Picturesque plantations of fragrant coffee and the sunny coast of the Caribbean are already two serious reasons to visit Colombia without delay. Preparing for a trip and collecting documents is the main thing that any tourist before leaving. And the decision of the question of the need to obtain a visa for a trip to Colombia is the most important and paramount moment. Consider all the subtleties of this aspect.
Who needs a visa?
Russians can not guess whether they need a visa to travel to Colombia. Since 2009, the Russian Federation has unilaterally ceased to require a visa from Colombian citizens to travel to Russia. And already in 2011, a bilateral lightweight visa regime began to operate between Russia and Colombia.
In this case, if you are planning a trip only as a tourist, an athlete or for attending educational or cultural events, you do not need a visa. This exemption applies for 90 calendar days every 6 months. If you need more time or you have received an invitation to work or study, then you need to issue a visa. The whole procedure is carried out in advance at the Embassy of Colombia in the city of Moscow.
Residents of other countries of the territory of the former USSR need to clarify the issue of obtaining a visa in the administrations of their subjects. So, for example, for Ukrainians for a long stay (more than 90 days) in Colombia, a visa is needed. But it will have to be registered in Moscow, since there is no Embassy of Colombia in Kiev. The list of documents is similar.
Between Kazakhstan and Colombia, a visa is also not required if your tourist trip does not exceed 90 days. But for Belarusians a visa to Colombia is needed in any case. It is issued through electronic transfer of documents to the Embassy of Colombia in Moscow, it operates for 90 days and allows you to stay inside the country for no more than 30 days.
Requirements on the border
The representative of the border service of the State of Colombia, any foreigner must show:
- personal passport, the validity of which expires no earlier than 90 days after the end of the visit to the country;
- a ticket home or to another state (the fact of crossing the border in the opposite direction is important);
- an extract from your personal account, certifying that you have enough funds to live in Colombia;
- hotel reservation (rarely checked) or an invitation to the country.
Registration of a visa to Colombia
If you do not qualify for visa-free conditions, then the following documents must be collected for issuing a "pass" to Colombia:
- An international passport , which must contain three blank pages, and a validity period of at least 90 days from the time you leave the country. Children, whose age has exceeded 14 years, go on a trip on personal passports. Anyone younger than this age must necessarily be entered in the parents' passports. If the child leaves with the accompanying person, it is necessary to give permission from the parents or official guardians for the trip with the indication of the terms and certified by the notary. If the child has only one parent, then you have to carry a document with you in your case:
- certificate of death;
- a certificate from the police about the unknown whereabouts of the second parent;
- certificate of a single mother with a mark of guardianship authorities.
- Copies of all sheets of the internal passport , where there is fixed information (sheets with personal data and registration are strictly required);
- The questionnaire (2 copies), which must be written in English or Spanish.
- Personal photo (color) format 3 * 3 - 3 pcs.
- A certificate from the employer and a copy of his tax registration documents.
- Copies of medical insurance - 2 pcs.
- Approximate schedule of the trip around the country .
All documents must be accompanied by a copy with translation into English or Spanish. The application form and copies are also attached to the documents of each person who has not reached the age of 18. In addition, children are provided with:
- birth certificate;
- sponsor's guarantee from the parent, regardless, together they go or not.
The entire package of collected documents must be submitted personally to the embassy (consulate department) of Colombia in Moscow at the address: Burdenko st., House 20, by an authorized representative or with the help of the office staff. 10 days are spent on checking and issuing a visa to Colombia. The fee is $ 17, for tourists from the CIS countries - $ 40. Getting a visa gives you the opportunity to repeatedly cross the border of Colombia and stay in the country up to 180 days a year.
Other important points
Having issued a visa, it is necessary to remember and other aspects of travel:
- need to arrange medical insurance and take care of the necessary vaccinations ;
- if the return ticket you decide to purchase in Colombia, then be prepared to pay an additional airport fee of 15%;
- driving to Colombia, for the sake of safety, tourists are advised to check in at the Russian Embassy in Bogotá : in the country there is a complicated criminal situation in the country.