The Office of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the authority to approve and issue preferential Diplomatic, Official and Service visas, in accordance with the stipulations of Decree 2107 of 2001 or any provisions amending or replacing it.

Without prejudice to the provisions of any agreements entered into on the matter of visa exemptions, visas for personnel of diplomatic and consular representations, as well as international agencies, shall be issued abroad on a temporary basis for a maximum term of 90 days, by the chief of a Colombian diplomatic mission or consular office, upon prior request from the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international agency or consular office as the case may be, and subject to the approval of the Office of Protocol in the cases stipulated by applicable law.

If the Office of Protocol deems it appropriate, it may authorize the chief of the Colombian diplomatic mission or consular office to issue a preferential Diplomatic or Official visa for a term of up to two (2) years for the former and one (1) year for the latter.

Once the appointment and arrival of the new official has been notified, the respective mission must issue a Verbal Note to the Office of Protocol within eight (8) days of the arrival date, requesting the issuance of the permanent visa and attaching:

• One front view, 3 x 4 cm photograph, on blue background.
• Passport in good condition with a minimum remaining validity of six (6) months

All preferential visa applications duly submitted to the Office of Protocol will be processed within 8 working days from the date of filing with the Chancellery.

Considering that visas are issued for a given period for each category as indicated below, the missions must take all necessary measures to ensure their timely renewal during the stay of the beneficiary in Colombia. Possession of an identity card with a validity term beyond the visa expiration date must in no way be interpreted as an exemption to the obligation stated above.