President Gustavo Petro announced on his Twitter account, on the eve of this festive Monday, that Britain lifts tourist visa requirements for Colombians.

(You can read: These are the countries that give Colombians the most ‘buts’ for visas)

“I thank the UK for its decision to remove tourist visa requirements for Colombian visitors,” the head of state wrote.

The exact details of the scope of action announced by the head of state, who will benefit and when it will come into effect, are not yet known.

Although the British Embassy in the country has yet to comment on the matter, they have held a press conference on Tuesday, October 18, at 7 this morning.

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The British Ambassador to Colombia, George Hodgson, is expected to extend information from his residence in Bogotá to find out these details and, for example, if parliament has given the green light, which is necessary for this type of decision.

They previously indicated that Hodgson would make “important announcements relevant to the bilateral relationship between Colombia and the UK.”

(Also: Visas to the United States: Does Colombia have what it takes to get rid of the requirement?)

What is needed today to get a visa to travel to the UK?

The estimated time required to apply for a tourist visa to the UK is approximately three months. Then, the visa delivery time is fifteen working days. Among the requirements are:

– Passport fits at least two blank pages and the validity period of the document covers the entire length of stay in the UK.
– Documents that are not in English must be translated into that language.
– Set a round trip date.
– Arguing the reasons for staying and stating the city and hotel they will be going to.
– Have all personal and family information ready, if traveling with a companion.
– Have a record showing the amount of the person’s monthly income to show the available funds.

(Also read: ‘Great Britain in Colombia Supports Peace Search’)

How many Colombians travel to the UK?

According to data from Migración Colombia, a total of 45,788 have traveled to the UK between January and September 2022: 14,457 of them for tourism and 24,932 for residence.

The same is to be achieved with the United States.

Colombia’s ambassador to the United States, Luis Gilberto Murillo, a few days ago announced the government’s plans to ask the United States to lift visa requirements for Colombians who wish to travel to the country.

He assured that although he had disclosed this verbally to US authorities, in the coming days they planned to do so officially.

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He pointed out that “Colombian residents should have the possibility of being able to travel as tourists to the United States without a visa (…) That doesn’t look good and raises the issue of the fact that it takes about 850 days for a person to be given the designation once the application is submitted. In addition, we have information that (the United States) is the country in the world with the longest process. We are strategic allies, this situation must be corrected. There is no logic.”

Reaction to President Petro .’s announcement

On social networks some reactions to the news delivered by this head of state are known.

“Extraordinary news for Colombians. The undoubted success of Gustavo Petro’s government,” tweeted former minister Juan Fernando Cristo.

“We must congratulate the government on this positive news. Thank you @petrogustavo,” wrote Senator Humberto de la Calle.

“Colombia is changing. Great news for our country,” said the mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero.

Businessman Mario Hernández stressed “thanks to the UK for removing tourist visas for Colombia.”

Colombia’s Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Laura Gil, praised him, “It’s with facts, they say.”

POLITICAL