The Cédula de Extranjería (CE) is Colombia's national ID card for foreigners. Without one, you cannot sign a long-term lease, open a bank account at most institutions, get a local SIM plan, or access public healthcare. It is the foundational document for civilian life in Bogotá — and there's a strict 15-day window to apply once your visa is issued.
⚠️ The 15-Day Compliance Window — Don't Miss It
If your visa is valid for more than 3 months, you have exactly 15 calendar days to begin the CE application — from the date of visa issuance (if you're in Colombia) or the date of your entry stamp (if you received the visa at a consulate). Missing this window triggers fines up to 7× SMMLV = COP 12,256,335 (~$3,312 USD).
Who Needs a Cédula de Extranjería?
Any foreigner holding a valid Colombian visa valid for more than 3 months must apply. This includes:
- Digital Nomad Visa (V-Type Digital): Typically granted 6–12 months
- Retirement/Pension Visa (M-Type): Typically 1–3 years
- Work Visa (M-Type Trabajo): Tied to employment contract duration
- Investment Visa (M-Type Inversión): Typically 1–3 years
- Resident Visa (R-Type): Permanent — CE must be renewed periodically
Tourists on a standard 90-day stamp (visa-exempt countries) do not need a CE.
Step-by-Step: The Complete Application Process
Complete the FUT Form Online
The Formulario Único de Trámites (FUT) is submitted through the Migración Colombia portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. You'll create an account, select "Cédula de Extranjería," and upload your visa and passport as a single combined PDF. The form requires blood type documentation — have your blood type information ready.
Pay the COP 294,000 Fee
Payment is handled entirely through the portal. Use a credit or debit card (Visa/Mastercard) or the PSE digital bank transfer system. Cash is not accepted. Keep your payment confirmation — you'll need it at the appointment. Do not pay to any third party or "agent" offering to expedite your application.
Book Your Biometric Appointment
Bogotá appointments open every Sunday at 5:00 PM on the Migración portal. They typically fill within 30 minutes. Set a phone alarm for 4:55 PM on Sunday. If you miss the slots, try again the following Sunday. Bogotá's main Migración office is at Calle 100 No. 11B-27 in Usaquén.
Attend Your Appointment with Original Documents
Bring to the appointment: original passport, printed copy of your visa, printed FUT confirmation, printed payment receipt, official blood type documentation (lab certificate or medical record), and one color passport photo (some offices provide this; call ahead to confirm). Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are taken at the appointment.
Receive Your Contraseña (Temporary Receipt)
At the appointment, Migración issues a contraseña — a temporary printed receipt that proves you've initiated the CE process. This document is critical: it's what you'll use to sign leases, open some bank accounts, and complete other administrative processes while you wait for the physical card. Keep it safe.
Wait for Card Delivery
The official processing window is 10 business days. In practice, ongoing backlogs at the Imprenta Nacional (National Printing Office) mean delivery typically takes 3–4 months in 2026. You'll receive a notification when the card is ready for pickup at the Migración office where you submitted your appointment.
2026 Fee Schedule: Cédula Costs at a Glance
| Transaction | COP | USD (~3,700) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial CE issuance | COP 294,000 | ~$79 |
| CE renewal | COP 245,000 | ~$66 |
| Replacement (lost/damaged) | COP 245,000 | ~$66 |
| Late application fine (up to 7× SMMLV) | Up to COP 12,256,335 | Up to ~$3,312 |
| Tourist entry extension (90-day) | COP 143,000 | ~$39 |
How to Rent an Apartment While You Wait for the CE
The 3–4 month delivery delay creates a real problem: landlords want a cédula to sign a lease, but you won't have the physical card for months. Here's how to navigate it:
💡 The Contraseña + Passport Strategy
- Use your contraseña: The Migración receipt is an official government document. Many landlords and inmobiliarias accept it alongside your passport and visa as proof of legal status.
- Furnished short-term first: Start in an Airbnb, apartasuite, or monthly furnished rental while you complete the CE process. This buys you 1–3 months before you need a formal lease.
- Work with proptech platforms: Houm and Aptuno have experience placing foreigners mid-process and may accept CE applications in progress.
- Direct owner deals: Private landlords (found via Facebook groups) are more flexible about documentation than formal inmobiliarias.
- Have someone co-sign: A Colombian friend or colleague with a cédula de ciudadanía can sign as co-signer while your CE processes.
What You Can Do with a Cédula de Extranjería
| Document / Action | CE Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign a long-term lease | ✅ Yes | Contraseña often accepted during wait |
| Open Bancolombia account | ✅ Yes | Temporary receipt (contraseña) NOT accepted |
| Open Nequi / DaviPlata | ✅ Yes | Fully digital — no branch visit needed |
| Get postpaid phone plan | ✅ Yes | Essential for building local credit |
| Enroll in EPS (public health) | ✅ Yes | Enables public healthcare access |
| Register a business (RUT) | ✅ Yes | Required for Colombian tax ID |
| Open Ualá / Nu Colombia | ✅ Yes | New neobanks accepting CE since 2024 |
| Vote in local elections | ❌ No | Reserved for Colombian citizens |