VISAS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a courtesy visitor visa (Type V) to foreign artistic, technical, and production personnel entering Colombia to work on audiovisual projects.
⚠️ Important: This procedure applies only when the company or institution sponsoring the project is foreign. If the foreign personnel are hired directly by a Colombian company, this visa does not apply.
¿What kind of permit do foreign employees need?
Depending on the length of stay and the terms of the project, there are two options:
Option 1 — Permit for Other Activities (POA)
Applies to stays of up to ninety (90) days. This permit is not renewable and may be granted multiple times during the same year, provided that the total length of stay does not exceed 180 calendar days.
The POA permit must be requested at least ten (10) business days before entering Colombia, using the Migración Colombia form and selecting the option “Concerts, events, or artistic activities.” It can only be requested by Colombian companies and costs COP 151884 per person (as of 2026).
If the project is extended, it is recommended that the foreign national regularize their immigration status before the POA expires by applying for a Type V courtesy visa.
Option 2 — Courtesy Visitor Visa (Type V)
This applies to stays of any duration that exceeds ninety (90) days. It allows for multiple entries into the country and can be renewed (by submitting a new application) before it expires. If the visa is valid for more than ninety (90) days, the foreign national must also apply for a foreigner’s ID card through Migración Colombia, which costs COP 294.000 per person (as of 2026).
According to Article 111 of Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022, “Once a visa has expired, whether at the end of its term or early, the foreign national has thirty (30) calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new visa; during this period, the foreign national is considered to be in good immigration standing.”
¿How do I apply for a courtesy visitor visa (Type V)?
Before submitting the visa application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you must obtain a document certifying that the project is a foreign audiovisual production. The process varies depending on the type of project:
If the project is a film (feature-length or short film):
Apply for the Resolution Authorizing Filming in the Country, issued by the Ministry of Culture, by sending the required documents to: idacosta@mincultura.gov.co and griano@mincultura.gov.co. This process is free of charge.
If the project is in a different audiovisual format (TV series, reality shows, music videos, video games, among others):
Apply for the Foreign Audiovisual Work Certification, issued by the Proimágenes Colombia Film Commission. Once you have this document, you may submit your visa application. Review the Instructions to learn about the process and costs.
¿How do I file a visa application?
There are two options:
- On your own, free of charge, directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Through the Proimágenes Colombia Film Commission, which offers the benefits of document review, liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a faster processing time.
Additional Recommendations
- The POA does not allow for extensions; therefore, you must leave the country and apply for a new one. Remember that this process must be completed at least ten (10) days before your arrival in the country.
- The Type V courtesy visa will be issued for the requested duration, in accordance with the dates indicated on the Authorization for Filming in National Territory or the Certification of Foreign Audiovisual Production.
- If you need to extend your stay, you may apply for a new Type V courtesy visa before the current one expires, at least 15 business days in advance. This process can be completed from within Colombia.
- The Type V courtesy visa allows for multiple entries into the country during its validity period.
- If you hold dual citizenship, you must always enter the country using the passport to which the visa was issued. Failure to do so may result in penalties and fines.
- If the visa expires before the foreign national has left the country, they may face penalties and restrictions on future entries. Therefore, it is important to comply with the established validity periods and deadlines.
- If you are a Colombian national with a valid passport, you must enter the country using your Colombian passport and do not require a visa.
If you have any questions, please contact: danielazuluaga@proimagenescolombia.com.
📂 DOCUMENTS:
