Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For U.S. citizens applying for a Colombian visa
FBI background check in Colombia without flying home
We take your fingerprints here in Medellín and send them to the FBI.
Then we get your certificate apostilled and translated into Spanish, ready for your visa.
Handled by Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration departmentReviewed on November 10, 2026
4.8 on Google · 251 reviewsImmigration, tax and real estate under one roofOffice in El Poblado, Medellín
Is this service for you?
Cancillería can ask you for a background check in any visa application, from your country or from where you have lived (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 26).
- You are a U.S. citizen applying for a visa. In the cases we handle, Cancillería asks U.S. citizens for the FBI check.
- You are already in Colombia. You do not want to fly home just for your fingerprints.
- Your FBI check is too old. It was issued before the rest of your visa file was ready.
- You already have it, without the apostille. You may need only the apostille and the translation: see the costs below.
- Your check has to come from another country. This service covers the FBI check only.
2 time frames for your FBI check
- How recent it has to be3 monthsIssued no more than 3 months before you file the visa.Source: Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 20
- Which countries it comes from3 yearsEach country where you stayed in the last 3 years, when your visa requires it.Source: Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 52, 56, 71 and 77
Checked on November 12, 2026.
4 steps from your fingerprints to your visa file
The FBI background check can take up to 4 weeks.
Shipping, the apostille and the translation add to that, so we start it with the rest of your file in mind.
We take your fingerprints
We take them with you in Medellín, on the card the FBI asks for.
Bring your valid passport.
We send your request to the FBI
We fill out the FBI request with you.
Then we ship it, with your fingerprints, to the FBI in the United States.
We arrange the apostille
The FBI certificate is a U.S. federal document, so it is apostilled in the United States.
Without the apostille, it does not count for your visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 21).
We translate it into Spanish
A certified translator puts it into Spanish.
It goes into your visa file while it is still recent enough to count.
You may also need
Services people add to the FBI check.
A case we see often
- The first check
A client got his FBI background check during a trip to the United States.
Then he came back to Colombia to put together the rest of his visa file.
- The date
By the time the rest of the file was ready, the check was too old.
It no longer counted for the visa.
- The second check
He had to do it again from Colombia: new fingerprints, shipping, apostille and translation.
He paid for it twice, and his visa waited.
We time your FBI check with the rest of your file, so it is still recent when we file.
Is your visa file almost ready? Tell us your dates, and we time your FBI check with them. →
What we check on your FBI certificate
Before it goes into your file, we read the certificate with you.
- Its date: that it will still count on the day you file.
- Your details: that they match your passport.
- What it shows: any arrest or record, before Cancillería reads it.
- The apostille and the translation: that both are complete.
What we need from you to start
Send what you have. With it, we tell you when to start.
- Your valid passport
- The visa you are applying for, and when you plan to file
- Your previous FBI check, if you have one
- The city in Colombia where you are
Questions people ask us about the FBI check
Do I need an FBI background check for a Colombian visa?
Cancillería can ask you for one in any visa application (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 26), and some visas always require it.
In the cases we handle, Cancillería asks U.S. citizens for the FBI check, not a state or local one.
Can I get it without flying home, or from another city?
Yes. We take your fingerprints in Medellín and ship them to the FBI, so you do not need to leave Colombia.
We also do it in Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Pereira, at a different price.
How long is the FBI check valid for a Colombian visa?
Cancillería takes it only if it was issued no more than 3 months before you file the visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 20).
That is why we time it with the rest of your file.
Can I get a Colombian visa if I am a felon or have a criminal record?
An old criminal record does not rule you out automatically: Cancillería decides each case.
If it refuses the visa, you can apply again only after 6 months (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 99).
That is why, if your FBI check shows a record, we review it with you before filing.
Records from Canada, the UK or Australia: see criminal records for a Colombian visa.
I already have my FBI check. Can you do only the apostille and the translation?
Yes. We do not process apostilles ourselves: we refer you to a company that does it for USD 180, and we arrange the certified translation into Spanish, for USD 15 a page.
Send us your check first, and we tell you whether it still counts for your visa.
I have lived in Colombia this past year. Which background check do I need?
The rule asks for the one from each country where you stayed in the last 3 years (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 77).
In the cases we handle, Cancillería asks for the FBI check, and it may also ask for the Colombian one.
If you have lived here, we can request the Colombian one for you too, so your file is complete.
Don't see your case?
Tell us about it. In a free 15-minute call, we assess it and send you a proposal.
In-depth questions? 1-hour consultation: COP 400,000 (about USD 121).Outside what we do? We refer you to someone who does.
If you already have your FBI check
Instead of our full fee, you pay only for the apostille and the translation.
Apostilles and translations
For documents issued abroad
- Apostille of a U.S. federal document, such as the FBI checkUSD 180
- Certified translation into Spanish, per pageUSD 15
We do not process apostilles ourselves.For U.S. documents, we can refer you to a company that does, at these prices.
Your proposal adds them up for your case, together with our fees.
Who handles your case
Your FBI check and your visa are handled by the immigration team, from the same office.
- 3partners lead the legal, tax and immigration areas
- 22professionals in corporate, private, employment, intellectual property, immigration and tax law
- Medellínour own office
What our clients say
4.8
Based on 251 reviews
Google
Maria Isabel SNovember 12, 2026
Great human quality, the team was always there to solve all my questions. 100% recommend it
Nikola Tarasiuk CorreaOctober 26, 2026
Great service! Tomás who was taking care of my case was very responsive and helpful with every step of the process. Highly recommended :)
Kent MennemSeptember 17, 2026
Nexo Legal provides great services. They are extremely responsive and efficient! Highly recommended.
Joshua HarrisSeptember 14, 2026
They have been super helpful with me through multiple rounds of figuring out my visa and paying taxes. Nexo is who I go to for all my legal needs
Ken KanouseSeptember 6, 2026
I have used Nexo Legal for filing mine and my wife's Colombian income taxes the past 3 years. While I am retired and Colombia doesn't tax my retirement income, the filing still needs to be done. Each year the tax accountant requests the necessary information early so they can be filed accurately on time. They are very easy to work with, and I'd recommend using them for all you accounting and legal needs.
Chris HumphreyAugust 20, 2026
I’ve trusted Tomas and Nexo team on multiple visa applications and would highly recommend them when considering your next legal needs
daniela sanchezAugust 4, 2026
Great experience atty Tomas was very helpful in walking me through every step of the way and keeping me calm and stress free . I would highly recommend this firm with my eyes closed 🙂
Mark HarringtonJuly 31, 2026
Tomas handled my wife's visa application very professionally and was always available to address any questions or issues. Five stars
Arthur WalstonJuly 29, 2026
This was my first time working with The Nexo Firm. I have nothing but high regards for this Firm and specially for Tomas Restrepo. Tomas helped me with my visa process and communicated with me on the progress from start to finish. Plus, his English is very good so there is no language barrier. So, if your traveling aboard and you need help with the visa process, I highly recommend The Nexo Firm and Tomas Restrepo!
Shivaya GuraveJuly 22, 2026
Camila recently helped me obtain my RUT tax registration then did the necessary paperwork and filed my Colombian tax for 2025. Fast, reasonable price, in flawless English. I highly recommend her and Nexo Legal.
nicca louisJuly 7, 2026
All the way from NJ, USA this firm helped me revolve matters in Columbia so fast! I'm appreciative and glad I got the chance to work with them because I would still be fighting this legal battle if I did it on my own!
LilyJuly 6, 2026
Camila was a great accountant to work with and made filing taxes in Colombia as a digital nomad super easy! Thank you
See all 251 reviews on Google →
Client stories on video
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After you send the form, our team reviews your case and a specialist contacts you, usually within the hour during business hours, to clarify details and outline the next steps.
Nexo Legal is a private law and accounting firm, not the FBI or a government office. The FBI issues the certificate, and visa decisions are made by Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería); no lawyer can guarantee the result.