Passport/Visa
|
Passport Required? |
Visa Required? |
Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
No/1 |
Yes |
Passports
Passport valid for
at least six months 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 the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist: £25 (depends on nationality). Temporary visitor: £60. Business: £95. Student: £30. Fees have to be paid in the form of bank deposit. For other types and costs contact the consulate or consular section at embassy.
Validity
Tourist and Temporary Visitor: Valid six months (multiple entry). Business: Valid four years for multiple entries with maximum stays of six months each. Student: Valid five years with multiple entry.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.
Working Days Required
Depends on the visa issued. Five for Tourist and Business visas; one week for Temporary Visitors Visas. It is generally advised to allow plenty of time for applications.
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Warning
Most visits are trouble-free.
It is advised against all travel to the departments of Putumayo, Arauca, Nariño (excluding Pasto), and Norte de Santander; 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.
It is advised against all but essential travel to the rural areas of Cauca, Huila (including to San Agustin and the Parque Arqueologico San Agustin), Caqueta, Guaviare, southern and western Valle de Cauca, southern Tolima, southern parts of Meta, Chocó, north western Antioquia, north-eastern Boyacá, Córdoba, Sucre, southern Bolívar and southern Cesar departments. We also advise against all but essential travel to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (including the ‘Lost City’).
Visitors should be aware that the security situation in Colombia is constantly changing and that you could be at serious risk in parts of the country not included in the list above. If it is essential for you to travel, you should review your security arrangements.
There is a high threat of terrorism in Colombia. Visitors should be vigilant, particularly when visiting or staying in public places used by foreigners, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping malls and in the vicinity of government buildings and military establishments. Roads, bridges and power supplies are also targeted.
There is a serious risk of kidnapping and crime throughout most parts of the country, including major cities. It is advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to deprived areas of all Colombian cities.
When traveling in rural areas it is strongly advised to follow local warnings about the presence of landmines.
The Galeras Volcano continues to emit smoke and the park where it is located is closed The eruption of the Nevado del Huila volcano in the Parque de los Nevados located in the west of Huila Department and in southern Tolima on 18 April 2007, has caused a large amount of flooding and mudslides in these departments, particularly in the river valleys. Visitors should avoid restricted areas, pay careful attention to all warnings and follow the advice of the local Colombian authorities.
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
|
Special Precautions |
Certificate Required? |
| Yellow Fever |
1 |
1 |
| Cholera |
2 |
No |
| Typhoid and Polio |
3 |
N/A |
| Malaria |
4 |
N/A |
Health Care
Other risks
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), as well as cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occur in Colombia. Hepatitis A, B and C occur. Dengue fever and TB are also found. Booster vaccinations for tetanus and measles are recommended.
Rabies is present. For those at risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
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.
Note
1 Vaccination is recommended for travelers who visit the following areas considered to be endemic for yellow fever: middle valley of the Magdalena River, eastern and western foothills of the Cordillera Oriental from the frontier with Ecuador to that with Venezuela, Urabá, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, eastern plains (Orinoquia) and Amazonia. All travelers intending to visit Magdalena, Cesar, La Guajira, Atlantico, Santander, Norte de Santander and Amazonia areas should possess yellow fever inoculations and carry vaccination certificates. Colombian Immigration officials may insist upon seeing such proof.
2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Colombia. However, there may be a risk of cholera in this country and precautions should be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.
3 Typhoid immunization or boosters are recommended.
4 Malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural and jungle areas below 800m. There is high risk in the following municipalities: Urabá-Bajo Cauca, Amazonia, Orinoquia and Pacífico. The highest risk is in the following departments: Amazonia, Chocó, Córdoba, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vichada. The malignant falciparum form of the disease is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine in Amazonia, Pacífico and Urabá-Bajo Cauca. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil in Amazonia and Pacífico, and in Urabá-Bajo Cauca, mefloquine.
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