Foreigner Appointment at Migración Colombia: Requirements and Steps to Get the Cédula (2026)

When a foreign family member arrives to live in Colombia or a returning professional enters with their spouse, one of the first procedures they must check after receiving a visa valid for more than three months is the Alien Identification Card (Cédula de Extranjería). This document officially identifies foreigners to whom the requirement applies and is usually requested for daily procedures.

If you prefer to consult this information in English with your partner or family member, you can also check our English guide to getting a Cedula de Extranjeria in Colombia. Below, we break down the updated 2026 requirements, official fees, and changes to the Migración Colombia appointment scheduling system to carry out the process directly and safely.

Who must apply for the Alien Identification Card and what is the deadline?

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería de Colombia) and Migración Colombia, the Alien Identification Card is mandatory for every foreigner over 7 years of age who is the holder or beneficiary of a visa with a validity of more than three (3) months (90 days).

The legal deadline to start the process is a maximum of 15 calendar days. This time is counted from two different moments depending on the place of issuance:

• If the visa was granted at a consulate abroad: The 15 days count from the date of entry into national territory registered in the passport stamp.
• If the visa was issued while inside Colombia: The 15 days count from the date of issuance of the electronic visa.

Missing this deadline can cause problems or require direct guidance from Migración Colombia. To avoid inconveniences, it is essential to start the online application as soon as the visa is confirmed.

Documents required before filling out the form (FUT)

Before accessing the Migración Colombia digital platform, you must prepare the following documents in digital and physical format:

• Original valid passport: In good condition and with pages available for stamps.
• Valid Colombian visa: Copy or digital file of the visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Unified PDF file: For the online application, you must consolidate the passport biographical data page and the approved e-visa into a single PDF file.
• Documentation for minors: If the process is for a minor (7 to 17 years old), they must be accompanied by their parents or legal representative, carrying their civil birth registration or equivalent document that proves the relationship.

Step by step: FUT registration and the new 2026 appointment system

The Alien Identification Card process is hybrid: it starts with a virtual registration and ends with an in-person appointment at a Migration Service Facilitator Center (CFSM).

1. Fill out the Single Procedures Form (FUT)

Enter the Migración Colombia website and select the Single Procedures Form (FUT)option. Complete the personal information exactly as it appears on your passport and visa. Attach the unified PDF file with your passport and visa. Upon completion, the system will generate a reference number (FUT number). Save this number, as it is the essential key to scheduling the appointment.

2. New online appointment scheduling scheme

The scheduling system is done through the official Migración Colombia appointment platform. The availability of appointments depends on the operational capacity of each center; if you do not see a slot, check again only on the official platform.

Remember that scheduling appointments is completely free and does not require the intervention of third-party agents or facilitators. The data entered in the reservation must match exactly with the applicant's data.

What happens during the in-person appointment and what are the 2026 fees?

You must arrive at the selected Migration Service Facilitator Center (CFSM) 20 minutes before the scheduled time. Present your original passport, your visa, and the printed or digital confirmation of the appointment.

During the in-person visit, the official will verify the documentation, take fingerprints, register the digital signature, and capture the official biometric photograph (it is recommended not to wear hats, dark glasses, or prominent accessories on the face).

Official fees and payment methods for 2026

According to the resolution of current Migración Colombia fees (consulted on August 24, 2026), the fixed costs are:

• First issuance or general renewal: $294,000 COP.
• Duplicate due to loss or damage: $293,000 COP.

Note on secure payments: Migración Colombia officials are never authorized to accept cash. Payment is made directly at the module with a debit or credit card (Datáfono) or via a receipt with a barcode at banks/authorized points indicated by the office. Always verify the current fee on the official site before making any deposit.

Delivery of the document and the digital receipt

Upon concluding the biometric capture and registering the payment, you will be given a temporary receipt with a QR code. The regulations establish that this receipt serves as a provisional document while the physical ID is being manufactured.

The institutional estimated time for the delivery of the printed polymer document is approximately 10 business days from payment. The deadline may vary depending on the location, connectivity, or access conditions reported by the entity. You can check the status of the procedure on the Migración Colombia website before going to claim the ID in person.

Common mistakes you should avoid during the process

1. Using intermediaries or agents: Paying third parties for appointments usually results in incorrectly entered data or the cancellation of the turn at the entrance to the CFSM.
2. Inconsistency in names: Reversing surnames or the lack of a middle name compared to the passport causes the immediate rejection of the procedure.
3. Letting the 15-day deadline expire: Confusing the electronic visa approval date with the date of arrival in the country often causes late filings for visas granted abroad.

Next steps when settling in Colombia

Obtaining the Alien Identification Card is the pillar for formalizing daily life in the country. With the assigned identification number, you will be able to manage your tax registration with the DIAN. If you require guidance for this step, consult our guide on how to get the RUT at the DIAN step by step.

Once the identification and tax procedures are completed, organizing housing and buying or selling goods in the city becomes much easier.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Who must obtain the Foreigner ID (Cédula de Extranjería) in Colombia?

According to Migración Colombia, the ID applies to foreigners over 7 years old who are holders or beneficiaries of a valid visa longer than 3 months; some V Visa activities have exceptions that must be confirmed.

❓ How many days do I have to process the ID after receiving the visa?

You have 15 calendar days from entering the country if the visa was issued abroad, or from its issuance if it was granted within Colombia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) (checked: August 24, 2026).

❓ How much does the Foreigner ID cost in 2026?

The general fee published by Migración Colombia, checked on August 24, 2026, is $294,000 COP for the first time or renewal and $293,000 COP for a duplicate; confirm it before paying.

❓ Does scheduling an appointment at Migración Colombia have a cost?

No. The official scheduling is free and does not require intermediaries, according to the entity (checked: August 24, 2026).

❓ Can I pay the processing fee in cash to the officials?

No. Migración Colombia warns that its officials are not authorized to receive cash; use only the official methods indicated by the entity.

❓ What documents must I bring on the day of the appointment?

You must present your original valid passport, the approved Colombian visa, the FUT form filing number, and the appointment confirmation.

❓ How long does the delivery of the physical ID take?

Migración Colombia indicates as an institutional reference about 10 business days from payment, but it may vary by location, connectivity, or access (official check: August 24, 2026).