Entry Colombia: Visa, entry card & entry requirements

Entry requirements for Germans, Austrians, and Swiss

Passport and validity period

A valid passport is mandatory for entry to Colombia. Officially, the passport only needs to be valid for the duration of the planned stay — that’s what the Foreign Office states. However, in practice, many border officers and airlines require a remaining validity of at least six months. If you want to avoid discussions at the gate, renew your passport promptly before the trip.

In addition to validity, the officers also check the condition of the passport. It must be signed, in impeccable condition, and have at least two blank pages for entry stamps. A temporary passport (emergency passport) is also accepted for entry.

Return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds

At passport control, a return or onward flight ticket may be requested. It does not have to be a return flight to Germany — an onward flight ticket to a neighboring country like Ecuador or Panama is sufficient. The control is not consistent for every traveler, but you should have a ticket ready — some airlines check at check-in.

Also, proof of sufficient financial means (credit card or cash) may theoretically be requested, but it is rarely checked in practice. Don't forget to go through yourPacking list for Colombia — where you can find all important travel documents at a glance.

The digital entry card — Check-MIG

What is Check-MIG and is it mandatory?

Check-MIG (officially: CheckMig) is the digital entry registration by Migracion Colombia. The online form collects your travel data, passport information, accommodation address in Colombia, and your purpose of travel. Anyone who has ever filled out an ESTA for the USA knows the principle — just much easier.

Since January 2025, Check-MIG is officially no longer mandatory. However, this change has not been clearly communicated to airlines and airport personnel — some airlines and gate agents still request the form. Our clear recommendation: Fill out the form anyway. It only takes ten minutes, is completely free, and saves you potential discussions during boarding or at the border.

Step by step: How to fill out Check-MIG

1. Open official website: apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro
2. Create a new account or continue as a guest
3. Enter passport data (name exactly as in the passport, passport number, expiration date)
4. Specify flight number and departure airport
5. Enter accommodation address in Colombia (the first hotel is sufficient)
6. Answer questions about cash amounts over 10,000 USD
7. Submit the form and download confirmation as a PDF

When should Check-MIG be filled out?

The form can be filled out from 72 hours before departure up to at least one hour before boarding. Our recommendation: Complete it 24 to 48 hours in advance to allow enough time for technical issues. Anyone flying on aDirect flight from Frankfurt to Bogota can comfortably fill out the form the day before departure.

Entry at the airport — this is how passport control works

Which documents are checked?

After landing at El Dorado Airport inBogota — the busiest airport in Latin America — you will go through passport control. The procedure is routine and straightforward:

1. Present passport — the officer checks validity and condition
2. Check-MIG confirmation to present if needed (a screenshot on your phone is sufficient)
3. Brief questions about purpose of travel, accommodation, and duration of stay — usually in Spanish, sometimes in English
4. Entry stamp is placed in the passport with the approved duration of stay

Actively communicate duration of stay

One detail many travelers don’t know: The exact duration of stay is at the discretion of the border officer. Some write down 30 days, others 60, and a maximum of 90 days is possible. Therefore, you should actively show your return ticket and state the desired duration of stay. Two simple sentences are enough: "Soy turista" (I am a tourist) and "Me quedo X días" (I stay X days).

Check the stamp immediately after control — the recorded number of days is binding and can only be corrected with significant effort at Migracion Colombia afterwards.

How long can I stay — and what happens if I overstay?

The maximum visa-free stay is 90 days. This can be extended once by an additional 90 days — the total duration of stay per calendar year (January 1 to December 31) is therefore a maximum of 180 days. For most Colombia round trips of two to four weeks, the 90-day rule is therefore more than sufficient.

Extension at Migracion Colombia

For DACH citizens, there is a special advantage: As Schengen nationals, the extension by an additional 90 days is free — a reciprocity agreement, as Colombians may also enter the Schengen Area visa-free. For non-Schengen citizens, the extension costs around 150,000 COP (approximately 35 EUR).

Costs and processing time

The extension can be applied for online or in person. The timing is crucial: The application should be submitted 10 to 14 days before the entry stamp expires. Earlier, Migracion Colombia rejects the application, later fines may apply. For the online application, you need a high-quality scan of the passport data page, a copy of the entry stamp, and the return ticket — and some patience, as the Spanish version of the online form works more reliably than the English version.

Entry for travelers with previous stays in Colombia

Those who already know Colombia and come back regularly wonder: Can I stay for 90 days again every year? The answer: Yes, generally yes. The decisive factor is only the 180-day limit per calendar year. Previous stays in past years have no negative impact on the current entry — on the contrary, Colombian stamps in the passport merely indicate that you appreciate the country.

A so-called "visa run" — the short exit and immediate re-entry to obtain a new 90 days — is technically possible but risky. Migración Colombia counts the cumulative days of stay within the calendar year, and airlines can deny boarding to passengers with an unusually high number of Colombian stamps. Anyone wishing to stay in Colombia for more than 180 days per year should apply for an official visa — such as the Digital Nomad Visa V (approximately 90 to 180 USD, valid for two years).

Vaccination certificates and health at entry

A common question regarding entry to Colombia is about vaccinations: Do I need proof of yellow fever vaccination? For travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the answer is: No proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Colombia. The requirement only applies to entry from countries with yellow fever risk (such as Brazil, Angola, or the DR Congo) or during transit through these countries for more than 12 hours.

However, there is an important new requirement since April 2025: For visiting Colombian national parks — including the popular Tayrona National Park — proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. The vaccination must be carried out at least 10 days before the park visit and is valid for life following the WHO decision from 2016. Since most round trips in Colombia include at least one national park, we recommend the yellow fever vaccination for practically all travelers.

Detailed information about other recommended vaccinations, health tips, and travel pharmacy can be found in our guide Vaccinations and health for Colombia.

ETIAS — does it affect travelers to Colombia?

No — and the confusion is understandable. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a future EU entry system for non-EU citizens wishing to enter the Schengen area. It therefore affects Colombian citizens wishing to travel to Europe — not the other way around. As a German, Austrian, or Swiss citizen, ETIAS has no impact on your entry into Colombia.

ETIAS is expected to be implemented starting in the fourth quarter of 2026 and does not play a role in your travel planning for Colombia.

Entry through other means — land, cruise, and San Andres

Land borders

When entering through land borders, the same entry regulations for Colombia apply as at the airport. The most important border crossings for tourists are Rumichaca/Ipiales on the border with Ecuador and the crossing to Panama. A crucial note: Be sure to insist on the entry stamp at land borders. Some bus drivers only stop briefly, and travelers can be waved through without a stamp — this leads to fines and delays upon exit. The border to Venezuela is politically tense — consult the Foreign Office before traveling.

Cruise ports

Cartagena and Santa Marta are the main ports for cruise ships. Cruise passengers are also subject to the same entry rules: no visa required, but a valid passport is necessary. Check-MIG is also recommended for entry by cruise.

San Andres: Tourist Tax Card

For entry to the Caribbean island of San Andres — by domestic flight from Bogota, Medellin, or Cartagena — all non-Colombians must purchase a Tourist Tax Card for 124,000 COP (approximately 27 to 31 EUR). The card is purchased at the departure airport before boarding. Without a card, no boarding — plan enough time before the gate.

Plan your Colombia trip now

Entry to Colombia is uncomplicated for German citizens — now the actual trip planning can begin. Our most popular Colombia round trips connect the most beautiful regions with well-thought-out route planning:

• Coffee & Caribbean: Experience cultural diversity — coffee region, colonial towns, and Caribbean beaches
• Colombia intensive: 3 weeks of nature & culture — for all who want to dive deep into the country
• Pure nature: Tayrona & Amazon — rainforest, Caribbean, and pristine wilderness
• City tour: Bogota, Medellin & Cartagena — the compact classic route

We take care of all formalities — including a personal entry briefing before your departure. Inquire now without obligation.

Further travel information Colombia

Plan your trip to Colombia with our other guides:

• Best travel time Colombia — climate, regions, and month-by-month recommendations
• Travel and flights — direct flights, domestic flights, and booking tips
• Vaccinations and health — recommended vaccinations and health tips
• Safety in Colombia — current situation and practical tips
• Costs and budget — daily budgets, prices, and savings tips
• Packing list Colombia — what you should pack

Or start directly with the Colombia overview — our introduction to all destinations, round trips, and experiences.

Worth reading: Is Colombia safe? The truth about traveling in Colombia and our Decision aid: Where to go in Latin America?