in the US have that kind of insanity. I was actually shocked by it when I got my first american CC. Promptly cancelled it.
OK – Checked tarifario Panama credito tarjeta – doesn’t seem to have international usage fee. However, both Panama and Colombian debito tarjeta have large fees for using aboard. So bottom line, read your agreement and always best to have a local bank account (or pay cash) And reminder to Americans, Charles Schwab (bank) will rebate any ATM fees so its easiest way to bring in dollars with USD so strong in Colombia (3350!)
You have to use a card to pay, they don’t accept cash?!?
Yes, at the Migración Colombia office you need to use a credit or debit card. To use cash you will have to go offsite to their bank to pay.
thanks! hopefully foreign card will work.
Should work if you have notified your bank for the card that you are in Colombia.
Hello,
I have contacted the migracion colombia and they informed me that it is not obligatory to register the visa if its less than 3 months, i have inclosed the email i received as it might be helpful in your article.
Regards
“Registro de visa de extranjeros / Registro de visa de extranjeros
Agradecemos el haber contactado a Migración Colombia. Para nosotros sus inquietudes son muy importantes. Hemos leído su comunicación y a continuación le brindamos la información correspondiente.
Toda visa cuya vigencia sea superior a 3 meses, debe ser registrada, exceptuando, quienes sean titulares de visas con vigencia menor a tres (3) meses, así como los titulares y beneficiarios de Visa Preferencial, los titulares de visa de negocios NE-1, los titulares y beneficiarios de las visas NE-2 y NE-4 que permanezcan por un término inferior a tres (3) meses dentro del territorio nacional y los titulares de Visas TP-11 y TP-12. Podrán tramitar la cédula de extranjería voluntariamente, a fin de facilitar el ejercicio de los derechos que dicho documento otorga al extranjero, a partir del 1° de enero de 2014.
No obstante, si su visa es superior a tres (3) meses tiene que realizar el trámite de cédula de extranjería.
Para el equipo de Servicio al Ciudadano es fundamental su satisfacción. Agradecemos sus sugerencias con miras al mejoramiento de la atención prestada.
Migración Colombia siempre está dispuesta a servirle.”
Thanks. But strange that email from migracion looks out-of-date as it includes the old TP-11, TP-12, NE-1, NE-2 and NE-4 visas that no longer exist and haven’t existed since December 2017. I will follow up with a visa agency to confirm before updating the article.
Thanks, I confirmed with a visa agency that you only need to register visas if they are valid for more than three months. So, the article is updated.
This is for anyone, I applied for my cedula at the Migracion Office in Belen Medellin December 10 and have not receive it as of today.
I try calling the number in Bogota with no results .This is my second cedula so I check the list everyday but my number is not there My last cedula took three weeks . my question is should I go to Bogota or Medellin to try and resolve this. Anyone that had this problem before your advice will be greatly appreciated. GRACIAS
You should go to the Migracion office in Belén. I had this happen to one of my cedulas and had to follow up with the Migracion office in Belén.
1)
In some other countries of South America, and not only, even with a local ID for foreigners/residents, a foreigner may only open an account which is limited or has high fees and what-not…. The restrictions to basic operations: the way you deposit money, the currency you may deposit, it’s not a saving account, the source of income for each deposit, etc….
Do all the banks in Colombia open a normal account with Cedula, with no such restrictions?
2) Also, do the banks offer internet banking to their accounts usually?
You can open a Colombian bank account with a cedula as a foreigner without any issues that has no different fees than for Colombians. But some banks might want to see a Colombian tax return or some other documentation that shows your income. For example, Colpatria wanted to see my Colombian tax return when I opened an account. But Bancolombia didn’t. And if you make a large wire transfer you may have to show the source of funds.
And yes, the banks in Colombia offer Internet banking.
Hi, I went for my first Cedula last Thursday below my story.
I have a Dutch Passport and I have a Colombian wife and 3 children living in Colombia.
I currently still work abroad in Curacao and will come over for a few months and than go back again. And this like 5 times per year or more.
I never applied for a visa. I always thought it was difficult with the TP4 and renewing every year made no sense to me. also the costs.
But now I am starting a business in Colombia too with selling IP security cameras and remote ICT work.
So finally applied for a visa online in November and first went for information to a local consulate.
The online visa appliance is pretty straight forward. however with the documents they ask and the max amount of data which is 5 mb I had to combine multiple scans into 1 PDF. I used Irfan view for this. Scan images with acquire batch scanning en then image create panorama image. and you can resize resample the images to make them smaller.
With this you can combine several images to 1 pdf file.
The asked me for a recent and legalized marriage certificate.
Witch my wife got at the original notary she scanned it and send me by mail.
All documents can be scanned into PDF . wen you finalize the online document you receive a number.
When everything was finished I went to the consulate with my passport or the number they could check is everything was ok.
Best is go with your passport.
I had to pay the first investigation fee at my bank about 60 us dollar and send them the receipt by mail.
They submitted the application. Within 3 days I go reply it was approved, no interview needed and I send them the payment fee for the visa by mail, I went next day and I got the visa sticker in my passport.
A 3 year M visa. with the remark all legal work allowed.
The Curacao consulate was very helpful and friendly.
When I arrived in Colombia in Bogota I could use the nationals line. which went a lot faster.
You have 15 days to go to a migracion office and I was worried with the holidays etc. it would be difficult So next day I started the online registration
It took me more than 30 tries to get trough. As it seems they are changing the system because so many Venezuelans apply that the system overloaded. We called the office they said everything was working fine. well it was not. but later they told me it was a small miracle I got through.
Filling in the form was no problem but the upload of the passport failed all the time. 3 days ago I finally got through.
In the form they also ask you for employer and or company info. You can fill in the same data as you use for your resident address.
I went to the office in barranquilla and arrived at 15:15 expecting a long line. To my surprise the office was almost empty with 2 people in front of me. after 15 minutes it was my turn and the lad was extremely friendly and helpful. No blood test needed, and also the copy off my passport I brought was not needed they take a photo and finger prints and you can pay directly with debit or credit card. you get a stamp in your passport and within 30 minutes I was outside again. Hallelujah.
I can return in 6 working days to collect my cedula.
So for me it went really well, with very polite friendly people. Its not cheap and it takes some work but with the internet things can go really fast. But you can expect delays because of the changes in the system and the Venezuela situation . Call the local office first too.
To you all a happy new year and all the best for 2019
Regards, Hugo
I would like to add that
1. You have 15 days after you receive your electronic copy of your visa, not the actual visa stamp in your passport, to apply for cedula extranjera. I almost got caught out because I thought it was 15 days after I received the visa stamp in my passport to then apply for the cedula.
2. They wanted me to upload a copy of the documents on my online application 1. Passport copy with blank page, 2. Blood test (they didnt take my word for it. 3. Copy of VISA and blank passport page.
I also had to provide the documents in hard copy. They sent me back because of this, as the online application only allowed me to upload the passport copy
3. I misunderstood the article previous about applying for visa and thought that we had 15 days once we got the electronic visa copy, to get the VISA stamp in passport and then once we had the visa stamp in passport, we had 15 days to get the cedula. On re-reading , this was my misunderstanding. But just thought that I would point it out in case anyway else also misunderstands as I applied for my cedula on the last day of my time period allowance and wasn’t even aware.
I have a Vietnamese bank account and I recently found out that I can’t send money to it from outside of Vietnam, even if I send it in Vietnamese dong, let alone usd.
Do the Colombian banks allow depositing money from the other countries? In dollars or only pesos?
You can send dollars that will be exchanged to pesos by the Colombian bank.
I know my blood type but don’t have documentation of this. Will they take my word for it or do I need to arrange another blood test before my appointment tomorrow at Migracion Colombia?
When I went for my first cedula several years ago they wanted a photocopy of my blood test showing my blood type.
Is Cedula deemed permanent or semi-permanent ID?
I’ll need that because some embasies here won’t allow me to apply for visa unless I work in Colombia. But I don’t work and don’t plan to. For instance, Schengen visa — one may apply either in their home country, or in a country they work in, or live for a good. Also a US visa requires this. Will Cedula help me?
A Colombian Cedula de Extranjeria is not a permanent ID. It is valid for the length of your visa. And you can only get a Cedula de Extranjeria if you have a Colombian visa.
Hi
“”After you have successfully received a Colombian visa, you have a maximum of 15 calendar days to register your visa with Migración Colombia and apply for a Cedula de Extranjeria (Colombian ID for foreigners).”””
—> do you mean an actual visa? or 90-days stamp will also count as visa for Cedula de Extranjeria?
You need an actual visa that you applied for to get a cedula. A 90-day tourist stamp in your passport isn’t a visa, it’s a tourist permit but many call it a “tourist visa”.
Got it.
Regarding the price for a visa. “Visitor” visa will work for Cedula, right? And the price for “visitor” now is 82 usd, right? In your appropriate article this isn’t mentioned.
Yes, a visitor (V) visa will work for a cedula. Haven’t written a detailed article about the visitor visa yet – it was mentioned in an overall visa article before prices were announced.
bueno dias Jeff
Is there an article on how to RENEW (M) VISA ? I know I don’t have to worry about it for 2 12 years (but got to keep the qualifying investment 100X SMMV) Searching online only show for Tourist visa Nothing at Migracion (Espanol buscar renovar visa) How to renew? Or just repeat the entire visa process again? (the application does ask if you have a previous visa)
gracias
To renew a M visa is basically the same as applying for a new visa. That’s why you won’t find any articles about renewing a M visa.
Muchas gracias!
I am married to a Colombian and I was trying to get the M Visa, formerly the TP-10 visa. From there I would like to get the Resident card and then Colombian citizenship. I was curious if you have to be in country the entire five years, (three for the M Visa and two for the residency card) or can I just spend a week or two every year until the five years is up. If someone can help me out with that one, I would be most grateful.
Hi Scott, if you can come to our Medellin Guru meetup on Tuesday next week we will have a lawyer and staff from a visa agency that can best answer your questions – here’s more about the meetup – https://medellinguru.com/october-medellin-guru-meetup/
If you can’t make it, please let me know and I can ask for you.
Jeff:
I would love to, but I am in the US right now.
Hey, thanx for this information! Isn’t it easier and faster to apply for the cedula in Medellin, if you live there? Instead of in Bogota.
Yes, if you are in Medellín, it is easier, faster and cheaper applying for a cedula in Medellín than traveling to Bogotá.
For my first 3 visas I had to travel to Bogotá since I did my own visas. So, I applied while I was there.
For my latest visa I used a visa agency and I didn’t have to travel to Bogotá for the visa. So, I applied for a cedula in Medellín, which took 8 business days until it was ready to be picked up.
Thanx, I will pick my visa up in Bogota. But after that, it is still faster to apply for the cedula in Medellin, because than they make the cedula in Medellin too, so you can pick it up earlier there?
They don’t make cedulas in Medellín. So, probably the same amount of time if you apply for the cedula in Medellín or apply in Bogotá and ask for it to be sent to Medellín.
If applying for a cedula in Bogotá and want it sent to Medellín you will need a letter with a copy saying this (in Spanish). I did this twice in the past.
Migracion Website says cedulas ready in 5 days. Mine was ready in 3 (picked up in Bogota)
Yes, I applied in Bogotá for a cedula in the past that was ready in 3 days in Bogotá but if you send to Medellín it takes longer. Two others I applied for in Bogotá that weren’t ready in 3 days, so sent to Medellín and one took 3 weeks and the other took more than a month. My latest I applied in Medellín and it was ready in 8 business days.
Hi Jeff, thank you for this article, helped a lot. Can you please share that agency you used for the Visa, I might need it for my wife’s Visa in June.
Hi Ajay, I no longer recommend the agency I used, as after research earlier this year I found there is a cheaper visa agency with reliable services and a better website with more features. In fact I partnered with this agency (Expatgroup.co) to offer visa services – https://medellinguru.com/medellin-guru-visa-services/
Very helpful, thank you!
Muchas Gracias Jeff!
Arrived in Bogota and Registered M-Business Investment visa and got Cedula Extranjera #
stamped into passport.
From Feb, it is now COP 190.000 Every agent has a credit card machine.
Then go to others side of room for photo, fingerprint, signature.
Made appointment (ONLY times are 8:00 and 14:00; and no more than 5 days in advance)
but due to get on wrong bus and heavy traffic, got there 45 minutes late. Was quickly waved thru
and given number. Entire process took only 20 minutes!
They didn’t need any paper copies (but always good to have on hand)
From TransMIleno CL 100 station, take bus 193B, stops right in front of Migracion
Officially it is 5 business days. My cedula was ready in 3 days. go to Migracion website, click on RECLAMACION DE CEDULA. Every morning they print a PDF list of Cedulas ready to be picked up. Don’t forget to bring passport.
Hello,
I am finding out that to apostille 2 documents and have them translated will cost me as much as $800.00 If the cedula process can take up to a month , then you probably ought to have at least a semi – permanent residence in Medellin? Is it possible to rent long term without a cedula ?
Hi Lew, you can rent without a cedula. I rented my first two unfurnished apartments without a cedula.
Hello…Nice article! I am hoping you would have some information for me. I am a US citizen living in Lima, Peru with residency. I am intersted in going to Colombia with the interest of looking at some possible business opportunities so a Tourist Visa would not fit my needs due to length of stay and purpose. I would be seeking a Cedula Extranjeria therefore a Visa other than the Tourist Visa is needed.
The questions I have for you is do you have any idea if I could apply and obtain a special Visa from the Colombian Consulate here in Peru?
Also it is my understanding that once you enter in a country such as Colombia on a Tourist Visa that Visa cannot be changed while IN the country. Am I correct?
Hope I explained my self well.
Thank you for your time,
Dan
Hi Dan, there are many visa options for Colombia that we previously covered – https://medellinguru.com/colombian-visa/. And you can get these visas at any Colombian consulate in the world. You need a visa before you can get a Colombian cedula.
If you enter Colombia as a tourist you can change to a Colombian visa while in Colombia. There is no need to leave Colombia to get a Colombian visa.
Good article. Wish I had seen it before I went through a lot of trouble to figure out the process since the changes.
Once your cedula has been received and approved at the office, how do you check with Migracion when the Visa is ready? Is there a weblink and / or phone system?
I assume you mean how do you check with Migracion when the cedula is ready – as it says in the article you can check online: https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/cedula-de-extranjeria/cedula-de-extranjeria-por-reclamar
Nice article that should help many foreigners. I will need a new visa and cedula early next year so your website is so helpful.
Thanks for this updated cedula guide. It should help many people. Also thanks for all the work you did putting together your updated visa articles with all the 2017 visa changes in Colombia.
Thanks this is helpful as I am going to Bogota next week to get a new Colombian visa.