Colombia Entry Requirements for UK Citizens

Who this guide is for

British citizens planning a tourist visit to Colombia — including Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, the Coffee Region, and the Amazon — travelling on a full British citizen passport. This guide covers the standard short-stay tourist entry scenario based on GOV.UK official guidance. It is not legal or immigration advice.

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Visa-free entry

UK citizens can visit Colombia without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Entry is granted at the border on arrival — there is no pre-travel visa to apply for.

Key conditions:

• You must hold a valid passport (see below).
• You must carry a return or onward ticket — Colombian immigration can refuse entry without one.
• Your stated purpose of travel must be tourism, visiting family or friends, or another short permitted activity.

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Passport requirements

Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your intended stay. The UK government advises carrying a passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your planned departure date as a general precaution, even if Colombia's official rules do not strictly require this.

Check your passport validity before booking flights. Renewing a UK passport can take several weeks.

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Migración Colombia registration

If you are staying in private accommodation (rented apartment, with friends or family, Airbnb), you are required to register with Migración Colombia within 3 days of arrival.

Hotels and formal accommodation providers typically register guests automatically. If you are not sure whether your accommodation has handled this, check with them on arrival.

Failure to register when required can complicate your stay and any future visa applications.

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Can I extend my 90 days?

It is possible to apply to Migración Colombia for an extension. Total permitted stay may reach 180 days in a calendar year for some visitors, but this is not automatic. Apply before your initial 90 days expire at a Migración Colombia office. Do not overstay without authorisation — overstaying is a serious immigration offence.

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Regional risks — read before booking

Colombia is not uniformly safe or unsafe. The GOV.UK Colombia travel advice page includes regional risk ratings that vary significantly:

• Higher-risk areas include certain border zones, some Pacific Coast areas, and regions affected by organised crime and armed groups.
• Major tourist destinations such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and the Coffee Region have different risk profiles but still require appropriate precautions.

Read the full regional risks section on GOV.UK before planning any itinerary, not just the overall Colombia risk level.

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Laws UK travellers frequently ask about

Drugs: Colombia has strict drug laws. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can result in arrest and imprisonment. The UK government advises against any involvement with illegal drugs. Consular assistance is limited in cases involving serious criminal charges.

Photography: Avoid photographing military or police facilities, personnel or equipment unless explicitly permitted. This applies in many Latin American countries.

LGBTQ+ rights: Same-sex relationships are legal in Colombia. Attitudes vary significantly between cities and rural areas. Read the GOV.UK Colombia page for current guidance.

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At the border: what to carry

• Valid passport
• Return or onward travel booking (essential — keep a printed copy or offline screenshot)
• Accommodation details for at least the first few nights
• Evidence of funds for the duration of the stay
• Travel and medical insurance documentation

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Sources

Checked on 25 July 2026 against UK Government official guidance. Colombia's entry rules and regional risk assessments change — re-read the GOV.UK Colombia page in full before every trip.

• GOV.UK: Colombia entry requirements
• GOV.UK: Colombia safety and security
• GOV.UK: Colombia regional risks