Embassy
Embassy of Colombia in South Africa
177 Dyer Road, Hillcrest Office Park, Woodpecker Place
Colombia visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need an eVisa for Colombia. Apply on the official website.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
COL
Colombia
eVisa
Use the official online system to apply and receive your approved visa by email.
- Visa
- eVisa
- Fee
- Separate review and visa fees
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Apply on Colombia's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo.
Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
Enter on the dates and through the ports the eVisa allows.
Get your Colombia visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Colombia
Visit without a visa if you qualify, or apply before travel.
Visa not requiredPacific Alliance permanent residentsPeople with permanent residence in Chile, Mexico or Peru can make short, unpaid visits.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Prepare proof of permanent residence.
- Show it with your passport at the border.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Proof of permanent residence
- Ticket out of Colombia
- Proof of enough money
- Return ticket
- Temporary residence does not qualify.
- Border staff decide how long you can stay.
Visa not requiredAndean permanent residentsSome foreign permanent residents of Andean Community countries qualify for short, unpaid visits.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check whether the countries accept each other's residence documents.
- Show your passport and proof of permanent residence.
Documents required
- Passport
- Proof of permanent residence
- This route depends on the countries offering the same treatment to each other.
- Border staff decide how long you can stay.
eVisaOnline visa applicationUse the official online system to apply and receive your approved visa by email.
- Fee
- Separate review and visa fees
- Processing
- 30 days
How to apply
- Choose your visa type and the office handling it.
- Upload your form, photo and documents.
- Pay the review fee within 10 days.
- Answer any requests in the online system.
- After approval, pay within 10 working days.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Passport photo page
- Recent colour photo, white background
- JPG photo, 3 × 4 cm
- Photo no larger than 300 KB
- Documents for your chosen visa
- Proof of legal residence, if needed
- Extra checks can exceed 30 days; emailed visas follow payment within 10 working days.
- Applying does not extend your allowed stay; CheckMig is separate from your visa.
eVisaTourist visaApply online for a visa for holidays, tourism or cultural visits.
- Stay
- 90–180 days
- Valid for
- 365 days
- Fee
- Fees vary; tax and exemptions may apply
How to apply
- Fill in the online form and upload your documents.
- Pay the review fee.
- Answer any requests for more information.
- Pay the visa fee if approved.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Passport photo page
- Recent colour photo, white background
- Letter explaining your trip
- Host invitation, if invited
- Signed host invitation with fingerprint
- Host's promise to cover costs
- 180 days of bank statements
- Return ticket
- Travel insurance
- Stay up to 180 days per 365 days from issue; an extension needs approval.
- You cannot work or bring family on dependent visas.
Sources (20)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Migración Colombia: entry and exit requirements
- Migración Colombia: tourist documents, permissions and other questions
- Migración Colombia: current optional CheckMig service
- Official CheckMig portal
- Foreign Ministry: visa requirements and exemption lists
- Foreign Ministry: visa types and requirements
- Foreign Ministry: dedicated airport-transit nationality list
- Foreign Ministry: current general visa application instructions
- Official electronic visa application portal
- Foreign Ministry: V Student
- Foreign Ministry: M Worker
- Foreign Ministry: M Spouse
- Foreign Ministry: V Digital Nomad
- Foreign Ministry: Andean Migrant and Resident visas
- Resolution 5488: exemptions and airport transit, with amendments shown
- Resolution 5477: visa framework and purpose-specific rules
- Resolution 3969 of 2026: visa fees and exceptions
- Colombian Consulate in London: current visa processing guidance
- Colombian Consulate in New Delhi: visa applications and conditional exemptions
- Colombian Consulate in Miami: online visa applications
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs A BAdapter needed
- MoneyCOP $
- Time−7h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageSpanish
- Emergency112 police125 ambulance
Planning your Colombia trip
Best time to go: Temperatures depend more on height above sea level than the time of year. Rainy seasons vary by region, so there is no single best time for the whole country.
- BogotáExplore historic streets, bookstores and a busy cultural scene.
- CartagenaWalk the old city's walls and see its Spanish colonial history.
- Villa de LeyvaVisit a historic town with Spanish colonial buildings.
- Lost CityReach ancient Tayrona ruins by trekking through jungle-covered mountains.
Scams to watch for in Colombia
- Taxi fare overchargingA driver takes advantage of unclear fares or does not start the meter. In Cartagena, taxis have no meters and drivers may demand a very high fare if you did not agree on it first. In Manizales, some taxis also have no meter. In Bogotá and Cali, meters show units rather than the price in pesos. Some surcharges are legitimate.
- Taxi detours and waiting-charge tricksSome drivers take a roundabout route or use waiting charges to increase the bill. If you stop during a journey, the driver may reset the meter and charge you the total of several fares.
- Shop referrals that raise your priceA street hawker leads you to a shop that pays them a large commission. The shop recovers that payment through a higher price charged to you.
About Colombia
Colombia is a republic in northwestern South America, with Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.
- Capital
- Bogotá
- Money
- Colombian peso ($)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- UTC-05:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +57
Other Africa passports
Going to Colombia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Colombia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Colombia?
South African citizens need an eVisa for Colombia. Apply on the official website.
Where do I apply online for Colombia?
Only on Colombia's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Colombia?
We have no record of Colombia relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do colombian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Colombian citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Colombia?
Morocco can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Colombia are easier for south african citizens?
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile Ecuador, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Colombia?
Apply on Colombia's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo. Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
What money is used in Colombia?
Colombian peso ($). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Colombia?
Spanish.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck