Colombia entry requirements

Entering Colombia as a tourist is straightforward: most Western visitors don’t need a visa, only a passport, and passport control takes a few minutes. Rules change often, though, and a few details (Check-MIG, an onward ticket, documents for children) are worth sorting out before you fly. Here’s everything you need, with the official sources to double-check. If you’re still choosing dates, see when to visit Colombia.

What you need to enter Colombia: checklist

Document	Needed?	Notes
Passport	yes	valid and in good condition; ideally 6+ months’ validity left
Tourist visa	no, for US, Canadian, Australian, NZ and EU citizens	up to 90 days; UK citizens should check GOV.UK
Check-MIG	recommended	free, online, from 72 hours to 1 hour before your flight
Return or onward ticket	may be requested	at the airport or at check-in
First accommodation address	may be requested	keep your booking handy
Health insurance	not mandatory	strongly recommended
Vaccinations	none required from Europe or North America	yellow fever recommended for some areas

Passport: how long must it be valid?

You need a valid passport in good condition: Colombian officials can refuse entry if it’s damaged, with torn pages or a worn cover. Colombian law doesn’t set a minimum remaining validity, but many airlines and transit countries do: to be safe, travel with at least six months’ validity beyond your return date and a couple of blank pages.

Do you need a visa for Colombia?

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union don’t need a visa for tourism. On arrival you receive a permit to stay for up to 90 days, which can be extended online through Migración Colombia up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. Apply for the extension before your permit expires.

UK citizens: British nationals have long been able to visit visa-free, but in late 2024 the Colombian government announced it would introduce visas for UK citizens in response to new UK rules for Colombians. Check the current position on GOV.UK’s Colombia travel advice before booking.

If you’re travelling to work, study or volunteer, or want to stay longer, you’ll need a visa from Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería).

How to fill in Check-MIG step by step

Check-MIG is Migración Colombia’s online pre-registration form. In 2026 the agency describes it as recommended but not mandatory, because it speeds up immigration checks; some airlines still ask for it at check-in, so I’d always complete it.

1. When: from 72 hours to 1 hour before your flight, both when entering and leaving Colombia by air. It isn’t used for land crossings.
2. Where: only on the official Migración Colombia website (migracioncolombia.gov.co), Check-MIG section. It’s free: avoid sites that charge a fee.
3. What to enter: passport details, flight number, the address of your first accommodation and a few health questions.
4. Who: one form per traveller, children included.
5. At the end: you receive a confirmation email. Save it on your phone or print it.

Checks on arrival at the airport

At passport control the officer may ask for:

• your return or onward ticket;
• the address of your first accommodation;
• the purpose of your trip and how long you’ll stay.

Less often you may be asked to show you have enough money for your stay. Answer simply and consistently with your Check-MIG.

Health: no vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from Europe or North America. The yellow fever vaccine is still recommended for at-risk areas such as Tayrona and the Amazon, and Parques Nacionales has asked for the certificate at some parks in the past: talk to your doctor at least ten days before you travel and bring your international certificate with you.

Insurance: travel health insurance isn’t an entry requirement for tourists, but it’s strongly recommended: private healthcare in Colombia can be expensive and a GHIC or EHIC card isn’t valid there.

Travelling to Colombia with children

• Every child needs their own passport.
• If a child is travelling with only one parent or with other adults, carry a signed consent letter from the absent parent(s) and a copy of the birth certificate: it isn’t always checked, but it can save you trouble.
• Be careful with children who also hold Colombian nationality: to leave Colombia without both parents they need a permit signed before a notary or at a Colombian consulate. Check with the consulate before you travel.

Mistakes to avoid

• Paying a website for Check-MIG: the official form is free.
• Travelling with a damaged passport: even a loose cover can cause problems.
• Having no onward ticket: some airlines won’t board you on a one-way ticket.
• Forgetting about connections: an ESTA is required even just to transit through the United States.

Sources to check before you go

• Your government’s travel advice for Colombia (GOV.UK, the US State Department or your country’s equivalent). We’ve summed up the key advice in our guide to safety in Colombia.
• The Migración Colombia website, for Check-MIG and stay extensions.
• Your airline, for any extra requirements at connecting airports.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the EU don’t need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year. UK citizens should check the current rules on GOV.UK.

Is the Check-MIG form mandatory?

In 2026 Migración Colombia describes it as recommended but not mandatory; some airlines still ask for it at check-in. It’s free on the official website, from 72 hours to 1 hour before your flight.

How long must my passport be valid for Colombia?

Colombia only requires a valid passport in good condition, but it’s safest to travel with at least six months’ validity remaining.

Do I need a return ticket to enter Colombia?

It may be requested both by your airline at check-in and at passport control: travel with a return ticket or an onward ticket to another country.