Colombia visa requirements

Colombia is a fantastic nation of contrasts, diversity, and amazement. Located in the northernmost part of South America, it is a perfect holiday destination. Beaches, Andean mountains, tropical jungles, vibrant energy, warm hospitality, modern cities like Bogotá, and Cartagena and historical charms like Medellín and Cartagena are just some of its attractions.

Do you know what documentation is required for the country? Here we explain the types of visas needed for Colombia and all the Colombia visa requirements. 

Do you need a visa to go to Colombia? 

Majority of travelers to Colombia need a visa. What everyone needs, no exemptions, is the travel authorization called Check Mig Colombia. Every single person traveling to and from Colombia by air needs to apply for a Check Mig, including Colombian citizens.

Travelers from specific nationalities will need a traditional visa apart from the Check Mig. Nevertheless, there can be nationalities that can travel to Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. 

These are the nationalities that can travel to Colombia without needing a traditional visa: Albania, Germany, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Darussalam, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States of America, Estonia, Fiji, Philippines, Finland, France, Georgia, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Dominican Republic, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Saint Lucia, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Types of visas for Colombia

Check Mig Colombia

The Check Mig is a document that will allow all travelers to enter and leave Colombia. It is a mandatory travel document for everyone, including Colombian nationals. 

The Check Mig Colombia is not a Colombian traditional travel visa. It is more of a travel permit or authorization mandatory for all of the travelers that can be obtained online if you are traveling to Colombia by air. 

Some nationalities might need a traditional visa in addition to the Check Mig. If this is your case, you must apply for and possess a visa before filling out the Check Mig Colombia form. Here are some of the most requested visas for Colombia: 

Visitors visa or visa de visitante (Type V)

This visa is designed for those travelers who want to visit Colombia once or a few times only temporarily. This visa allows for airport transit, tourism, business dealings, academic exchange, studies and postgraduate studies, medical treatment, administrative and/or judicial procedures, being crew on a vessel or coastal platform, participating in events, internships, volunteering, engaging in audiovisual and/or digital production, etc. 

Migrant visa or visa de migrante (Type M)

With the migrant Visa, travelers can legally reside and work in Colombia. Travelers can get this visa if they are:

• Spouses or permanent partners of a Colombian citizen.
• Mothers or fathers of a Colombian citizen by birth or adoption.
• Nationals of a Mercosur member state.
• Workers.
• Refugees.
• Partners or owners of a company / Investors.
• Pensioners.
• A stateless person, recognized by Colombia.

Resident Visa or visa de Residente (Type R)

This visa is for individuals planning to establish permanent residency in Colombia. It may be granted to individuals who: have relinquished Colombian nationality, have accumulated the established time under other types of visa, are Venezuelan under the Temporary Protection Statute and are special peace residents.

How to get a visa for Colombia

You can fully process the Check Mig Colombia online. You won’t need to visit any embassy or consulate if you are traveling by air to Colombia and meet the Colombia visa requirements. If you are able to complete the Check Mig fully online, you must follow these steps:

1. Complete the application form by providing personal, flight, and passport details. You will be asked whether you are entering or leaving Colombia and the immigration checkpoint where you will arrive or depart from the country. If your nationality requires a visa for Colombia, you will also need to provide information about this document.
2. Pay the fees using a bank card. You will receive a confirmation receipt of the submitted application form.
3. Wait for the approved Check Mig to be sent to the email address you provided.

If you require any other type of visa, be sure to contact the nearest embassy or consulate and provide all necessary documents, ensuring you meet all Colombia visa requirements. They will then guide you through the next steps to obtain a visa for Colombia before proceeding with the Check Mig process.

Colombia visa requirements 

Each visa has its own requirements, but one of them is getting the Check Mig so might be wondering what are the requirements to apply for a Check Mig Colombia? These are the requirements to get a Check Mig Colombia: 

• Passport.
• Booking confirmation for departing or arriving flights. Details such as flight number and airline name will also be requested.
• Address, city, and phone number for your accommodation in Colombia.
• You may also be asked about your health status.
• If your nationality requires it, an approved visa for Colombia.
• Bank card to pay the fees.
• Email address to receive the approved document.

What are the entry requirements for Colombia?

To enter Colombia there are some Colombia entry requirements. These are as follows: 

• Approved Check Mig Colombia. You will need to have one to enter and one to leave Colombia.
• Valid passport.
• Visa for Colombia if needed because of your nationality.
• A current vaccination certificate for yellow fever. You can check more about Colombia vaccine requirements with our guide.

Can the Check Mig Colombia be changed once it has been processed?

No, you cannot change your Check Mig application if it has been submitted and processed. If there is any error or the government wants more information, we will contact you.

How much does a visa for Colombia cost?

For just €29, Visagov can facilitate your Check Mig Colombia. With us, you will avoid complications with the application form, long queues at embassies, and you will have 24/7 support from our team of visa processing experts.

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Check Mig Colombia?

You are allowed to apply for the Check Mig Colombia between 72 hours and 1 hour before boarding your flight. However, it’s always best to apply as early as possible in case of issues or additional information requests.

What are the entry borders to Colombia?

Colombia has different entry borders. Some of the main entry borders to Colombia include:

• Airports: some of the main airports are El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena, and José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín.
• Land borders: You can find land borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. 
• Sea ports: the main sea ports is the one in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast.

Do you need a transit visa for Colombia?

You won’t need a transit visa for Colombia, if you are going to continue your journey within the next 24 hours and on the first available flight and if you have confirmed tickets and all the documents needed for the next trip. 

You will need a visa if you are from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.