Colombia Visa Requirements 2026: A Practical Guide for Travelers

Colombia is keeping tourism easy in 2026, but longer stays now demand tighter paperwork and higher proof-of-funds after a 22.7% minimum wage hike raised key financial thresholds. If you’re relying on visa-free entry, you still need to track the 90-day stamp, the 180-day annual cap, and the mandatory Check‑Mig registration.

This Colombia Visa Guide 2026 explains who can enter without a visa, when you must apply online, how long each status lasts, and what officers usually ask for at the airport. It also breaks down the steps, costs, and realistic timelines, so you can plan flights, housing, work, or study without last-minute surprises.

2026 entry rules that matter on arrival

Colombia gives visa-free entry to citizens of 102 countries and territories for tourism and short business trips. On arrival, immigration officers usually grant an initial 90‑day stay, shown as a stamp.

For many travelers, the key limits are:

• Initial 90 days on arrival, and
• Maximum 180 days per calendar year, even if you enter and leave multiple times.

Before you fly, you must complete Colombia’s free Check‑Mig form between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. Airlines and border officers regularly ask for it. The government provides it through Migración Colombia’s official pre-registration system at:
Check-Mig (Migración Colombia)

Colombia also enforces standard passport rules:

• At least 6 months validity remaining on your passport
• At least 2 blank pages
• Be ready to show proof of onward travel (return or onward ticket) if requested

Who still needs a visa, and who qualifies for special waivers

Many nationalities enter Colombia without applying in advance, including travelers from the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, the UK, Australia, and most EU countries. Some Latin American citizens can enter using a national ID instead of a passport.

Colombia still requires visas upfront for a list that includes Algeria, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Vietnam (without waiver), and Zambia. The formal reference point is the Foreign Ministry’s visa and nationality guidance, available at:
the Cancillería’s official visa portal

A key 2026 waiver affects travelers from Cambodia, China, India, Macau, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. These nationals can get 90‑day visa‑free entry if they hold a valid U.S. or Schengen visa or equivalent residency that remains valid for at least 180 days from arrival.

Warning: If you plan to stay beyond your entry stamp, do not “wait and see.” Overstaying can trigger fines up to COP 1,400,000, plus removal and future entry problems.

The three visa families: V, M, and R

Colombia’s visas fall into three main classes. Most applications run through the Cancillería’s online platform.

• Visitor (V)
• Covers tourism, short business, events, medical treatment, and the digital nomad category for remote work.
• Can be valid up to 2 years, but limited to 180 days per entry.
• Important: A V visa generally does not allow local employment unless the specific subcategory explicitly permits it.

• Migrant (M)

• Covers work, studies, investment, family reunification, and retirement.
• Can be valid up to 3 years and is renewable.

• Typical route for lawful work authorization.

• Resident (R)

• For long-term residence, often after major investment or sufficient time in M status.
• Indefinite and can be a step toward citizenship.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the biggest practical change for applicants in 2026 is higher income and savings proof tied to the raised minimum wage baseline.

How the 22.7% wage hike changes solvency proof

Colombia ties many visa “solvency” checks to the monthly minimum wage, the SMMLV. After the December 30, 2025 increase, the SMMLV is COP 1,423,500.

That figure affects the amounts applicants must show:

If your documents show income in another currency, keep bank letters and statements consistent. Officers and reviewers look for a clear monthly pattern, not a single lump-sum transfer.

A realistic 2026 application timeline — 5 actions

Most Colombian visa applications are digital; decisions usually arrive by email. Official processing is listed as 5 to 30 business days, with an average often around 10 to 15 days. Build in buffer time.

1. Match your purpose to the correct visa class.

– V for short stays or remote work; M for work, study, investment, or family; R for long-term residence.
2. Prepare documents in the right format.
– Upload clear PDFs, use recent documents, and translate to Spanish when required. Apostille or legalization applies for many foreign documents.
3. Apply online and pay the study fee.
– Tourist study fees are shown as USD 50; many categories require a paid “study” stage before issuance.
4. Complete any interview step if requested.
– Some first-time Visitor cases and complex profiles are handled at consulates abroad.
5. Pay the issuance fee after approval and travel with printed proof.
– Visas are issued digitally, but printed copies help at airlines and land borders.

Document checklist that prevents delays

Applicants are routinely asked for the same core items, even when the purpose differs. Bring or upload:

• Passport meeting the 6‑month validity and 2 blank pages rule
• Two color photos, 3×3 cm, white background
• Proof of purpose: invitation letter, employment contract, enrollment confirmation, or investment records
• Bank statements for the last 6 months or other solvency evidence tied to your visa type
• Health insurance with international coverage
• Police clearance, apostilled where required
• Onward or return ticket that matches your planned stay

Note: For travel to San Andrés and Providencia, many visitors must purchase a Tourist Card (around USD 35), often bundled with flights.

Fees, extensions, and the 180-day trap

Colombia typically splits visa costs into a study fee and an issuance fee. Examples for 2026:

• Visitor/Tourist: USD 50 study fee + USD 45 to USD 250 issuance (category-dependent)
• Migrant: USD 52 study fee + USD 230 to USD 350 issuance
• Tourist stay extension: USD 27 via Migración Colombia (free for Schengen citizens)
• Exit tax: about USD 35 (often included in airline tickets)

Tourists arriving visa‑free can extend once to reach 180 days per year, but timing is critical:

• Apply at least two weeks before your entry stamp expires.
• Keep copies of your passport bio page and entry stamp to support the extension.

After arrival: compliance that protects future trips

If you will stay more than three months, Colombia requires registration for a Cédula de Extranjería. Long‑stay residents should:

• Keep their address updated in immigration records (relevant for renewals and future visas)
• Carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate when traveling to rural zones or the Amazon, where it is a practical requirement

Key takeaway: A visa or approval notice supports entry, but the border officer still decides admission. Carry the documents that match your declared purpose, and keep your itinerary, bookings, and insurance consistent with your application and answers at the border.