What Is the Cédula de Extranjería?
The Cédula de Extranjería (CE) is Colombia's official identification document for foreign nationals holding long-stay visas. It functions as your primary ID for all legal, banking and government transactions in Colombia — comparable to the national ID card (Cédula de Ciudadanía) used by Colombian nationals. Without it, you cannot open a full bank account, sign contracts, access government services, or vote in local elections (if eligible as a long-term resident).
Who Must Get a Cédula de Extranjería?
All foreign nationals who hold a Colombian long-stay visa (Migrante or Residente category) must apply for a Cédula de Extranjería within 15 calendar days of their visa's approval date. Visitante category holders (including Digital Nomads) may also receive a CE upon entry registration. Tourist permit (PIP) holders do not receive a CE — it applies only to visa holders.
The October 31, 2026 Mandatory Transfer Deadline
A significant regulatory change is underway: Migración Colombia is centralizing all foreign resident registration. Foreign nationals whose Cédulas were previously issued by DANE (Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística) or the Registraduría Nacional must transfer their CE registration to Migración Colombia by October 31, 2026. Failure to transfer by this deadline may result in fines and could affect future visa processing.
Step-by-Step Application Process (New Cédula)
- Obtain your visa first — CE applications require a valid long-stay visa issued by Cancillería.
- Book an appointment — at your nearest Migración Colombia office via migracioncolombia.gov.co. Appointments fill quickly — book immediately after visa approval.
- Attend in person — biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) is captured in-person at the Migración Colombia office. This cannot be done remotely.
- Pay the fee — the CE fee is set by Migración Colombia and updated annually; verify current amount on their website.
- Receive your CE — physical card mailed to your Colombian address, typically within 2–4 weeks of the appointment.
What You Need for the Appointment
- Passport (original + copy of the bio page and the visa page)
- Printed copy of your visa approval resolution
- Payment receipt for the CE fee
- Two passport-sized photos (some offices provide this; confirm when booking)
- Colombian address where the card will be mailed
The CE vs. The Passport for Daily Use
Once you have your Cédula de Extranjería, it becomes your primary daily ID document in Colombia. You should not need to carry your passport for domestic transactions. However, always keep your passport accessible for international travel and for situations where authorities specifically request it. The CE alone does not authorize international travel — your visa, in your passport, does.
Banking Implications
Most Colombian banks require the CE to open a full account. Nequi (Bancolombia's digital wallet) is the fastest workaround while you wait for your CE — it operates with a passport and a Colombian phone number. Full traditional bank accounts (Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA) become accessible once the CE arrives. See our Banking in Colombia guide for details.
Sources: Migración Colombia — migracioncolombia.gov.co. Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022. Informational only.
Related: Banking in Colombia Guide · Resolution 5477 Guide
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