Cedula Extranjeria in Colombia - Making it Simple and Stress Free
Many of our clients become incredibly frustrated trying to navigate the visa/cedula process on their own. Our visa service ensures successful and stress free receipt of your cedula however for the foreigner attempting the cedula process on their own, here is a simple guide to ensure your trip to Migración Colombia is as quick and painless as possible. Contact juliana@medellinlegal.com for any assistance with visas/cedulas.
Step 1 - You'll want to make sure you are prepared so you do not have to return a second or third time.
Checklist:
- bring your passport and additional 1x passport sized photo (3 cms x 4 cms)
- photocopies of 1) your passport photo page, 2) last entry stamp, 3) existing visa if applicable, 4) double sided copy of existing cedula (if renewal)
- if it is your first cedula in Colombia you need an "RH" blood type certification (see www.lch.co, from 6-11am, aprx $25.000 COP, takes 15-30 minutes)
- if you do not have a Colombian debit card you'll need a bank draft/payment of $162.000 made at Banco de Occidente in the following manner:
- Cuenta Corriente No. 263-05464-5 del Banco de Occidente a favor de la Unidad Administrativa Especial de Migración Colombia - Recaudo
Step 2 - If you're in Medellin make your way to the office in Belen:
Calle 19 # 80A-40 Medellín, Barrio Belén
Office Hours 8am - 4pm
- you'll make your way to the verification agent (behind the glass) to verify all of your documents are in order
- if you use our visa service (or if you just want us assist with the cedula) we will have already filled out the application forms prior to arriving to speed the process
- otherwise you should ask for the 2-sided form upon arrival (without waiting), and fill out the form before returning to the verfication agent
Wait time can be 0-30 minutes or longer if your documents are not in order.
Step 3 - Your documents will now be forwarded to a processing agent
- the processing agent may ask you questions about your purpose in Colombia, visa choice, etc., be prepared
- you may be asked to correct any errors in your forms, photocopies, etc.
- you will also be photographed and fingerprinted (even for cedula renewal)
- you will present the bank receipt from Banco Occidente or pay $162.000 with your Colombian debit card
- your cedula number will be marked in your passport
Total wait and processing time can be from 20-60 minutes and longer if any inconsistencies are found.
Step 4 - Claim your cedula
- there is an online service that you can check within a week to verify your cedula is ready for pickup
- http://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/index.php/cedulas-para-reclamar
- when your cedula number appears on this list you are free to return to the Migracion office with your passport and claim your cedula
With our help, or just being well prepared will ensure you a smooth visit to Migracion Colombia. If you make a mistake and need to return to the office it is advisable not to get upset or insult the agents, just ask for all necessary corrections and return as soon as you can. Like government employees in most countries they are not overly concerned with efficiency or customer service so it is best to be prepared the first visit.
Any visa/cedula assistance/information can be discussed with Samuel, samuel@medellinlegal.com
Checklist:
- bring your passport and additional 1x passport sized photo (3 cms x 4 cms)
- photocopies of 1) your passport photo page, 2) last entry stamp, 3) existing visa if applicable, 4) double sided copy of existing cedula (if renewal)
- if it is your first cedula in Colombia you need an "RH" blood type certification (see www.lch.co, from 6-11am, aprx $25.000 COP, takes 15-30 minutes)
- if you do not have a Colombian debit card you'll need a bank draft/payment of $162.000 made at Banco de Occidente in the following manner:
- Cuenta Corriente No. 263-05464-5 del Banco de Occidente a favor de la Unidad Administrativa Especial de Migración Colombia - Recaudo
Step 2 - If you're in Medellin make your way to the office in Belen:
Calle 19 # 80A-40 Medellín, Barrio Belén
Office Hours 8am - 4pm
- you'll make your way to the verification agent (behind the glass) to verify all of your documents are in order
- if you use our visa service (or if you just want us assist with the cedula) we will have already filled out the application forms prior to arriving to speed the process
- otherwise you should ask for the 2-sided form upon arrival (without waiting), and fill out the form before returning to the verfication agent
Wait time can be 0-30 minutes or longer if your documents are not in order.
Step 3 - Your documents will now be forwarded to a processing agent
- the processing agent may ask you questions about your purpose in Colombia, visa choice, etc., be prepared
- you may be asked to correct any errors in your forms, photocopies, etc.
- you will also be photographed and fingerprinted (even for cedula renewal)
- you will present the bank receipt from Banco Occidente or pay $162.000 with your Colombian debit card
- your cedula number will be marked in your passport
Total wait and processing time can be from 20-60 minutes and longer if any inconsistencies are found.
Step 4 - Claim your cedula
- there is an online service that you can check within a week to verify your cedula is ready for pickup
- http://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/index.php/cedulas-para-reclamar
- when your cedula number appears on this list you are free to return to the Migracion office with your passport and claim your cedula
With our help, or just being well prepared will ensure you a smooth visit to Migracion Colombia. If you make a mistake and need to return to the office it is advisable not to get upset or insult the agents, just ask for all necessary corrections and return as soon as you can. Like government employees in most countries they are not overly concerned with efficiency or customer service so it is best to be prepared the first visit.
Any visa/cedula assistance/information can be discussed with Samuel, samuel@medellinlegal.com