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.
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