Foreign travel advice

Colombia

Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia.

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of Colombia鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.鈥�

The authorities in Colombia set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the (for English choose 鈥業ngles鈥� from the drop down menu).

Passport validity requirements聽

To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid on entry.聽However, Colombian immigration authorities recommend your passport has an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave.聽聽

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.聽聽

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.聽

Dual nationals聽聽

If you鈥檙e a British-Colombian dual national, you must enter and leave Colombia using your Colombian passport and Colombian identification card (Cedula).聽

Visa requirements聽

You can visit Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa for business or tourism, at the discretion of the Colombian immigration officer on arrival.聽聽

You must be able to show an onward or return ticket valid within the 90-day period.聽

Applying for a visa

Check the latest entry requirements and how to apply for a visa with the in London before you travel.

If you have a Colombian visa with more than 90 days of validity, you must register the visa at a (in Spanish) or (in Spanish) within 15 days of arrival in Colombia. If you do not register, you may get a fine.

You may be able to extend your stay once you are in Colombia by up to 120 days by applying at the immigration office (in Spanish). As a visitor, you cannot remain in Colombia for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.

If you overstay your visa, you could get a fine, or be deported at your own cost.聽

Checks at border control聽

Colombian authorities advise that you can speed up your entry to the country by , although this is not mandatory. You can complete the form between 72 hours and one hour before you travel to Colombia. You will receive a confirmation email that you will need to show to immigration officials when you arrive.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.聽

If you enter Colombia by land, sea or river, make sure the immigration authorities stamp your passport. If it is not stamped, you could get a fine when you leave. If the immigration office on the border is closed, go to the nearest office of (in Spanish).聽

Travelling with children聽

Children aged 17 and under who have resident status in Colombia and who are travelling on a British passport need a (in Spanish). The letter must be authenticated by a notary or by a Colombian consulate. You can get more information from (in Spanish) or by contacting the (in Spanish).聽

San Andres Archipelago聽

If you鈥檙e travelling to the islands of San Andres, Providencia or Santa Catalina, you must buy a tourist card from the boarding gate, on the day of the flight. You do not need one if you鈥檙e staying less than 24 hours.聽

Departure tax聽

Departure tax is usually included in the price of the airline ticket, but check with your airline.聽聽

Vaccine requirements聽聽

To enter Colombia, you must have a certificate to prove you鈥檝e had a yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from certain countries with a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Customs rules聽

There are strict rules about (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.聽

Taking money into Colombia聽

You can bring up to 10,000 US dollars-worth of any currency into Colombia. You must declare anything above this amount with the (in Spanish).聽聽