FBI background check for a Colombian visa

Last reviewed: 2026-11-07

Colombian visas, including the digital nomad visa and the migrant and resident visas, can ask for a criminal record certificate from your country of origin or residence. For Americans that is the FBI background check, and Colombia has clear rules on how foreign documents must be presented.

When it is asked for

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) decides which documents each visa needs, and may ask for a criminal record certificate from your country of origin or of residence. Check the current requirements for your visa type on the Cancillería website before ordering.

A Colombian police record (from the Policía Nacional website) only covers Colombia and does not replace the certificate from your home country.

How Colombia wants foreign documents

• Apostilled: the FBI result needs a Hague apostille from the US Department of State.
• Translated: documents not in Spanish need an official translation into Spanish by an official translator (traductor oficial).
• The official translation itself must also be apostilled or legalised where Cancillería asks for it.

The steps

1. Fingerprints: one of our technicians in Colombia takes your fingerprints to the FBI standard, by appointment only. Book online and we confirm the place and time with you.
2. FBI result: sent electronically, usually back within 24–48 hours.
3. Apostille from the US Department of State.
4. Official translation into Spanish, delivered as a PDF to upload with your online visa application.

Questions

Can I get FBI fingerprints in Colombia?

Yes. Our technicians in Colombia take FBI-standard fingerprints by appointment only, and send them to the FBI electronically. You do not need to travel to the US.

Can my bilingual friend translate it?

No. Cancillería asks for an official translation; a translation by a friend or a general agency is not accepted, however accurate.

How recent must the certificate be?

It depends on the visa and on Cancillería at the time. Request it close to your application date and check the current rules for your visa type.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements change: always check the current list of the office handling your application.