Get a realistic picture of what it costs to obtain legal status in Colombia — including government fees, legal fees, and ancillary costs — before you start the process.
Cancillería charges a fixed application fee ($270 USD for most visa types, $52 USD for student visas). This is a government charge paid directly to Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs — separate from attorney fees.
Whether you need apostilles, how many foreign documents require certified translation, and whether your RUT/NIT needs to be obtained all add to the overall cost and timeline.
Most visa applications take 4–8 weeks from document submission to approval. Investment and residency visas (Type R) can take longer. Having all documents apostilled and translated before applying speeds things up significantly.
Not sure which visa applies to your situation? Our bilingual team offers a no-pressure initial consultation. We'll tell you exactly which route makes sense before you commit to anything.