Visa-Free Countries for Colombian Citizens: A Comprehensive Guide

Colombian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a significant number of countries worldwide, making international travel more accessible and convenient. As of 2024, Colombian citizens can visit 135 countries and territories without obtaining a visa in advance, ranking the Colombian passport 38th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index[1]. This article provides a detailed overview of visa-free travel options for Colombians, including entry requirements, stay durations, and important considerations.

Visa-Free Travel Within South America

Colombian citizens benefit from extensive visa-free travel options within South America, thanks in part to Colombia’s status as an associated member of Mercosur[1]. Here are the key South American destinations accessible without a visa:

Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay

• Visa requirement: None
• Allowed stay: 90 days
• Special privileges: Right to residence and work under Mercosur agreement
• Additional notes: Colombians can apply for “temporary residence” for up to two years, followed by “permanent residence”[1]

Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru

• Visa requirement: None
• Allowed stay: 90 days (Peru allows 183 days)
• Special privileges: Similar rights as Mercosur full members

Chile

• Visa requirement: None
• Allowed stay: 90 days
• Note: Chilean immigration policy differs from other Mercosur countries; work authorization may require additional steps[1]

European Destinations

Colombian passport holders can travel visa-free to most European countries, including those in the Schengen Area. Here are some notable European destinations:

Schengen Area Countries

• Visa requirement: None
• Allowed stay: 90 days within any 180-day period
• Countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland[1]

United Kingdom

• Visa requirement: None
• Allowed stay: 6 months[1]

Non-Schengen European Countries

• Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia: Visa-free for 90 days
• Russia: Visa-free for 90 days
• Ukraine: Visa-free for 90 days[1]

Caribbean and Central American Destinations

Many Caribbean and Central American countries offer visa-free access to Colombian citizens:

• Antigua and Barbuda: 90 days
• Bahamas: 3 months
• Barbados: 90 days
• Belize: 90 days
• Dominican Republic: 30 days
• Jamaica: 30 days
• Panama: 90 days
• Trinidad and Tobago: 90 days[1]

Asian Destinations

Several Asian countries allow Colombian citizens to enter without a visa or offer visa-on-arrival options:

• Georgia: Visa-free for 1 year
• Indonesia: Visa-free for 30 days
• Israel: Visa-free for 3 months
• Malaysia: eVisa for 14 days
• Philippines: Visa-free for 30 days
• Singapore: Visa-free for 30 days
• South Korea: Electronic Travel Authorization for 90 days
• Thailand: Visa-free for 60 days
• United Arab Emirates: Visa-free for 90 days[1]

African Destinations

While many African countries require visas for Colombian citizens, some offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival options:

• Morocco: Visa-free for 90 days
• Rwanda: eVisa or Visa on arrival for 30 days
• Seychelles: Electronic Border System for 3 months
• Tanzania: eVisa or Visa on arrival for 90 days[1]

Oceania Destinations

Some countries in Oceania offer visa-free access to Colombian passport holders:

• Fiji: Visa-free for 4 months
• New Caledonia: Visa-free for 90 days
• Palau: Visa on arrival for 30 days
• Samoa: Visa-free for 60 days[1]

eVisa and Visa on Arrival Options

Many countries offer eVisa or Visa on Arrival options for Colombian citizens, providing more flexibility for travel:

eVisa Options

• Armenia: 120 days
• Azerbaijan: 30 days
• Benin: 30 days
• Ethiopia: up to 90 days
• India: 30 days
• Kenya: 90 days
• Kyrgyzstan: 60 days
• Myanmar: 28 days
• Nigeria: 90 days
• Pakistan: 90 days
• Sri Lanka: 60 days / 30 days
• Vietnam: Duration varies[1]

Visa on Arrival Options

• Bangladesh: 30 days
• Cambodia: 30 days
• Egypt: 30 days
• Jordan: Duration varies
• Laos: 30 days
• Madagascar: 60 days
• Mauritius: Duration varies
• Mozambique: 30 days
• Nepal: 90 days
• Tuvalu: 1 month[1]

Important Considerations for Visa-Free Travel

Passport Validity

Many countries require passports to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay. Some notable exceptions include:

• Japan, Ireland, and the United Kingdom: Valid throughout the intended stay
• European Union countries (except Ireland), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland: 3 months beyond the intended departure date[1]

Blank Passport Pages

Some countries require a minimum number of blank pages in the passport, typically one or two[1].

Vaccination Requirements

Several countries, particularly in Africa, require proof of yellow fever vaccination. It’s essential to check the specific requirements for each destination[1].

Entry and Exit Stamps

Some Middle Eastern countries may deny entry if there’s evidence of travel to Israel in the passport. Israel has mostly ceased stamping foreign passports to mitigate this issue[1].

Biometric Requirements

Many countries now require fingerprinting or photographs upon entry. Some notable examples include:

• Fingerprinting: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates
• Facial recognition: United States (for departing passengers)[1]

Countries Requiring Visas for Colombian Citizens

Despite the extensive visa-free travel options, some countries still require visas for Colombian passport holders. Notable examples include:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• India (eVisa available)
• Ireland
• Japan
• New Zealand
• United States
• South Africa[1]

Conclusion

Colombian citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a wide range of countries across the globe. This privilege significantly eases international travel for business, tourism, or personal purposes. However, it’s crucial to research specific entry requirements, including passport validity, vaccination needs, and any recent policy changes, before planning a trip. Additionally, for countries requiring visas, it’s advisable to apply well in advance to ensure smooth travel arrangements.

As visa policies can change, it’s recommended to consult official sources or the embassy of the destination country for the most up-to-date information before traveling. With proper planning and awareness of entry requirements, Colombian passport holders can make the most of their extensive visa-free travel options and explore the world with greater ease.

Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Colombian_citizens [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Colombian_citizens [3] https://getgoldenvisa.com/passport/colombia [4] https://www.passportindex.org/passport/colombia/ [5] https://www.guideconsultants.com/all-passports/colombia-passport-visa-free-countries-list/