Who should apply for this visa category?

This visa allows its holder to attend conventions and business, cultural, or academic activities as a speaker, exhibitor, participant, artist, athlete, judge, contestant, organizer, or logistics personnel.

This visa category is for nationals from countries that are not exempted from short-stays.

Passport holders from any of the short-term visa exempted countries that come invited by an academic institution as speakers, professors or researchers do not need to apply for this visa.

What are the benefits and restrictions for this visa?

Up to one year validity, but you can only stay 180 days in the country.

This visa can be valid for up to one (1) year. HOWEVER, keep in mind that the authorized permanence in Colombian terriotory will be 180 days (continous or discontinous) within the 365 days period once the visa is approved.

For example, if you get approved on May 1st, 2024, your visa will be valid until May 1st, 2025. But you can stay in the country only 180 days out of those 365 days, which should be enough to attend the event. If you have different plans than the event, then you should consider to change the visa category.

This visa doesn’t admits beneficiaries

If you need to bring your Spouse or children, they must apply for their own visas or consider a visa category that allows beneficiaries.

No work permit

Please notice that this type of visa does not allow you to work in Colombia for Colombian companies, since it doesn’t have a work permit.

No time accrue towards residency

Since it is a visitor-type (V) visa, this won’t allow you to add time in order to apply for a residency or (R) visa.

Requirements

This visa category must be applied by a Colombian entity on behalf of the foreigner, under the sponsorship of a Colombian legal entity.

1. Sponsoring Letter

• Provide a detailed letter from the legal entity’s representative. This letter should include:
• The legal entity’s full details, like tax ID and contact info if registered in Colombia.
• The foreign individual’s complete information.
• A supporting statement from the entity’s legal representative. This should detail the activities the foreigner will undertake in Colombia, how long they’ll stay, the nature of the relationship with the legal entity, who’s covering their expenses, and info about other foreigners supported by the entity. The entity must also promise to ensure the individual’s return or report any irregular stays.
• A description of the connection with the foreign individual, including any specific skills or qualifications they have.
• A written pledge of financial responsibility for the individual’s expenses and a commitment to inform authorities of any changes in their situation. This pledge should be signed, include a fingerprint, and be legally verified if signed abroad.

2. Certificate of Incorporation for Foreign Private Companies

If the entity is a private company based outside Colombia, provide a certificate of existence or legal representation. This document must be officially verified (apostilled or legalized) and translated into Spanish if necessary.

3. Proof of Economic Solvency

Show the legal entity’s financial stability with three months’ worth of bank statements prior to the application. Public entities are exempt from this. Individuals must prove they have an income at least three times the legal minimum wage.

How much does it cost?

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