Colombia Entry Requirements for Travelers: (2026 guide, visa, passport, and immigration form)

Colombian entry requirements for travelers

Are you planning to travel to Colombia? If so, you need to be prepared for the entry requirements and essential information that will affect your trip. Colombia is a wonderful country to visit, and after seven trips, I still find it worth the paperwork. But it does have rules you need to follow.

In this guide are a few essentials that will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Colombia:

• Passport and entry fee
• Gender identifier and visa requirements
• Electronic immigration form and entry stamp
• Vaccine requirements and altitude considerations
• Legal considerations and embassy information
• Rainy season caution

Paperwork sorted? The next thing to get right is staying safe once you land. My free checklist covers the scams to know, where to stay in each city, and the red flags to walk away from.

Let’s get started!

Passport and Entry Fee

Passport Check

First things first. Check your passport. Don’t just confirm it’s still in your sock drawer. Look at the expiry date. Make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry into Colombia. Many countries require this, and Colombia is no exception. An expired passport can lead to delays or denied entry. If your passport is close to expiring, renew it early. Processing times and appointment slots can fill up fast.

Entry Fee for Canadians

If you’re Canadian, Colombia charges an entry fee every time you arrive, whether by air, land, or sea. The fee has been in place since November 14, 2023. As of October 2026 it’s COP 270,000, roughly CA$85 to $90 depending on the exchange rate. It’s a reciprocity fee, Colombia’s response to the visa rules Canada sets for Colombians.

You can pay it two ways:

Online before you fly. On the Migración Colombia website, go to the entry fee payment page and pick the Canada option (it’s listed together with Nicaragua). Pay, then take a screenshot of the receipt with the reference number. Show it to the immigration officer when you land.
At the airport. Credit card only. When you get to the front of the immigration line, you may be sent to a separate counter to pay before you get your stamp.
You don’t pay the fee if you’re under 14 or over 79, you hold a valid Colombian visa, you’re only connecting through a Colombian airport, or San Andrés or Providencia is your final destination.

The amount changes from time to time, so check the current fee before you go.

Credit Card Tip

When you make your first transaction in Colombia, enter your PIN manually. This signals to your credit card company that it’s you using the card. It helps prevent your card from being flagged or blocked. You can also call your bank before your trip to share your travel dates. That extra step can save you a headache later.

Gender Identifier and Visa Requirements

When traveling with a passport bearing an “X” gender identifier, be aware that certain countries may not recognize this designation. Colombia is one of the countries that does not have a specific policy or procedure for travelers with an “X” gender identifier on their passports. This means that you may face some challenges or questions when entering or exiting Colombia, or when accessing services or facilities that require identification.

For stays up to 90 days, a tourist visa is not required for Canadian citizens who travel to Colombia for leisure, tourism, or family visits. However, business and student visas are mandatory for their respective purposes. If you plan to travel to Colombia for work, study, or other activities that are not covered by the tourist visa, you need to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements and application processes for these visas well in advance of your intended travel dates.

You can find more information about the different types of visas and how to apply for them on the Government of Canada’s Colombia travel page.

Electronic Immigration Form and Entry Stamp

Fill out the Check-Mig form online between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight to Colombia. It asks for your passport details, your flight, and where you’re staying. The window is strict, and the system won’t take it any earlier. I’d do it the day before you fly, when your plans are settled and you still have time to fix a mistake.

A few things to know:

It’s free on the official site. Some lookalike sites charge a fee for the same form, so use the official Migración Colombia link.
Do it again before you leave. Your flight home needs its own Check-Mig, with the same 72-hour window.
Keep the confirmation on your phone. Airlines may ask for it at check-in, and immigration can ask for it too.
Arriving by land? Make sure you get your passport stamped at an official border crossing. Without the stamp there’s no record that you entered legally, which causes problems when you leave. Have your passport, your Check-Mig confirmation, and your entry fee receipt (if you’re Canadian) ready, and expect a few questions about your plans.

Vaccine Requirements and Altitude Considerations

Most travelers don’t need any vaccines to enter Colombia. Yellow fever is the one to think about, depending on where you’re going.

Yellow Fever

In 2025, Colombia declared a health emergency over a yellow fever outbreak, and the rules inside the country got stricter. Several sources now report that visitors to national parks, including Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, may be asked for proof of vaccination. So may people travelling by land or river through high-risk areas like the Amazon. How strictly it’s checked varies, but you don’t want to be the person turned away at the park gate.

If your trip includes any of these areas:

Get the vaccine at least 10 days before you go. That’s how long it takes to protect you, and your certificate isn’t valid before then.
Carry your yellow card (the International Certificate of Vaccination) with your passport.
Check the rules again before you go. They’ve changed more than once since 2025. The Government of Canada’s Colombia travel page (Health section) and your hotel or tour operator will have the latest.
For more on shots for Colombia, see my vaccination guide.

General Health Risks

Travelers are also encouraged to stay informed about potential health risks, including altitude-related concerns in cities like Bogota. Bogota is located at an altitude of about 2,600 meters (8,500 ft. for my American readers) above sea level, which can affect some people who are not used to high altitudes. Altitude sickness can occur due to rapid ascension, leading to symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, insomnia, and reduced performance. Understanding preventive measures is key to managing this concern.  The effects of altitude will be felt more if you are performing strenuous activities like sports.  

My Altitude Experience in Bogota

Here’s a quick story about feeling the effects of higher altitude for the first time in Bogota.

About 30 minutes into a sunny walk to meet friends for breakfast, it hit me..I’d left my passport locked in the hotel room. The same hotel I had just checked out of. Cue the panic.

I spun around and started sprinting back, adrenaline in full swing… for about one block. Then my lungs reminded me I wasn’t in Toronto anymore. Despite playing tennis a few times a week, the altitude had other plans. I couldn’t catch a deep breath, and running quickly turned into a brisk, slightly desperate power walk.

By the time I reached the hotel, I was sweating, winded, and mentally rehearsing how to beg the front desk for access. Luckily, the room hadn’t been cleaned yet. I got in, grabbed the passport, and exhaled, finally able to breathe again, in more ways than one. Lesson learned: always double-check the lockbox before checkout!

Altitude sickness: Preventive Measures

• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Eat light and high-carbohydrate meals
• Rest and acclimatize for at least a day before engaging in strenuous activities
• Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist

Note: This is not medical advice. For tips on altitude sickness check out this article by HealthLine

Legal Considerations and Embassy Information

Travelers must be aware of the legal landscape in Colombia, as penalties for breaking the law may be more severe than in Canada, with no existing treaty for offender transfer between the two countries. Some of the laws and regulations that you need to follow and respect are:

• Do not possess, use, or traffic any illegal drugs, as this can result in long prison sentences and heavy fines
• Do not engage in any sexual activity with minors, as this can result in severe criminal charges and penalties
• Do not participate in any political demonstrations or protests, as they can turn violent and result in arrests or injuries
• Do not take photographs or videos of military or police installations, personnel, or vehicles, as this can be considered a security threat
• Do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables, as this can make you a target for theft or robbery
• Do not accept food, drinks, or gifts from strangers, as they may be laced with drugs or other substances that can impair your judgment or cause harm

Check out up to date travel advice for Colombia from the Government of Canada website. 

Canadian Embassy Links

It is important to familiarize yourself with the contact details and locations of Canadian embassies in Bogota and Cartagena, providing a valuable resource for assistance during your stay. You can find the addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and opening hours of these embassies on the official website of the Government of Canada.

Another precaution you can take would be to register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, which allows the Government of Canada to contact you and assist you in case of an emergency abroad.

Rainy Season Caution

Colombia experiences rainy seasons from March to June and September to November, heightening the risk of flooding and mudslides, particularly in rural areas. These natural disasters can cause damage to infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and affect access to essential services. They can also pose health and safety hazards for travelers and locals alike.

Exercise caution and stay informed during these periods to ensure your safety and well-being. You can do this by:

• Checking the weather forecast and travel advisories regularly
• Avoiding travel to areas that are prone to flooding and mudslides
• Following the instructions and advice of local authorities and emergency services
• Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers natural disasters

Bonus Tip: Learn Some Spanish

One of the best ways to enhance your travel experience and connect with the locals is to learn some Spanish, the official language of Colombia. While you may find some English speakers in major cities and tourist areas, most Colombians speak little or no English, so knowing some basic Spanish phrases and words can make a big difference. You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish to travel to Colombia, but you should at least learn how to greet people, introduce yourself, ask for directions, order food, and express gratitude. You can use tools like Duolingo, Babbel, and Pimsleur.

Before You Go

Those are the essentials to sort out before you land: a valid passport, the entry fee if you’re Canadian, the Check-Mig form, a yellow fever shot if you’re heading to the parks or the Amazon, and a plan for the altitude and the rainy season.

Entry rules in Colombia change more often than you’d think. The Canadian entry fee has already changed since this post first went up. Check the official Migración Colombia and Government of Canada pages a week or two before you fly. The links above go straight to them.

Once the paperwork is done, the fun part starts. A few words of Spanish go a long way, so start with my list of Spanish phrases for Colombia. If this is your first solo trip here, my guide to solo travel in Colombia covers safety, costs, and getting around.

Buen viaje.