Colombia seeks to eliminate visa requirements for its citizens in Costa Rica
In a bilateral meeting held in the city of Barranquilla, the President of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, presented a formal request to the President of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández, to evaluate the elimination of the visa requirement for Colombian citizens wishing to enter the Central American country.
The Colombian president underscored the importance of moving towards a migration reciprocity scheme. Currently, there is a disparity in regulations, as Colombia allows the entry of Costa Rican citizens without the need for a visa for short-term visits, while Costa Rica maintains the requirement of this document for Colombians.
I requested the Madam President to study the possibility of moving towards conditions of migratory reciprocity regarding visas for our citizens. Today, Colombia does not require a visa for Costa Ricans, but Costa Rica does require a visa.
Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia
Willingness to dialogue
According to what was expressed by President De la Espriella, the Costa Rican delegation showed openness to analyze this request. However, any adjustment to migration policy must be evaluated in accordance with internal procedures and the legal provisions in force in Costa Rica.
The Colombian head of state emphasized that his administration is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in intelligence and security matters, which would allow for the efficient management of migratory flows without compromising the tranquility of both nations.
Current migratory context
- Colombia remains on the list of countries whose citizens require a consular visa to enter Costa Rican territory, a group that also includes nations such as Ecuador, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
- There are current exceptions for those Colombian travelers who hold valid visas or residencies from the United States or Canada, provided they meet the requirements established by the Costa Rican authorities.
- So far, no specific date or formal process has been established for the elimination of this requirement, so the proposal remains under study by the Costa Rican authorities.
Despite the willingness expressed during the meeting in Barranquilla, migration policies remain unchanged for now, pending the Costa Rican government’s determination on the feasibility of modifying its entry regulations for Colombians.
