By KTA News Team |
After nearly 60 years of visa-free travel under a 1966 bilateral agreement, Colombian citizens will soon be required to obtain a tourist visa before traveling to Israel. The change was recently announced by the Consulate General of Israel in Bogotá.
This decision follows Colombia’s move to impose visa requirements on Israeli travelers earlier this year, effectively ending the long-standing reciprocal visa exemption. The shift.
This decision marks a significant policy shift and follows the recent rollout of Israel’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system in January 2025, which initially allowed Colombian travelers to obtain online pre-approval for short visits. However, the new policy places Colombia outside the ETA framework, requiring nationals to complete a full visa application process.
The move comes in the wake of Colombia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, signaling broader geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
Under the revised regulations, Colombian nationals must apply in advance for a short-stay tourist visa, which covers purposes such as tourism, medical treatment, business travel, and non-academic short-term studies. Applicants will be required to submit documentation and personal information as part of a more comprehensive review process.
