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Cedula de Extranjeria 2026 — Your Colombian Foreign ID Card

The cedula de extranjeria is your Colombian foreign identification card. Every foreigner who holds a visa must register with Migracion Colombia and obtain this card. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, sign a lease, get a phone plan, enroll in healthcare, or do much of anything that requires identification in Colombia.

What Is the Cedula de Extranjeria

The cedula de extranjeria (CE) is the Colombian government-issued ID card for foreign residents. It is the equivalent of the cedula de ciudadania that Colombian citizens carry. It contains your full name, nationality, visa type, cedula number, and an expiration date that matches your visa validity.

Your cedula number becomes your identification number in Colombia. Banks, landlords, utility companies, healthcare providers, and government agencies all use this number. Memorize it.

The 15-Day Deadline

Colombian immigration law requires visa holders to register with Migracion Colombia within 15 calendar days of either:

  • Entering Colombia with an approved visa, or
  • Receiving visa approval if you are already in Colombia

This is not flexible. Migracion Colombia tracks entry dates through immigration records. If you register late, you will be fined and may need a salvoconducto to regularize your status.

How to Get It

  1. Complete the FUT online — fill out the Formulario Unico de Tramites at migracioncolombia.gov.co
  2. Pay the cedula fee — approximately 300,000 COP (~$83 USD) via bank transfer or online payment
  3. Schedule an appointment — book a time slot at your nearest Migracion Colombia office
  4. Get a blood type certificate — any Colombian lab, costs 15,000-30,000 COP, takes 30 minutes
  5. Attend your appointment — bring all documents, provide fingerprints and a photo
  6. Receive your comprobante — temporary receipt proving you registered (use this while waiting for the card)
  7. Pick up your cedula — physical card arrives in 2-4 weeks at the Migracion office

Documents to Bring

  • Valid passport with visa stamp or electronic visa printout
  • Electronic copy of your approved visa
  • Completed FUT form (printed)
  • Payment receipt for the cedula fee
  • Blood type certificate from a Colombian laboratory
  • Passport-size photo (white background, recent)

Migracion Colombia Offices

Major Migracion Colombia offices are located in:

  • Bogota: Calle 100 office (largest, longest wait times)
  • Medellin: Centro Administrativo La Alpujarra
  • Cali: Centro Administrativo Municipal
  • Cartagena: Centro office near the Old City
  • Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Santa Marta, Pereira: Regional offices

Bogota and Medellin offices are the busiest. Book your appointment as early as possible after visa approval. Slots fill up within days, especially in peak months (January-March).

What the Cedula Unlocks

Once you have your cedula de extranjeria, you can:

  • Open a Colombian bank account (Bancolombia, Davivienda, Nequi)
  • Sign a lease (contrato de arrendamiento) in your own name
  • Get a postpaid mobile phone plan (Claro, Movistar, Tigo)
  • Enroll in EPS healthcare (mandatory health coverage)
  • Sign up for prepaid medicine plans (Sura, Colsanitas)
  • Register a vehicle
  • File Colombian taxes with DIAN
  • Access government services that require identification

Costs

  • Cedula fee: ~300,000 COP (~$83 USD)
  • Blood type certificate: 15,000-30,000 COP
  • Late registration fine: 0.5-3 SMLMV (avoid this by registering within 15 days)
  • Processing time: 2-4 weeks for the physical card after your appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the 15-day deadline?
You will be fined. The penalty ranges from half an SMLMV to several SMLMV depending on how late you are. You may also be required to obtain a salvoconducto (safe conduct document) to regularize your status, which adds delays and additional fees.
How long does the cedula take to arrive?
After your appointment at Migracion Colombia (fingerprints, photo, documents), the physical card typically takes 2-4 weeks to arrive. You will receive a receipt (comprobante) that serves as temporary proof of registration while you wait for the card.
Do I need a blood type certificate?
Yes. Migracion Colombia requires a blood type certificate from a Colombian laboratory. You can get one at most laboratories (Laboratorio Clinico) for approximately 15,000-30,000 COP. It takes about 30 minutes.
Can I open a bank account with the receipt while waiting for the card?
Some banks accept the comprobante (receipt) from Migracion Colombia as temporary proof. Bancolombia and Davivienda have accepted it in some branches, but policies vary by branch and by the individual banker. Having the physical cedula is always easier.
Do I need to renew the cedula when I renew my visa?
Yes. Each time you renew your visa, you must also update your cedula de extranjeria. The process and fees are the same as the initial registration.