Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust N-CSRS 5 Sep 24 Certified semi-annual shareholder report (management investment company) Financial data

Form N-CSR Cover

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

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
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond 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 $36 0.74%
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 36
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.74%
Net Assets	$ 1,490,644,951
Holdings Count | Holding	198
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	24%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets $1,490,644,951 Total number of portfolio holdings 198 Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 24%
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. Bond ratings on Fund holdings are divided into categories ranging from highest to lowest credit quality, determined by using the middle rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, after dropping the highest and lowest available ratings. When ratings are available from only two rating agencies, the lower rating is used. When a rating is available from only one rating agency, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by Moody's, S&P and Fitch, but has a rating by Kroll and/or DBRS, the same methodology is applied to those bonds that would otherwise be not rated. When a bond is not rated by any rating agency, it is designated as “Not rated.” Credit quality ratings assigned Top Holdings U.S. Treasury 6.8% U.S. Treasury 6.3% U.S. Treasury 5.2% U.S. Treasury 5.0% U.S. Treasury 3.0% U.S. Treasury 2.6% U.S. Treasury 2.0% U.S. Treasury 1.7% U.S. Treasury 1.3% AT&T, Inc. 1.2% Asset Categories Credit Quality
Largest Holdings [Text Block]	Top Holdings U.S. Treasury 6.8% U.S. Treasury 6.3% U.S. Treasury 5.2% U.S. Treasury 5.0% U.S. Treasury 3.0% U.S. Treasury 2.6% U.S. Treasury 2.0% U.S. Treasury 1.7% U.S. Treasury 1.3% AT&T, Inc. 1.2%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1
Shareholder Report [Line Items]
Fund Name	Columbia Variable Portfolio – Long Government/Credit Bond 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 $ 0.49%
Expenses Paid, Amount	$ 24
Expense Ratio, Percent	0.49%
Net Assets	$ 1,490,644,951
Holdings Count | Holding	198
Investment Company, Portfolio Turnover	24%
Additional Fund Statistics [Text Block]	Key Fund Statistics Fund net assets $1,490,644,951 Total number of portfolio holdings 198 Portfolio turnover for the reporting period 24%
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. Bond ratings on Fund holdings are divided into categories ranging from highest to lowest credit quality, determined by using the middle rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, after dropping the highest and lowest available ratings. When ratings are available from only two rating agencies, the lower rating is used. When a rating is available from only one rating agency, that rating is used. If a security is not rated by Moody's, S&P and Fitch, but has a rating by Kroll and/or DBRS, the same methodology is applied to those bonds that would otherwise be not rated. When a bond is not rated by any rating agency, it is designated as “Not rated.” Credit quality ratings assigned by a rating agency are subjective opinions, not statements of fact, and are subject to change, including daily. Top Holdings U.S. Treasury 6.8% U.S. Treasury 6.3% U.S. Treasury 5.2% U.S. Treasury 5.0% U.S. Treasury 3.0% U.S. Treasury 2.6% U.S. Treasury 2.0% U.S. Treasury 1.7% U.S. Treasury 1.3% AT&T, Inc. 1.2% Asset Categories Credit Quality
Largest Holdings [Text Block]	Top Holdings U.S. Treasury 6.8% U.S. Treasury 6.3% U.S. Treasury 5.2% U.S. Treasury 5.0% U.S. Treasury 3.0% U.S. Treasury 2.6% U.S. Treasury 2.0% U.S. Treasury 1.7% U.S. Treasury 1.3% AT&T, Inc. 1.2%

Shareholder Report, Holdings (D

Shareholder Report, Holdings (Details)	Jun. 30, 2024
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury08/15/2043 4.375% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	6.80%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2047 3.000% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	6.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2048 3.000% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	5.20%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2052 2.875% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	5%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2039 3.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	3%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2036 4.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2.60%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2038 4.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2041 4.375% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.70%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2040 [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | AT&T, Inc.12/01/2057 3.800% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.20%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Fitch, AA Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	48.80%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Fitch, A Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	15.70%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Fitch, BBB Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	31.10%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Fitch, BB Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.50%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Not rated [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.60%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Corporate Bonds Notes [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	49.60%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | U.S. Treasury Obligations [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	45.90%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Money Market Fund [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 2 | Other [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury08/15/2043 4.375% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	6.80%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2047 3.000% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	6.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2048 3.000% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	5.20%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2052 2.875% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	5%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2039 3.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	3%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2036 4.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2.60%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2038 4.500% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury05/15/2041 4.375% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.70%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury02/15/2040 [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | AT&T, Inc.12/01/2057 3.800% [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.20%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Fitch, AA Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	48.80%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Fitch, A Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	15.70%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Fitch, BBB Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	31.10%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Fitch, BB Rating [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.50%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Not rated [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	0.60%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Corporate Bonds Notes [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	49.50%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | U.S. Treasury Obligations [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	45.90%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Money Market Fund [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	2.30%
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Long Government/Credit Bond Fund Class 1 | Other [Member]
Holdings [Line Items]
Percent of Net Asset Value	1.30%