As of 26 November 2024, Colombian travelers must apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the United Kingdom (UK).
This includes Colombians transiting through the UK en route to another destination, requiring a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV).
Seema Malhotra, UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Migration and Citizenship), announced it via a written statement to Parliament.
The reinstatement of visa requirements for UK Colombian travelers follows significant increases in asylum claims and unauthorized entries.
The significant increases have been consistent since the UK lifted visa requirements for Colombians in 2022.
“The decision to introduce a visa requirement has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons,” Malhotra stressed.
She maintains that the UK’s relationship with Colombia “remains a strong and friendly one.”
Malhotra noted that immigration rules are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the UK’s national interest.
Timeline for the change of UK entry requirements
To minimize disruptions, the UK has introduced a four-week transition period for Colombians traveling to the UK.
Colombians who booked travel before 3:00 PM GMT on 26 November 2024 can enter the UK without a visa if they arrive by 3:00 PM GMT on 24 December 2024.
Importantly, this exception applies only to confirmed bookings made before the cutoff date for travel within the transition period.
Passengers cannot amend bookings to earlier dates to take advantage of the grace period.
Colombian travelers arriving in the UK after 24 December 2024 must secure a visa, regardless of their booking date.
The transition period ensures fairness for travelers who made plans before the announcement.
It also gives consideration and allows time for those affected to apply for a visa, which currently takes about three weeks to process.
Why visa-free travel for Colombians was revoked
The British Government has cited border security and migration control as the primary reasons for the policy change.
After the visa-free arrangement began in November 2022, asylum claims by Colombians surged.
UK Government data shows that asylum claims rose from fewer than 10 per year before 2022 to 105 in the last quarter of 2022.
This trend accelerated in 2023 and 2024, with quarterly asylum claims exceeding the total for the previous decade.
Similarly, the number of Colombians who were refused entry at UK borders has grown significantly.
It went from fewer than 50 per quarter in 2019 to more than 200 in several recent quarters.
This increase highlights the trend of people using visa-free travel for activities prohibited by UK visitor regulations. This includes working, living in the UK, or seeking asylum.
Malhotra emphasized the importance of assessing visitors before they arrive to evaluate travelers before they set foot in the UK.
This means the UK Government can refuse a visit visa application to those who do not meet its requirements.
Direct Airside Transit visa now mandatory for Colombian travelers
The updated rules also require Colombian nationals to obtain a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV).
A DATV is now mandatory for travelers who plan to transit through the UK without passing through border controls.
This measure addresses concerns that individuals might exploit transit routes to claim asylum upon arrival.
Without a DATV, passengers could bypass the visa requirement by booking onward travel but staying in the UK to file asylum claims.
The DATV requirement seeks to prevent misuse of transit routes while permitting valid connections for Colombian travelers.
Colombian travelers transiting in the UK and going through immigration control must secure a Visitor-in-Transit visa.
Those transiting in the UK and staying there for more than 48 hours must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
Removal of Colombia from the list of ETA-eligible countries
Reintroducing visa requirements also means that Colombians can no longer apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
ETA applications were scheduled to open for Colombian nationals on 27 November 2024 for UK trips on or after 8 January 2025.
The digital travel permit scheme simplifies pre-approval for travelers who do not require a visa to visit the UK.
An ETA would have been cheaper and faster to obtain than going through the more complex process and higher fees of a UK visa application.
It would have allowed Columbians to visit the UK for multiple short trips of less than six months over two years.
The reinstatement of visa requirements eliminates the need for ETAs for Colombian nationals.
It also means that UK-bound Colombian travelers will now face stricter scrutiny as they apply for entry requirements.
Advice for UK-bound Colombian Travelers
Colombians are encouraged to stay informed, plan ahead, and prepare for the added steps needed to visit or transit through the UK.
Those planning trips to the UK are urged to check the latest requirements and begin the visa process as early as possible.
The reimposition of visa requirements adds administrative and financial burdens to Colombian travelers.
However, the UK Government’s decision is rooted in broader concerns about migration control.
Addressing rising asylum claims and unauthorized entries may allow Colombians to enjoy visa-free travel to the UK in the future.