Immigrants from Colombia in the United States — complete guide
Diaspora overview
Approximately 1,300,000 people of Colombia-origin live in the United States according to recent US Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.
Colombian-Americans; concentrated in FL (Miami), NY, NJ; professional + business class
Colombia consulate network in the US
For routine consular services (passport renewal, national ID, civil registry, notarial services, voting from abroad), visit the nearest Colombia consulate in the US. See the Colombia consulate directory for all locations.
Colombia Embassy in Washington, DC
The Embassy of Colombia in the United States handles bilateral diplomatic relations and emergency support.
- Phone: +1 (202) 387-8338 (Monday-Friday business hours, US Eastern Time)
- Address: See the Colombia consulate in Washington, DC for verified address
US visa for Colombia citizens
See US visa reciprocity for Colombia citizens
US travel advisory for Colombia
US State Department’s current advisory level for Colombia:
Level 3: Reconsider travel (updated August 11, 2025) — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/colombia.html
For details and re-entry guidance, see Traveling to Colombia from the US.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
No TPS designation currently for Colombia (verify at uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status).
US bilateral tax treaty status
❌ Colombia does NOT have a US bilateral income-tax treaty. Standard 30% US withholding on FDAP income; Foreign Tax Credit available.
Social Security Totalization Agreement
❌ Colombia does NOT have a Social Security Totalization Agreement with the US.
DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery eligibility
❌ Colombia citizens are NOT eligible for DV-2026 — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years. See /procedures/dv-diversity-visa-lottery/ for details and exception rules.
Common immigration pathways for Colombia citizens in the US
| Pathway | USCIS form | Typical processing | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family-based (USC spouse/parent/child) | I-130 + I-485 | 6 months - 5+ years (per Visa Bulletin) | Family relationship to USC or LPR |
| Family-based (USC sibling, F4) | I-130 + I-485 | 10-25+ years for Colombia (visa cap) | Sibling of USC |
| Employment-based EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 | I-140 + I-485 | 1-15+ years (per Visa Bulletin) | Employer sponsorship + extraordinary ability OR advanced degree OR skilled occupation |
| Asylum (within 1 year of US arrival) | I-589 | 6 months - 5+ years | Past persecution OR well-founded fear |
| TPS (if Colombia currently designated) | I-821 + I-765 | 30-60 days for re-registration | Colombia national in US as of designation date |
| DACA | I-821D | 90+ days | Came to US under 16, school/military/work, no major crimes |
| U-visa (crime victim) | I-918 | 5-10+ years (waitlist) | Victim of qualifying crime + helpful to law enforcement |
| T-visa (trafficking victim) | I-914 | 1-3 years | Victim of severe trafficking + cooperation |
| VAWA self-petition | I-360 | 1-2 years | Abuse by USC or LPR spouse/parent |
| Cancellation of removal (LPR) | EOIR Form 42A | 1-5 years in court | LPR 5+ years, certain conditions |
| Cancellation of removal (non-LPR) | EOIR Form 42B | 5-15+ years in court | 10+ years US presence, exceptional hardship to USC/LPR family |
Related procedural information
- Colombia consulates in the US — passport, ID, civil registry, notarial services
- Visa reciprocity for Colombia citizens — visa fees, entries, validity
- Traveling to Colombia from the US — re-entry, advance parole, embassy
- USCIS form library — all USCIS forms
- Find an immigration attorney — AILA + BIA-recognized
- BIA-recognized legal help by state — free representation
- Cross-border tax obligations by home country
- Social Security totalization by country
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; verify current status before relying.
Recent fee, deadline, and contact context (2025-2026)
Embassy of Colombia in Washington DC main phone: +1 (202) 387-8338 Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time. The 2026-05-29 H.R.1 / OBBBA immigration fee changes affect several USCIS forms (Form I-589 asylum filing fee $100 + $100 Annual Asylum Fee; Form I-102 I-94 replacement +$24). The Form I-821 TPS fee (approximately $50) is set separately by the 2024 USCIS fee rule and capped by INA § 244(c)(1)(B) — it was not changed by OBBBA. Verify current USCIS fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing.
For US embassy/consulate services IN Colombia (visa interviews, US passport renewal for citizens abroad): see travel.state.gov. US embassies abroad maintain Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov for US citizens registering travel plans.
USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm ET. ICE Detention Locator System (ODLS): locator.ice.gov/odls. EOIR immigration court case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated, English/Spanish). State Department visa information: 1-800-373-3340. The Visa Bulletin priority dates publish monthly around the 15th.
For US-Colombia consular protection emergencies: contact the Embassy of Colombia in Washington DC at +1 (202) 387-8338 OR the nearest Colombia consulate. Many consulates have 24/7 emergency phone lines for severe situations (death, arrest, medical emergency, missing person).