More than 90 countries have visa exemption for tourism entry to Colombia — but "visa-free" doesn't mean "no requirements." Here's what you need depending on your situation.
Who needs a visa and who doesn't
Citizens of more than 90 countries — including the U.S., Canada, the UK, most of the European Union, Australia, and most Latin American countries — don't need a visa for short tourist stays. If your country isn't on that list, you must apply for a Visa V - Tourism at your country's Colombian consulate before traveling. Always check the updated list on the Cancillería's website, since exemption agreements change over time.
Basic documents for everyone
- Valid passport — with at least 6 months of validity from your entry date.
- Onward ticket — a return ticket or proof of continuing travel out of Colombia; can be requested at check-in or on entry.
- Proof of accommodation — hotel or Airbnb booking, though it's rarely formally checked.
- Check-Mig — a digital form completed before your flight (no longer mandatory in every case, but it speeds up the immigration process if you fill it in).
How many days you can stay
The entry stamp generally grants 90 days, but Colombia caps tourists at a maximum of 180 total days per calendar year (January 1 to December 31) — not per individual visit. If you leave and come back several times in the year, the days keep adding up toward that annual cap; leaving the country doesn't reset the counter.
How to extend your stay
You can request a Temporary Stay Permit (PTP) online through Migración Colombia, with a fee of COP 150,000 for most nationalities (Resolution 0599 of 2026) — citizens of the Schengen Area and Ecuador are exempt from this fee. The extension must be requested before your current permit expires, never after.
Yellow fever certificate
If you're arriving from certain Amazon-region or tropical countries (Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, parts of Africa), Colombia may require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It's also recommended — though not always required — if your itinerary includes rural or jungle areas within Colombia itself, like the Amazon or certain parts of the Pacific.
Before you travel, check our travel insurance guide — while not always mandatory, it protects you against medical emergencies that can be costly without coverage.
Immigration control on exit
When you leave the country, the immigration system checks that you haven't exceeded your allowed number of days — if for some reason you overstayed, you may face a financial penalty on exit, calculated based on the number of days over. Sorting out your situation before trying to leave, rather than waiting for immigration control to catch the issue, generally lets you resolve the penalty more smoothly with fewer last-minute logistical complications.
Minors traveling to Colombia
If you're traveling with a minor who isn't your biological or adopted child, or if the minor is traveling with only one parent, some airlines and immigration control may request additional authorization documentation from the absent parent — check this specific requirement with your airline before traveling, since policies can vary by the minor's nationality and the specific circumstances of the trip.
Declaring cash
If you enter or leave Colombia with more than USD 10,000 in cash (or the equivalent in another currency), you must formally declare it to the relevant customs authority — failing to declare amounts above this threshold, even if the money is entirely legitimate, can result in temporary seizure and administrative penalties while the origin of the funds is verified, a process entirely avoided by simply declaring voluntarily when crossing the border.
Specific requirements for nationalities requiring a visa
Although most Western nationalities enter without needing a prior visa, some countries must apply for a tourist visa in advance at the relevant Colombian consulate in their country of residence — check your specific nationality's situation before planning your trip, rather than automatically assuming the same visa-free entry rules that apply to most countries apply to you, to avoid surprises when trying to board your flight to Colombia.
Migración Colombia and its role in entry control
Migración Colombia is the entity responsible for all of the country's immigration control, from the entry stamp at the airport to managing any subsequent extension or regularization process — knowing this is the official reference entity (not foreign consulates or other agencies) for any question about your specific immigration status within Colombia avoids confusion about who to turn to if a question comes up during your stay.
Proof of accommodation as backup documentation
Although not always required to show at immigration control, having proof of booked accommodation (hotel, Airbnb) on hand for at least the first few days of your stay is a reasonable precaution that some immigration officers may occasionally ask for as part of a general check of your declared travel purpose.
Onward ticket as part of the entry assessment
Some immigration officers may ask for evidence of an onward ticket out of the country within your tourist visa's allowed period — though not always requested, having this information on hand (even a tentative itinerary) avoids any unexpected complication during the entry process, especially if you're traveling with luggage that suggests an extended stay.
Keeping digital and physical copies of your entry stamp
Genuinely photographing your entry stamp page immediately upon arrival, and keeping that photo easily accessible on your phone alongside the physical passport, gives you a fast, reliable reference for calculating your remaining allowed days without digging through your entire passport every time the question comes up during your stay, a small habit that genuinely saves confusion later in your trip.
Frequently asked questions
- How many days can I stay in Colombia as a tourist?
- The entry stamp generally grants 90 days, with a maximum of 180 total days per calendar year, regardless of how many times you enter and leave the country.
- Do I need mandatory travel insurance to enter Colombia?
- It's not a mandatory legal requirement for most nationalities, though it's highly recommended and some officers may ask about it as part of assessing your travel plans.
Related guides: When to visit Colombia · Tourism in Colombia (Spanish)