Visit (visa exemption): American citizen in United States → Colombia
US citizens do not need a visa to visit Colombia — the United States is on the official exemption list, so you can enter visa-free for short-stay activities (under 90 days, extendable up to 180) as long as the visit generates no payments, salary or wages in Colombia.
Visa-free short visit to Colombia under the official exemption list (Resolución 5488 de 2022) — Migración Colombia grants an entry-and-stay permit at the border for short-stay activities under 90 days, extendable up to 180 days, provided the visit generates no payments in Colombia.
- Validity
- Visa-free entry — no visa is issued; Migración Colombia grants an entry-and-stay permit at the border
- Entries
- Each entry is authorised individually at migration control
- Max stay per visit
- Short-stay activities under 90 days, extendable up to 180 days in the cases the rules determine
When to start
Start 1–7 days before your travel date.
United States passport holders are on Colombia's official visa-exemption list, so you are eligible to enter, stay and leave visa-free for airport transit or short-stay activities — provided the activities generate no payments for services, salary or wages in Colombia.
A short-stay activity is one lasting less than 90 days, extendable up to 180 days in the cases the migration rules allow. If you want to work remotely from Colombia for longer, look at the Visitor (V) digital-nomad visa instead.
On arrival, Migración Colombia grants the corresponding entry-and-stay permit at migration control — no visa is issued in advance. Carry your passport, your outbound travel ticket and proof of financial solvency, as officers may ask for them when you enter.
What you'll need
- Valid passport — A valid, current passport (original) presented to the migration authority on entry. ✓ verified
- Outbound travel ticket — An exit travel ticket out of Colombia — migration officers may require it alongside your travel document when you enter. ✓ verified
- Proof of financial solvency — Evidence of economic solvency for your stay, shown at migration control where required. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
No visa application and no visa centre — you travel visa-free and receive the entry permit from Migración Colombia at the port of entry.
Apply on the official site (portal.migracioncolombia.gov.co) →
Fees
Gotchas to watch
- Any paid activity in Colombia requires a visa regardless of nationality — the exemption covers only visits that generate no payments, salary or wages in Colombia.
- The entry permit is granted at the border by Migración Colombia and entry is not guaranteed — officers make the final decision.
- When you leave, present the same travel document you entered with, and make sure you are still within the stay granted on entry.
- Working remotely from Colombia for foreign companies on a longer basis has its own route — the Visitor (V) digital-nomad visa.
