Colombia

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Colombia, your passport must be valid on entry. However, Colombian immigration authorities recommend your passport has an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave.  

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

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. 

Dual nationals  

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British-Colombian dual nationals

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

Visa requirements 

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.  

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

Applying for a visa

Check the latest entry requirements and how to apply for a visa with the Colombian Consulate General 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 Migración Colombia office (in Spanish) or register the visa online (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 Migración Colombia (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. 

Checks at border control 

Colombian authorities advise that you can speed up your entry to the country by completing the ‘Check-Mig’ form on Migración Colombia, 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. 

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 Migración Colombia (in Spanish). 

Travelling with children 

Children aged 17 and under who have resident status in Colombia and who are travelling on a British passport need a notarised letter of permission from any non-accompanying parents or parent (in Spanish). The letter must be authenticated by a notary or by a Colombian consulate. You can get more information from Migración Colombia (in Spanish) or by contacting the Colombian Consulate in the UK (in Spanish). 

San Andres Archipelago 

If you’re 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’re staying less than 24 hours. 

Departure tax 

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

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Colombia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from certain countries with a transmission risk. You may also be asked to show it if you are travelling to areas in Colombia which are considered high risk. Carry your vaccination certificate at all times.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Colombia guide.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Colombia (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into Colombia 

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

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Colombia (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into Colombia 

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

Emergency services in Colombia  

Ambulance: 123 

Fire: 119 

Police: 123 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Colombia 
• dealing with a death in Colombia  
• being arrested or imprisoned in Colombia 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime 
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO  

Help abroad   

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.  

Help in the UK   

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.   

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)   

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates   

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.   

Follow FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies  

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Colombia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks. 

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel  

Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

• all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.
• all of Arauca Department
• the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department
• within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela.

FCDO currently advises against all travel to Venezuela’s border regions with Colombia. You should not use any of the Colombia-Venezuela land crossings. 

Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

• Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá 
• the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura  
• the municipality of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca
• the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department
• the southern part of Córdoba Department
• the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department
• the southern part of Bolívar Department

Central Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

• all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare 
• Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department 
• the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales 

If travelling to the tourist site of Caño Cristales, travel by air from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company. 

Colombia-Ecuador border and southern Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the border with Ecuador except for: 

• all of Cauca Department, except for the department capital Popayán
• the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca  
• the city of Ipiales in Nariño Department 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Orito, San Miguel, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo Department. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Santa Marta Security Situation

Santa Marta remains under heightened security measures following a major operation against armed groups in the area. The city has experienced a deterioration in public order, including damage to vehicles and local businesses, and disruption to transport services. Schools and many businesses have closed. A further deployment of police and military is expected.  

Risks are also present along the main transport Route 90 (Troncal del Caribe), a route frequently used by both domestic and international visitors. This route connects Santa Marta with the Tayrona National Park, Palomino, and Riohacha. Travellers should plan ahead, follow advice of local authorities, and see safety and security section.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. If you have onward travel plans within the region, check travel advice for all destinations you plan to travel through. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.  

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO:    

• travel advice on X 
• travel advice on Facebook 
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Personal ID 

Always carry a colour printout of the photo page and Colombian visa from your passport  for identification. Keep the passport somewhere safe.

Alcohol  

It is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces. 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Colombia has severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs.

Colombian drug detection methods are sophisticated and anyone attempting to traffic drugs can expect to be arrested. British nationals have been arrested and detained for trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country. Prison conditions are harsh. Pack your own luggage and keep it with you at all times. Lock your cases to protect them from tampering. Never carry items for other people. Never exchange money for strangers, as this is a common practice among money launderers.

Spiritual cleansing 

Traditional hallucinogenic tea, known as Yagé or Ayahuasca, is brewed and marketed to tourists as spiritual cleansing. The various preparations typically contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that’s illegal in the UK and many other countries. 

There are many risks involved. Consumption is not regulated. Intoxicated travellers have been assaulted and robbed. There have also been reports of sexual assaults during these ceremonies. 

Health risks are not well understood and some people have suffered serious illnesses and in some cases death after taking these drugs. The jungle retreats are often a long way from medical facilities making the risks even greater. Some have basic medical services, but others do not. Some do not have an established plan for how you can access medical facilities in case of an emergency. 

Taking photos in secure areas

Photographing military or strategic government sites is illegal. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Colombia, but same-sex relationships are not widely accepted, especially in rural areas.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Money 

You can exchange US dollars and euros at banks and authorised money exchanges. Do not change money on the street.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants. Keep the receipts in case you need to show customs what money you have spent when you leave.