Entry formalities in Colombia
What documents are required to enter Colombia?
If you are planning a trip to Colombia, it is essential to know the entry formalities required for a hassle-free stay in this beautiful South American country. In this article, we will provide you with a practical guide to Colombia's entry formalities, giving you all the information you need to facilitate your arrival and stay with peace of mind.
Only the documents required for tourist travel will be covered.
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Passport & Visa in Colombia
Good news for many travelers: Colombia offers visa exemption for nationals of many countries. Let’s take a detailed look at the conditions, special features and exceptions in order to be in compliance.
- Passport: a passport valid for 6 months after leaving Colombia is required. Be sure to check the expiry date on your passport. If you have to get a new one, start the process several months in advance so you don't get trapped by endless delays.
- Visa NOT REQUIRED - Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP): the Colombian government issues a Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP) upon arrival, which is a visa waiver. Only nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Colombia: Albania, Germany, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei-Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Spain, Estonia, United States of America, Russian Federation, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, El Salvador, Samoa, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.
- Visa REQUIRED for nationals of countries NOT listed above. Applications must be made online via the official Colombian government website.
- Duration of a tourist stay (90 days + 90 days): upon arrival in Colombia, the Colombian migration authorities authorize you to stay on Colombian soil for exactly 90 days (indicated on the stamp affixed to the passport). However, it is possible to apply for an extension of an additional 90 days, to potentially stay 180 days/year in Colombia. This extension is a Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP) and can be applied for free online on the official government website, about 15-20 days before the end of the 90 days of your PIP. After filling in the form and providing the required documents, if the application is accepted (which is not necessarily the case), you will only need to print out the confirmation of your PTP.
- What are the risks if I exceed the legal length of stay? If you're in an irregular situation (e.g. you've stayed 200 days instead of the maximum 180 days allowed), the Migration officer may issue sanctions when you leave. This can range from a fine of up to COP 5,000,000 (often less, at the discretion of the discretion depending on the situation) and can even lead to a temporary ban on entry.
- In the case of a long stay (around 90 days or around 180 days), make sure that the duration of your stay is legal, with a departure before the end of the 90 or 180 days. Be careful, 90 days is not 3 months and 180 days is not 6 months. Colombian Migration checks to the day, so be rigorous in your travel arrangements.
Proof of exit from Colombian territory
One of the common requirements when entering Colombia is to present proof of exit from the territory, such as a return or onward ticket. This requirement is intended to ensure that visitors intend to leave the country at the end of their authorized stay. The Colombian authorities want to ensure that travelers do not remain indefinitely in their territory without respecting the limits of their visa or their visa exemption, particularly for reasons other than tourism.
- Is proof of exit required? The Colombian authorities require proof of exit from Colombian territory during a tourist trip, within the legal duration of the authorized stay.
- What proof do I need? A confirmed reservation for transportation outside Colombia, such as a return or onward ticket to another destination, or a bus ticket to neighboring Ecuador. Please note that a flight from Ecuador to Bolivia (for example) does not work. Proof of exit must be made from Colombia itself.
- Is there a time constraint? Yes, the exit date must NOT be after the end of the authorized stay (see stamp in the passport). It is generally 90 days for citizens of the European Union.
- What should I do if I'm traveling without a specific plan? If you're on a long-haul trip and don't know when you'll be leaving Colombia, chances are you'll only have the entry ticket. For the exit ticket, go to BestOnwardTicket and book a ticket valid for 48 hours for €15 via an official agency, then automatically cancelled after 48 hours.
- What are the risks? The Colombian authorities AND the airline at the time of boarding may check the proof of exit. Failure to do so may result in the airline refusing to allow you to board, or in you not passing through the Colombian migration service and having to leave the country immediately (back to square one).
- Departure tax (if staying for more than 60 days): if you plan to stay in Colombia for more than 60 days, please note that you may be asked to pay an exit tax when you leave at the airport. This tax must be paid at the baggage check-in counter for an amount of 110,000 COP, in cash or by credit card. This tax is sometimes included in airline tickets, so be sure to check.
Practical information about Colombia
Check-Mig: immigration form
When preparing your trip to Colombia, it is important to understand the Check-Mig (migration control) process in order to facilitate your arrival and start your stay with peace of mind. It is a mandatory procedure.
- What is Check-Mig? Check-Mig is the migration control process set up by the Colombian authorities when international travellers arrive in the country. This is an essential step to check travel documents, visas and passports, and to ensure that you are authorized to enter Colombia in accordance with current rules and regulations.
- Is the Check-Mig compulsory? Yes, to enter or leave the country by air, Migration Colombia requires this document. However, since January 2023, the migration authority has lifted this requirement at land checkpoints, which will therefore not ask for registration to have been carried out.
- How do I complete the Check-Mig? The Check-Mig can be completed free of charge online via the Colombian government's official website. Please note that some unofficial websites offer the same service, but for a fee. Be sure to use the official website. All you have to do is fill in the form, a task that takes about 5 minutes.
- When should I fill in the Check-Mig? the form must be completed between 72 hours and 1 hour before the scheduled flight time. Please note that the Check-Mig must be completed both when entering Colombia and when leaving the country.
Driver’s license in Colombia
In Colombia, it is compulsory to have a valid driving license to drive a motor vehicle on the country’s roads. Driving licenses issued by foreign countries are generally accepted in Colombia, but it is important to check whether you need to obtain an international driving license or whether your national license is sufficient.
No modalities
As a tourist, you can drive in Colombia with a valid driver's license issued by your country of origin. The national license is sufficient to drive in Colombia as a tourist.
However, although it is not a legal requirement, it is recommended that you obtain an international driving license before traveling to Colombia. This document can facilitate identification procedures and communication with the Colombian authorities if necessary.
Covid-19 terms and conditions
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought its share of changes to the terms of entry into Colombia. Are there still restrictive measures in place? Do you have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 or present a negative test to enter Colombia?
End of restrictions
From April 5, 2023, the health restrictions for entry into Colombia by air, land and sea have been lifted.
In other words, it is no longer necessary to present a vaccination certificate or a PCR/antigen test to enter Colombia.
However, the situation should be monitored. In the event of a resurgence of the epidemic (which is unlikely, of course), the Colombian government could reintroduce measures concerning entry into the country.
Practical travel guide Colombia
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