What is the Colombian Student Visa?
The Colombia Student Visa is a type of visa that is specifically designed for international students who wish to enroll in a recognized public or private educational institution in Colombia. To be eligible for this visa, you must take at least 10 hours of classes per week and your chosen institution must be recognized by the Colombian government.
This visa is quite popular among students who want to study and stay in Colombia for an extended period of time. The duration of the visa depends on the length of the educational program you have enrolled in, which typically ranges from over 6 months up to 1 year. Previously known as the TP-3 visa, the Colombian government changed it to a Migrant (M) visa of category 9 or M-9 visa for short as well as the Visitor (V) visa in late 2017.
However, there is a new rule on visas announced by the Ministry of Foreign Relations Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022. As of October 22, 2022, the Student M visa will no longer be available, and will be replaced by the Visitor V visa. But, if you wish to take Spanish language classes, this change in visa will not affect you.
The good news is that foreign applicants can still apply for a visitor visa for primary education, post-primary university education, and beyond. You can take in-person or virtual classes, and post-graduate students can submit a beneficiary visa application. Just remember that you will need to have travel insurance, and provide evidence of income equal to or greater than 10 times the local minimum wage when applying for this visa. Please keep in mind the following information regarding the Colombia Student Visa. This visa is designed for international students who wish to enroll in an academic program at a recognized public or private educational institution in Colombia. To qualify for the visa, you must be taking at least 10 hours of classes per week and your chosen institution must be recognized by the Colombian government.
The student visa is a popular option for those who want to study and stay in Colombia for an extended period of time. The duration of the visa depends on the length of the educational program you have enrolled in, typically ranging from over 6 months up to 1 year. It was previously known as the TP-3 visa, but as of the end of 2017, the Colombian government changed it to a Migrant (M) visa of category 9 or M-9 visa for short, as well as the Visitor (V) visa.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022, has announced a new rule on visas. Starting October 22, 2022, the new set of rules eliminates the Student M visa and replaces it with the Visitor V visa. However, taking Spanish language classes will not be affected by this visa change.
Foreign applicants can still apply for student visitors visa for primary education, post primary university education, and beyond. Applicants can take in-person or virtual classes, and those engaged in post-graduate coursework can submit a beneficiary visa application. It’s important to note that student visa applicants must have travel insurance and provide evidence of income equal to or greater than 10 times the local minimum wage.
Related Topics of Interest for You:
Why Study in Colombia?
Colombia is a great destination for students who are looking for a diverse range of educational programs that offer high-quality content and are recognized globally. Every year, a significant number of international students choose Colombia for their undergraduate or postgraduate studies in public and private universities. They find the academic environment in Colombia to be comfortable and conducive to learning, while also being able to enjoy the natural tourist attractions and quality of life that the country has to offer. However, if you plan on studying in Colombia for more than six months, it is essential to apply for a student visa beforehand, which depends on the type of studies you are planning to pursue.
What are the types of Colombia Student Visas?
This visa allows foreign students to study in Colombia for programs longer than 6 months and up to 1 year, with the possibility of renewal. Applicants must provide proof of funds for tuition and living expenses, a valid passport, an enrollment letter, a paid course invoice, and health insurance. The visa costs COP 13,000,000 (approx. $3,333 USD). Visa holders must stay in the country for at least 180 days per year. Category: Visitor Visa (V).
What are the Financial Requirements for Colombia Student Visa?
If you are planning to study in Colombia, you need to provide documents that show you have enough money to support yourself while you are there. If you are a student, you need a letter from your financial sponsor (in Spanish) that confirms you will be financially responsible for yourself in Colombia.
To prove that you have sufficient funds, there are two options. One option is to provide a bank certificate that shows you have enough money in your bank account. The certificate should show that you have an average balance that is more than ten times the legal minimum wage in Colombia (which is 13,000,000 pesos or about $3,900 in 2024). The certificate should be notarized and translated if it is not in Spanish.
The other option is to provide six months of bank statements or credit card statements that show you have enough money to support yourself in Colombia. You do not need to translate the bank statements.
What Documents are required for a Colombia Student Visa?
Passport Photocopy:
A copy of the first page of your current passport, which should display your biographical details. The copy can be either in color or black and white.
Proof of Legal Entry:
To prove that you have legally entered or departed Colombia, you need to provide a photocopy of the page in your passport that shows the last entry or departure stamp.
Photocopy of Previously Issued Visa:
If you have been issued a visa for Colombia in the past, such as a student visa, please provide a photocopy of that visa.
Admission Letter:
A certificate of admission or enrollment to study at an authorized elementary school, high school, or undergraduate institution in Colombia.
Passport photo:
For your passport photo, please make sure to provide a digital visa photo with a white background and a maximum size of 100 Kb in jpg file format. Also, avoid wearing earrings or hats and refrain from wearing white shirts as well. Thank you!
Proof of Health Insurance:
It is mandatory to provide proof of health insurance which should cover all aspects including hospitalization, illness, accident, disability, death, and repatriation.
Proof of Existence and Legal Representation:
It is required to provide a copy of the university’s official documentation that proves its existence and legal representation in order to proceed.”
Legalization Of Financial Sponsorship Document:
Document for financial sponsorship legalization that has been translated and notarized.
Proof of Financial Sponsorship or Economic Solvency:
Please provide evidence of financial sponsorship or economic solvency, which includes authorization from parents and designation of a responsible person for the student while they stay in Colombia. In the case of minors, this authorization should be authenticated by a Colombian notary or consul.
Bia is in charge or registering and issuing corporate certificates, and acts. Each city has its own local regioinal office. For example in Medellin the link to the chamber of commerce.
Applying for a Student Visa from Colombia
If you are planning to obtain a visa for Colombia, please note that in order to get the visa in your passport, you need to travel to Bogotá after receiving online visa approval. The visas in Colombia are issued at the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores office in Bogotá, located at Avenida 19 # 98-03, Torre 100 Building, 3rd Floor. The office is open from 7:30 am until noon.
However, dealing with the government bureaucracy, making a trip to Bogotá, and not understanding the laws properly can be a major challenge that you may face while trying to get a Colombian visa by yourself, especially if you are not fluent in Spanish.
To make the process hassle-free and efficient for you, you can consider using the services of an experienced visa agency such as Visas by James. With a wealth of experience in processing hundreds of visas, a visa agency like ours is your best bet when it comes to obtaining a visa for you. We know exactly what is needed for each type of visa and can help you navigate through the process smoothly.
Moreover, using a visa agency can save you time, effort, and money. We offer services to courier your passport to Bogotá to get the visa put in your passport, so you can avoid making a trip to Bogotá. In fact, the cost of a visa service, including the service to courier your passport to Bogotá, can even be cheaper than the cost of a trip to Bogotá.
