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Colombia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
243,785
Top destination, 2023
Spain
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
579,926
UK visas issued, 2025
27,193
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
35.1%
NationalityCOISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<COCOLOMBIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
CO6<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Colombia need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Colombia move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Spain170,722
  2. United States26,150
  3. Chile15,049
  4. Germany8,111
  5. Mexico5,333
  6. Canada4,660
  7. Italy3,559
  8. Australia1,769
  9. France1,258
  10. Netherlands1,243
  11. Portugal1,091
  12. Belgium872
  13. New Zealand750
  14. Switzerland649
  15. Austria460

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

130k261k200020032006200920122015201820212023
130k261k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200067,153
200194,607
200263,110
200338,230
200452,293
200564,489
200693,806
200789,412
200882,361
200965,724
201057,047
201159,673
201263,268
201373,771
201469,700
201578,224
201688,987
2017103,460
2018128,242
2019146,777
2020101,148
2021118,807
2022260,555
2023243,785
Share going to the top destination
70.0%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Colombia who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. United States1,008,875
  2. Venezuela875,552
  3. Spain792,228
  4. Chile189,185
  5. Ecuador159,966
  6. Canada101,001
  7. Panama77,349
  8. Australia59,674
  9. Argentina53,163
  10. Mexico51,112
  11. Italy45,753
  12. France43,218

Living abroad by year

1.83M3.65M19901995200020052010201520202024
1.83M3.65M19902000201020202024
Data table
19901,000,769
19951,181,011
20001,469,973
20051,823,207
20102,558,298
20152,720,321
20203,165,293
20243,652,238
Living abroad, 2024
3,652,238
Change since 2000
+148.5%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
27.6%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Colombia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2550,267
  2. J19,345
  3. A23,691
  4. F13,483
  5. C1/D1,658
  6. H2B1,511
  7. H1B1,010
  8. K1980
  9. L2948
  10. L1808

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

290k580k201720182019202020212022202320242025
290k580k20172019202120232025
Data table
2017147,652
2018235,403
2019214,774
202097,478
202154,555
2022161,245
2023477,173
2024473,727
2025579,926
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR51,766
  2. E21,242
  3. IR11,121
  4. IR2774
  5. CR1529
  6. F1484
  7. F4460
  8. F2B255
Immigrant visas, FY2025
8,090
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
1,108
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Colombia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Colombia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

15k30k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
15k30k201520172019202120232024
Data table
201517,320
201618,610
201717,960
201817,550
201919,840
202011,990
202115,290
202221,720
202324,810
202430,140
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens23,680
  2. Employment-based preferences3,440
  3. Family-sponsored preferences2,270
  4. Refugees and asylees680
  5. Other classes80
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Spouses and children8,210
  2. Intracompany transferees (L-1)7,370
  3. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)6,300
  4. Specialty occupations (H-1B)5,600
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)2,060
  6. Other temporary workers1,120
  7. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)830
  8. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)240
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Colombia)
30,140
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Colombia)
17,890
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
1,175,660
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Colombia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Colombia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor24,472
  2. Other1,233
  3. Study688
  4. Work526
  5. Family274

Visas issued by year

14k27k201020122014201620182020202220242025
14k27k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201021,233
201122,135
201222,920
201324,590
201426,741
201526,689
201624,518
201727,294
201826,652
201925,348
20206,116
20214,611
202217,384
20231,554
20243,715
202527,193
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
890
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Colombia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20251,3358,2056,0606,500525
20241,6658,5507,0408,860640
20231,78010,57510,9454,650620
20221,0005,93010,6603,785215
20216855,0307,2104,055510
20203102,7403,3851,530325
20192702,4554,7052,275225
20181651,5103,5452,265205
2017559252,5752,230190
2016507451,7852,44550
2015354401,3802,18045
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Colombia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

6141,2282005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
6141,2282005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0653
2006–0762
2007–08120
2008–09137
2009–1078
2010–11122
2011–12234
2012–13257
2013–14229
2014–15185
2015–16161
2016–17163
2017–18108
2018–19202
2019–20159
2020–21169
2021–22242
2022–23407
2023–24555
2024–251,227
2025–261,228
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1,002
  2. Medium-term82
  3. Short-term69
  4. Labour Agreement53
  5. Specialist Skills22
Granted, 2025–26
1,228
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
1.8%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Colombia living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1,4242,8482012201420162018202220242025
1,4242,8482012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20122,253
20132,242
20142,244
20152,268
20162,347
20172,384
20182,428
20192,509
20222,636
20232,716
20242,774
20252,848
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident1,384
  2. Long-Term Resident422
  3. Spouse or Child of Japanese National365
  4. Student174
  5. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services148
  6. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident100
  7. Dependent66
  8. Entertainer63
  9. Designated Activities32
  10. Highly Skilled Professional19
Residents, December 2025
2,848
In work-related statuses
289
Share in work-related statuses
10.1%
Students
174
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Colombia

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Colombia, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Sweden2,1381,18197145.4%
Spain4163674310.3%
France161140138.1%
Italy787267.7%
Netherlands55391527.3%
Austria49291938.8%
Romania492300.0%
Germany433824.7%
Switzerland262427.7%
Portugal2616623.1%
Hungary171700.0%
Belgium111019.1%
Czechia5500.0%

Applications by year

67k133k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
67k133k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200984,191
201097,355
2011112,445
2012114,466
2013128,443
2014133,200
2015133,095
20162,223
20171,945
20182,093
20192,470
2020444
2021601
20221,956
20232,491
20243,074
Refusal rate, 2024
35.1%
Refusal rate, 2019
13.8%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Colombia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family52,529
  2. Work38,666
  3. Education26,044
  4. Other reasons21,547
First permits by country
  1. Spain108,099
  2. Portugal7,316
  3. Italy5,216
  4. Poland4,217
  5. Germany3,444
  6. France3,223
  7. Malta2,226
  8. Netherlands896
  9. Switzerland621
  10. Austria538
  11. Belgium502
  12. Czechia462
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card410
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)1,752
  3. Researchers370
  4. Other paid activities36,134
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
1,118
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
30,029
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
21,818
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
6,620
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
454,884
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
61,054
Changed status into work, 2025
8,320
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
49
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
3,519
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Colombia in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025241104775505
Sweden202529035611592510
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025962967
Austria2025670257413
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark104
  2. Sweden35
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Colombia living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Permanent residence title6,600
  2. Employment5,145
  3. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure5,060
  4. Application for a residence title pending4,345
  5. Family reasons3,655
  6. Neither tolerated nor permitted3,650
  7. Education and training3,290
  8. Tolerated stay (Duldung)1,920
  9. EU free movement1,470
  10. International law, humanitarian or political reasons565
  11. Special residence rights and national visas295

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

18k36k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
18k36k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201413,283
201513,992
201614,935
201716,060
201817,730
201920,045
202020,705
202122,580
202226,710
202331,995
202435,895
202536,005
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
36,005
With a residence title for employment
5,145
Permanent residence title
6,600
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Colombia, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

2,2804,5592016201720182019202020212022202320242025
2,2804,559201620182020202220242025
Data table
20161,132
20171,386
20181,834
20191,788
20201,146
20211,841
20223,012
20233,260
20243,084
20254,559
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Asylum and protection2,165
  2. Family1,461
  3. Study452
  4. Other reasons329
  5. Work152
New permits, 2025
4,559
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
28,207
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
10,159
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Colombia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Colombia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Australia11—
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bolivia1——
Brazil1——
Canada1——
Chile1——
China1—1
Costa Rica1——
Cuba1——
Czechia1——
Dominican Republic1——
Ecuador1——
Egypt1——
El Salvador1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Guatemala1——
Haiti1——
Honduras1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Ireland1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Jamaica1——
Japan1——
Lebanon1——
Mexico1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
New Zealand1——
Nicaragua1——
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Paraguay1——
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
Uruguay1——
Countries
58
Missions
60
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Colombia, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

6,56513k2000200320062009201220152018202120242025
6,56513k200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001,610
20012,056
20022,480
20033,076
20043,190
20053,346
20063,899
20074,460
20084,827
20094,125
20104,031
20114,101
20124,019
20134,450
20144,166
20155,002
20165,192
20175,819
20186,675
20197,116
20206,925
20218,608
20229,455
202310,112
202411,873
202513,129
Remittances received, 2025
US$13,129 million
Share of GDP, 2025
2.9%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Colombia, 2023
2.4%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Colombia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Colombia → Spain
  • Colombia → United States
  • Colombia → Chile
  • Colombia → Germany
  • Colombia → Mexico
  • Colombia → Canada
  • Colombia → Italy
  • Colombia → Australia
  • Colombia → France
  • Colombia → Netherlands
  • Colombia → Portugal
  • Colombia → Belgium
  • Colombia → Switzerland
  • Colombia → Austria
  • Colombia → United Kingdom
  • Colombia → Malta
  • Colombia → Poland
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more