Your health could be a determining factor when applying for a visa in Colombia. Foreigners with pre-existing medical conditions may be required to submit documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This could impact your submission, but it doesn’t have to be an unbeatable obstacle. Understanding the documentation you must provide from the start is essential to avoid delays or potential denials of your Colombian visa.

Visa denials in Colombia due to pre-existing medical conditions

Colombia is following the example of several countries, such as the United States, by tightening visa requirements for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. While Colombian immigration law does not explicitly outline health-related grounds for ineligibility, authorities have begun categorizing certain cases as high-risk due to the potential for medical emergencies during the applicant’s stay. These applications are evaluated at the discretion of immigration analysts, emphasizing the importance of submitting thorough and accurate medical documentation from the outset.

In the past, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified widespread evasion and abuse of Colombia’s health system by foreign residents, with over 10,000 individuals failing to contribute to the General Social Security System (SGSS) despite being legally obligated to do so. For this reason, immigration officials request additional requirements to ensure the applicant’s medical stability during their stay in Colombia.

In recent months, our reliable partner, expatgroup.co, has observed a significant increase in additional requirements related to pre-existing medical conditions in their customers’ applications. For this reason, we have created this blog to assist readers seeking a visa who may have health conditions that could hinder their approval. Additionally, we will explain the primary medical coverage requirements introduced by Resolution 5477 of 2022, which were established and refined due to the learning gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other essential information that may be required during your application.

How can pre-existing medical conditions impact your Colombia visa application?

Any illness, injury, or chronic health issue you were diagnosed with or received treatment for before applying for your Colombian visa is considered a pre-existing medical condition. It includes conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, or other health issues requiring ongoing care, periodic check-ups, medications, or medical intervention. Providing detailed data about these health conditions is very important for visa applications. On the other hand, omitting or submitting incomplete details about the medical history could lead to additional scrutiny, delays, or even denial of the Colombia visa.

All this allows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evaluate whether your chosen health insurance plan meets the necessary coverage requirements, including treatment for your specific condition and routine medical care.

If you don’t know where to obtain this type of healthcare service, you can opt for the medical insurance policy of Assist Card, which has a great offer in terms of pre-existing conditions.

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Common responses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and how to address them

First, we’ll take a moment to explain all the possible decisions the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs might make during the visa application process. This will help you understand the actual status of your application and the steps you’ll need to take if you receive any of the following responses:

Visa Approved

If Chancellery approves your visa, it means that you have fulfilled all documentation requirements and your medical pre-existing conditions have passed the immigration evaluation. You don’t need to provide any additional documents. The next step is to pay the issuance fee in the next 10 calendar days after receiving the notification. Failure to make this payment will be considered a withdrawal of your application, and the process will automatically be closed. If this happens, you must restart the visa application process.

Visa Required

Under Article 97 of Resolution 5477, the immigration authority sends a “Visa Required” response when documents are incomplete, illegible, contain ambiguous information, or fail to meet the technical requirements for the study stage. This status may also be applied when additional information is necessary at the discretion of, as established in Article 19 of the same law. They usually ask for more detailed data about your health status.

In this case, you will have 10 consecutive calendar days to provide the requested information. If you don’t submit the required healthcare documents, the application will be considered a withdrawal, and you will need to start the process from scratch.

Visa denial due to Inadmissibility

If you fail to meet requirements, submit incomplete applications, have immigration irregularities, or have issues related to the information provided, you may face the denial of your visa due to inadmissibility, as outlined in Article 98 of the law. When your visa application is denied for this reason, you can submit a new one immediately. We recommend that you provide all the information requested, including the medical documentation mentioned in the official response, and resolve the causes of the inadmissibility.

Visa Denial due to Rejection

After completing the review, including cases where additional information was requested, the immigration authority may reject the application. They will detail the reasons for this denial in the official response. Six months after your visa is rejected, you can apply again. We recommend you address the issues that caused the initial denial before reapplying.

What are the Colombia visa requirements for applicants with pre-existing medical conditions?

If you have a pre-existing illness and want to apply for a visa in Colombia, you must consider and fulfill specific health-related requirements, such as the medical certificate and travel health insurance. In summary, we will explain these documents and the information they must contain, which we recommend you include from the beginning.

Medical certificate

For certain visas, especially those involving long-term stays, you may need to submit a medical certificate issued by a licensed healthcare center. This document should confirm that you do not have any contagious diseases or conditions that could cause a public health risk in Colombia.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the immigration authority may require an additional statement from your physician that includes details about your health status, treatment plan, and evidence that your condition is well-managed. To avoid delays, ensure you provide all necessary information from the start. Our partner, expatgroup.co, can help you submit a complete visa application and guide you through the best way to prepare the required documents.

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Travel health insurance policy

You will need a private insurance policy with coverage in the national territory for all risks, including accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it’s important to note that many insurance providers don’t cover these conditions, and companies often omit this fact when they are selling you the policy. When selecting your travel insurance, ensure that you choose a policy with comprehensive coverage for such conditions.

As you can see in the image attached, if your medical insurance certificate does not specify this coverage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request clarification. If this happens, the insurance company will need to provide an official letter confirming the coverage details and the amounts allocated for the pre-existing conditions mentioned in your medical certificate.

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also request details about the medical facilities where your insurance provider can treat your specific conditions, as well as confirmation that your policy covers routine medical check-ups and ongoing care related to your condition. It’s also important to select a reliable health insurance provider that can issue a trustworthy certificate and assist you with any additional requirements that may arise later.

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By submitting all the information on time, you demonstrate that your condition will be under control during your stay in Colombia. Ensure that all documents are clear, complete, and translated into Spanish by an official translator if they’re in another language. It is also advisable to consult a professional immigration agency, such as expatgroup.co, to navigate these requirements effectively and increase your chances of approval.

Medellin Guru's Colombian insurance and healthcare articles

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:

We have looked in detail at the nine most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:

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 are up to date (2024) and constantly receive updates in 2025.

The Bottom Line: Visa denials in Colombia due to pre-existing medical conditions

Applying for a Colombian visa with pre-existing medical conditions can feel challenging, but it doesn’t have to be that way for you. The most important thing is to be honest and provide all the necessary information from the beginning, such as reliable medical certificate and travel health insurance that covers your condition. Colombian immigration authorities want to ensure all foreigners can manage their health while living in the country. Meeting these requirements shows that you’re prepared and responsible for your well-being.

If you’re unsure about the process or need help gathering the right documents, our partner, expatgroup.co, can assist you. With the proper support, you can move forward with your application and enjoy everything Colombia has to offer.