So, you’ve set your sights on Colombia. Maybe it’s Medellín’s springlike climate, Bogotá’s energy, or Cartagena’s Caribbean charm. You’ve got your documents ready, your savings lined up, and you’re already picturing yourself sipping world-class coffee on a balcony. And then you hear the news: “Wait… I need an FBI background check now?”
Yep. Welcome to Colombian bureaucracy, 2025 edition.
When I got my first visa here, this wasn’t part of the process. But under Resolution 5477, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave itself the power to demand background checks. And now, they’re enforcing it across almost every visa category. Doesn’t matter if you’re coming for love, business, retirement, or a digital nomad stint — if you’re American (and increasingly if you’re Canadian or British), you’ll need that FBI report.
Let’s break it down step by step so you don’t get blindsided at the immigration counter.
What Changed and Who It Affects
Before, only certain visa categories — retirement, annuity, and Mercosur — required background checks. Today? Add digital nomad, marriage, domestic partnership, investment, business, and beneficiary visas to the list.
If you’re applying for practically any visa in 2025, assume you’ll need a clean FBI background check issued within the last 90 days.
And yes, even if you’ve lived in Colombia for years without setting foot in the U.S., they can still demand it.
Your Two Options
There are two ways to tackle this paperwork beast:
Path A: DIY, Direct with the FBI.
Apply online through the FBI portal ($18).
Mail in your FD-258 fingerprint card.
Wait for the report, then ship it off for an apostille in Washington, D.C.
Translate it officially into Spanish.
Cheaper, but you’re managing every moving part — from international mail to timing the 90-day validity window.
Path B: Use a Service from Inside Colombia.
Agencies in Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena, and beyond handle fingerprints, shipping, apostille, and translation.
Packages start around $220 USD, with complete “visa-ready” bundles closer to $400.
It’s the difference between juggling three different U.S. offices from abroad… or paying someone to juggle for you while you keep sipping that tinto.
Here’s the part that trips people up: the timeline.
Fingerprinting: 1–3 days.
FBI processing: 10–15 business days.
Apostille: another 10–15 business days.
Translation: 2–5 business days.
That’s a 5–7 week process, start to finish. So if your visa expires in three weeks, you’re already in trouble. The trick is to start early.
Avoid These Mistakes
I’ve seen people lose weeks — or even their visa chances — over little details. Here are the big killers:
Submitting a report older than 90 days.
Getting a state apostille instead of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Smudged or partial fingerprints.
Forgetting the certified Spanish translation.
Waiting until the last minute to start.
Remember: Colombia loves paperwork. They don’t bend rules just because you “almost” got it right.
The Bottom Line
Colombia has officially put the FBI background check front and center in its visa process. It’s no longer optional, it’s no longer selective — it’s mandatory.
So, if you want your visa approved without headaches:
✅ Start early.
✅ Get the right apostille.
✅ Make sure your fingerprints are FBI-compliant.
✅ And always have that certified translation ready.
Do it right, and you’ll be celebrating your new visa instead of scrambling at the notary
👉Want a step-by-step breakdown with timelines, budget estimates, and a printable checklist so you don’t miss a thing? Grab my free guide to FBI background check process.