Colombia entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Read the official visa text below
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid for the duration of your stay in Colombia. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – Colombia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for Colombia and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Do Canadians need a visa for Colombia?
We quote the official text word for word and do not summarise it. The official text also mentions an electronic travel authorization, e-visa, arrival card, online form or registration, tourist card or fee: read it in full.
Official text, “Visas”:
Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days
Business or work visa: required
Student visa: required
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
Electronic Immigration Form
You must complete a free electronic immigration form (Check-Mig) within 72 hours to 1 hour before:
- boarding a flight to or from Colombia
- entering into Colombia via land, maritime or river crossings
You will need the following information to complete the form:
- flight details
- a valid passport
- a valid email address
- the address where you will be staying in Colombia
- a phone number
Electronic Immigration Form – Colombia Migration Agency
Entry fee
You must pay an entry fee upon arrival in Colombia. The fee is updated annually.
You can make the payment in one of the following ways:
- in person by credit card during the immigration control process upon entering the country. This method may involve significant delays, which could disrupt your travel plans
- online, by credit or debit card, through the Single Form for Procedures
Once you receive confirmation that your online payment has been approved, take a screenshot of the receipt, with the reference number clearly visible, to present to the Colombian immigration officer upon arrival.
You are exempt from this entry fee if:
- your destination is the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina
- you have a valid Colombian visa
- you are less than 14 years old or more than 79 years old
- you are a member of the crew of an international means of transport (conditions apply)
Failure to pay the entry fee may result in you being denied entry into the country.
Single Form for Procedures – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Entry stamp
You must obtain an entry stamp in your passport when you enter Colombia by land.
You may be fined if you fail to obtain an entry stamp
Length of stay for tourists
The immigration officer will determine the permitted length of your stay when you enter Colombia. As a tourist, you may be granted a stay up to 90 days.
You will be fined if you overstay the specified period on your entry stamp. You may apply for a stay extension at the nearest Colombian migration office. You may extend your stay up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. The final decision remains with the immigration authority.
Colombia migration - Government of Colombia (Spanish only)
Other entry requirements
Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina
If you plan to visit the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, you must purchase a tourist card at the airport prior to your arrival.
You must also show this card before you depart the island.
Dual citizenship
Canadian citizens who also hold Colombian citizenship must enter and exit Colombia using the following documents:
- Colombian passport
- Colombian identification card
Although local immigration authorities will allow dual citizens to enter without Colombian documents, they will stamp their foreign passport indicating that they must leave using Colombian documents.
More from the official “Entry and exit requirements” section (other requirements)
Drug screening
Colombia employs strict screening measures at its international airports to detect narcotics smuggling.
Customs officials may:
- search you and your luggage
- fingerprint you
- require you to undergo an X-ray inspection upon arrival or departure
Most airport customs inspectors only speak Spanish.
Ecuador entry restrictions
If you enter Ecuador from Colombia through land or river borders, you must present a criminal record check from your country of origin or residence. The original criminal record check and the Spanish translation must be apostilled and cover the past five years. Minors travelling with their family members are generally exempt.
If you cannot provide a criminal record check, the Ecuadorian Migration System will check to verify that you don’t have previous convictions.
Authentication of documents
Official source: Government of Canada – Colombia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for Colombia?
In short: Valid for the duration of your stay in Colombia.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Colombia.
Official source: Government of Canada – Colombia travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for Colombia (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
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