realcolombia.co.uk/visas

realcolombia.co.uk

Visas

The information being provided here is from my own experience and will mainly be of interest to UK citizens. It should not however be relied upon as definitive. In other words please check with your government or Colombian consulate.

Tourists : UK passport holders at present do not require a visa prior to entering Colombia. This also applies to US, Australia and New Zealand visitors. Irish visitors should check as there are more restrictions following the incident several years ago with three Irishmen detained at Bogotá airport. Upon entry DAS will grant an entry stamp for up to 90 days but typically 30 days. I have also received only 20 days before. You must have at least 6 months unexpired on your passport. For more info see www.fco.gov.uk

Special Visas : Visas for other purposes such as marriage can be obtained from the relevant Colombian consulate. The London consulate is open only from 9.30 to 1pm Mon to Fri. You will need to attend the consulate personally.

Wedding Visas: from personal experience I can say that the information provided by Colombian Consulate in London is not altogether clear and can be contradictory. But this is what I needed for mine:-

Birth certificate
Valid passport
Police clearance certificate *
Certificate of no impediment**
3 passport style photos
Application form in duplicate***
Apostile****
Translation into Spanish of all UK documents
Letter from your spouse requesting visa.
Copy of spouse’s cedula (identity card) authorised by a Colombian notary.
Proof of payment of fee in advance (£140) ie bank receipt/stamped counterfoil.

* In fact the police in the UK will not provide a police clearance certificate, but will provide information held on the Police National Computer as required by the Data Protection Act. You will have to pay £10 and complete an application form and present this at a police station together with 2 forms of i.d. Allow up to 40 days to receive certificate. http://www.met.police.uk/dataprotection/forms/3019b_rev.pdf

** Can be obtained from your local Registry office. It will take at least 3 weeks.

*** I recommend downloading a copy of the form from the consulate web page rather than the fax back service, which seems rather problematical. Also the list of information seems to differ.

**** Apostile : a apostile is basically the authentication by the government of a UK document such as birth certificate. You will need to visit the Legalisation office of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on The Mall (see addresses). Birth certificate, police certificate and certificate of no impediment. There is a queuing system and expect to be there for several hours! http://www.fco.gov.uk/legalisation

COMING SOON...more information on getting married in Colombia.

Links

www.fco.gov.uk

www.colombianconsulate.co.uk

Useful Addresses

Colombianconsulate:

Westcott House, 3rd Floor, 35 Portland Place,London,W1B1AE

e mail: consulco@consulco.demon.co.uk.

Legalisation Office:

Old Admiralty Building, The Mall, London, SW1A 2LG.

9.30am to 3.30pm Mon to Fri

Contact

We have tried to ensure that the information provided here is accurate and up to date, however if you are aware of any inaccuracies or broken links please contact us at:

webmaster@realcolombia.co.uk

To contact us or report any problems or broken links e mail us at webmaster@realcolombia.co.uk