Moving to the UK from Colombia: Guide

Visa Routes for Colombian Citizens

Colombia was added to the UK's visa national list on 26 November 2024. Colombian citizens now need a Standard Visitor visa, which costs £135 for 6 months, even for a holiday or a short visit. The £20 electronic travel authorisation is not available to visa nationals.

• Skilled Worker visa. Requires a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor at the minimum salary of £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code if that is higher. Since 22 July 2025 a new applicant's job must also be at graduate level (RQF level 6).
• Student visa. Needs a confirmation of acceptance for studies from a licensed UK institution. Popular among Colombian students. See the student visa guide.
• Family visa. If your partner is a British citizen or settled person. See the spouse visa guide.
• Youth Mobility Scheme. Colombia is not one of the countries or territories listed on the scheme, so this route is not open to Colombian nationals.
• Graduate route. 2 years after a UK degree (3 years for PhD) for applications on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months for applications on or after 1 January 2027. See the Graduate route guide.

Document Requirements

• Valid Colombian passport.
• No tuberculosis test required. Colombia is not on the Home Office list.
• English language test. Required for most routes. A new Skilled Worker application has needed level B2 since 8 January 2026. IELTS for UKVI and other approved tests are available in Bogota and other major cities.
• Certificado de antecedentes judiciales. From the Policia Nacional, available online. GOV.UK asks for an overseas criminal record certificate on a Skilled Worker application made from outside the UK for a job in education, healthcare, therapy or social services.
• Certified English translation. Spanish-language documents must be translated by a certified translator.

What It Costs

The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds. It does not publish a peso price, and the exchange rate it applies is the rate on the day you pay, so this guide gives no peso conversion.

• Skilled Worker visa, applying from outside the UK: £819 for 3 years or less, £1,618 for more than 3 years
• Student visa: £558
• Partner (spouse) visa: £2,064
• Standard Visitor visa: £135 for 6 months
• Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 a year, or £776 a year for students, their dependants and anyone under 18

GOV.UK publishes no price for an English language test or for a certified translation; the providers set their own.

See our UK visa fees guide.

The Colombian Community in the UK

Colombian communities in the UK are concentrated in London (particularly Elephant and Castle, Seven Sisters and Brixton), with smaller communities in Manchester and Birmingham. Colombian restaurants, cultural events and community organisations are well established in London. The Home Office does not publish a count of Colombian nationals resident in the UK, so this guide gives none.

After Arrival

• Set up your eVisa through your UK Visas and Immigration account (biometric residence permits are no longer issued)
• Apply for a National Insurance number
• Register with a GP
• Open a UK bank account

Path to Settlement

After 5 years on a qualifying visa, apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), which costs £3,226. After 12 months with settlement, apply for British citizenship, which costs £1,709 plus £130 for the citizenship ceremony. The UK allows dual citizenship. Whether Colombia does is a matter of Colombian law, and the Home Office's own nationality guidance says to check with the country of which you are a citizen before applying.

Next Steps

For official information, visit the British Embassy Bogota page and the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.

Questions and answers