Colombia to require visas for British citizens in response to UK visa restrictions

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said Tuesday that his country will impose visa requirements on British citizens, in retaliation for a decision made by the United Kingdom to remove Colombia from a list of countries whose nationals can visit Britain without a tourist visa.

In a message published on X, Petro said that due to “the principle of reciprocity” Colombia’s government will begin asking citizens of the UK for visas. He provided no more details on when the visa restrictions will come into effect.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Kingdom announced that Colombian citizens will no longer be able to travel to that country without a visa. In a statement published on its social media platforms, the British embassy in Colombia said that over the past two years, there has been a “significant” increase in the number of Colombians who arrive at UK airports and make “unjustified” asylum claims.

The United Kingdom had lifted visa restrictions on Colombians in 2022. But its embassy in Bogota said that the recent rise in asylum claims from Colombians had forced the British government to reimpose visa requirements.