Community · Londres
Colombians in London
The UK's second-largest Latin community — with its heart in Elephant & Castle and Seven Sisters. Everything you're looking for, in one place.
≈35-38,000
born in Colombia (2021 census)
4th
the UK is the 4th-biggest sender of remittances to Colombia
17,000+
members in the largest Facebook group
Your country's paperwork, from London
What your community searches for most — answered plainly, with the official source.
Consulate
Consulado de Colombia en Londres
Westcott House, 35 Portland Place, W1B 1AE
+44 20 7637 9893freephone 0808 234 2176
Monday to Friday, 8:30–14:30
💡 Most procedures do NOT need an appointment (first come, first served): passport, cédula and civil registries. Available appointments are published on Fridays at 4pm for the following week.
Do I need an appointment for a passport or cédula?
No — passport, cédula (first issue, duplicate, renewal) and civil registries are handled first come, first served. Only renouncing nationality requires an appointment by email.
How do I vote in Colombian elections from the UK?
Register your cédula at the consulate (registration is permanent and closes 2 months before each election). Only the yellow hologram cédula or the digital one counts. Presidential voting abroad runs for a week.
How do I keep my Colpensiones pension while living here?
Colpensiones can SUSPEND your payments if you don't prove you're alive: since August 2025 it's filed on the Colpensiones virtual office every 6 months. The fe de vida at the consulate is free (Law 2136/2021).
Can I get my libreta militar at the consulate?
No — consulates don't issue it. It's processed online at libretamilitar.mil.co, and after 3+ years living abroad you can apply for the exemption.
How do I apostille documents between Colombia and the UK?
Colombian documents: apostille online at cancilleria.gov.co. British documents for use in Colombia: FCDO apostille. Neither requires paid intermediaries.
Your life in the UK
The British paperwork coming your way, explained properly.
Visitor visa for your family (changed in 2024)
Since 26 Nov 2024, Colombians need a visa even for tourism. Standard Visitor ~£115, applied for online + biometrics at VFS Bogotá/Medellín/Cali.
Your first weeks: NIN, bank, GP
The newcomer's step-by-step, in your language and with no small print.
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Where to watch Colombia in the 2026 World Cup
The community is already organising viewing parties — follow the events calendar.
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Your people
Where your community gathers: food, faith, sport and meeting places.
Elephant & Castle — the heart
20+ years of Latin neighbourhood: DistriAndina, Leños & Carbón, La Barra, and the new Elephant Passage market (2025).
Seven Sisters / Pueblito Paisa — reopened
North London's best-loved Latin market reopened in October 2025 after 5 years: 36 of the 37 original stalls came back.
The Latin American Chaplaincy (Vauxhall)
Mass in Spanish Tuesday to Saturday 19:00 and Sunday 13:30 at St Anne's — around 1,350 people a week, plus advice and volunteering.
The Latin American League in Clapham
The community's football in south London — find it on Facebook.
Dates that matter
Independence Day
Community celebration; the consulate usually holds an official event
Carnaval del Pueblo (Burgess Park)
Europe's biggest Latin festival — Colombian-led since 1998
Colombian Mother's Day
Different from the British one (March) — don't let it slip by
Presidential elections
Voting abroad: one week, at the consulate
Send money home 🇨🇴
Compare how much actually arrives with each service — fee and exchange rate included.
Compare now →Community, media and support
IRMO (Lambeth)
A charity with 40+ years: immigration advice, employability and classes — free and in Spanish.
LAWRS
Latin American women's rights: casework, psychological support and work against gender-based violence.
Facebook groups
"Colombianos en Londres" (17,000+ members) and several more — where the community asks (carefully: unverified).
Media
Express News UK, The Prisma (founded by a Colombian journalist) and LatinoLife.
Facts checked against official sources (July 2026). Spotted something out of date? Write to [email protected].