Colombia has announced that it will eliminate the visa requirement for Chinese citizens, among other nationalities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Laura Sarabia, stated that this decision by the Colombian government stems from the intention to facilitate investments and tourism from these countries.
The move comes amid the need for market openness, as emphasized by President Gustavo Petro, following the tariff war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Minister Sarabia’s announcement paves the way for significant changes in migration policy, including a reassessment of restrictions on other nations. These adjustments could potentially extend to another Asian giant, such as India.
Colombia will eliminate visas for Chinese citizens
In a decision aimed at strengthening trade ties with China and other countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the visa requirement for Chinese citizens will be eliminated as a prior step to enter Colombia.
“In conversation today with President Petro we initiated the process to exempt Chinese citizens and other nationalities from visa requirements. A key step to facilitate tourism, trade and investment in Colombia. We continue working, as always, with shared vision and fluid dialogue,” announced Minister Sarabia in her X account.
So far, China is one of the 80 countries in the world whose citizens need a visa to enter Colombia, but this will be modified with the aim of boosting bilateral trade relations, which have in fact been growing rapidly for years.
The measure does not only impact China. Visa exemptions have also been established for citizens of India, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Taiwan, provided they have permanent residence in countries such as Chile, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia.
Colombia’s new markets look to China
Although Chinese investments in Colombia date back two decades, it is over the past five years that the presence of the Asian giant has solidified its position as a key trading partner for the country.
In January 2025 alone, 28.4% of Colombia’s imports originated from China, surpassing even the United States, Colombia’s primary trading partner, which accounted for 24.8% in the same month, according to official Colombian data.
Beyond the numbers, and China’s pivotal role in projects such as the Bogota Metro, President Gustavo Petro’s administration is firmly committed to integrating Colombia into the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s ambitious global infrastructure plan.
This initiative aims to connect countries through maritime and land routes, modeled after the ancient Silk Road.
In October 2023, during an official visit to Beijing, President Petro announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. Shortly afterward, a new maritime route between Buenaventura and Shanghai, operated by Chinese shipping company COSCO Shipping, was launched.
By eliminating visa requirements for Chinese citizens, Colombia is taking another step toward deepening ties with China—a move that extends far beyond diplomacy. The Colombian government hopes to boost tourism from China and attract greater investment from the Asian nation.