Colombia Embassy in Ottawa
The Embassy of Colombia in Ottawa provides consular assistance to Colombian citizens in Canada. The Embassy also serves foreigners who want to visit, work or reside in Colombia.
This guide contains all you need to know about document legalization at the Columbia Embassy in Ottawa, including processing times, fees, and how to submit your documents.
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Embassy of Colombia Ottawa
The Colombia Embassy in Ottawa legalizes documents that have first been authenticated by Global Affairs Canada. There are also Colombian Consulates spread across Canada that you can visit to legalize your documents.
The Colombian Embassy also provides other consular services, including passport and visa applications, and answers and processes requests related to Colombian citizenship.
Contact details
Embassy of Colombia in Ottawa
-
360 Albert Street, Suite 1002
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7
Canada - +1(613)230-3760
- +1(613)230-4416
- [email protected]
Opening Hours
Visas, immigration, and other consular matters:
- 9.00AM - 1.00PM Monday to Friday.
Payment methods
The payment must be made on the same day the payment reference is generated, otherwise a new reference must be issued. You can pay:
- Directly at the Embassy or Consulate
- By PSE, but you must have an active account in Colombia that is authorized by the respective financial entity with the service for electronic payments.
- Visa or MasterCard, taking into account bank charges.
The Consulate in Calgary accepts payment through money order.
Legalization at the Colombia Embassy in Ottawa
What is a Colombia legalization/apostille?
Your Canadian documents need to be legalized to be valid for use in Colombia.
This process is sometimes called attestation, authentication, or apostille. Canada cannot issue apostilles because it is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, the correct term for the Canadian-Colombian process is authentication and legalization. This is the equivalent of an apostille.
Before your Canadian document can be accepted for use in Colombia, you must first submit it for authentication at Global Affairs Canada and then for legalization at the Colombia Embassy in Ottawa or one of its Consulates.
List of Consulates:
| Embassy/Consulate | Address |
|---|---|
|
Colombian Consulate in Ottawa |
1002-360 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7X7 |
|
Colombian Consulate in Toronto |
40 University Avenue, Suite 604,
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1T1, Canada
[email protected]
|
|
Colombian Consulate in Vancouver |
1010 West Georgia Street, 1340
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3V7, Canada
[email protected]
|
|
Colombian Consulate in Montreal |
1010 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 920
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2R7, Canada
[email protected]
|
|
Colombian Consulate in Calgary |
803, 15th Ave S.W. Calgary, Alberta
T2R 0R9, Canada
[email protected]
|
The Colombian Authentication and Legalization process
You can legalize your documents at the Colombian Embassy in Ottawa or one of its Consulates. Colombian documents can be authenticated through the country’s online legalization and apostille service.
To authenticate a Colombian passport for use in Canada:
- For older passports which are not machine-readable, a copy is enough for legalization purposes
- More recent passports that are machine-readable can only be legalized online, using this link, and clicking on ‘Machine-readable passport’.
To authenticate a Police Certificate:
- Police certificates and certificates of judicial background can be legalized through online application.
To legalize Canadian documents at the Columbia Embassy in Ottawa for use in Columbia:
- Submit your documents to Global Affairs Canada for authentication
- Once your document has been authenticated, visit the Embassy or Consulate closest to you to validate the signature of the public official who authenticated the document.
- For the legalization of copies of documents, the original document and the copy to be legalized must be presented.
- Make an online legalization request, complying with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ procedures. The signature of the Colombian consul is then verified.
Contact your nearest Consulate or the Embassy for information on documents to submit, and to ensure that your document can be legalized.
Your documents must meet all requirements outlined on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ website. Once done, the legalization does not expire, but the country where you will be using your documents has the right to ask for more recent legalization.
There is no limit to how many documents you can legalize.
There is no need to visit in person – anyone can legalize a document on your behalf, provided that the Embassy or Consulate has the official signature of the public official on file.
You must ensure that your documents meet all of Colombia’s requirements before submitting and this can get complicated, especially as service descriptions are not available in English or French. Your documents will not be processed if they haven’t been adequately prepared, leading to potential delays.
At Document Authentication Canada, we manage all document requirements, streamlining the authentication process and saving you time and money. Get in touch with us on 1-855-700-5840 for a free document evaluation and quote.
Colombia Legalization FAQ
Can I get a document Apostille at the Embassy of Colombia in person?
No, the apostille process for Canadian documents is done exclusively online, but you can pay for this service at one of Colombia’s consulates. It’s important to remember that Canada does not recognize apostilles.
Authentication and Legalization can be done at the Consulate or Embassy.
How much does it cost to legalize my documents at the Embassy of Colombia in Canada?
Legalization at the Embassy of Colombia in Canada costs USD $17. It’s possible that the Embassy or Consulate will charge an administrative fee over this amount.
How long does it take to legalize my documents at the Embassy of Colombia?
Which documents do not need a Colombian legalization?
Looking for a Faster Apostille?
Other Consular Services offered by the Embassy of Colombia in Canada
Apart from legalization services, the Colombian Embassy in Canada provides consular services for Colombians residing in Canada and Canadians and other foreigners who are traveling or moving to Colombia.
Below is a list of services offered by the Embassy:
- Passports
- Visas
- Citizenship
- Judicial cooperation
You can find detailed information about each of these services on the Embassy’s website.
Colombia Embassy FAQs
Does Colombia have an Embassy?
Is there a Canadian Embassy in Colombia?
Yes, there is an Embassy in Bogota. Here are the contact details:
Embassy of Canada in Bogota
Carreara 7 #114-33
Bogota, Colombia
Tel: (57-1) 657-9800
Fax: (57-1) 657-9912
Email: [email protected]
Only Canadians who have an appointment or Canadians who are in distress can access the Embassy’s consular services during opening hours.
Who is the ambassador of Colombia in Canada?
How can I work in Canada from Colombia?
Permits to reside, work, and/or study in Canada are granted by the Canadian authorities and not the Embassy of Colombia.
For information on working in Canada, you should visit the Citizenship and Immigration website.
Can Canadians travel to Colombia during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Canadian citizens are being urged to avoid non-essential travel to any country – including Colombia. If you urgently need to fly to Colombia, make sure to contact the Embassy of Colombia in Ottawa to get the latest information on the correct procedure.
You must also keep in mind entry requirements for you to return to Canada after your stay in Colombia.
In normal times, the Canadian government recommends exercising a high degree of caution when traveling in Colombia, due to high levels of crime. The government also warns Canadians to avoid all travel in a number of border areas and regions. Canada’s official travel advisory website contains more information about the specific areas to avoid.
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Colombia?
In normal times, you can visit Colombia as a tourist and stay for up to 90 days without a visa, provided your Canadian passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date you expect to leave Colombia.
You do need a visa if you’re traveling to Colombia to work, study, or for business purposes.
How can I apply for Colombia visa?
You should contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate to set up an appointment. Ensure that you have all required documentation ready.
The Colombian visa authority processes request five days after the payment for the application has been registered. It may ask for additional documentation or an interview before granting the visa and this can take anywhere up to 30 days.
How can a Canadian move to Colombia?
Colombian visas are divided into temporary and permanent visas. Compared to other countries, they have relatively few restrictions. Work visas are reserved for professionals, so you must provide proof of a degree or field certification, as well as your work contract.
A Colombian work visa is valid for one year and extendable for five years, after which you can apply for permanent residency.
Can Colombians study in Canada?
Yes, they can. Colombians can obtain a Canadian Study Permit which they apply for prior to leaving Colombia. To do so, you’ll need the following documents:
- A valid Colombian passport
- Proof of acceptance by a designated learning institution in Canada
- Proof of funds in Colombia
- Passport-sized photos
- An Immigration Medical Examination (IME)
- Proof of English proficiency
- A statement that outlines your purpose for travel: study
- A credit card
IN CONCLUSION
You should now have a better understanding of the legalization process at the Colombia Embassy in Ottawa and its Consulates, together with the other consular services offered by them.
Admittedly, authentication and legalization can get complicated: there are multiple entities involved in the process, as well as specific procedures to follow.
At Document Authentication Canada, we help facilitate the legalization of documents in Canada, navigating through the bureaucracy on your behalf so that you avoid unnecessary delays. Get in touch with our expert team on 1-855-700-5840 to request a quote and a free document evaluation.
About The Author
Lori, Director of Operations
Lori Shepherd is a licensed Paralegal, Notary and Mediator in the City of Ottawa and holds a B.A. from Carleton University. A native to the City, she has lived and worked across Canada and overseas. Lori is client focused and dedicated to clear and concise communication to ensure clients feel secure in using our services.
