So you’re not ready to leave Colombia just yet.
Your 90-day tourist visa is expiring.
And you don’t fancy doing an expensive border run.
Don’t worry. Here’s how to extend your Colombian tourist visa for another 90 days. I’ve done this more times than I’d have liked so this is a no-fluff guide.
Step 1 – Go to Colombia’s migration website
Follow this link: https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/
Select Trámites y Servicios.
Click on Prórroga de Permanencia (literally it means stay extension). And is impossible to pronounce for that matter…
Carry out the application.
When I selected English I couldn’t submit the form for some reason.
Here you need to upload your passport AND proof of onward travel (even though it doesn’t ask for it)
Add documents in PDF format and click “cargar” when prompted to save them — remember to do this or it won’t work
The first time I applied I got a confirmation email. The second time, nothing. But don’t worry, in around a week you’ll get an email with the result of your application.
Both times I was “pre-approved” and given a payment link.
Depending on where you’re from you’ll need to pay for the visa extension. I’m British, and now that we’re out of the EU we need to pay around 120 mil pesos (around 30 USD). If you’re part of the EU, you won’t have to pay.
Annoyingly, online payments never worked for me or my Suisse friend. We had to go to the migration office in Belen.
Step 2 – Go to the migration office with your passport
You don’t need to print out the email with the confirmation but I did just in case. There’s a place you can print out documents next to the migration office.
There are a few entrances. You want the one shown in the map above on Calle 19. The image below shows what the entrance looks like. There are always official walking to ask if you’re not sure.
Get there early (around 8 am) — The security guys are super helpful and friendly. Just show him the email you received. He’ll likely tell you to wait to one side until an agent is available.
Both times had to wait for a little under an hour.
The first time around I paid the fee in the office. That’s now changed. The agent gave me a slip of paper with a QR code and told me to go to a banco to pay the fee.
Step 3 – Go to a Banco de Occidente (or bank specified)
The clerk in the bank will know what to do with the slip. Just make sure you have cash.
After another week, you’ll receive confirmation that your payment was a success and a PDF with the date your visa extension expires.
One more thing.
You can only stay in Colombia for 180 days per calendar year. However, there is a hack to stay for a year. You just need to get to Colombia in the 2nd half of the year (so, around July). A day before your first 180 days expires (90 days + visa extension), leave the country for 24hrs and come back. This is the infamous Colombian tourist visa border run. Many foreigners pick up a cheap flight to Panama, Quito en Ecuador, or chill in Mexico. Then rinse and repeat the above. Works like a charm.
Apparently, you can overstay your visa. You’ll get a slap on the wrist and a hundred-dollar fine. I don’t think I could handle that stress so I’m going the student visa route instead. But, if you’re a risk-taker, it’s an option.
Suerte,
Nick
