After three years of imposing strict health controls at its outer borders in a bid to keep COVID variants from being imported, Colombia has dropped the vaccine requirement, allowing all international travelers to visit without disclosing their immunization status.
Authorities have silently removed all vaccine and most pandemic-related mandates affecting tourists seeking entry into the South American country – as per the latest update published by IATA. This has been confirmed by one of our staffers who just entered the country without restriction.
But what does this mean in practice, and are there any requirements left for visiting Colombia now that vaccination is no longer mandatory?
What Has Changed Since The Latest IATA Update?
According to the Travel Regulations Map maintained by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where changes in border rules are tracked, Colombia has ceased requiring foreigners to present COVID proof of entry, based on the update dated May 4, 2023.
In other words, tourists will no longer be expected to present proof of vaccination boarding a Colombia-bound flight in their home country, or instead, undergo pre-travel testing, nor be subject to further checks landing at their destination.
This is great news for unvaccinated travelers, particularly those coming from the United States, who had had their movements into and out of Colombia restricted before, from being banned to being forced to present a negative test for entry later on.
There is still one requirement that hasn’t been done away with:
The CheckMig Form Remains Mandatory, But No COVID-Related Questions
While pandemic-era entry rules are no more, the Colombian Government has kept the CheckMig form in place, and completing it is now the only requirement for flying to Colombia. Additionally, questions related to immunization have been removed from the form.
Whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated, you must simply fill it out at most 72 hours and up to one hour before departure.
The CheckMig platform is Colombia’s pandemic-era solution for pre-travel registration. It serves as a travel permit, seeing that without completing it, you may be denied boarding or entry into Colombia. Fortunately, it is free to apply for, and all travelers are now treated the same, irrespective of vaccination.
You can find the form here.
No Vaccination Or Testing
To sum it up, traveling to Colombia, you are no longer expected to present a:
- Vaccination certificate indicating a complete vaccination course; or
- A negative antigen test undertaken prior to departure; or
- Undergo isolation upon arrival when unvaccinated, or having failed to complete a vaccination course; and
- Present mandatory COVID health insurance
As confirmed by the Colombian Consulate in Paris, France, the country has officially reinstated its pre-pandemic entry regulations. As long as they satisfy visa requirements and present a valid and ‘undamaged’ passport, foreigners will be granted entry hassle-free.
As a matter of fact, one of our editors-in-chief has just landed in Colombia today and has been able to verify that a vaccine or test certificate is indeed not required, either upon check-in at the airport or crossing the international border.
It is worth noting U.S. and Canada passport holders can remain in Colombia for up to six months without applying for a visa in advance, making it one of the easiest South American countries to travel to, unlike neighboring Brazil, which has recently shut its doors to North Americans by imposing a new tourist visa.
Why Visit Colombia In 2023?
Home to breathtaking and surprisingly diverse scenery, which comprises Andean peaks, dense tropical jungles, including a sizable portion of the Amazon rainforest, and a pristine coastline bounded by the Caribbean Sea, Colombia is the perfect natural world destination.
In Guatape, the historical heart of the Antioquia department, guests will find colonial-era, cobblestone towns and the landmark Rock of Guatape, which boasts a stunning panorama of the lakes below, while those crossing the Tatacoa Desert will be mesmerized by a Mars-like arid landscape.
Within driving distance of the town of Nobsa, in the Valley of the Sun, tourists will be met with rolling green hills dotted with vineyards and small traditional settlements.
Those venturing as far North as the Caribbean coast, on the other hand, will find vibrant city breaks, crystal clear beaches, remote islands surrounded by turquoise waters, and a rich Afro-Colombian heritage.
Recently, Colombia also launched a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), enabling remote workers to stay in the national territory for up to two years as long as they can prove a stable source of income and meet the remarkably low financial threshold for visa applicants.
At last, following years of uncertainty and COVID regulations, Colombia is open and eager to welcome you.
