Cédula de extranjería

The cédula de extranjería is your Colombian foreigner ID card, issued by Migración Colombia to anyone holding a visa valid for more than 3 months.

You must apply within 15 calendar days of your visa being issued (or of arriving in Colombia with the visa). Due to long wait times, the process typically takes longer than 15 calendar days and isn't an issue.

Required:

• Valid passport + visa
• Online appointment at Migración (sede Belén in Medellín)
• Payment receipt (~$230,000 COP / ~$55 USD)
• Passport-style photo (they usually take it on-site)

With your cédula you can open a Colombian bank account, sign a long-term lease, enroll in EPS health insurance, get a local phone plan, and use Nequi/Daviplata. Without it, you're stuck on tourist-tier services.