Israel and Colombia will waive advance visa requirements for travellers from 1 September as the two countries move to restore diplomatic and economic relations following years of tensions over the war in Gaza.
“Both countries have agreed to mutually waive the visa requirement starting September 1,” the Israeli Embassy said on Thursday following talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Colombian counterpart Omar Bula Escobar.
Colombians travelling to Israel and Israelis travelling to Colombia will no longer need to obtain visas in advance, although other immigration and entry requirements will remain in place.
The measure is part of a broader roadmap agreed in July to fully restore relations between the two countries, including the appointment of ambassadors and plans to reopen Colombia’s embassy in Jerusalem.
Colombia severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 under former President Gustavo Petro, who strongly criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Visa requirements were subsequently reinstated in 2025, first by Israel and then reciprocally by Colombia.
Relations have shifted significantly since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office. Before his inauguration, he pledged to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and withdraw Colombia’s intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Bogotá has since recognised Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, a move condemned by Syria and other countries in the region. Most of the international community considers the territory occupied Syrian land.
The two governments have also established a Colombia-Israel Binational Economic Commission, while an official Colombian delegation is expected to visit Israel in October.
The visa agreement marks another step towards normalising ties after more than two years of diplomatic tensions.
Passengers restrained a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot and tried to crash a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Ministe...
Three Pakistani sailors are among five crew members killed after a tanker hijacked by pirates off Somalia was recovered by Puntland security forces...
Afghanistan says its forces have killed 41 fighters and captured 62 others after several days of fighting in eastern Nuristan, accusing Pakistan&rs...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the U.S. and Israel of seeking to foment internal divisions in Iran after failing to defeat the country militarily, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
The European Union's decision to simultaneously advance accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania marks its most ambitious enlargement effort in more than two decades.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 30 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in Europe.
Passengers restrained a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot and tried to crash a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
Passengers restrained a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot and tried to crash a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
Three Pakistani sailors are among five crew members killed after a tanker hijacked by pirates off Somalia was recovered by Puntland security forces following more than five months in captivity.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev discussed closer bilateral ties and the implementation of existing agreements during a meeting in Tehran.
The war between Iran and the U.S. is creating a widening security challenge for Saudi Arabia, stretching from Yemen’s Red Sea coast to Iraq as the Houthis emerge as a growing source of pressure on the kingdom.
North Korea has dismissed as a “farce” Seoul’s claim that Pyongyang was responsible for a landmine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line that injured three South Korean soldiers.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment