Colombia Entry Requirements and Restrictions
Colombia Entry Restrictions and Conditions are a set of rules that all visitors to Colombia must follow in order to enter the country without any problems. These requirements outline the documents required in advance of a planned trip as well as additional restrictions implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic. Among the most essential documents any traveler must have are a valid passport and visa to Colombia.
Colombia's visa policy determines the types of visas required based on the traveler's nationality, expected length of stay, and purpose of travel. Some visitors from different countries can apply for a Colombian visa online. Those not listed as eligible for an electronic visa to Colombia, also known as a tourist visa, will have to appear in person at a Colombian embassy or consulate.
Additionally, Colombia's immigration policy stipulates that foreign nationals who plan to move and/and work in Colombia or/and stay in the country long-term will need to obtain an appropriate permit or visa.
Currently, international visitors can enter Colombia by air, land or sea. However, in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, they must meet certain entry requirements, which may vary depending on factors such as the traveler's age and vaccination status.
Please note that entry regulations into Colombia can change at short notice, so make sure you are aware of the most up-to-date information. Learn more about current travel and entry requirements to Colombia, and ensure you can access Colombia seamlessly.
Who can enter Colombia?
Currently, vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign visitors are allowed to travel to Colombia. Unvaccinated travelers can arrive by air or land, while cruise passengers must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter Colombian territory.
Document checklist for entering Colombia
All Colombian citizens and residents must have:
- valid passport
- a completed Check-MIG form
- PCR/antigen testing is performed 72/48 hours before travel
All foreign visitors to Colombia must have:
- valid passport
- a completed Check-MIG form
- a round-trip ticket (preferably a plane ticket)
- Colombian visa (if applicable)
- Covid-19 vaccination certificate (if vaccinated)
- PCR/antigen test performed 72/48 hours before travel (if not vaccinated)
- Travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Visitors are fully vaccinated
If you have received your full Covid-19 vaccination schedule, you are generally allowed to cross the Colombian border without testing. However, if you plan to enter Colombia by sea, you must provide a negative PCR test report taken within 72 hours before you plan to enter the country or an antigen test taken appeared 48 hours ago.
Travelers who are not fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated
Overseas travelers who have started a vaccination program but have not completed it, who received their last dose of vaccine less than 14 days before traveling, or who have not been vaccinated will be required to provide a PCR test negative. This must be done within 72 days. hours or an antigen test taken 48 hours before boarding.
Vaccination required
Colombia allows entry for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Vaccinated travelers can present a certificate confirming that they have received one of the Covid-19 vaccines approved by the WHO or the United Nations, including:
- Johnson & Johnson
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Modern
- Astra Zeneca
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac/Coronavac
- covaxin
- Sputnik V
- CanSino
The minimum time that must pass since the second vaccination is 14 days to be recognized as full vaccination.
Important:
If you plan to enter Colombia by boat, you must be fully vaccinated!
Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination may be in printed or electronic form and must include:
- first and last name
- Type and identification number
- vaccination date
- name of vaccine manufacturer
- number of vaccines administered
Quarantine required
Currently, travelers to Colombia, regardless of vaccination status, do not need to quarantine after arriving in Colombia.
Traveling from Colombia
All travelers leaving Colombia should remember to complete the Check-MIG form 24 hours before departure (1 hour at the latest).
Passengers leaving Colombia and wishing to return to their country of origin or continue their journey to another destination must be at the Colombia airport 3 hours before departure. They must also wear masks when entering the airport, throughout the flight until arriving at the destination port.
Before traveling, they should check the applicable immigration and health status in their destination country. These may be frequent changes over short periods of time.
Traveling to Colombia
In addition to all required documents, such as a completed MIG Check, proof of Covid-19 vaccination and/or negative test results, all passengers with flights lasting more than 2 hours must have mask and change masks throughout the trip.
Because travelers over the age of 60 or those with comorbidities are more susceptible to Covid-19 symptoms, they are especially advised to use N-95 masks during flights.
Entry Rules for Children
Children aged 17 and younger are exempt from showing the vaccination proof or Covid-19 negative test results in order to enter Colombia.
Local Covid-19 and travel restrictions
As of May 1, according to new guidelines, masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor public spaces, in cities where at least 70% of the population is twice vaccinated and where 40% of the population number have been vaccinated again.
Mask wearing will remain mandatory on public transport, health and education centres, as well as in cities where Covid-19 vaccination rates are relatively low. Additionally, wearing masks outdoors is no longer mandatory, except in municipalities with a vaccinated population rate of less than 70%.
Additionally, the requirement to provide proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, large events and clubs has also been lifted nationwide.
Transit through Colombia- rules during the Covid-19 pandemic
To transit through Colombia en route to another travel destination, you must comply with Covid-19 and the entry restrictions that apply to all travelers to Colombia.
For more information about specific requirements when shipping through Colombia, you should contact your airline. Depending on the airline you plan to fly, these regulations may vary.
Visa requirements
Travel without a visa
Colombia allows visa-free entry for short stays of no more than 90 days. Citizens of about a hundred different countries can enter Colombia without needing a visa for their trip. Exempt travelers arriving in Colombia will need to receive a PIP-5 entry permit stamp in their passport. This stamp confirms that they are allowed to stay in Colombia for a maximum of 3 months.
Visa-exempt travelers can also extend their stay for an additional three months without leaving Colombia. Colombian authorities allow visitors to stay in Colombia without a visa for up to 180 days in a calendar year. However, if the traveler needs to stay longer in Colombia, a corresponding visa will be required for a longer period.
Colombian visa
If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to apply for a visa before arriving in Colombia. Depending on the purpose of travel and expected length of stay in Colombia, individuals may need to apply for different types of visas. Citizens of more than 40 countries must apply for a tourist visa issued at a Colombian embassy or consulate. Some nationalities can start the visa application process online, collect the necessary documents, and go to the nearest Colombian embassy or consulate to complete the visa application procedures.
Applicants who are not eligible to apply for a visa online should contact the Colombian diplomatic mission directly for more information.
Please note! Any holder of a Colombian visa valid for more than 90 days must apply for a visa at the Migración Colombia office or online. Registration must take place within 15 days of arrival in Colombia. Failure to do so may result in a fine.
Colombia Check-MIG
Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Colombian authorities have issued an additional mandatory travel document for anyone entering or leaving Colombia. The MIG Check form must be completed within 24 hours of intended entry into Colombia or up to 1 hour before departure.
Colombia Check-MIG is a single-entry document, which means that every time you want to enter or exit Colombia, you will need to fill out a new form.
The Check-MIG form was introduced in September 2020 with the aim of ensuring the security of international visitors, border agents and Colombian citizens. The form requires travelers to provide all necessary information. Colombian authorities can quickly contact infected people and take other protective measures to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Important note:
Check-MIG Colombia is not equivalent to a Colombian visa. If you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the Visa Waiver Program, in addition to Check-MIG, you will also need to apply for a visa to enter Colombia easily.
Travel Insurance
Colombia does not require visitors to purchase travel health insurance before their trip. However, we strongly recommend that all travelers to Colombia purchase travel insurance that covers Covid-19. This is a very smart decision that can save you a lot of money and protect you during your stay in Colombia.
When looking for the ideal type of insurance, consider your specific travel plans and try to choose the policy that best fits your travel needs.
