The first SPECIAL TEMPORARY visa as a cooperator or volunteer of a non-profit entity or non-government organization (NGO) must always be processed at Colombian consulates abroad. In all other cases, it may be issued in Bogota, provided the applicant has a valid visa.
A visa may be granted to a foreigner whose intention is to enter this country as a cooperator or volunteer of a non-profit entity or non-government organization (NGO), or a person who has been duly presented by an international organization or a diplomatic mission.
Requirements
• Present Form DP-FO-67 “Application for a visa” completely filled out and signed by the foreign applicant, not by an intermediary.
• Present a valid passport or travel document, in good condition and with a minimum of two (2) blank pages.
• Two (2) 3X3 cm color photographs, front view against a white background or, in the case of applications at a Colombian Consulate, three (3) such 3X3 photographs.
• Copy of the main page of the valid passport showing the holder’s personal data, of the page containing the last Colombian visa, if any, and of the page with the most recent stamp of entry or departure from Colombia.
• Letter signed by the legal representative of the non-profit entity, the non-governmental organization, the diplomatic mission or international body, as appropriate, stating the activity which the foreigner is to carry out in Colombia, the work program in which he/she is to participate, its duration, the planned agenda or the public or private institutions and entities by which he/she is to be interviewed, as the case may be. Likewise, the foreigner's experience and suitability for the activities he/she is to undertake in Colombia must be documented.
• For authorization of the practice of a regulated profession on the visa, a foreigner must fulfill the same requirements as those set forth in the legal regulations in force for Colombian nationals and, for the purpose, he/she must present documents permitting him/her to practice the regulated profession, such as those of equivalency or validation of his/her professional qualification before the respective authority and/or his/her professional registration or card.
• Letter from the entity requesting the visa stating that it assumes the commitment before the national Government to pay all the applicant’s expenses during his/her stay in Colombia, as well as those of return to the country of origin or last place of residence of the applicant and his/her family, as the case may be, on termination of the activities or in situations preventing him/her from continuing to perform them, death or when cancellation of the visa, expiration of the term of the visa, deportation or expulsion are applicable, according to the provisions of Decree 4000 of 2004 and its amendments.
• Certificate of existence and legal representation of the non-profit entity or non-governmental organization, issued by the competent Colombian authority within the three (3) months prior to presentation of the application for the visa and, if necessary, the document of registration with the respective national authorities.
• When the non-profit entity of the NGO has no domicile in Colombia, the applicant for the visa must present a certified copy of its deed of incorporation and representation, or of the instrument accrediting its existence and representation, duly translated into Spanish and authenticated before the corresponding Colombian consulate and legalized or with an apostille, as the case may be, certifying that the said organization has existed for no less than five (five) years as of the date of its incorporation, or demonstrate that it has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
• When the non-profit entity or the NGO has a domicile in Colombia, the interested party may present an authenticated photocopy of the respective document certifying the legal representation issued by the competent authority.
Foreigners related to, or contracted as an official or employee by the non-profit entity or the NGO, must request a Temporary Worker’s Visa.
• Present a valid passport or travel document, in good condition and with a minimum of two (2) blank pages.
• Two (2) 3X3 cm color photographs, front view against a white background or, in the case of applications at a Colombian Consulate, three (3) such 3X3 photographs.
• Copy of the main page of the valid passport showing the holder’s personal data, of the page containing the last Colombian visa, if any, and of the page with the most recent stamp of entry or departure from Colombia.
• Letter signed by the legal representative of the non-profit entity, the non-governmental organization, the diplomatic mission or international body, as appropriate, stating the activity which the foreigner is to carry out in Colombia, the work program in which he/she is to participate, its duration, the planned agenda or the public or private institutions and entities by which he/she is to be interviewed, as the case may be. Likewise, the foreigner's experience and suitability for the activities he/she is to undertake in Colombia must be documented.
• For authorization of the practice of a regulated profession on the visa, a foreigner must fulfill the same requirements as those set forth in the legal regulations in force for Colombian nationals and, for the purpose, he/she must present documents permitting him/her to practice the regulated profession, such as those of equivalency or validation of his/her professional qualification before the respective authority and/or his/her professional registration or card.
• Letter from the entity requesting the visa stating that it assumes the commitment before the national Government to pay all the applicant’s expenses during his/her stay in Colombia, as well as those of return to the country of origin or last place of residence of the applicant and his/her family, as the case may be, on termination of the activities or in situations preventing him/her from continuing to perform them, death or when cancellation of the visa, expiration of the term of the visa, deportation or expulsion are applicable, according to the provisions of Decree 4000 of 2004 and its amendments.
• Certificate of existence and legal representation of the non-profit entity or non-governmental organization, issued by the competent Colombian authority within the three (3) months prior to presentation of the application for the visa and, if necessary, the document of registration with the respective national authorities.
• When the non-profit entity of the NGO has no domicile in Colombia, the applicant for the visa must present a certified copy of its deed of incorporation and representation, or of the instrument accrediting its existence and representation, duly translated into Spanish and authenticated before the corresponding Colombian consulate and legalized or with an apostille, as the case may be, certifying that the said organization has existed for no less than five (five) years as of the date of its incorporation, or demonstrate that it has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
• When the non-profit entity or the NGO has a domicile in Colombia, the interested party may present an authenticated photocopy of the respective document certifying the legal representation issued by the competent authority.
Foreigners related to, or contracted as an official or employee by the non-profit entity or the NGO, must request a Temporary Worker’s Visa.
Note: A beneficiary’s visa may be granted to the spouse, permanent partner, parents and children who are economically dependent upon the foreign special temporary visa holder as a cooperator or volunteer of a non-profit entity or non-government organization (NGO). In such cases, the occupation of the beneficiary shall be that of looking after the home or a student. No other occupation may be authorized.
Requirements:
√ Payment for visa study of USD 50
√ Valid passport or travel document, in good condition and with a minimum of two blank pages.
√ Two (2) recent 3x3 photographs, facing the camera, in color and against a white background.
√ Civil registration or equivalent document showing the relationship or kinship, duly legalized or with an apostille, as the case may be.
√ Documents evidencing the beneficiary’s economic dependence upon the visa holder.
√ A letter in which the visa holder assumes responsibility for the beneficiary’s stay in and departure from Colombia. In the case of minors, the application, proxy or authorization must be signed by the parents and authenticated before a notary or Colombian consul.
√ Photocopy of the holder’s valid visa.
√ When the request for a visa as a beneficiary is presented to the Visas office in Bogota, the foreign permanent partner of the visa holder must present the respective judicial decision, minute of conciliation or public deed declaring the existence of the de facto marital union in accordance with Colombian regulations, with date of issue no more than three (3) months prior to the day on which the request for a visa is presented.
Cost of the visa: USD 175
Place issued: Avenida 19 No. 98-03, 3rd and 4th Floors, Bogota D.C.
