Our Services

Colombia Family Reunification Visa

Colombia does not issue a single, separately named “Family Reunification Visa”; instead, family reunification is achieved through the beneficiary visa mechanism, published across multiple Cancillería visa categories. According to official Cancillería guidance, a beneficiary’s visa may be granted to the spouse, permanent partner, parents, and children who are economically dependent upon a foreigner holding a qualifying visa in Colombia — such as a Temporary Student’s Visa, Business Visa, or other Migrant-category visa — following prior proof of the relationship or kinship. This mechanism allows the principal visa holder’s close family members to join them in Colombia under a linked visa tied to the principal’s own status and visa validity. As with all Colombia Visa categories, the final decision on approval rests solely with the competent Colombian consular authorities.

Eligibility

Based on official Cancillería guidance, applicants for a beneficiary (family reunification) visa must generally:

  • Be the spouse, permanent partner, parent, or child of a foreigner who already holds a qualifying visa in Colombia (the “principal” visa holder).
  • Be economically dependent on the principal visa holder, in the case of parents and children.
  • Hold a valid passport or travel document, in good condition, with a minimum of two blank pages.
  • Provide a civil registration or equivalent document showing the relationship or kinship, duly legalised or apostilled, as applicable.
  • Not fall under a principal visa category excluded from generating a beneficiary right, as certain visa types (such as preferential, courtesy, crew member’s, or temporary special category visas) may not support beneficiary applications — confirm eligibility based on your specific principal visa type.

Government Visa Fees

Fees for beneficiary visas generally align with the fee schedule of the underlying principal visa category (e.g. Student, Business, or Migrant visa), plus applicable study and issuance fees for the beneficiary’s own application.

Fee TypeAmount
Beneficiary visa (aligned with the principal visa category)Varies by the principal visa type; confirm with Cancillería or the relevant Colombian Consulate
INR EquivalentInformation may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances

Fees are paid in Colombian pesos at the average exchange rate fixed periodically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and study fees are generally non-reimbursable regardless of the outcome.

Processing Time

According to Cancillería’s online visa system, beneficiary visa applications generally follow the same processing timeline as other online visa categories, with reported timelines of approximately 5 to 30 calendar days for many applications, depending on the completeness of documentation, particularly the legalisation of civil documents proving the family relationship. Applicants should gather and legalise their relationship documents well in advance, and note that the beneficiary’s visa validity is generally tied to that of the principal visa holder.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport or travel document, in good condition, with a minimum of two blank pages
Completed visa application form (submitted online through Cancillería's official visa portal)
Recent colour photographs, meeting Cancillería's specifications
Civil registration or equivalent document showing the relationship or kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or similar), duly legalised or apostilled
Documents evidencing the economic dependence of the beneficiary upon the principal visa holder, where required (for parents and children)
A letter in which the principal visa holder assumes responsibility for the beneficiary's stay in and departure from Colombia
For minors: application, proxy, or authorisation signed by the parents and authenticated before a Colombian notary or consul
Photocopy of the principal visa holder's valid visa
For de facto marital unions applied for at a Colombian consulate: the valid document evidencing the union according to the laws of the receiving country, legalised or apostilled as appropriate

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm that the principal visa holder's visa category supports beneficiary applications (most Student, Business, and Migrant-category visas do; some categories, such as preferential or courtesy visas, may not).
Gather civil documents proving the family relationship, and have foreign-issued documents apostilled and translated into Spanish.
Have the principal visa holder prepare a letter assuming responsibility for the beneficiary's stay in and departure from Colombia.
Access the official online application at tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co and select the beneficiary visa application linked to the principal's visa category.
Complete the application form and upload the required documents.
Pay the applicable visa study fee.
Await review of your application by Cancillería.
If approved, pay any applicable issuance fee and receive your approved e-Visa by email.
Note that your visa validity is generally linked to that of the principal visa holder.

Important Notes

Colombia does not have a single, separately branded "Family Reunification Visa" — reunification is achieved through the beneficiary visa mechanism attached to a principal visa holder's category.
Not all principal visa categories support beneficiary applications; confirm eligibility for your specific case with Cancillería or a Colombian Consulate.
The beneficiary's visa validity is generally tied to that of the principal visa holder's visa.
For spouses/permanent partners specifically wishing to join a Colombian national (rather than a foreign visa holder), Colombia's dedicated Marriage (Spouse) Visa may be the more appropriate route.
Visa study fees are generally non-reimbursable, even if the application is refused.
Providing false or incomplete information regarding the family relationship may result in refusal.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Colombia Family Reunification Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of your family relationship, and compliance with the visa and immigration requirements prescribed by the Colombian authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with family reunification visa application forms, passport documentation, relationship proof, sponsor documents, accommodation details, financial documents, travel insurance (where applicable), 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 immigration requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Colombia Family Reunification 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 Family Reunification Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Colombia have a dedicated "Family Reunification Visa"?
Not as a separately branded visa type. Family reunification is achieved through the beneficiary visa mechanism, which links a qualifying family member's visa to a principal visa holder's own visa category and status in Colombia.
2. Who can apply as a beneficiary for family reunification in Colombia?
The spouse, permanent partner, parents, and economically dependent children of a foreigner already holding a qualifying visa in Colombia can generally apply as beneficiaries, subject to proof of the relationship.
3. How long does a Colombia beneficiary (family reunification) visa last?
The beneficiary's visa validity is generally tied to that of the principal visa holder's own visa.
4. What if I want to join my Colombian spouse rather than a foreign visa holder?
If you are joining a Colombian national specifically as their spouse or permanent partner, Colombia's dedicated Marriage (Spouse) Visa is generally the more direct route, rather than the beneficiary mechanism.
5. Do all visa types allow beneficiary family members?
No. Certain visa categories, such as preferential, courtesy, or crew member's visas, may not support beneficiary applications; confirm eligibility based on the specific principal visa type before applying.

Our Services

Choose from our comprehensive range of services.

Visa by Country

Choose your destination