Guide contents
Quick answer: the official list of foreign embassies, missions and officials accredited to Colombia is in Cancillería's Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Colombia directory. It lets you look up accredited missions and search by position. It is the reliable source for locating your country's representation in Colombia, which you will need for procedures such as renewing your passport or certifying documents from your country.
What the diplomatic corps accredited in Colombia is
The accredited diplomatic corps is made up of the embassies, missions of international organizations and diplomatic officials of other States that the Colombian Government officially recognizes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes its directory on Cancillería's procedures system, the same domain as the apostille and legalization services. That makes it the reliable reference compared with unofficial lists, which often show outdated addresses or phone numbers.
For a foreigner in Colombia, their country's mission is a practical ally. Many documents required for visas in Colombia come from your country of origin, and some procedures can only be handled by your own diplomatic or consular representation.
How to use the official directory, step by step
- Open the official directory. Cancillería recommends Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
- Choose the Search type (required field). The page offers a search of Accredited missions and a Search by positions.
- If you are looking for a specific position, open "SELECCIONE…" under Consulta por cargos. If you do not choose an option, the system shows "Debe seleccionar una opción" (you must select an option).
- Wait for the "Por favor espere…" (please wait) indicator to finish and review your country's mission information. The directory also shows data such as the national day and the start of diplomatic relations.
- Confirm services, hours and whether an appointment is required with the mission through its official channels.
Accredited embassies based in Bogotá
For reference, this is the list of resident embassies in Bogotá according to the public compilation of diplomatic missions in Colombia: 65 representations (64 embassies and the Apostolic Nunciature). Always confirm contact details and services in Cancillería's official directory.
| Region | Countries with an embassy in Bogotá |
|---|---|
| Americas (22) | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela |
| Europe (24) | Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Asia-Pacific (8) | Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea |
| Middle East (7) | Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates |
| Africa (3) | Algeria, Egypt, Morocco |
| Holy See (1) | Apostolic Nunciature |
Other missions and representation offices in Bogotá
Delegation of the European Union, Delegation of Catalonia, Québec Office, Taipei Commercial Office, U.S. Consular Agency, and offices of Panama and Venezuela.
If your country has no embassy in Bogotá
Many countries serve their nationals in Colombia from a concurrent embassy in another country in the region or through honorary consuls. Cancillería's official directory and your own country's foreign ministry will tell you which mission is competent. Do it early: getting a passport or an apostilled document from a concurrent embassy can take weeks, and visa supporting documents must not be more than three months old when you register the application (art. 20 of Resolution 5477 of 2022).
Consulates in other cities
Almost all foreign representations are concentrated in Bogotá. The compilation records the closure of several career consulates in Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellín between 1948 and 2020. Honorary consulates with limited services may exist in those cities: always check which procedures they handle before going.
Which procedures will need your country's embassy or consulate
These are the most common moments when a foreigner in Colombia turns to their own mission:
- Passport renewal or replacement. If you change passports, your visa is not lost: you request a transfer in SITAC. Article 106 of Resolution 5477 requires a copy of the visa, a certificate of migration movements and a letter stating the reason. See visa transfer and foreigner ID.
- Documents from your country for the visa. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalized and officially translated if not in Spanish (art. 21). Your representation can guide you on how to obtain them. See apostille of documents for the visa.
- Civil status, birth or criminal record certificates issued by your country, needed for spouse, beneficiary or other visa categories.
- Emergencies: lost documents, accidents or legal situations.
Do not confuse Cancillería's two directories
| Directory | What it shows | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Colombia | Foreign missions in Colombia | Find your country's embassy in Colombia |
| Colombia's missions abroad | Colombian embassies and consulates worldwide | Choose the Colombian consulate for your visa or pay from abroad. See our guide. |
And for the visa procedure itself: online application, status check and fees and payment.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my country's embassy in Colombia?
In Cancillería's official Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Colombia directory: tramites.cancilleria.gov.co/apostillalegalizacion/directorio/misionesAcreditadas.aspx.
What can I look up in the directory?
The missions accredited to Colombia and a search by positions. The directory also shows data such as the national day and the start of diplomatic relations.
I renewed my passport at my embassy. Do I lose my visa?
No. You must request the transfer of the visa to the new passport in SITAC, with a copy of the visa, a certificate of migration movements and a letter stating the reason (art. 106 of Resolution 5477 of 2022).
Do documents from my country need an apostille for the visa?
Yes. Documents issued abroad require an apostille or legalization and an official Spanish translation if not in Spanish (art. 21).
How many foreign embassies are there in Bogotá?
According to the public compilation of diplomatic missions in Colombia, 65 resident representations: 64 embassies and the Apostolic Nunciature, plus offices such as the Delegation of the European Union. Confirm it in Cancillería's official directory.
My country has no embassy in Colombia. What do I do?
Many countries serve nationals from a concurrent embassy in another country or through honorary consuls. Check your competent mission in Cancillería's official directory and with your country's foreign ministry, and plan ahead: visa documents must not be more than three months old.
What is the diplomatic corps accredited in Colombia?
The embassies, missions of international organizations and diplomatic officials of other States that the Colombian Government officially recognizes. Cancillería publishes its directory on its procedures system.
Which search types does the directory offer?
The Accredited missions search and the Search by positions. The search type is a required field.
Which browser does Cancillería recommend for the search?
Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
What does the message "Debe seleccionar una opción" mean?
That you did not choose an option in the search. Open "SELECCIONE…" and choose one before searching.
Which other foreign representations are there in Bogotá besides embassies?
Delegation of the European Union, Delegation of Catalonia, Québec Office, Taipei Commercial Office, U.S. Consular Agency and offices of Panama and Venezuela.
Are there foreign consulates in Medellín, Cali, Cartagena or Barranquilla?
Almost all representations are in Bogotá. Honorary consulates with limited services may exist in those cities; check which procedures they handle before going.
How long can a procedure with a concurrent embassy take?
It can take weeks. Plan ahead, because visa supporting documents must not be more than three months old when you register the application (article 20).
What is a visa transfer?
The SITAC procedure to move your valid visa to a new passport. Article 106 requires a copy of the visa, a certificate of migration movements and a letter stating the reason.
Which documents from my country must I apostille or legalize?
Documents issued abroad that you submit for the visa must be apostilled or legalized and, if not in Spanish, officially translated (article 21).
What is the difference between this directory and the one of Colombia's missions abroad?
This one shows foreign missions in Colombia. The other shows Colombian embassies and consulates worldwide, useful for choosing a consulate or paying for the visa from abroad.
Does the directory show additional data for each country?
Yes. Besides the mission, it shows data such as the country's national day.
How many resident foreign representations are there in Bogotá?
According to the public compilation of diplomatic missions in Colombia, 65: 64 embassies and the Apostolic Nunciature. Always confirm in the official directory.
Can my embassy handle my visa for Colombia?
No. Visas for Colombia are requested from Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs through SITAC. Your country's mission helps with procedures of your own nationality, such as the passport and supporting documents.
When should I go to my country's embassy while in Colombia?
The most common moments are renewing or replacing your passport (then you must request the transfer of your visa in SITAC) and obtaining documents from your country for the visa, which must be apostilled or legalized and translated.
Official sources: Cancillería – Diplomatic Corps Accredited in Colombia · Cancillería – Colombia's missions abroad · Resolution 5477 of 2022 · Supplementary reference: compilation of diplomatic missions in Colombia. Informational content.
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