Colombia visa and entry requirements

The UK Foreign Office says your passport must be valid on entry to Colombia, and that Colombian immigration authorities recommend at least 6 months' validity beyond the date you plan to leave.

• Yellow fever (ICVP) — The UK Foreign Office says you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Colombia if you are arriving from certain countries with a transmission risk, and that you may also be asked to show it if you are travelling to areas of Colombia considered high risk.

Colombia's Foreign Ministry asks applicants for a Visitor (V) tourism visa for health insurance with cover in Colombia against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalisation, death or repatriation, for the planned stay. No official source we could read states an insurance requirement for visa-free visitors. The UK government advises checking before you travel that you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation.

Colombia's Foreign Ministry says that on entry the immigration authority will require holders of a Visitor (V) tourism visa to show that they hold the corresponding exit ticket. The UK government's travel advice tells British visitors they must be able to show an onward or return ticket valid within the 90-day period.

Colombia's Foreign Ministry asks applicants for a Visitor (V) tourism visa to show economic solvency, their own or their host's, through bank statements for the six months before applying showing monthly income of at least ten legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV). No official source we could read states a proof-of-funds requirement for visa-free visitors.

• Check-Mig pre-registration — Migración Colombia's free Check-Mig service is not mandatory: travellers entering or leaving Colombia may pre-load their trip details from 72 hours up to one hour before travel, which substantially speeds up the immigration interview, and the confirmation received by email can be shown at the control. (between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight) apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co ↗(opens in a new tab)

Under Decree 1067 of 2015, a foreigner who remains in Colombia after the term granted in their visa or permit has expired is in irregular stay and is deported, unless special circumstances justify a fine, which is set between 26.31 and 210.50 tax value units (UVT). A deported foreigner may return only after the period set in the deportation decision, between six months and ten years, and with a visa. Migración Colombia may let a foreigner who entered regularly and has been in irregular stay for no more than 30 days leave on a late-stay permit after acknowledging responsibility.

Done by the accommodation.

Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, aparthotels, campsites and other lodging providers keep a daily register of foreign guests (full name, nationality, identity document, date of birth, gender, profession, place of origin, destination, and arrival and departure dates). They report the final arrivals and departures of foreigners to Migración Colombia daily, by the means set for that purpose. Failing any of these obligations gives rise to economic sanctions. SIRE is Migración Colombia's official tool for reporting the lodging of foreigners.

If not done: Economic sanctions apply when owners, managers, tenants or holders of hotels, guesthouses, hostels, aparthotels and other lodging providers fail any of the decree's obligations.

Register on the official site ↗(opens in a new tab)

• National tourism tax (impuesto con destino al turismo) — 15 USD per person per trip. Included in the air ticket.

  Under Law 1101 of 2006, every passenger whose international air ticket includes Colombia and originates abroad pays a national tourism tax of USD 15, which airlines must include in the ticket price. Passengers in international transit or connection do not pay it.

  Exemptions: Passengers arriving in Colombia in international transit or connection.

The UK Foreign Office says you can bring up to 10,000 US dollars' worth of any currency into Colombia, and must declare anything above this amount with the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN). No Colombian source we could read states the threshold.