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The Cédula de Extranjería (Foreigner Identification Card) is mandatory for all citizens of legal age and minors over 7 years old holding a valid visa for more than three months. It is issued by Migración Colombia and distinguishes foreigners from citizens. The visa registration process is a prerequisite for obtaining the Cédula de Extranjería, symbolizing the formal recognition of one’s status within the Colombian territory.
Acquiring the Cédula de Extranjería is a straightforward process that requires presenting specific documents
Passport and Copy
Provide the original passport and copy of the main page with the personal data.
Approved Visa
You'll need a print of the approved electronic visa. It must exceed three months of validity.
FUT and Payment
Provide the confirmation of the Formulario Único de Trámites and the receipt of payment.
The Cédula de Extranjería costs 267.000 colombian pesos (approximately 66 USD). This fees can be paid througth the Migración Colombia payment platform with Credit Card or PSE.
What are the benefits of acquiring a Cédula de Extranjería?
Possessing the Cédula de Extranjería provides numerous benefits to foreigners, like exclusive access to a wide range of services, such as opening a bank account, engaging in banking procedures like loans or mortgages, obtaining a driver’s license, enrolling in educational institutions, and making processes such as renting a property or contracting public services easier. Having a cédula in Colombia has other benefits, such as working for a Colombian company or enrolling in the national health system (EPS). However, these benefits depend on the visa type, as some visas may not permit affiliating in EPS or employment. The foreign identity card’s validity lasts as long as the validity of the Colombian Visa.
This procedure must be carried out within 15 calendar days following the visa issuance. However, if the visa is issued at a consulate abroad, the 15 days will be counted from the country’s entry date. The issuance of the Cédula de Extranjería takes approximately 10 business days after the visa has been registered and the corresponding fee has been paid.
This efficiency is crucial given the series of advantages offered by the Cédula de Extranjería. As the main identification document for foreigners in Colombia, it is more than just a convenience; it becomes a necessity and an obligation. Therefore, applying for it immediately after the approval and issuance of the visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is indispensable.
Step 1: Go to Migración Colombia Website and select the type of process
As the first step, you should complete the Migración Colombia’s Single Procedures Form, known as the «FUT» (Formulario Único de Trámites). This form is an essential step for requesting the Cédula de Extranjería.
After accessing the previous link, you will be redirected to Migración Colombia’s website, where you should click on the button «Continue.»
Choose your language and select «Cédula de Extranjería» (Foreign ID). You have to choose the nearest Migratory Services Facilitation Center to your residence and the form will be available.
Step 3: Provide your personal information
1. Enter the name and last names of your identification document.
2. Select the document type from the dropdown list and enter the ID number and the country, department, and city of its issuance.
3. Choose your gender, date, and place of birth, including country, department, and city. Also, select your nationality.
4. Authorize sending emails to receive Migración Colombia’s messages in an email address you can access.
Step 4: Information in case of emergency
First, select the blood type that will appear on the cédula.
Provides the primary contact information to contact in any emergency situation.
Step 5: Registration of foreigners
1. In this section, it is necessary to enter information about the visa that has been approved. The category, the number, the country of issuance, and the address data. Finally, you must select whether you are the applicant is the bearer or beneficiary of the visa.
2. Secondly, you must provide the details of the organization you are related. These fields must be completed as long as your visa applies to this information (work, study, etc).
3. Finally, provide other information such as your language, profession, address, and phone number.
Step 6: Add the passport in a PDF file and submit the form
The «Files» section will automatically sync the ID you selected in the form. Please click the «Add File» button to attach the corresponding identification document in PDF format.
The enabled identification types in the form include Citizen ID (Colombian Cédula), Foreigner ID (Cédula de Extranjería), Travel Documents, Foreign Documents or Andean Card, NUIP, Passport, Service Passport, Diplomatic Passport, Emergency Passport, Official Passport, Regular Passport, Provisional Passport, and Birth Certificate.
Once you have uploaded the document, complete the displayed captcha and click the «Accept» button.
The platform will generate a reference number, which we recommend saving. Click on «Download» and then on «Pay online» buttons.
At expatgroup.co, we assist you with the Colombia visa application and the appointment to obtain the Foreign ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería).
How to pay the fees of my Cédula de Extranjería?
After filling out the Migración Colombia’s Form and clicking the Payment button, the web will prompt you to choose your preferred payment method. You can select PSE (Colombian Payment System) or Credit Card payment.
Pay your Cédula de Extranjería with PSE
Choose the option to pay with PSE and click on «Pagar Ahora» (Pay Now) button.
Enter your personal information. Select the customer type and the bank details to proceed with the payment.
Save and print your PSE payment receipt.
Pay your Cédula de Extranjería with Credit Card
When you choose «Credit Card,» the payment platform will be activated. Click on the «Continuar con Wallet» (Continuar con Wallet) button. Then, you will receive a code in your email, which you should enter in the corresponding field on the website. Fill in the card information you wish to use for the payment.
Save and print your Credit Card payment receipt.
How to claim my Cédula de Extranjería?
For the final step, you must schedule an appointment to claim your cédula de extranjería at the migration office in the city you selected in the form. When you select the «Agenda una cita» (Schedule an appoiment) option to schedule, a pop-up window will ask you for consent to redirect you to the appointment window. Then, you must click on «Aceptar» (Accept) button.
You will be redirected to the scheduling form, where you should enter information regarding the appointment location and the migration office where you will claim the Cédula de Extranjería. This will allow the system to display available dates.
1. Choose the Colombian department where you will request the appointment.
2. Select the corresponding city.
3. Click on the enable office for your selected city.
4. In the option «Trámite» (Process), select «Cédula de Extranjería.»
When you select the corresponding process, the calendar will be active, displaying the available dates.
After selecting the date, click on «Buscar» (Search) to open the appointment schedule.
Select «Agendar» (Schedule) button, and then click on «Aceptar» (Accept) to go to the appointment window.
Fill out the form with your personal information, type and document number, email, and phone. Once completed, check the acceptance box, solve the Captcha, and click «Guardar» (Save). An alert window will appear with your reference number. We recommend taking note of it.
You will receive an official communication from Migración Colombia in your email, confirming the date, time, and location of your appointment to claim your Cédula de Extranjería.
At expatgroup.co, we assist you with the Colombia visa application and the appointment to obtain the Foreign ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería).
What is happening in Migración Colombia with the scheduling appointments for Cédula de Extranjería?
In many of the Centros Facilitadores de Servicios Migratorios (CFSM), that is, the Immigration offices around the country, and for different procedures, especially for the visa registration process and the Cédula de Extranjería application, Migración Colombia’s website enables scheduling appointments only on Sundays from 5 p.m. onwards.
Suppose you enter another day of the week, especially when looking for an appointment in Medellin and Bogota. In that case, the system shows all empty dates when you try to schedule appointments for Cédula de Extranjería, as you can see in the image attached for reference.
At expatgroup.co, we receive frequent queries and complaints from foreigners who seek our help because they have not completed their immigration procedures. In most cases, it is because they definitely do not find available appointments, or some foreigners have managed to make their schedules but have subsequently received notifications of arbitrary cancellations from Migration Colombia, thus losing time and money and causing inconvenience to users. Read more information about this specific topic on Migración Colombia: No appointments for Cédula de Extranjería.
