Visas required for Colombian visitors to the UK

Visas required for Colombian visitors to the UK

The Home Office have added Colombia to the visa national list, meaning that Colombian nationals will now need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK as a visitor.

 Nationals of certain states can visit the UK without applying for a visa beforehand – these include nationals of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and most European countries. These people are commonly referred to as “non-visa nationals”. Of course, from next year there will an obligation for non-visa nationals to obtain an ETA in order to travel to the UK.

By contrast, “visa nationals” must apply for and obtain a Visitor visa before travelling to the UK – even if they will only be entering the country for a few days or simply passing through on their way to another destination.

Until recently, Colombia had been absent from this list and was therefore a non-visa national country. As a result, Colombians were able to visit the UK without obtaining a Visitor visa beforehand.

However, in a change to the Immigration Rules published on 26 November 2024, the Home Office have now added Colombia to the visa national list. As such, Colombians will now need to apply for and be granted a visa prior to travelling to the UK for a visit or transit to another destination.

The Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the change referred to a “significant and sustained increase in Colombian nationals who have travelled to the UK for purposes that are not permitted under the Immigration Rules for Visitors, such as to live, work or claim asylum in the UK”.

If you require advice on or support with your visa application, please get in touch at [email protected]