Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Nationals of many countries can enter Colombia visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, which is often extendable up to a maximum of 180 days in a calendar year. Other nationalities need a visa arranged in advance. Rules depend on your nationality, so check the official Colombian sources and your nearest consulate before you travel.
- Tourism
- Often visa-free up to 90 days
- Max per year
- Up to 180 days
- Check
- Official sources
- Visa-free entry depends on your nationality
- The 90-day stay can usually be extended up to 180 days per year
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
You need a passport that is valid for your stay in Colombia. As a rule of thumb, keep at least 6 months of validity beyond your entry date and make sure you have blank pages for the entry stamp. Some airlines and immigration officers apply the 6-month guideline strictly, so renew early if your passport is close to expiry.
- Validity
- Ideally 6 months
- Pages
- Blank page for stamp
- Renew
- Early if near expiry
- Keep at least 6 months of validity beyond your entry date
- Airlines may check passport validity before boarding
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
On arrival you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket and proof of where you are staying, along with evidence of sufficient funds for your trip. Colombia also uses an online pre-registration called Check-Mig that most air travellers should complete before departure and arrival. Have these documents ready to make immigration smoother.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Pre-register
- Check-Mig online
- Funds
- Sufficient means
- Complete Check-Mig online before your flight where required
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
If you enter or leave Colombia carrying cash or negotiable instruments equal to or above the equivalent of USD 10,000, you must declare it to customs (DIAN). Failing to declare, or splitting amounts to avoid the limit, can lead to fines and seizure. Keep the declaration and proof of the origin of large sums.
- Threshold
- USD 10,000 equivalent
- Action
- Declare to DIAN
- Risk
- Fines / seizure if not declared
- The limit covers cash and negotiable instruments combined
- Do not split amounts among travellers to avoid declaring
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Travellers may bring personal belongings and a reasonable quantity of goods duty-free, while amounts above the traveller allowance must be declared to customs (DIAN). Plants, animals and many food items are strictly controlled by the agricultural authority (ICA), so avoid bringing fresh produce, meat or seeds. Check current limits for electronics and gifts before you travel.
- Personal
- Reasonable quantity duty-free
- Declare
- Above allowance to DIAN
- Food/plants
- Controlled by ICA
- Avoid bringing fresh food, meat, plants or seeds
- Declare goods above the traveller allowance
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and penalties in Colombia are severe. Firearms, ammunition and certain weapons are banned or need special permits. Protected wildlife products, pre-Columbian artefacts and some plant and animal materials cannot be taken out of the country. Never carry items for strangers, and check restrictions before you pack.
- Banned
- Illegal drugs, weapons
- Protected
- Wildlife, antiquities
- Tip
- Never carry for others
- Do not export pre-Columbian artefacts or protected species
- Drug offences carry very severe penalties
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring only the medicines you need for your trip and keep them in their original packaging. Carry prescription drugs with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter, ideally in English or Spanish. Controlled substances, including some strong painkillers and sedatives, may face restrictions, so check before travelling and keep quantities reasonable for personal use.
- Packaging
- Keep original
- Prescription
- Carry a copy/letter
- Controlled
- Check restrictions
- A prescription or doctor's letter in English/Spanish helps
- Keep only reasonable quantities for personal use
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No vaccine is required for a normal city stay in Colombia, but a yellow fever vaccination certificate is recommended, and sometimes required, if you visit certain lowland, Amazon and natural park areas. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before entering those regions and carry the certificate. Routine vaccines should be up to date; check official health advice for the areas you plan to visit.
- Yellow fever
- Recommended for some regions
- Timing
- 10 days before entering
- City stay
- No vaccine required
- Yellow fever certificate may be needed for Amazon/park areas
- Keep routine vaccinations up to date
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
At major airports such as Bogota (El Dorado), you clear immigration with Migracion Colombia. Complete the online Check-Mig registration in advance where required, then have your passport and supporting documents ready. Officers may ask about the purpose and length of your stay and stamp your permitted days, so keep your entry stamp and check the number of days granted.
- Authority
- Migracion Colombia
- Pre-step
- Check-Mig online
- On entry
- Check stamped days
- Officers may ask the purpose and length of your visit
- Verify the number of days granted on your entry stamp
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Keep a digital and paper copy of your passport, entry stamp and Check-Mig confirmation. Note your permitted number of days and do not overstay, as fines apply. Save the local emergency number (123) and your embassy contact, and keep some cash for places that do not take cards. A little Spanish goes a long way with officials and locals.
- Copies
- Passport & stamp
- Emergency
- 123
- Stay
- Do not overstay
- Note your permitted days and avoid overstaying
- Save emergency number 123 and your embassy contact