Do Antigua and Barbuda Citizens Need a Visa for Colombia?

Short-Term Stays

Visa-exempt nationals may enter Colombia for tourism or short-term activities for up to 90 days. This stay can be extended for an additional 90 days at any Migración Colombia office or online, for a total of 180 days per calendar year. Most citizens from the Americas, Europe, and parts of Oceania and Asia fall under this exemption.

Reciprocity Fees

While most visa-exempt travelers enter free of charge, some nationalities are subject to reciprocity fees. For example, Canadian citizens arriving by air must pay a fee of approximately 85 CAD (payable in COP or by credit card) upon entry.

Check-Mig Form

All travelers, regardless of nationality or visa status, must complete the official Check-Mig form online via the Migración Colombia website. This must be submitted between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight's departure.

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Colombia. You must also provide proof of an onward or return ticket if requested by immigration officers.

Visitor Visa (Type V)

The Visitor visa is for short-term stays of up to two years, primarily for tourism, business meetings, events, or students. It allows a maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year. Common sub-categories include:

• Tourism: For leisure, medical treatment, or unpaid events.
• Digital Nomad: For remote workers, with a minimum income requirement of three SMMLV (approx. 1,380 USD per month).
• Business: For commercial purposes, market research, or negotiations.

Migrant Visa (Type M)

The Migrant visa is for individuals intending to settle or work in Colombia for an extended period, valid for up to three years and renewable. Key categories include:

• Retiree: For those with a monthly pension of at least three SMMLV (approx. 1,380 USD).
• Worker: Sponsored by a Colombian company.
• Investment: For those who invest at least 100 SMMLV (approx. 46,000 USD) in a Colombian business or 350 SMMLV (approx. 161,000 USD) in real estate.
• Marriage/Spouse: For spouses or partners of Colombian nationals.

Resident Visa (Type R)

The Resident visa provides permanent residency and is valid indefinitely. It is typically granted to those who have held a Migrant (M) visa for two to five years (depending on the category) or to individuals making a substantial investment of at least 650 SMMLV (approx. 299,000 USD). While the visa itself does not expire, the physical ID card must be renewed every five years.

1. Determine your visa category (V, M, or R) and gather the required documents.
2. Visit the official Cancillería visa portal to fill out the online application.
3. Upload all required documents in PDF format, including your passport data page, proof of income, and apostilled/translated certificates.
4. Pay the non-refundable study fee of approximately 52 USD (this fee varies by nationality).
5. Wait for the application to be reviewed by the visa authority.
6. Once approved, pay the visa issuance fee (approx. 170 USD to 390 USD, depending on the visa type).
7. Receive your electronic visa (e-visa) via email, which you should print or keep on your mobile device.

Visa Decision

The Cancillería has a period of 30 calendar days to provide a decision once your application study fee is paid. This period can be extended if the authority requests additional information or documentation.

Electronic Visa Delivery

After your visa is approved and the issuance fee is paid, the e-visa is typically delivered via email within 10 business days. It is recommended to apply at least two to three months before your intended travel date, especially during peak application seasons (May to August).

Denial of Visa

If a visa application is denied (rather than inadmitted), the applicant cannot submit a new visa application for six months from the date of the denial. During this period, the applicant must leave the country within 30 calendar days of the denial notice.

Appeals Process

Under Resolution 5477, the Colombian visa authority has absolute discretionary power, and there are no direct administrative appeals against decisions of inadmissibility, denial, or termination of a visa. Applicants are advised to double-check all requirements and provide complete, accurate documentation to minimize the risk of a denial.

Inadmissibility

An application may be marked as "inadmitted" instead of "denied," meaning the documentation was incomplete or incorrect. In this case, you can reapply immediately after correcting the errors without waiting six months.

Cédula de Extranjería

Any foreigner holding a visa valid for more than three months must register it with Migración Colombia and apply for a Foreigner Identification Card (Cédula de Extranjería) within 15 days of entering the country or within 15 days of the visa issuance date if you are already in Colombia.

Overstaying Penalties

Staying in Colombia beyond the 90-day (or 180-day extended) visa-exempt period or past your visa's expiration date will result in a fine. Fines vary based on the duration of the overstay and are imposed by Migración Colombia. In severe cases, deportation or a re-entry ban may be enforced.

Changes to Visa Status

While you can change your visa type within Colombia, it is mandatory to apply for a new visa category before your current one expires. In most cases, this process is done online through the official Cancillería portal.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from certain countries with a high risk of transmission (e.g., Brazil, Angola, Uganda) or for those visiting high-risk areas within Colombia, such as the Amazon, Orinoquía, and parts of the Caribbean coast. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before entering these areas.

Check-Mig Form

The mandatory Check-Mig form remains the primary health and immigration requirement for all travelers arriving in or departing from Colombia. The form must be completed online within the specified 72-hour window.

Health Insurance

For all visa applications (V, M, or R), you must provide proof of international health insurance with coverage for all risks, including repatriation and COVID-19 related treatments, for the entire duration of your stay.

Salario Mínimo (SMMLV)

Colombia's visa financial requirements are based on the monthly minimum wage, known as the Salario Mínimo Mensual Legal Vigente (SMMLV). For 2026, the SMMLV is set at 1,750,905 COP (approx. 460 USD), with multiple levels required for different visa categories.

Specific Requirements

• Digital Nomad (V-TP-11): Requires a monthly income of at least three SMMLV (approx. 5,252,715 COP or 1,380 USD).
• Retirement (M-Pensionado): Requires a monthly pension of at least three SMMLV (approx. 5,252,715 COP or 1,380 USD).
• Annuity (V-Rentista): Requires a monthly income of at least 10 SMMLV (approx. 17,509,050 COP or 4,600 USD).
• Business Investment (M-Inversionista): Requires an investment of at least 100 SMMLV (approx. 175,090,500 COP or 46,000 USD).
• Real Estate (M-Inversionista Inmueble): Requires an investment of at least 350 SMMLV (approx. 612,816,750 COP or 161,000 USD).
• Permanent Residency (R-Inversionista): Requires an investment of at least 650 SMMLV (approx. 1,138,088,250 COP or 299,000 USD).

Verification

You must provide official bank statements from the previous three to six months as proof of financial capacity. All foreign financial documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by an official translator.

Currency Declaration

Any traveler arriving in or departing from Colombia with more than 10,000 USD (or equivalent in other currencies) must declare the amount to the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN). Failure to declare can result in the seizure of funds and additional legal penalties.

Household Goods

Holders of a Migrant (M) or Resident (R) visa are eligible for a one-time tax-exempt import of household goods (menaje doméstico) into Colombia. This import must be requested within a specific window, typically within 120 days of your entry into the country.

Prohibited Items

Standard international customs regulations apply to the import of firearms, drugs, and fresh produce. Cultural artifacts and historical items are also protected and require special permits for export or import.

The following official sources provide the most accurate and up-to-date information for Colombia visa and residency requirements.

• Cancillería de Colombia - Official Visa Portal
• Migración Colombia - Check-Mig and Entry Permits
• Ministerio de Salud de Colombia - Vaccination Mandates
• DIAN - Customs and Tax Regulations

Information compiled from official government portals as of April 11, 2026.