United States Visa RequirementsFor Colombia passport holders
Colombian citizens need a US B1/B2 (tourist/business) visa to visit the United States. The US Embassy in Bogota is one of the busiest US consular posts in Latin America, processing a very high volume of Colombian visa applications.
Colombia passport holders require a visa to enter United States.
Apply online at ceac.state.gov to fill the DS-160 form, then pay the MRV fee ($185 USD) and schedule an interview at the US Embassy in Bogota (Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50) or US Consulate in Barranquilla. The interview requires: passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, recent photo (5cm x 5cm), bank statements, employment letter with salary and confirmed leave, evidence of ties to Colombia (property, family, employment), and accommodation plans in the US.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Completed DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application form (online)
Valid Colombian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
Passport photo (5cm x 5cm, white background)
MRV visa application fee payment receipt ($185 USD)
Interview appointment confirmation letter
Bank statements (last 3-6 months) showing sufficient funds
Employment letter with salary and confirmed leave
Evidence of ties to Colombia (property, family, employment)
Hotel bookings or host invitation letter in the US
Current Travel Situation
Colombia to United States: What You Need to Know
The United States is the most popular international destination for Colombian travellers, and the US Embassy in Bogota processes one of the highest volumes of nonimmigrant visa applications in Latin America. The Colombian-American diaspora is significant, concentrated in Miami, New York, and New Jersey. Colombia and the US have strong bilateral ties through trade, investment, and anti-narcotics cooperation. B1/B2 visa interview wait times in Bogota can be long during peak periods.
How to Get There
American Airlines, Avianca, United, and Delta operate numerous direct flights from Bogota (BOG) to Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and other US cities. Copa Airlines via Panama City is a popular connection option. The US is extremely well-connected to Colombia with multiple daily flights from Bogota, Medellin (MDE), Cali (CLO), Barranquilla (BAQ), and Cartagena (CTG). Flights from Bogota to Miami take approximately 3.5 hours; to New York approximately 5.5 hours.
Money & Banking
The United States uses the US dollar (USD). Colombian pesos are not accepted in the US. Visa/Mastercard bank cards work at US ATMs. The US is moderately expensive; budget $100-200 USD per day for mid-range travel. Miami has a very large Colombian community and is considered a second home for many Colombians.
Practical Tips
The US Embassy in Bogota handles extremely high application volumes; interview wait times can extend to several months during peak periods (especially June-August and December-January). Check current wait times at travel.state.gov. Miami's Colombian community (Brickell, Doral, Weston) is the largest in the US. New York's Jackson Heights area has a large Colombian population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there direct flights from Colombia to the United States?
Yes. Colombia is extremely well connected to the US. Direct flights operate from Bogota (BOG), Medellin (MDE), Cali (CLO), Barranquilla (BAQ), and Cartagena (CTG) to Miami, New York, and other US cities with American Airlines, Avianca, United, Delta, and Copa. Bogota to Miami takes approximately 3.5 hours.
How long do US visa interviews take to schedule in Bogota?
Interview wait times at the US Embassy in Bogota vary but can extend to several months during busy periods. Check current wait times at travel.state.gov. The US Consulate in Barranquilla may have shorter wait times.
What is the US visa fee for Colombians?
The nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee) is $185 USD for B1/B2 tourist/business visas. This is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. Pay the fee at co.usembassy.gov before scheduling your interview.