Visa Requirements for Colombian Citizens (2026)
Colombian passport travel guide
Colombian passport holders have travelled visa-free to the Schengen Area since 2015 and can enter Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea without a visa. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and the UAE still require a full application, and every one of those is processed in Bogotá. This guide covers where each application is submitted, when a valid US visa unlocks the cheaper Canadian eTA, and what to prepare for the destinations that examine Colombian applicants most closely.
Popular Destinations for Colombian Travelers
Schengen Area
No visa needed for Schengen Area. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 90 days.
View Schengen Area visa detailsSingapore
No visa needed for Singapore. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 30 days.
View Singapore visa detailsThailand
No visa needed for Thailand. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 60 days.
View Thailand visa detailsUnited Kingdom
United States
Visa-Free Destinations
Colombian citizens can visit these countries without a visa.
Schengen Area
No visa needed for Schengen Area. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 90 days.
View Schengen Area visa detailsSingapore
No visa needed for Singapore. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 30 days.
View Singapore visa detailsThailand
No visa needed for Thailand. Bring your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation. You can stay up to 60 days.
View Thailand visa detailsVisa Required
Apply for a visa before traveling to these destinations.
Travel Tips for Colombian Citizens
- Every UK, US and Canadian application from Colombia is processed in Bogotá — applicants from Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla or Cartagena should build travel and a night in the capital into the plan
- Colombia is not in Canada's eTA expansion program — a valid US visa does not qualify you for the CAD 7 eTA, so budget for the full CAD 100 visitor visa and biometrics
- Schengen has been visa-free since 2015 — use it to build documented travel history before applying for a first US or UK visa
- The UK provider in Colombia changed to VFS Global — do not follow older instructions pointing to TLScontact
- Japan applies a strict entry examination to Colombian passport holders; carry full supporting documents even with a valid visa
- ETIAS for Schengen is targeted for late 2026 and will be an online form, not a visa application — budget minutes, not weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Colombians need a visa for Europe?
No. Colombian passport holders have been visa-free for the Schengen Area since 2015 and can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS, a short online pre-authorisation, is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026 — it is not a visa, but you will need to complete it before travel once it is live.
Can Colombians get a Canadian eTA instead of a visitor visa?
No. Canada runs a conditional eTA route for citizens of a specific list of visa-required countries — Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia and Malaysia among them — and Colombia is not on that list. Colombian passport holders need a full visitor visa with the CAD 100 fee, biometrics and roughly four to eight weeks of processing. Holding a valid US visa does not create an eTA route, which is a common and expensive misunderstanding.
Where do I apply for a UK visa in Colombia?
At the VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Bogotá. Complete the online application on GOV.UK and pay the fee first, then book a biometrics appointment at the centre. The UK moved its Colombian visa services from TLScontact to VFS Global during the 2024 to 2025 provider transition, so older guides may name the wrong company.
Do Colombians need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Colombian passport holders need a tourist visa for Japan, and an eVisa route is available. Japan applies a notably strict entry examination to Colombian travellers, so carry a full set of supporting documents — confirmed accommodation, a detailed itinerary, return tickets and evidence of funds — even after the visa is issued.
Where can Colombians travel without a visa?
The Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day period, plus Mexico (180 days), Türkiye, Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea (all 30 to 90 days). Most of South and Central America is visa-free too. The destinations that still require a full application are the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, New Zealand and the UAE.
How long does a US visa take from Colombia?
Processing after a successful interview is typically three to four weeks, but the interview wait itself is the longer part and fluctuates. Complete the DS-160, pay the $185 fee, then schedule at the US Embassy in Bogotá. Check ustraveldocs.com for the current wait estimate rather than relying on what a friend experienced last year.
Prepare Your Application
Draft cover letters, plan your trip, and prepare invitation letters
View all tools