Are you in Colombia with a tourist stamp and want to extend your legal stay in the country?
When you entered the country, at the airport or the border entry point, a Migración Colombia official stamped a stamp with the date of your passport entry. If you don’t know, that stamp functions as a «tourist visa» controlling the legal stay of foreigners in Colombia.
Although at this point, it should be clarified that according to the current immigration rule, this stamp is a tourist permit and not a visa directly, we use that term of «tourist visa» because it is of greater understanding to all.
So if you do not want to extend your tourist stamp, but you need to obtain a Colombian visa to perform some specific activity for more than 180 days, we invite you to browse through the following link: Visa Services
Download the OFFICIAL guide to apply for the extension of your tourism stamp in Colombia.
Returning to the «tourist visa», how do they control the stay of a foreigner in Colombia with this stamp?
This stamp, in addition to having the date of your ticket, usually has a number with ink on the lower right side, which corresponds to the number of days you have been allowed to stay in Colombia and develop leisure and tourism activities. Most of the time that number is a 90, occasionally it may be lower, but it will never be a higher number.
In other words, can I only be in Colombia for 90 days, or what is the maximum time allowed?
As a migration rule, foreigners are allowed to be in the Colombian territory for a maximum period of 180 days per calendar year as tourists (from January 1to December 31).
This means that if you are going to complete the first 90 days, you can extend your stay for an additional 90 days.
In any case, you should keep in mind that you will not be able to be more than 180 continuous days in the country, so that has started a new year. Well, to restore the migration clock, you’d have to leave Colombia and re-enter the next day.
When should I do the extension or extension of tourism?
We recommend you start the process 10 calendar days before fulfilling your first 90 days of stay in Colombia. If you apply for the extension of your «tourist visa» late, you will lose the possibility of obtaining your extra 90 days without leaving the country, and Migración Colombia will impose a fine.
Consider that this is a request so that it can be approved or denied, even tho usually they are approved.
Is the extension process for the «tourist visa» in person?
No. The application for extension of your tourist visa can be made completely online through the Migración Colombia platform at this link.
However, it is important to note that in case of any problems with the online migration system, the last resort would be to go face-to-face to the nearest Migration office to finish the procedure.
Step by Step
1. Go to Migración Colombia Website
Follow this link and click on «Accede al Formulario Único de Trámites (FUT) aquí.»
2. Select the language of your preference
The platform offers two options: English and Spanish.
3. Select: Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia.
4. Select the nearest Migration Facilitation Center.
5. Fill in the personal information.
Select passport as your document type.
6. Attach the following information in one single PDF file.
7. Enter captcha code and click «ACEPTO»
8. Save the generated number and click on "TERMINAR."
9. You will receive an informative email
10. Payment
Within 3 and 5 business days, you’ll receive a new email with the payment link, the request number, and a password.
11. To make the payment.
12. After the payment
You will receive an email with the PDF file corresponding to your tourism extension. Make sure to save it on your mobile.
What documents are needed to apply for the tourism extension?
We will need to have the following documents scanned in PDF format:
- Passport home page or data page.
- Last valid entry stamp to Colombia that shows the four passport corners.
- Ticket with the itinerary of your next departure from the country.
For minors, the following must also be annexed:
• Child’s birth certificate.
• The main page of the passport or the data page of one of the parents.
How long does the process take?
The completion of the procedure will depend on the responsiveness of the Office of Migration Colombia. It usually ranges from 3 to 5 business days.
What record will I have of the extension of my «tourist visa»?
Migration Colombia, if reviewing the documents finds everything correct, will issue the approval of the procedure and enable the payment option. Once the payment is confirmed, the extension of the «tourist visa» will arrive by email in PDF format. We recommend printing this extension and keeping it together with your passport or save it in your mobile. In this document, you will be able to see your maximum date of legal stay in the country.
As we know, this kind of process can be confusing; at Expatgroup.co, we offer comprehensive guidance and advice so that you can process your visa stamp extension without problems. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us and enjoy Colombia for longer.
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Frequent questions
No, the remaining days from previous years cannot be accumulated:
For instance, If you spent 30 days in your last entry and of those 20 days were from last year and 10 days from the current one, this year you have 170 days left, and now, if you only used 30 days from last year, those days cannot be accumulated.
No, although you are entitled to 180 days per year, at the time of entry, you are given a maximum of 90 days on your stamp. If you wish to use your 90 extra days, you must leave the country and re-enter or request a tourism extension before Migración Colombia.
Yes, but your tourism extension will lose validity when you leave the country. Therefore, once you re-enter the country, your new passport stamp will note the days you can be here.
Since this application can be approved or rejected, you’ll have to wait 3 to 5 business days while Migración Colombia evaluates your application. If pre-approved, you will receive a link to pay for the process; the cost is 125,000 Colombian pesos.
You can check the status of your application at the following link.
You will need the application number and password sent to your email after completing the form.
There is no need to get a new stamp in your passport, as the PDF you receive in your email is valid to show your tourism extension.
The amount depends on the nationality:
- Ecuadorians: No cost.
- Nationals of the Schengen area: No cost.
- For other cases: 125,000 Colombian pesos.
The exit ticket from Colombia is a mandatory requirement to request the tourist stamp extension.
If you decide to leave the country, you do not need to apply for a tourism extension. When you re-enter the country, Migración will stamp your passport with the new number of days allowed to stay here.
When filling out the form, you must attach a pdf with a clear image of the main page of your passport, a photo of your last stamp where you can see the four corners of the passport page and proof of your return tickets. Therefore, evidence of the ticket out of the country is required.
Minors must make their applications individually. Also, keep in mind that in addition to the passport, the photo of the stamp and the tickets, the minor’s birth certificate, and the passport image of the person in charge are required.
You can request a tourism extension once a year.
No, you must request the extension before the expiration date of the stamp. The recommendation is to start the process at least 10 calendar days before.
If you request it later, it will not be processed, and you will be in an irregular situation, which may result in fines for each day of irregularity.
Do you want to obtain a detailed guide to request a tourism extension in Colombia?
At expatgroup.co, we know how essential it is to have a legal stay in Colombia. You just need to fill out the form and get this guide we have created for you, with the step-by-step to request a tourism extension.
