This guide covers UK visa requirements for Colombian citizens in 2026, including fees, grant rates, processing times, and how to apply. Colombia is a visa-national country, so Colombians need a visa for every UK trip — there is no ETA option. The 6-month visitor visa costs $190, paid in US Dollars, with biometrics at a VFS Global centre in Bogotá. Encouragingly, the Colombian visitor grant rate is solid at 83%, and study, work, and family routes are higher still.
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026. Fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule.
Colombia remains a visa-national country, so every traveller needs a visa — the ETA does not apply. Fees rose under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with the 6-month visitor visa now $190, paid in US Dollars. The visitor grant rate is a healthy 83% on nearly 27,500 applications a year, and successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa rather than a passport sticker.
UK Visa Requirements for Colombian Citizens 2026
Colombia is one of the larger Latin American sources of UK visa applications, with nearly 27,500 visitor applications in the year ending March 2026. As a visa-national country, Colombians cannot use the ETA and must hold a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose. The grant rates are reassuring across the board: visitor 83%, study 91%, work 95%, and family 90%, so a well-prepared application has a strong chance of success.
Yes. Colombia is on the UK's visa-national list, so Colombian citizens must obtain a visa before travelling, for any purpose — there is no ETA option. The most common is the Standard Visitor visa, costing $190 for six months. The Colombian visitor grant rate is a solid 83%, with study, work, and family routes all above 90%.
| Visa Category | Applications | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor | 27,504 | 83% |
| Study | 732 | 91% |
| Work | 484 | 95% |
| Family | 296 | 90% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2026.
UK Visa Fees from Colombia 2026
UK visa fees from Colombia are charged in US Dollars and paid during the online application. The 8 April 2026 schedule raised most fees, with the 6-month visitor visa now $190. Work, study, and family visas also carry the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds sterling at £1,035 per year (£776 for students).
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6-month Visitor | $190 | 83% |
| 2-year Visitor | $711 | 83% |
| 5-year Visitor | $1,269 | 83% |
| 10-year Visitor | $1,586 | 83% |
| Student | $783 | 91% |
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 | 95% |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 | 95% |
| Spouse / Partner | $2,896 | 90% |
| Priority service | $702 | — |
UK Visitor Visa from Colombia 2026
The 6-month UK visitor visa from Colombia costs $190, with long-term options at $711 (2 years), $1,269 (5 years), and $1,586 (10 years). Each visit is capped at 180 days. The Colombian visitor grant rate is a solid 83%, so a well-documented application showing funds and ties to Colombia stands a strong chance.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business, and short courses. With an 83% grant rate, Colombian applicants do well when they evidence steady finances and reasons to return. Those visiting relatives should review what a UK sponsor must provide, frequent travellers can consider a long-term visit visa, and anyone refused can check our guides to refusal reasons and grant rates by nationality.
- Valid Colombian passport with at least one blank page.
- Bank statements, usually 6 months, showing sufficient funds.
- Employer letter confirming role, salary, and approved leave.
- Evidence of ties to Colombia — property, business, or family.
- UK accommodation details or a host's invitation.
- Travel itinerary and return flight reservation.
UK Student Visa from Colombia 2026
The UK Student visa from Colombia costs $783, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor is required, along with proof of English and maintenance funds. The Colombian student grant rate is high at 91%.
The UK is a popular destination for Colombian students, and the UK Student visa reflects that with a 91% grant rate. Applicants need a CAS, must meet the English language requirement, and show maintenance funds of £1,483 per month for London or £1,136 elsewhere. Graduates can then use the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work.
UK Work Visa from Colombia 2026
The Skilled Worker visa from Colombia costs $1,149 for up to 3 years, or $2,270 for longer. Applicants need a graduate-level job, a £41,700 minimum salary, and a sponsoring UK employer. The Colombian work grant rate is very high at 95%. Health and Care Worker visas have a reduced $455 fee.
The Skilled Worker visa is the main employment route, needing a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer and a salary meeting the going rate in the Home Office eligible occupations list. Healthcare professionals use the lower-fee Health and Care Worker route, which is exempt from the health surcharge.
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (≤3 years) | $1,149 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,270 |
| Health and Care Worker | $455 |
| Global Talent (with approval) | $288 |
UK Spouse & Family Visa from Colombia 2026
The UK Spouse visa from Colombia costs $2,896 and requires the UK sponsor to earn at least £29,000 a year. Processing takes up to 12 weeks, or about 6 weeks with priority service. The Colombian family grant rate is 90%, reflecting growing ties between the two countries.
The UK Spouse visa lets Colombians join a British or settled partner under Appendix FM, leading to settlement after five years. The sponsor must meet the £29,000 income requirement and prove a genuine relationship.
UK Visa Requirements & Documents for Colombian Citizens
Colombian applicants do well when documentation is thorough and consistent. Financial evidence and ties to Colombia carry the most weight on the visitor route, while sponsored routes turn on the CAS or Certificate of Sponsorship. The core requirements apply across all visa types.
- Valid Colombian passport with at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.
- Completed online application via gov.uk with the fee paid in USD.
- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing sufficient funds.
- Employment evidence — a letter confirming role, salary, and leave.
- Accommodation details — bookings or a UK host's invitation.
- Ties to Colombia — property, business, or family showing return intent.
Our supporting documents checklist covers each route in detail, and the Home Office's own guide to supporting documents sets out what caseworkers expect to see.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Colombia
Colombians apply online at gov.uk, pay in US Dollars, and give biometrics at a VFS Global centre in Bogotá. The process is the same one used across the Americas, including the United States and Canada, although those countries are visa-exempt and use the ETA for visits. Begin at gov.uk.
- 1. Complete the online application on gov.uk and select Colombia.
- 2. Pay the visa fee in US Dollars during the application.
- 3. Book your appointment at the VFS Global centre in Bogotá.
- 4. Attend and give biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph.
- 5. Submit supporting documents at the centre or online.
- 6. Access your eVisa through your UKVI account once approved.
Standard decisions take around 3 weeks, with settlement and family cases up to 12 weeks; the priority visa service can shorten non-settlement decisions where offered. Our guide to processing times after biometrics explains the timelines once you have attended your appointment.
- Colombia is visa-national — a visa is required for every trip, no ETA.
- 6-month Visitor visa: $190; long-term up to $1,586 for 10 years.
- Visitor grant rate is a solid 83% on nearly 27,500 applications.
- Student visa: $783 (91%); Skilled Worker: $1,149 (95%).
- Spouse visa: $2,896, requiring £29,000 sponsor income.
- Fees are paid in US Dollars; biometrics at VFS Global Bogotá.
- Standard processing is around 3 weeks from Colombia.
Yes. Colombia is on the UK's visa-national list, so Colombian passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling, whatever the purpose of the trip — there is no ETA option. The most common choice for short visits is the Standard Visitor visa, costing $190 for six months. The Colombian visitor grant rate is a solid 83%, with study, work, and family routes all above 90%.
UK visa fees from Colombia in 2026 are: 6-month Visitor $190, 2-year Visitor $711, Student $783, Skilled Worker $1,149 for up to 3 years, and Spouse $2,896. Fees are paid in US Dollars during the online application. Work, study, and family visas also require the Immigration Health Surcharge, paid separately in pounds at £1,035 per year, or £776 for students.
In the year ending March 2026, the Colombian visitor visa grant rate was 83% — of 27,504 applications, 23,000 were granted. Other routes performed even better: study 91%, work 95%, and family 90%. These are reassuring figures for a high-volume Latin American market, and they reflect that well-documented Colombian applications, with clear finances and ties to home, succeed at strong rates.
Colombian applicants apply online at gov.uk, pay the fee in US Dollars, and then book a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global centre in Bogotá. At the appointment you give fingerprints and a photograph and submit supporting documents. Many routes now also allow document upload online. Once a decision is made, successful applicants access a digital eVisa through their UKVI account rather than receiving a passport sticker.
Standard processing from Colombia is around 3 weeks for visitor, student, and work visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. The priority service returns a decision in about 5 working days for non-settlement visas where offered, and super priority the next working day. These timelines run from your biometrics appointment in Bogotá, not from the online submission, so book promptly.
Yes, and both routes succeed at high rates. The Student visa costs $783 and has a 91% Colombian grant rate, requiring a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed institution. The Skilled Worker visa costs $1,149, has a 95% grant rate, and needs a sponsored graduate-level job paying at least £41,700. Graduates can stay on through the Graduate Route for two years of post-study work.