| Form N-CSR Cover | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2024 | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSRS |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000815425 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Shareholder Report | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($) Holding | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | N-CSRS |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Registrant Name | Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000815425 |
| Entity Investment Company Type | N-1A |
| Document Period End Date | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund |
| Class Name | Class 1 |
| No Trading Symbol Flag | true |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semiannual shareholder report |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-annual shareholder report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature 1-800-345-6611. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 1-800-345-6611 |
| Additional Information Website | columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the reporting period? (Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 1 $ 0.29 % |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 15 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.29% |
| Net Assets | $ 557,885,817 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 87 |
| Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover | 77% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets $ Total number of portfolio holdings 87 Portfolio turnove r for the 77% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | Graphical Representation of Fund The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio composition is subject to change. Derivative Exposure Long Equity Risk 6.8 % Foreign Exchange Risk 5.1 % Interest Rate Risk 6.7 % Short Equity Risk 15.5 % Foreign Exchange Risk 2.2 % Interest Rate Risk 2.4 % Asset Categories |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | |
| Shareholder Report [Line Items] | |
| Fund Name | Variable Portfolio – Managed Volatility Conservative Fund |
| Class Name | Class 2 |
| No Trading Symbol Flag | true |
| Annual or Semi-Annual Statement [Text Block] | This semiannual shareholder report |
| Shareholder Report Annual or Semi-Annual | Semi-annual shareholder report |
| Additional Information [Text Block] | You can find additional information about the Fund at columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature 1-800-345-6611. |
| Additional Information Phone Number | 1-800-345-6611 |
| Additional Information Website | columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature |
| Expenses [Text Block] | What were the Fund costs for the reporting period? (Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment) Class Costs of a $10,000 investment Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment Class 2 $ 0.54 % |
| Expenses Paid, Amount | $ 27 |
| Expense Ratio, Percent | 0.54% |
| Net Assets | $ 557,885,817 |
| Holdings Count | Holding | 87 |
| Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover | 77% |
| Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block] | Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets $ Total number of portfolio holdings 87 Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 77% |
| Holdings [Text Block] | Graphical Representation of Fund The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio comp osition Derivative Exposure Long Equity Risk 6.8 % Foreign Exchange Risk 5.1 % Interest Rate Risk 6.7 % Short Equity Risk 15.5 % Foreign Exchange Risk 2.2 % Interest Rate Risk 2.4 % Asset Categories |
| Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details) | Jun. 30, 2024 |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 55.30% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Money Market Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 22.60% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Equity Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 18.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Agency [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 8.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Exchange Traded Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.90% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Other [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Long Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 6.80% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Long Foreign Exchange Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 5.10% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Long Interest Rates Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 6.70% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Short Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 15.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Short Foreign Exchange Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 2) | Short Interest Rates Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.40% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 55.30% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Money Market Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 22.60% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Equity Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 18.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Agency [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 8.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Exchange Traded Fixed Income Funds [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.90% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Other [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 0.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Long Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 6.80% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Long Foreign Exchange Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 5.10% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Long Interest Rates Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 6.70% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Short Equity Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 15.50% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Short Foreign Exchange Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.20% |
| Variable Portfolio - Managed Volatility Conservative Fund (Class 1) | Short Interest Rates Risk [Member] | |
| Holdings [Line Items] | |
| Percent of Net Asset Value | 2.40% |
