Traveling Abroad in Colombia

Street scene in the northern city of Cartagena.
Source: cia.org.

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Colombia. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.

Obtaining Your Visa

In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Colombia, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information website.

Staying Safe on Your Trip

Before you travel to Colombia, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. And the State Department is a good place to start. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip

When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Colombia, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.

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