Colombia entry requirements for Switzerland passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Swiss passport holders can enter Colombia without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. As of 2026, you must complete the online Check-Mig form before departure and meet standard entry requirements.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay | Your Swiss passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Colombia. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Check-Mig pre-registrationCheck-Mig: Colombia's mandatory online pre-registration form at migracioncolombia.gov.co. Complete it within 72 hours before your flight — it takes under 5 minutes. Mandatory online form | Complete the free Check-Mig form at migracioncolombia.gov.co within 72 hours before your flight. Takes under 5 minutes — you get a QR code that immigration scans on arrival. Without it, you will not be allowed to board.Open Check-Mig form | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure | Immigration officers routinely ask for a flight out of Colombia within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy of your onward ticket ready — they check this at the counter before stamping you in. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host letter | Officers may ask where you are staying, especially if you arrive without a return ticket. A hotel confirmation or an invitation letter from a Colombian host covers this. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Cash, card, or bank statement | Immigration can request evidence you can support yourself during your stay. A recent bank statement or a credit card with a reasonable limit usually satisfies them. | Recommended |
Check-Mig is mandatory — do it before your flight
Complete the free online form at migracioncolombia.gov.co within 72 hours of departure. Save the confirmation. Without it, you may face delays or be denied entry. It also speeds up your arrival at Bogotá or Medellín airports.
No visa extension available
The 90-day visa-free stay cannot be extended. If you need more time, you must leave Colombia and re-enter (but be aware that doing this repeatedly may raise flags). Overstaying leads to fines and potential bans.
What happens at the border
1
Complete Check-Mig Online
Go to migracioncolombia.gov.co and fill in the Check-Mig form. Do this 24–72 hours before your flight. You'll enter your flight details, passport info, and accommodation address. Save the confirmation PDF or screenshot — you'll show it at immigration in Bogotá (El Dorado) or Medellín.
2
Prepare Your Documents
Before you queue at immigration, have your passport, Check-Mig confirmation, and return ticket ready. Keep them in your hand luggage, not checked bags. At Bogotá El Dorado, follow signs to 'Extranjeros' (Foreigners) — the line moves fast but can be long.
3
Pass Through Immigration
Hand over your passport and the Check-Mig confirmation. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly. They'll stamp your passport with up to 90 days. No visa fee.
4
Collect Your Bags and Exit
After immigration, collect your luggage from the carousel. Customs is usually a green/red light system — if you get green, walk straight out. If red, your bags get scanned. Keep receipts for any expensive items you're bringing in.
Download Colombia Entry Checklist
PDF · Switzerland Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable once for 90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~$50 USD (approx. 200,000 COP)
Requires application at Colombian consulate abroad. Allows longer stay than visa-free.
Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, extendable once per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 400,000 COP)
Ideal for frequent visitors. Must apply at Colombian consulate.
Migrant Visa (Type M)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP)
For longer stays, work, or study. Requires proof of income or ties.
retirement visa
Migrant Visa (Type M) – Retirement
1 year, renewable annually
~$200 USD (approx. 800,000 COP) per year
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $700 USD. Requires proof of income and health insurance. Allows residency and multiple entries.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Type V)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (approx. 600,000 COP)
For remote workers earning at least $1,000 USD/month. Requires proof of employment and health insurance. Allows stay and work for foreign employers.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Type M)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD (approx. 1,200,000 COP)
For investors with a minimum investment of $100,000 USD in Colombian business or real estate. Requires proof of funds and business plan.
student visa
Student Visa (Type M)
Duration of studies, up to 1 year renewable
~$100 USD (approx. 400,000 COP)
For enrolled students at accredited Colombian institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds. Allows part-time work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (not available for visa-free entry)Visa-free stays cannot be extended. Must leave after 90 days. | N/A |
| Overstay fineOverstaying may result in fines and potential entry bans. Pay at immigration office before departure. | ~$2 USD per day (approx. 8,000 COP/day), max cap unknown |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket35%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Colombia
No transit visa needed
Swiss passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Colombia, as long as they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsEl Dorado International Airport (BOG), Bogotá · José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), Medellín · Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), Cartagena
Health & vaccines for Colombia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Peru). Certificate must be at least 10 days old.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialRabiesConsiderCOVID-19 (primary series + booster)Essential
Health risks
DengueHigh risk
Mosquito-borne disease common in urban and rural areas, especially during rainy seasons. Use repellent and mosquito nets.
MalariaModerate risk
Present in rural areas below 1,700m, especially Amazon and Pacific coast. Prophylaxis recommended for those regions.
ZikaModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions. Use repellent and avoid mosquito bites.
Malaria risk: moderate
Risk is low in major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena) but moderate in rural areas like Amazon and Pacific coast. Prophylaxis recommended for those regions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bogotá
Migración Colombia – Sede Principal
Calle 100 No. 11B-27, Bogotá
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Arrive early to avoid long queues.
Medellín
Migración Colombia – Medellín
Carrera 52 No. 75-30, Medellín
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30
Handles extensions and overstay fines. Bring passport and Check-Mig form.
Practical information for CH travellers
Country basics
CapitalBogotá
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for tourist stays.
Money
CurrencyColombian Peso (COP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3,791.19 COP
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New YorkSame (EST) / -1h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+3h (PST) / +2h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe in Bogotá and major cities. Use bottled water outside cities.
Emergency numbers
US EmbassyFind contact
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Colombia — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. You must leave Colombia within 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to apply for a different visa type (e.g., a tourist visa extension is not available for Swiss passport holders under this program). Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined approximately 1–2 USD per day over, and it may be noted in your immigration record. For longer overstays, you could be banned from re-entering Colombia for a period. Always leave on time.
Not required for Swiss passport holders arriving from Switzerland or most European countries. However, if you've recently been in a country with yellow fever (e.g., Brazil, parts of Africa), you may need proof of vaccination. Check with your airline or the Colombian consulate if you're transiting through risk areas.
No. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. If it expires in 5 months, you'll be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes. It's required by Colombian immigration. You must complete it online within 72 hours before your flight. Without it, you may be delayed at immigration or denied entry. It's free and takes about 10 minutes.
You need a booked onward or return ticket to enter. Immigration will ask for it. If you're planning to travel overland to another country, you can book a cheap bus or flight out (e.g., to Ecuador or Peru) and show that. A refundable ticket is also an option.
The visa-free entry is for tourism or business (meetings, conferences). Remote work for a foreign employer is generally tolerated, but it's a gray area. If you plan to work for a Colombian company, you need a work visa. For digital nomads, Colombia has a specific visa (Visa de Visitante) that allows up to 2 years — but that's a separate application.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.