COLOMBIA – Visa-Free Entry for Some Nationals of China, India, Thailand and Vietnam

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The Colombian government has authorised certain nationals of India, China, Thailand and Vietnam to enter Colombia without a visa, thus allowing qualifying applicants to apply on arrival for a temporary visitor permit (PIP) and post arrival for certain employment visas (TP- 4 and TP-13).

Who Qualifies?

The new visa exemption is available to nationals of India, China, Thailand and Vietnam who

• hold a residence permit in a State of he Schengen area or in the United States; or
• hold a Schengen visa type C or D, or a visa to the United States (other than in the Class C-1 transit category).

Further Details

Qualifying nationals of these four countries arriving in Colombia will receive a temporary visitor permit (PIP) in the relevant category, depending on the activities to be undertaken in Colombia (PIP-1 to PIP-8). They will then be able to apply post arrival for a TP-4 temporary work visa or a TP-13 visa for urgent technical work.

Action Items

• If you are assisting a qualifying national of China, India, Thailand or Vietnam to obtain work authorisation for Colombia, consider taking advantage of the post arrival processes.
• A transition period is expected while the immigration authorities (including Migración Colombia and all consular posts) implement this new rule. Please check with your immigration supplier on a case by case basis.