Passports & Visas

Passport Requirements

Travelers visiting Cartagena, Colombia, must ensure that their passports are valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure date. The passport should be in good condition and have at least two blank pages available for visa stamps if required. Travelers are encouraged to check their passport validity well in advance of travel to avoid any last-minute complications.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe DO NOT REQUIRE a tourist visa for travel to Colombia unless they are planning to say longer than 90 days.

US citizens will receive a visa upon arrival in Colombia, valid for 60 days. US citizens can apply for a visa extension of up to 1 year.

UK residents can extend their visa for up to 90 days at DAS offices. 

Visa Fees

US Citizens will receive a FREE visa upon arrival in Colombia.

Canadians do not need a visa but will be charged a COP 160,000 reciprocity fee (about $72) upon arrival at the airport or land border crossing. It can be paid in cash in Colombian pesos or with an international debit or credit card. The fee is waived for travelers under 14 or over 79. Please note, visa information stated here is only a guideline. Only the information given by the consulate of the country you are planning to visit is up-to-date, official and correct.

For more information visit https://colombia.travel/en/practical-information/visas-and-embassies or check with the nearest Colombian Consulate.

Processing Time for Visas

Visa processing usually takes five to eight working days. Processing time depends on whether the application is referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for additional review.

Vaccination Recommendations

We highly recommend visiting the World Health Organization website https://www.who.int/travel-advice/vaccines for the most up-to-date country-specific vaccination requirements.

Request a Visa Letter

For many participants, letters of invitation help smooth the visa process. We wish to support international attendees in their efforts to secure the travel documentation needed. However, to receive a letter of invitation, ICCN must be assured that you intend to attend the meeting if your travel request is granted. Individuals that require an official letter of invitation to obtain a visa and authorization to attend the meeting must:

1. Register for the meeting
2. Request a Visa Letter of Invitation

Request a Visa Letter

To request a Visa letter, email info@ifcn.info. We require that you provide your full name, address, and email for us to process the official electronic letter of invitation. The letter of invitation does not financially obligate the ICCN organizers in any way. All expenses incurred in relation to the meeting are the sole responsibility of the attendee. Please note that we cannot guarantee that you will receive a visa. The decision to grant visas is at the sole discretion of the embassy/consulate. The meeting organizers cannot change the decision of the governmental agency should your application be denied. Due to the costs involved, we cannot send letters of invitation via express mail services.

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. It is recommended that you apply early for your visa.