How do I get a foreign university degree recognized (convalidado) in Colombia?

Who needs it

Colombians and foreigners with a foreign higher-education degree who need it for public-sector jobs, regulated professions (health, law, engineering, etc.) or teaching at public institutions. It is not mandatory for private-sector jobs, although an employer may ask for it.

What you need

• ✓ID: cédula de ciudadanía (Colombians) or a valid passport or cédula de extranjería (foreigners).
• ✓Your diploma with a Hague apostille or consular legalization, depending on the issuing country.
• ✓Official transcript of grades/courses for the program, also apostilled or legalized.
• ✓Official Spanish translation of any documents not in Spanish (the translation itself does not need an apostille).
• ✓Payment of the current fee via PSE. Health, law, accounting and education degrees have extra requirements.

Step by step

1. 1Create your account on the convalidation Sede Electrónica: convalida.mineducacion.gov.co.
2. 2Fill in the application form and upload PDFs of your diploma, transcript, translations and ID.
3. 3Pay the fee via PSE. The response deadline starts the business day after the payment is officially reported.
4. 4If the Ministry asks for missing documents or corrections, answer on the platform within the stated deadline.
5. 5The Ministry checks the documents' legality and applies one criterion: accreditation, administrative precedent or academic evaluation.
6. 6Receive the convalidation resolution (administrative act) by electronic notification and track the status on your dashboard.

Tips and common mistakes

• Apostille your diploma and transcript in the country where you studied before moving to Colombia: doing it remotely later often takes weeks.
• You don't need an intermediary: the Ministry has warned about fake sites charging for supposed degree checks. Use only convalida.mineducacion.gov.co.
• If your university or program holds high-quality accreditation in its country, the case usually goes through the fastest criterion (up to 60 days).
• For regulated professions, after convalidation you still have to apply for the professional card or registration with the relevant professional council.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to convalidate my degree to work in Colombia?

Not for the private sector, where each employer decides. It is mandatory for public jobs, regulated professions, medical specialties and teaching at public institutions.

How much does degree convalidation cost in 2026?

COP 960,539 for undergraduate and COP 1,091,474 for graduate degrees, paid via PSE on the Ministry's platform.

What happens if my convalidation is denied?

You can file a recurso de reposición (appeal) against the resolution. If the denial is upheld and becomes final, you can submit a new application.

Do Venezuelans need an apostille?

The Ministry provides an exception for Venezuelan citizens holding a PEP or Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) for certain documents. Check the Ministry's FAQ before applying.

Official sources

Checked on October 1, 2026. Fees and requirements can change; the official site always wins.

• Ministerio de Educación — Costo y duración (convalidaciones educación superior) ↗
• Ministerio de Educación — Conozca el proceso ↗
• Ministerio de Educación — Preguntas frecuentes convalidaciones ↗
• Ministerio de Educación — Aspectos clave del proceso de convalidación ↗

Go deeper

• 📖 How to Get Your Documents Apostilled for Colombia

Need a hand?

Find a translator on Colombia Move

Independent providers help with appointments, translations and document prep. Contact them directly, with no commission. Never pay anyone who promises to skip official requirements.