In this post, we detail all the important Requirements you need to know before traveling to Colombia.
These are the little details that make the difference between a successful trip and a failed one, because you forgot to renew your passport or didn’t find out about the obligation to provide temporary proof of exit from the country.
As you prepare for your trip to Colombia, here are the important administrative questions to know before you go.
Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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Requirements for a trip to Colombia
Entry Requirements for tourists in Colombia
Good to know
Do I need a visa to travel to Colombia?
I am a citizen of USA, UK, Ireland, Canada or Australia, or any European country : I do not need a visa for a temporary tourist stay. For other countries see the list below
Entry Requirements in Colombia for nationals not requiring a visa
To enter Colombia legally for a temporary stay related to tourism, nationals of countries not requiring a visa must be in possession of :
- Passport valid for more than 6 months from the date of departure from Colombia
- Check-Mig : Compulsory pre-registration (Check-Mig) to facilitate customs clearance. This form can only be completed 72h to 1h before flight closing time.
- Proof of exit from the country: Transport ticket or any other document proving a planned date of departure from Colombia. You can use the Onward Ticket website to obtain a temporary flight reservation.
- For accompanied minors: passport valid for more than 6 months.
- For unaccompanied minors: passport valid for more than 6 months, authorization to leave the country signed by the person with parental authority, photocopy of the parent’s ID.
Good to know
Reciprocity tax for Canadians
A tax of $270.000 COP will be charged to all Canadian nationals to enter Colombia. This measure, which was in force until July 2019, has been reactivated in 2024 “for reciprocity purposes, given the costs generated by the imposition of biometric data on Colombian nationals”.
No need to be vaccinated
Currently, anyone (vaccinated or not) can travel to Colombia, without restrictions.
Maximum length of stay
Upon entry into Colombia, a stamp will be placed in your passport proving the date of entry into Colombia and marking the start of your “tourist visa”, which is called the PIP (Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia).
Good to know
Authorized length of stay as a tourist in Colombia
90 days with the possibility of an extension of a further 90 days subject to application. A total of 180 days spread over one calendar year (January to December).
Risks of staying in Colombia without authorization
Be sure to respect the duration of your stay and anticipate any request for an extension (see below), otherwise you run the risk of being fined up to several hundred euros, depending on the goodwill of the Colombian authorities.
Exit tax
If you are staying in Colombia for more than 60 days, you may be asked to pay an exit tax at the airport when you check in your luggage. This tax must be paid at the airport counter (cash or credit card).
Good to know
Exit Tax
For all stays of more than 60 days as a tourist in Colombia, a tax of $122.000 COP may be requested at the airport at the time of departure.
Planning to drive in Colombia?
The Colombian government certifies that tourists can drive with a national license (Código Nacional de Tránsito, Art. 25 de la Ley 769 de 2002 – Licencias Extranjeras)
“Driving licenses issued in another country, in force and used by tourists or persons in transit on national territory, are valid and admitted to drive in Colombia during the authorized stay of their holder, in accordance with international provisions on the subject.”
Visa-free countries for travel to Colombia
Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Colombia as tourists: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, South Korea, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dominican Republic, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, El Salvador, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Czech Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Countries requiring a visa to travel to Colombia
Nationals of the following countries require a visa to enter Colombia as tourists: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Benin, Belarus, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, China, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lesotho, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland, Thailand, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Chad, East Timor, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Good to know
Visa application
If you are a citizen from one of the countries requiring a visa to enter Colombia, you will need to apply for a visa from the Colombian government: Applications can be made online via the Cancilleria website.
Extending your stay in Colombia
VISAS AND Requirements FOR A TRIP TO COLOMBIA
Good to know
Is it possible to extend your stay in Colombia?
Yes, you can extend your stay in Colombia by a further 90 days, for a total of 180 days over a calendar year (January to December).
Requirements for obtaining the PTP and extending your stay by 90 days
It is therefore possible to extend your stay in Colombia by a further 90 days, for a total of 180 days over a calendar year. In other words, you potentially have the right to stay in Colombia for 180 days a year. This visa is called the PTP (Permiso Temporal de Permanencia), and you need to apply for it online.
- Online application for extension: you can apply for a PTP online on the Colombian Immigration Ministry website.
- In-office application: you can also apply for a PTP at any Migration Service Center (known as a FMC). It is advisable to make an appointment in advance. You’ll find a list of FMCs by region here.
- Fee: $110.000 COP (Free for nationals of the Schengen area in Europe)
- Valid passport : you must present your passport, valid for at least 6 months after the planned end date of your stay.
- Proof of exit from the country: you must present a transport ticket proving your planned departure from the country. You can use the Onward Ticket website to obtain a temporary flight reservation.
Good to know
Pay attention to the deadline of your stay
It’s very important to apply for an extension before the expiration date of your tourist visa. Be sure to apply several days before the end of your PIP.
Requirements for obtaining a 30-day “Salvo Conducto”
If you need more time to organize the extension of your stay in Colombia, or if you simply wish to extend your trip by a maximum of 30 days, you can apply for a Salvo Conduction, based on the same principle as the PTP.
- Apply online: apply for a “Salvo Conducto” online on the Colombian Immigration Ministry website.
- Go to the immigration office: once you’ve applied for the “Salvo Conducto” online, you’ll need to go to the nearest Migration Service Center (known as a CFSM) to finalize your application with the original documents listed below. It is advisable to make an appointment in advance. You’ll find a list of FMCs by region here.
- Fee: $74.000 COP
- Valid passport : you must present a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned end date of your stay.
- Proof of exit from the country : you will need to present a ticket proving your planned exit from the country. You can use the Onward Ticket website to obtain a temporary flight reservation.
Good to know
Reset the countdown to the authorized length of stay
180 days of presence in the country are authorized per calendar year. This means that on January 1 of each year, the counters are reset to zero, and you can leave for another 180 days.
So, in absolute terms, you can (almost) stay in Colombia for 1 year: if you arrive in Colombia on July 4th, you can extend your stay until December 31th (180 days). You will then have to leave the country temporarily (to Ecuador or Panama, for example), only to re-enter on January 1st and stay for a further 180 days until June 29th.
Leaving Colombia
VISAS AND Requirements FOR A TRIP TO COLOMBIA
As you can see, to enter Colombia or extend your stay in the country, you must have proof of your planned departure from the country. Without this document, you could be refused entry at the airport when boarding, or at customs on arrival in Colombia.
How to obtain proof of exit from the country
For most of you, this won’t be a problem, as you’ll have a round-trip plane ticket! However, some travelers may have taken a one-way ticket to Colombia, in order to remain free for the duration of their trip, or to continue on to another country.
You have two options:
- Buy a bus ticket to Ecuador online, but the cheapest route we found is Ipiales – Ibarra for $71 USD via “Andes transit”.
- In principle, using Onward Tickets is THE best way to avoid problems at a lower cost. It’s a solution which, according to feedback from travellers, works perfectly, remains legal and requires only a minimal investment compared to the risk incurred in the event of an inspection.
Is it risky not to have proof of exit?
Knowing that checks are not systematic, some people may be tempted to take the plunge and leave the country without proof of exit. Since proof of exit is required to enter or remain in Colombia, all travelers must be able to show proof of exit to the authorities at any time during their stay in the country. The risk is therefore manifold:
- Being turned away at boarding and losing your ticket
- Being turned away on arrival in Colombia, or having to pay for an emergency exit ticket
- Being forbidden to extend your stay in Colombia, or having to urgently pay for an exit ticket
Exit tax
If you are staying in Colombia for more than 60 days, you may be asked to pay an exit tax at the airport when you check in your luggage. This tax must be paid at the airport counter (cash or credit card).
Good to know
Exit Tax
Airport tax payable on departure for stays of over 60 days: $122.000 COP
Working Holiday Visa (WHV)
VISAS AND Requirements FOR A TRIP TO COLOMBIA
In force since 2015, Working Holiday Visa is a very attractive option for young people aged 18 to 30. This visa allows them to stay in Colombia for up to 1 year, and be able to work there to complete the financing of their trip.
It is valid for one year and is non-renewable. The procedure for this visa is relatively quick and straightforward.
To apply for a Working Holiday Visa, go online to see the requirement on the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But basically you’ll need to contact the Colombian Consulate in your country to apply.
Hello,
I have just gone through the process of extending a tourist visa for myself and my 3 children. Yes, I did. So I submitted the form with a PDF file of less than 1MB containing the passports on the right pages, the birth certificates and the 4 “real” plane tickets. In the end, I received my extension in 2 working days … but only for me. I had to reapply for each child. I attached the same pdf. 3 working days and it was done. 101 900COP each. We’re Canadian
Next step, if we want to stay longer, is the Digital Nomad visa. To be continued.
Hi Matthieu and thanks for your feedback! It gives additional information for those who want to extend their stay in Colombia. For the Digital Nomad visa, we’re also on the case to find out about the conditions and talk about it.
PEtit youtube pour ceux qui pigent l’anglais qui décrit bien le processus pour le visa de digital nomad. https://youtu.be/KoQzCXXtqD4
But no info for families ahaha.
Hello, I’m planning to take a round-trip ticket from Nice to Bogota in December, with a stopover in Costa Rica (Caribbean coast) if I have time. Do I need a visa from Colombia to Costa Rica? Is it better to do the opposite, arrive in Costa Rica and then make a return trip to Colombia? Isn’t it more complicated at customs when you come from Colombia?
Thank you very much for your feedback
Caroline
Hello Caroline, if you’ve read our article (?) you’ll see that you don’t need a Visa for Colombia, so you have nothing to worry about. We don’t know the entry rules for Costa Rica, but there’s no reason to need a visa there either.
Hi
Thanks for the info. I followed the link to the PTP but there are 2 choices. I guess this is the 2nd one.
– Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia
– Permiso Temporal de Permanencia Para Cambiar Permiso
In a comment it said that you had to apply at the end of the 90 days, but that puts you in an illegal situation, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t we do it before the end? Do you have any feedback on how long it can take?
Also, we’ve seen that a Digital Nomad visa will be available from 22 Oct 2022 (maybe). We’ll share our experience…
Hi Matthieu,
If you want to extend your stay beyond 3 months, the first option is “Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia”
We don’t know how long it will take. I imagine that you have to apply a few days or weeks before it expires? We’ve never had to do that, and we don’t know anyone who has, so we can’t give you any more information.
Great news about the new visa, we’ll keep a close eye on it 😉
Hello,
We are going to Colombia soon
Questions we have to arrive in Bogota in transit but the final destination is Cartagena
Apparently, if we have checked baggage, we have to pick it up in Bogota and check in again for Cartagena?
the luggage doesn’t go to the final destination?
thank you for your help
Angele
Hi Angele, we can’t answer that question, it’s the kind of information you’re given when you buy your ticket. You should ask the airline or the place where you bought your ticket.
Hello there! 🙂
I have the Moroccan national card and Moroccan passport, but I was born in France, is there a difference?
My question is, can I travel to Colombia as a Moroccan born in France?
And what type of visa/documents do I need to set up a business in Colombia?
Thank you very much.
Hello, at the moment you need a visa to enter Colombia with a Moroccan passport. If you have French nationality, we advise you to use your French passport. We’re not specialists in questions relating to entrepreneurship, so we suggest you contact sites like “Vivre en Colombie” or “Colombianito”.
Hello Amine,
Error….
You can, because since November 28 Moroccans with an ordinary passport can travel to Colombia without a visa 😉
bonjour, je suis portugais Resident au portugal j’en face un futur voyage en Colombie
doije faire une demande de visa .
In the article you’ll find a list of countries that don’t require visas, and if you look carefully, Portugal is on it! 😉
hello,
i’m planning to travel to Colombia. Ideally, I’d like to stay for 6 months, so I’ll need to apply for a PTP (Permiso Temporal de Permanencia)
but i don’t know when to do it, do i have to do it before i leave or once i’m there after my 90 days stay?
Hello Nathan, the application is normally made after the 90-day stay.
Hello,
i am Tunisian and I live in Tunisia, is it possible to apply for a visa to Colombia at the consulate of Colombia in New York during my vacation there, since I will visit New York in the near future,
also, is the Colombian embassy in Algeria the only consular section that corresponds to Tunisia where I must submit my visa application, or can I do it in New York anyway, since there is no Colombian diplomatic representation in Tunisia
Thank you very much.
Hello Hamdi,
Currently, visa applications are made online: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa
If you have any doubts about this kind of procedure, the easiest way is to contact the Colombian consulate in Algeria, which will be able to give you the right answers, as we are not specialists in this field.
We hope this helps 🙂
Angélica
Hello,
yes i already applied online and i chose the consulate of Colombia in Algeria, and i paid 52 $ the visa processing fee, then they asked me afterwards to travel to Algeria to do the interview… Then I asked them if it was possible to apply at the Colombian consulate in New York, since I’d be traveling there on vacation as well, and they told me I had to apply for my visa at the consular section that corresponds to my place of residence… Which is not clear and I didn’t understand it, because we don’t have a Colombian diplomatic section in Tunisia… So I asked the same question to you too…that’s the whole story 🙂
Thanks a lot anyway.
Hi Hamdi, ah yes, you’re well on your way. In fact, Tunisia depends on the consular section in Algeria. So that’s where you should apply because that’s where you live, not in New York. Good luck with your application 🙂
Hello, I am a Tunisian resident in France with a French residence permit but a Tunisian passport. Do I need to apply for a visa?
Hello, Yes, you need to apply for a visa to enter Colombia. What counts is your nationality, not your place of residence.
You can apply online through the Colombian consulate in France: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa
Hello
After two 3-month tourist visas, how long do I have to spend outside Colombia to get another 3-month visa?
thank you
Hello, as explained, you have to wait until January 1 of the following year. That’s 6 months per calendar year.
Hello !
I’m going to Colombia this summer for my studies and I’ll be staying there for 1 year. What type of VISA do I need? Is it possible to do it online? If so, from which website?
Thanks in advance for your answer 🙂
Hello, if you’re going to spend 1 year studying in Colombia, you need to apply for a VISA V. But surely the university in France or the one you’ve chosen in Colombia will be able to advise you. Otherwise, you’ll find a lot of information on Google about this visa and studying in Colombia, which isn’t really our area of expertise. In any case, your V Visa application should be made on the official Colombian Cancillera website: https: //www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa/v-intercambio
Hello
i’ve booked round-trip plane tickets which show that I’ll be staying for more than three months (about 3 and a half months). Do I need to apply for a visa before entering Colombia or will I have to apply for an extension on the spot?
Hi, that’s a very good question, but we have no idea what’s involved in these cases! The best thing is to contact the Colombian authorities or the French embassy in Bogota to see if they can tell you more? But from our point of view, as this is in fact an extension, we don’t think it’s possible to apply directly for authorization to stay for 6 months. You have to enter the country for 3 months, then apply for an extension once you’re there. But what will customs say when they see that your return date is longer than 3 months? I’ve no idea!
Hello, I am of Togolese nationality but live and work in France. I have a Togolese passport with a 10-year French residency permit. Do I need a visa to visit Cartagena?
Hello Bello, thank you for your message, unfortunately here it’s the passport that counts, the resident card is not enough to be considered a French national. So yes, you’ll have to go through the Visa process!
I found this code (SHUTTLE21) to use on AndesTransit to book a service from Colombia to Ecuador. I crossed a few days before the border closed (March 2020), we were asked for a departure ticket when we arrived in Bogota. I’ve heard that the border will reopen after January 16, 2021.
Thank you very much for your message and this information. For the moment we don’t have any information about the reopening of the land and sea borders. We’ll keep an eye on it 😉 Thank you
Hello,
First of all, thank you for this site! Very complete and useful. Nevertheless, as I’m planning to leave at the beginning of February, I’m still wondering about my proof of exit from the country and I’m hesitating to choose the “fake” plane ticket option as I’m not sure of the result. Can you confirm that this option is safe and undetectable?
Thank you in advance (:
Hi, we advise you to contact Onewayfly directly to discuss the matter with them, they’ll be able to answer your questions better than we can 😉 They are very responsive on their online chat.
Hello,
i have read your advice and I find myself in the case of a one-way ticket to Colombia (from France). I plan to sail on the sea and leave from Panama
3 questions
– do I have to take a bogus flight via one way fly to leave colombia?
– where do I get my exit stamped on my passport and my entry stamped in Panama?
– Will I have problems leaving Panama if I haven’t landed in Panama?
Thanks in advance
Hi, regarding Colombian customs yes in law to enter Colmbie you have to have proof that you’re going to get out within the time allowed. The One way solution has apparently proved its worth, you can always talk to them on the site, they’re pretty responsive. We don’t know what’s going on with customs in Panama, we haven’t looked into the matter, but it’s rare that you’ll have problems leaving a country 😉 All you need is an entry stamp when you arrive in Panama, which will be done at the port where you dock, and that’s it!
Hello, I would like to apply for a ptp, and would like to know if you know if there is a way to buy a ticket to leave the country by bus to Ecuador (or other but I think it is the only country possible), because I can not find … If not, do you think it’s possible to present a standard ticket from Tulcan to Ibarra, which would prove in quotation marks that I’m going to leave Colombia?
I’d like to avoid using a false plane ticket…
Thanks for your advice!
Hi Cloé, I’m not sure whether you wanted a receipt just to do your PTP or whether you were really looking for a bus ticket for your scheduled departure from Colombia. If it’s option 1, then going through One Way Fly seems to me the simplest and cheapest. If it’s option 2, then you have the Lineas de los Andes agency, which operates cross-border routes, and you’ll find a ticket for Ecuador with them: .
Hi everyone,
Arriving from France with a one-way ticket, we went through customs in Bogotá without any problem and without any proof of date of exit from the country
Thank you for this mine of information 😉
Thanks for your message 🙂 Yes, as we say, it’s a lottery, you can get away with it, but if you get checked it’s not nice at all, so we really don’t advise playing with fire 😉
Hi everyone, I’m in Quito for tourism and I wanted to visit Costa Rica but passing through Colombia is it possible without a visa? Quesque you advise me thank you in advance
Hi, it doesn’t matter if you’re staying 1 day or 3 months, it all depends on your nationality 😉 You’ll find the list of countries requiring or not requiring a visa in the article.
Hello Victoir and Louis,
We’re also a French couple, and we’re planning to go to Colombia in October for 6 months
I’d like to know how you arranged your plane tickets.
If I understood Angelica and Samuel’s answer correctly, it’s best to buy an outward ticket. And to see after our trip to take a return ticket
Ps: your blog is a gem for future travelers 😁👍
Hi Johanna, you must have been in the wrong conversation, but that’s okay 😉 To answer your question, if you don’t want to fix your exact return date by buying an AR ticket, or if you have an open ticket, the easiest way is indeed to use One Way’s services to issue a temporary return ticket to clear customs.
Hi to YOU! First of all, thank you for your blog which has been with us for 3 months in Colombia, a mine of information! Thank you also for Necocli and Lorica which have been two great places (we were able to meet the natives and buy them some molas), I just have a question in connection with the visa extension online, we did it and we received a pdf link with a sheet that theoretically serves as proof, I’m a little stressed because I thought it was absolutely necessary to go to the office afterwards but not immediately after this document. Can you shed some light on this? Thank you very much and bravo again
Hi Timothée, thanks for your message and glad you could enjoy Necocli and Lorica! 🙂 Concerning your online visa extension, in principle it’s normal, everything is done online and you have the receipt attached to the confirmation e-mail, which you should absolutely keep with you in case of any checks (if possible, make a paper copy). If you have any doubts, it won’t cost you anything to check with the nearest immigration office 😉
Hello to both of you and thank you for your blog which helps us a lot to plan our trip!
We’re a French couple heading off on a 7-month adventure in South America, and we’ve chosen Colombia as our destination country :). We plan to stay 3 to 4 weeks, then head for Ecuador!
We have a round-trip, multi-destination plane ticket, with the return trip planned for Bolivia, 7 months later.
What do you recommend? Can we enter Colombia with this ticket, or would you advise us to opt for a safer solution: buy a bus ticket to Ibarra or Quito beforehand, or opt for a one-way fly?
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi there, thanks for your message 🙂 Yes, you’ll need an exit permit, so you’ll need either a bus ticket, but you’ll need to be sure of the day (which could be a shame if you want to stay a little longer or a little shorter), or you can opt for Option Way, which seems to be the easiest way to stay as free as possible with your exit date.
Thank you so much for your totally comprehensive blog, I’m going to Colombia in August and it’s going to help me a lot.
Thank you so much!
Ana
Hello and thank you for your message, which makes us very happy! We hope you have a wonderful vacation in Colombia 😉