Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-W-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-W-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available.
Fees: There may be a fee for this service. Consult with the applicable civil registry office.
Document Name: Registro de Nacimiento
Issuing Authority: The Civil Registry (Registro Civil) of the municipality or rural area in which the birth occurred and certified by the notary public. The civil registration law was enacted in March 13, 1934, but only came into effect in 1940. As such, baptism certificates for a person born between 1934 and 1939 are acceptable in lieu of a civil registry of birth.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: A birth registration requires a witness.
Procedure for Obtaining: Consult the Civil Registry of the city/municipality where the birth took place for instructions on how to obtain a notarized copy of the birth registration.
Certified Copies Available: Yes. By default, all Colombian birth certificates are certified/notarized copies of the original. The original version is kept in the Civil Registry office of the city where the birth was originally registered.
Alternate Documents: Religious records are not sufficient. Occasionally, the embassy requests a copy of a religious baptism to augment civil records. Only if requested by the embassy, an applicant can obtain complete copies of baptism records from the church parish where the ceremony took place.
Exceptions: None
Comments: When scanning Birth, Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates, make sure to include scans of the front and back of your civil documents, even if the back is blank. This is to ensure that the information on the back is submitted.
Available
Fees: There may be a fee for this service. Consult with the applicable civil registry office.
Document Name: Registro de Defunción
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Registro Civil) of the municipality or rural area in which the death occurred and certified by the notary public.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Registering a death requires certification from a hospital or medical provider.
Procedure for Obtaining: Consult the Civil Registry of the city/municipality where the death took place for instructions on how to obtain a notarized copy of the death registration.
Certified Copies Available: Yes. By default, all Colombian death certificates are certified/notarized copies of the original. The original version is kept in the Civil Registry office of the city where the death was registered.
Alternate Documents: Religious records are not sufficient. Occasionally, the embassy requests a copy of a religious funeral to augment civil records. Only if requested by the embassy, an applicant can obtain complete copies of religious funeral records from the church parish where the ceremony took place.
Exceptions: None
Comments: When scanning your Birth, Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates, make sure to include scans of the front and back of your civil documents, even if the back is blank. This is to ensure that the information on the back is submitted
Available
Fees: There may be a fee for this service. Consult with the applicable civil registry office.
Document Name: Registro Civil de Matrimonio
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Registro Civil) of the municipality or rural area in which the marriage occurred and certified by the notary public.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Consult the Civil Registry of the city/municipality where the marriage took place for instructions on how to obtain a notarized copy of the marriage registration.
Certified Copies Available: Yes. By default, all Colombian marriage certificates are certified/notarized copies of the original. The original version is kept in the Civil Registry office of the city where the marriage was registered.
Alternate Documents: Catholic marriages in Colombia have legal effect only after they are registered with the civil authorities. However, religious records are not sufficient. The embassy requires the ‘copia del folio’ of the registered civil marriage for immigration purposes. Only if requested by the embassy, an applicant can present a religious marriage certificate to augment civil records. The Catholic baptismal certificates always have a line for marginal notes. Usually, the marginal notes indicate if the person had been married under a religious ceremony. They are issued on official paper, letterhead paper of the church, or plain white paper signed and sealed by the issuing priest. To avoid fraud, the issuing priest's signature may be authenticated by the competent ecclesiastical or civil authority.
Exceptions: None
Comments: When scanning your Birth, Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates, make sure to include scans of the front and back of your civil documents, even if the back is blank. This is to ensure that the information on the back is submitted
Available
Fees: There may be a fee for this service. Consult with the applicable civil registry office.
Document Name:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title:
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: Yes. By default, all Colombian divorce certificates are certified/notarized copies of the original. The original version is kept in the Civil Registry office of the city/municipality where the divorce was registered. The marriage or birth certificate with the required divorce annotation is also a certified copy, issued by the Civil Registry in the city/municipality where the birth or marriage was registered.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: When scanning your Birth, Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates, make sure to include scans of the front and back of your civil documents, even if the back is blank. This is to ensure that the information on the back is submitted
Available
Fees: There may be a fee. Please consult with Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF).
Document Name: Certificación
Issuing Authority: Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Subdirector de Adopciones.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Please consult with Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) on the procedure for obtaining.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: No fees for initial issuance of the National ID card. There is a replacement fee for a lost or stolen card.
Document Name: Cédula de Ciudadanía
Issuing Authority: Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The cédula supplies the bearer’s name, DOB, blood type, biometrics, and National ID number. It is yellow with security seals.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrador Nacional.
Registration Criteria: You must be 18 years old to obtain the Cédula de Ciudadanía. Children 7 to 18 years old are issued a Tarjeta de Identidad. Children under 7 years old use their Birth Certificate for identity purposes.
Procedure for Obtaining: Consult the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil’s website for procedures to obtain the National ID card.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available. Yes. To those 18 and older.
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales.
Issuing Authority: Ministerio de Defensa Nacional – Policía Nacional de Colombia.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The police record can be printed from the Policía Nacional de Colombia website.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: All applicants who are 18 years or older must provide a Colombian Police Certificate, called Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales. Applicants may obtain police certificates online at policia.gov Police certificates have a validity of one year. Colombians receive their permanent cédula (national ID) number when they turn 18; applicants younger than 18 are not required to obtain a Police Certificate.
Any applicant who has a police record that states "Actualmente no es requirido por autoridad judicial alguna" (in English, "currently not wanted by any judicial authority") must bring their complete court records, along with an English translation, to the embassy on the day of their interview. Applicants who fail to bring these court records and the English translation will be required to return to the embassy for a second interview.
Additionally, individuals who have lived in the United States without legal permission and/or applicants who unsuccessfully applied for asylum should obtain their report of entry and exits ("certificado de movimientos migratorios") from Colombia. Applicants can obtain this report from Migración Colombia at migracioncolombia.gov.
Third country nationals who hold foreigner identification cards (Cédulas de Extranjeria, C.E.) can obtain Colombian criminal records online through the Colombian National Police website policia.gov by entering their C.E. number.
If a third country national resides legally in Colombia but does not have a C.E., he/she can go to the following address in person to request a criminal records certificate:
Carrera 27#18-41
Monday -Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 408-8000 x3637
Third country nationals who do not have a C.E. must bring:
1) A letter addressed to the Colombian National Police requesting the certificate;
2) A copy of his/her foreigner identification card (if any) and/or evidence of legal entry into Colombia;
3) Their passport.
There is no charge for this process. This process must be carried out in person.
Criminal record certificates are not issued to third country nationals who are unlawfully present in Colombia. They must go to Migración Colombia and legalize their stay before the Colombian National Police will issue a certificate.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Please send a copy of the police certificate to the National Visa Center.
Available: To Colombian citizens over 18 years of age.
Fees: There may be fees.
Document Name: Military Carnets (Libreta Militar), First Class for those who have served with the armed forces and Second Class for those who have obtained an exception.
Issuing Authority: There is no issuing authority.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: There is no procedure for obtaining.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): The Government of Colombia issues diplomatic, official, regular, border, collective, and provisional passports to Colombian citizens. All these different types of passports meet the requirements of section 212(a)(7)(B)(i)(I) of the INA.
Fees: Consult the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for passport fees.
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passports are dark red and there is a security seal over the photo. For citizens 18 years or older, the bio-page of the passport includes their national ID (cedula) number.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Consult the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for how to obtain a passport domestically or overseas.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: None.
Comments: When a Colombian citizen turns 18 years old, they are required to turn in their Tarjeta de Identidad (ID card for minors) and apply for their Cédula de Ciudadanía (national ID card). Their national ID number is included on the passport bio-page. Applicants who recently turned 18 years old must present a new, updated passport which includes their Cédula de Ciudadanía number for immigration purposes.
Border Passports: are issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Colombian Consulates abroad to Colombian citizens who are at that moment in a border country with Colombia. These passports are only valid for the country where it was issued.
Provisional Passports: are issued by the Colombian Consulates abroad to (a) Colombian citizens who are abroad and who are extremely poor, repatriates, or deportees, who have lost their documents and whose return to Colombia is imminent, (b) the son or the daughter of a Colombian citizen who was born abroad and whose nationality is not yet determined. (Provisional passports issued under the above circumstances are only valid to travel to Colombia), (c) Colombian citizens who have lost their documents or who, due to exceptional circumstances, cannot use their passport and whose return to Colombia is not (repeat not) imminent. (These passports are issued with a note indicating the countries to be visited and are valid for two months.
Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.
Not applicable.
Post Title: Bogota, Colombia (Embassy)
Address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C., Colombia
Phone Number:
011 571-275-2000 - Embassy Switchboard
011 571-275-4545 - Consular Section Fax
011 571-315-2196/2197 - Fax
Visa Services: All visa categories for all of Colombia.
Comments / Additional Information: None
All visa categories for all of Colombia. As of January 2017, U.S. Embassy Bogota was designated the immigrant visa processing post for Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao Island applicants.
As of October 2017, U.S. Embassy Bogota was designated the immigrant visa processing post for Cuban applicants.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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