Guide to visiting Colombia as a tourist, covering visa-free entry, the Check-Mig form, visa application procedures, and rules for extending your stay in Colombia.
Determine if your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry
Citizens of about 100 countries (including the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most of Latin America) can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. No advance application is required.
Understand the 90-day initial stay and 180-day annual limit
Visa-free visitors get 90 days on arrival, extendable to 180 days total per calendar year. Once you hit 180 days in a year, you cannot re-enter until the next calendar year or obtain a different visa type.
If visa required, identify the correct category (V-Turismo)
Nationals requiring a visa apply for the V-type (Visitor) visa under the Turismo subcategory. The fee is approximately $52 USD. Apply online through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal, not at the embassy.
Pre-Arrival Requirements
Complete the Check-Mig form online within 72 hours of departure
The Check-Mig form is mandatory for all travelers entering or leaving Colombia. Complete it at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co within 72 hours (but no earlier than 72 hours) before your flight. You receive a confirmation email — save it.
Visit apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co
Enter flight details, passport info, and accommodation
Save or screenshot the confirmation email
Passport with at least 6 months validity and blank pages
Colombia requires at least 3 months of passport validity, but airlines enforce 6 months. Have at least 2 blank pages. Colombian immigration stamps are large and take up significant page space.
Proof of return or onward travel
Immigration officers regularly ask for return flight proof, especially for US and European travelers. Bus tickets out of Colombia (to Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil) also count. Without proof, entry may be denied.
Yellow fever vaccination if arriving from an endemic country
Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country in Africa or the Americas. The certificate must show vaccination at least 10 days before arrival. If visiting Colombian jungle regions (Amazonas, Chocó), vaccination is strongly recommended regardless.
Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds
Hotel bookings, hostel reservations, or an Airbnb confirmation showing your address in Colombia. While not always checked, immigration can ask for proof of financial means — a credit card and recent bank statement showing $30-50 USD per day of stay is sufficient.
Online Visa Application (If Required)
Register at the Colombian visa portal (tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co)
The entire visa process is online — you do not visit an embassy. Create an account, fill the form, upload documents, and pay online. The portal is available in Spanish and English.
Documents must be in PDF format, under 5MB each. The passport scan must show the full data page. Photos must be 3x4 cm with white background. Bank statements must be from the last 3 months and show at least $1,500 USD equivalent.
Pay the visa fee ($52 USD) online
Payment is by credit/debit card only. The fee is non-refundable. After payment, your application enters the review queue. You receive a payment confirmation email with a tracking number.
Wait for processing (5-15 business days)
Check your application status using the tracking number on the portal. If additional documents are requested, you have 30 days to respond before the application is automatically denied. Approval is sent by email as a PDF visa.
Register your visa with Migración Colombia (cédula de extranjería)
Within 15 days of arriving in Colombia, register your visa at the nearest Migración Colombia office. This is mandatory. Bring your passport, visa printout, and a passport photo. The registration costs approximately 230,000 COP (about $55 USD).
Arriving in Colombia
Present passport, Check-Mig confirmation, and visa (if applicable)
At Bogotá El Dorado Airport (BOG), immigration takes 15-40 minutes. Medellín (MDE), Cartagena (CTG), and Cali (CLO) airports are faster. The officer may ask about your itinerary, accommodation, and return date.
Receive your entry stamp — verify the number of days granted
Visa-free visitors typically receive 90 days, but the immigration officer has discretion to grant fewer days (sometimes 30 or 60). Check the stamp immediately and request 90 days if you need them — it is harder to correct afterward.
Keep the stamped passport page accessible throughout your trip
Hotels are legally required to check your passport and entry stamp at check-in. Police can request your passport during ID checks. Carry the original — photocopies are generally accepted for everyday situations but not for official police checks.
Declare cash exceeding $10,000 USD (or equivalent) at customs
Amounts over $10,000 USD must be declared on the customs form. Undeclared amounts above this limit can be confiscated. Colombia has strict anti-money-laundering enforcement — even amounts close to the limit may trigger questions.
Extending Your Stay
Apply for an extension at Migración Colombia (online or in person)
Apply through the Migración Colombia website or visit their office in Bogotá (Calle 100), Medellín, Cartagena, or other major cities. Extensions cost approximately 130,000 COP (about $30 USD). Apply at least 5 days before your stamp expires.
Visit migracioncolombia.gov.co or a local office
Bring passport, proof of funds, and return ticket
Extension grants up to 90 additional days (180 days max per year)
The combined total of initial stay plus extension cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year. If you entered on January 1 with 90 days and extend for 90 more, you must leave by June 29 and cannot re-enter until the next year.
Overstay penalties and consequences
Overstaying incurs a fine of approximately 477,000 COP (about $115 USD) plus a potential entry ban. Pay the fine at a Migración Colombia office before departure. Overstays exceeding 30 days can result in deportation and a 5-year entry ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Colombia?
US citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits to Colombia of up to 90 days. Immigration stamps your passport upon arrival with a 90-day authorization. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. You may need to show proof of a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds. Citizens of most Western, South American, and many Asian countries also enter visa-free.
Can I extend my stay in Colombia beyond 90 days?
Yes, you can request a 90-day extension (for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year) at any Migracion Colombia office. The extension costs approximately COP 130,000 (about $32) and should be requested before your initial 90-day period expires. You need your passport, a completed online form through the Migracion Colombia website, and proof of financial means. Overstaying results in fines of approximately $25 per day, and repeated overstays can result in entry bans.
Is Colombia safe for tourists in 2026?
Major tourist destinations (Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, the Coffee Triangle, San Andres Island) have seen dramatic safety improvements and are generally safe for tourists with standard precautions. Avoid displaying expensive items, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, inDrive, DiDi), and be cautious in unfamiliar neighborhoods at night. Some rural and border areas have travel advisories due to armed group activity. Scopolamine (drugging) incidents, while rare, do occur; never accept food, drinks, or cigarettes from strangers.
What is the Colombia digital nomad visa?
Colombia offers a Digital Nomad Visa (V-type visa) allowing remote workers to stay for up to 2 years. Requirements include proof of remote employment or freelance work for a company outside Colombia, health insurance valid in Colombia, and a minimum monthly income of 3 times the Colombian minimum wage (approximately $900-1,000/month in 2026). The visa costs approximately $52-177 depending on processing. Digital nomad visa holders are not subject to Colombian income tax on foreign-sourced income during the first year.