Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa
The Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa covers foreign nationals entering Colombia to serve at a diplomatic mission, consular office, or international organisation accredited to the Colombian Government, as well as certain foreign officials on official missions. These are “preferential visas” under Decreto 1067 de 2015, issued and administered by the Dirección del Protocolo (Office of Protocol) of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), rather than by the standard visa authority that processes tourist, business, or migrant visas. Colombia recognises three preferential categories in this space — Diplomatic, Official, and Service — each tied to a specific type of appointment and accreditation, plus a separate Diplomatic Courtesy Visa for related personal circumstances. As with every Colombia Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Office of Protocol.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for a Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa if you fall into one of these categories:
- Diplomatic Preferential Visa: You hold a diplomatic passport and have entered Colombia to take up a post at a diplomatic mission, consular office, or international organisation duly accredited to the Colombian Government, and you are accredited before the Office of Protocol. In fully justified cases, the Office of Protocol may also grant this visa to a diplomatic agent, consular officer, or international official who is not a diplomatic passport holder but is accredited to carry out functions of that nature.
- Official Preferential Visa: You are a foreign official coming to Colombia to carry out an official mission on behalf of your government or an international organisation.
- Service Preferential Visa: Issued to administrative and technical staff serving diplomatic missions, consular offices, or accredited international organisations.
- Diplomatic Courtesy Visa: Available, under the principle of diplomatic reciprocity, to holders of a diplomatic or official passport from a state recognised by Colombia entering temporarily for non-diplomatic activities that do not involve economic remuneration in Colombia, or to the spouse or permanent partner of an active member of Colombia’s Diplomatic and Consular Career.
Government Visa Fees
| Category | Fee |
| Diplomatic, Official, and Service Preferential Visas | Generally exempt from the standard visa study and issuance fees, consistent with diplomatic reciprocity principles |
| Diplomatic Courtesy Visa | Generally exempt from the standard visa fee |
| Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner ID card, required after registration) | Separate administrative fee applies, payable to Migración Colombia |
Exact fee treatment can depend on bilateral reciprocity arrangements between Colombia and the applicant’s home country — confirm current details with the Colombian embassy or consulate handling the application.
Processing Time
Provisional visas issued abroad for diplomatic, consular, or international agency personnel are generally issued for a maximum of 90 days by the head of the relevant Colombian diplomatic mission or consular office, upon request from the sending Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international agency, or consular office, and subject to the Office of Protocol’s approval where required. Once the appointment and arrival of the new official have been confirmed, the mission must send a Verbal Note to the Office of Protocol within 8 days, after which a longer-validity preferential visa can be authorised — up to 4 years for the Diplomatic Preferential Visa (renewable), or up to 2 years and 1 year respectively when issued directly in Colombia for Diplomatic and Official categories. As a general rule across Colombian visa categories, the visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to respond once the visa study fee (where applicable) has been paid.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa requires accurate documentation, valid diplomatic or official credentials, and compliance with the visa requirements prescribed by the Colombian authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting eligible applicants with diplomatic and official visa application forms, passport documentation, diplomatic notes, official invitation letters, government authorization documents, travel itinerary, and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every application to help minimize errors, reduce delays, and ensure your documentation meets the applicable diplomatic and official visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Colombian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Colombia Diplomatic & Official Visa application with confidence.