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What documents do I need to travel to Colombia? Practical Guide 2025

What documents do I need to travel to Colombia? Practical Guide 2025

Imagine this: you already have your plane ticket, your desire for adventure is at its peak, and you can almost smell the Colombian coffee from here... but when you arrive at the airport, you realize that you are missing a key document. Oops. 😬 Don't let that happen to you.

Colombian Coffee

This article will tell you, in a simple and clear way, what documents you need to travel to Colombia in 2025. If you continue reading, we assure you that you will have everything ready for your trip, and at the end we even tell you a little-known trick to get through immigration faster.

🧳 Basic documents to enter Colombia

The first and most important document is your passport. If you are a foreigner (not Colombian), you need a passport that has a minimum validity of 6 months at the time of entering the country.

  • It must be in good condition

  • Without torn or stained pages

  • With at least one blank page for the entry stamp

Extra tip: Carry a photocopy of the passport in case you lose it.

🌍 Visa (only if your country requires it)

Not all countries need a visa to enter Colombia as a tourist. Many visitors can enter for up to 90 days without a visa, but it is always better to check if your nationality is on the list.

Countries that do NOT need a visa to enter Colombia for tourism:

  • America: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.

  • Europe: Albania, Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

  • Asia: Brunei-Darussalam, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, India (with special conditions), Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand (with special conditions), Taiwan (with special conditions), Vietnam (with special conditions).

  • Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu.

  • Africa: Morocco, Seychelles.

What if my country does need a visa?

In that case, you will have to:

  1. Apply for the visa online on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
    👉 https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa

  2. Submit documents such as:

    • Valid passport

    • Invitation letter or accommodation reservation

    • Trip itinerary

    • Proof of financial funds

  3. Wait for approval (usually takes between 5 and 15 business days)

🛬 Exit ticket from the country

Colombia may ask you for a proof that you are going to leave the country, either with a return ticket or a flight to another destination. It's not a minor detail: if you don't have it, they could deny you entry.

Flight to Colombia

💉 Vaccines (do I need any?)

Generally, no vaccines are required to enter Colombia. But, if you are going to visit jungle areas like the Amazon, yellow fever is not mandatory, but we recommend you to get it.

  • Apply it at least 10 days before the trip

  • Carry the vaccination card

🩺 Below we leave you a blog where we explain everything about the necessary vaccines to travel to Colombia. It's worth reading!

💻 Check-Mig: Mandatory online registration

This is a step you cannot skip. It is a form that all travelers must complete before entering or leaving the country.

📌 And yes, we also have a blog with more details on how to fill it out step by step. It's right below too!

💰 Proof of financial funds

Although they don't always ask for it, it's better to be safe. Carry:

  • Bank statements

  • Credit or debit cards

  • Employment letter if applicable

This shows that you can cover your expenses during your stay.

✅ Recommended additional documents

They are not mandatory, but they can save you from trouble:

  • International medical insurance (highly recommended)

  • Hotel reservations or invitation letter

  • Digital copies of all your documents

  • Address of the accommodation in Colombia

Church of Las Lajas

❓ Frequently asked questions

  • Can I enter Colombia with only an ID if I am from South America?

    Yes, if you are from countries like Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador or Paraguay, you can enter only with your valid ID or DNI. However, it must be in good condition and have a photograph.

  • Can minors travel alone to Colombia?

    Yes, but they need: Passport, Notarized authorization signed by both parents, Required documents such as Check-Mig, exit ticket, etc.

  • How long can I stay in Colombia as a tourist?

    Up to 90 days per entry, with the possibility of requesting an extension for another 90 days. But you cannot stay more than 180 days in total in a calendar year.

🧠 Don't forget this...

  • Maximum allowed in cash: 10 million Colombian pesos.

  • Keep physical and digital copies of everything.

  • If you exchange money, do it in authorized exchange houses or banks, never on the street.

🎁 Bonus tip: How to get through immigration faster in Colombia?

Register for free in "Biomig", the system that speeds up your passage through immigration with facial recognition.

👉 More information: https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/biomig

🧭 Final words (but important)

Colombia is a spectacular country, but to enjoy it without stress, the first thing is to arrive with the correct documents. You already know what you need: valid passport, exit ticket, completed Check-Mig and check if you need a visa.

La Guajira Colombia

Thank you for reading our guide! ✈️ We hope this information has cleared the way for your next adventure. Have a good trip, Mochiliante! 😉🌎 See you in another destination full of tips and good vibes.

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