Foreigner Appointment at Migración Colombia: Requirements and Steps to Get Your ID Card (2026)

When a foreign family member arrives to live in Colombia or a returning professional enters with their spouse, one of the first procedures to check after receiving a visa for longer 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 everyday 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 requirements updated for 2026, the official fees, and the changes to the Migración Colombia appointment scheduling system to carry out the process directly and securely.

Who must process the Cédula de Extranjería and what is the deadline?

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería de Colombia) and Migración Colombia, the Cédula de Extranjería is mandatory for every foreigner over the age of 7 who is a holder or beneficiary of a visa valid for 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 the 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.

Exceeding this deadline can cause problems or require direct guidance from Migración Colombia. To avoid issues, it is essential to start the virtual request as soon as the visa is confirmed.

Documents required before filling out the form (FUT)

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

• Valid original passport: In good condition and with pages available for stamps.
• Valid Colombian visa: Copy or digital file of the visa issued by the Cancillería.
• 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 (ages 7 to 17), they must attend accompanied by their parents or legal representative, carrying a civil birth registration or equivalent document that proves the relationship.

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

The Cédula de Extranjería process is hybrid: it starts with a virtual registration and ends with an in-person appointment at a Migratory Services Facilitator Center (CFSM).

1. Fill out the Unique Procedure Form (FUT)

Enter the Migración Colombia web portal and select the option for Unique Procedure Form (FUT). Complete the personal information exactly as it appears in your passport and visa. Attach the unified PDF file with your passport and visa. Upon completion, the system will generate a filing number (FUT number). Save this number, as it is the indispensable key to schedule the appointment.

2. New online appointment scheduling scheme

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

Remember that appointment scheduling is completely free and does not require the intervention of intermediaries or external agents. The data entered in the reservation must match exactly with those of the holder of the procedure.

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

You must attend the selected Migratory Services 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 costs set are:

• First issuance or general renewal: $294,000 COP.
• Duplicate for loss or deterioration: $293,000 COP.

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

Delivery of the document and 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 proof while the physical card is manufactured.

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

Common errors to avoid during the process

1. Using intermediaries or agents: Paying third parties for appointments usually results in incorrectly typed data or cancellations of the turn at the entrance of the CFSM.
2. Inconsistency in names: Swapping surnames or missing a second name compared to the passport causes 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 tardiness in visas granted abroad.

Next steps when settling in Colombia

Obtaining the Cédula de Extranjería 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 taxation procedures are completed, organizing housing and buying or selling goods in the city becomes much simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Who needs to obtain a Foreigner ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería) in Colombia?

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

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

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

❓ How much does the Foreigner ID Card cost in 2026?

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

❓ Is there a fee to schedule an appointment with Migración Colombia?

No. The official scheduling process is free and does not require intermediaries, according to the agency (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; only use the official methods indicated by the agency.

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

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

❓ How long does it take for the physical ID card to be delivered?

Migración Colombia indicates about 10 business days from the date of payment as an institutional reference, but this may vary due to location, connectivity, or access (official check: August 24, 2026).