Colombia Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	No/1	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
British	Yes	No	Yes

A valid passport is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 180 days except the following:
a) 1. nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Visa Note

Nationals will be issued with an entry stamp on arrival which will be valid for up to 90 days (nationals are often only given 30 or 60 days); extensions for up to a further 120 days are available from the Department of Administration and Security in Colombia; all nationals are permitted to stay for a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period.

Types of Visa and Cost

Nationals should check with the embassy or consulate of Colombia for visa cost as fees are fixed according to the exchange rate.

The fee for a Tourist visa is generally £35. Payments for consular services have to be paid in cash at the Colombian Consulate. Visas for Spanish, Japanese and South Korean Citizens are exempted of payment. It advisable to check the cost with the relevant embassy. A Temporary Visitor visa costs £65 although the above nations are again exempt. Work and Business visas cost £130 while Student visas are charged at £30.

Validity

Tourist and Temporary Visitor: Valid six months (multiple entry). Business: Valid four years for multiple entries with maximum stays of one year each. Work: Valid for two years with multiple. Student: Valid for one year with multiple entry.

Working Days Required

It is generally advised to allow plenty of time for applications but visas should be issued in five days

Travel Warnings

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all but essential travel to all rural areas bordering Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador; to the towns of Buenaventura and San José del Guaviare and the areas surrounding them, and to the Parque Nacional Natural de La Macarena in the department of Meta.

The FCO advises against all but essential travel in areas of intensive coca cultivation, including the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Though the overall security situation in Colombia has improved considerably in recent years, the threat of terrorism is still high in many parts of the country. A bomb attack in Bogotá in January 2009 killed two people and injured at least twenty others. Attacks can be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers, and in the vicinity of government buildings and military establishments

In January 2010, the Galeras Volcano in Nariño Department erupted. The FCO strongly recommends against all travel to the department of Nariño, and the city of Pasto and La Florida. If you are in the vicinity of the volcano, you should pay careful attention to all warnings issued and follow the advice of the local authorities.

In many areas of Colombia, the security situation can change very quickly. In general, the more remote the area, the greater the potential threat to your safety.

Kidnapping remains a serious problem and Colombia continues to have a high rate of kidnapping for ransom.

In 2007, 886 people were killed or injured in Colombia by landmines, more than in any other country in the world. When traveling in rural areas you should always follow local warnings about the presence of landmines.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Health facilities in the main cities are good. In rural areas, services can be very limited. Visitors traveling to jungle areas are advised to carry first aid kits. Travelers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Sometimes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Sometimes
Yellow Fever	Yes