Colombia entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Verified May 11, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
British passport holders do not need a visa for Colombia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date and have one blank page for the entry stamp.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Colombia. No minimum validity period beyond your stay is required by Colombian immigration, but airlines sometimes enforce a 6-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Colombia | Immigration officers at Bogotá and Medellín routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. A flight booking leaving Colombia within 90 days works — they rarely check if it's refundable. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Not always requested, but having a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready speeds things up at the counter. A simple booking printout or email works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Colombian immigration can ask for proof of funds — roughly $200 USD per day of stay or a credit card statement. I've rarely seen it enforced, but keep a bank statement or cash handy just in case. | Recommended |
| Check-Mig pre-registrationColombia's mandatory online pre-registration form at migracioncolombia.gov.co. Complete it within 72 hours before your flight — it takes under 5 minutes. Mandatory online form within 72 hours of departure | Complete the free Check-Mig form at migracioncolombia.gov.co within 72 hours before your flight. You'll get a QR code — have a screenshot ready on your phone or a printout. Airlines check this before boarding.Open Check-Mig form | Required |
Strict 90-day limit — no extension possible
UK passport holders cannot extend their visa-free stay in Colombia. Once you enter, you must leave within 90 days. Overstaying even a day can result in fines and a ban. Set a reminder to exit before day 90.
Passport validity: 6 months from date of entry
Colombia is very strict on the 6-month passport validity rule. If your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival date, you will be denied entry. Check your passport now, not at the airport.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at immigration
At any Colombian airport (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, etc.), follow signs to 'Migración' or 'Extranjería'. UK citizens use the same queue as other visa-free nationals.
2
Present passport and supporting documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket, hotel booking, or proof of funds. Have them ready. They will check your passport's validity and blank page.
3
Receive entry stamp
If everything is fine, the officer stamps your passport with the entry date and a maximum stay of 90 days. Double-check the stamp before stepping away from the counter.
4
Exit immigration and collect luggage
After clearing immigration, proceed to baggage claim. No further paperwork or customs declaration unless you have goods to declare.
Download Colombia Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 11, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable up to 180 days total
Validity3 months from issue date
CostApproximately $50 USD (COP 200,000)
Requires application at Colombian consulate before travel. Allows one entry.
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable up to 180 days total per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
CostApproximately $100 USD (COP 400,000)
Requires application at Colombian consulate. Allows multiple entries within validity.
Long-Stay Visa (M Visa)
Max stayUp to 2 years
Validity2 years from issue date
CostApproximately $200 USD (COP 800,000)
For work, study, or retirement. Requires sponsorship and extensive documentation.
retirement visa
Pensionado Visa (Retirement Visa)
3 years, renewable
~$200 USD application fee
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least 3 times the minimum wage (approx. $900 USD). Requires proof of pension and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Visa Nómada Digital)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD application fee
For remote workers earning at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of income, health insurance, and clean criminal record.
investor visa
Inversionista Visa (Investor Visa)
3 years, renewable
~$300 USD application fee
For investors putting at least $200,000 USD in Colombian businesses or real estate. Requires proof of investment and business plan.
work visa
Trabajador Visa (Work Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD application fee
For those with a job offer from a Colombian company. Requires employment contract and company sponsorship.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (not available)Visa-free stay of 90 days is not extendable. | N/A |
| Overstay fineFines are assessed upon departure; may include additional penalties for longer overstays. | Approximately COP 1,000,000 (~$250 USD) per month or part thereof |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Colombia
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders transiting through Colombia do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a tourist visa or visa-free entry applies.
Transit hubsEl Dorado International Airport (BOG) · José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) · Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG)
Health & vaccines for Colombia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Brazil, Peru).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)RecommendedMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)RecommendedRabiesConsiderInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverHigh risk
Mosquito-borne; common in low-lying areas, especially during rainy season.
Zika virusModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; causes fever and joint pain.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk in rural areas below 1,700m, especially Amazon and Pacific coast. Prophylaxis recommended for those regions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bogotá
Oficina de Migración Colombia - Sede Principal
Calle 100 No. 11B-27, Bogotá
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa-related inquiries and extensions. Bring passport, Check-Mig form, and proof of funds.
Medellín
Migración Colombia - Medellín
Calle 7 No. 43A-45, Edificio Colmena, Medellín
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions and re-entry permits. Arrive early to avoid long waits.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalBogotá
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for tourist stays.
Money
CurrencyColombian Peso (COP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3,747.64 COP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New YorkSame (EST) / -1h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+3h (PST) / +2h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe in Bogotá and major cities. Use bottled water outside cities.
Emergency numbers
US EmbassyFind contact
Getting to Colombia
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Colombia — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry cannot be extended. To stay longer, you must leave Colombia before 90 days expire. Re-entering by air resets the 90-day period, but repeated land border crossings may raise scrutiny. Alternatively, apply for a residence visa at a Colombian consulate before traveling.
Colombia does not have a specific digital nomad visa. Working remotely for a foreign employer is tolerated in practice for short stays (up to 90 days) on tourist entry, but it is not explicitly legal. Many travelers do it without issues, but rules can change. Any work for a Colombian company requires a work visa.
You will be refused entry. Colombian immigration strictly enforces the 6-month validity rule. Renew your passport before traveling.
It's risky. Airlines often require a return or onward ticket before boarding. If you get through, immigration may ask for proof of exit. It's safer to have a confirmed ticket out of Colombia.
Not for entry. However, if you plan to visit the Amazon or certain jungle areas, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended, and you may be asked for proof when traveling between regions. No vaccination is required for entry.
Officially, no. Colombia eliminated the 'Check-Mig' form in August 2024. However, some airlines still ask for their own forms or may request Check-Mig. Always check with your airline 72 hours before departure. Requirements can change with little notice.
Overstaying is a violation of immigration law. You may face a fine (typically around $100–$200 USD), a ban from re-entering, or difficulty leaving. If you realize you've overstayed, contact Migración Colombia immediately. Do not attempt to leave without resolving it.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 11, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.