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Colombia Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Free

US citizens can enter Colombia visa-free for stays of up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days per year), with just a valid passport needed at the border.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of your stay (6 months validity is recommended though not strictly mandated).
  • No visa application form - only the Check-Mig online pre-registration (free, required before boarding your flight, submitted via the Check-Mig web portal or app within 72 hours of travel).
  • Proof of sufficient funds is rarely checked but having a card or cash on hand is wise.
  • Return or onward ticket can be requested by immigration or your airline at check-in.
  • Hotel booking or host's address if asked.
  • No photo required for entry beyond what Check-Mig may request digitally.
  • No biometrics collected from US citizens at the border beyond a photo/fingerprint scan now common at Bogota's airport.
  • Travel health insurance is not mandatory but recommended.

Visa types

  • No visa needed for tourism or business visits - entry is visa-free under Colombia's visitor policy for US citizens.
  • Tourist/business stay: up to 90 days per entry, free of charge, extendable once for an additional 90 days (180 days max per calendar year).
  • Longer stays, work, or residency require a separate migrant visa (M visa) applied for through a Colombian consulate or the Cancilleria's online system.

Entry conditions

  • Immigration typically grants 90 days on entry, stamped in your passport.
  • Working is not permitted under this visitor entry.
  • You should be ready to show your Check-Mig confirmation, onward ticket, and accommodation details if asked.
  • Extensions of up to another 90 days (total 180 days per year) can be requested online through the Cancilleria's migration portal before your current permission expires, for a fee of roughly USD 50.

Fees & processing time

  • No visa fee for the initial 90-day stay since the route is visa-free.
  • Check-Mig pre-registration: free, must be completed within 72 hours before departure.
  • Extension fee: approximately USD 50 (payable in Colombian pesos), processed online, typically within a few business days.
  • No VFS/BLS service fees apply to this route.

Tips for United States travelers

  • Complete Check-Mig before every flight to Colombia - airlines can deny boarding if it's missing, even though it's unrelated to the (waived) visa itself.
  • Entry refusals are uncommon but can happen if you can't show onward travel or if you have a flagged prior overstay.
  • Since there's no visa application, there's no VFS/BLS decision to make for this route.
  • Watch for any updated Check-Mig requirements, as Colombia has adjusted this system since its introduction.
  • If extending your stay, apply through the Cancilleria portal before your 90 days lapse to avoid fines for overstaying, which accrue per day past the authorized period.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.