How Long Can Canadians Stay in Colombia
Canadian citizens do not need a Colombian tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days. Travel.gc.ca states that an immigration officer decides the permitted length on arrival, which may be up to 90 days. You may apply to extend that stay up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. The final decision remains with Migración Colombia. Canada appears on Colombia's official visa-waiver nationality list for short-stay visitor categories under 90 days. Canadians using the visa exemption pay an immigration control fee. Cancillería guidance has set that fee at 85 Canadian dollars, and Travel.gc.ca notes the amount is updated annually. Complete Check-Mig before you fly.
This guide is for Canadians visiting Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, or the coffee region, including remote workers who treat Colombia as a months-long base. The problem is mixing the initial 90-day grant with the annual 180-day ceiling, or assuming every re-entry restarts a full year of tourist time.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa for Canadians? | Not required for stays of up to 90 days |
| Typical arrival grant | Up to 90 days (officer decides) |
| Common maximum as visitor | Up to 180 days per calendar year with extension |
| Entry form | Check-Mig (72 hours to 1 hour before) |
| Immigration control fee | CAD 85 for visa-exempt Canadian nationals (Cancillería; confirm current amount) |
| Passport | Valid for the duration of your stay |
| Official Canadian source | Travel.gc.ca Colombia |
| Colombian migration | Migración Colombia |
Who this applies to
These rules apply to Canadian citizens on a regular Canadian passport admitted as visitors for tourism or other short purposes that do not require a visa.
They do not cover Colombian visas for work or study, residence permits, or dual Canadian-Colombian citizens. Dual citizens must enter and exit Colombia on Colombian documents. Work for a Colombian employer needs the matching visa.
Visa-free entry for Canadians
Travel.gc.ca states: tourist visa not required for stays of up to 90 days; business or work visa required; student visa required. The officer determines the permitted length when you enter. As a tourist, you may be granted a stay up to 90 days. You will be fined if you overstay the period on your entry stamp.
Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Canada among nationalities exempt from the Visitor (V) visa for short-stay visits of less than 90 days. [Source: Cancillería entry information PDF]
The same Cancillería document states that, based on reciprocity and Resolution 2676 of 25 August 2023, Canadian nationals who enter using the visa exemption must pay an immigration control fee of 85 Canadian dollars. Canadians holding a valid Colombian visa, plus diplomatic, consular, and service agents, are exempt from that fee. Travel.gc.ca adds that the entry fee is updated annually and can be paid online through the Single Form for Procedures or by card on arrival, with arrival-desk payment often causing delays.
What officers may check:
- Valid Canadian passport
- Return or onward plans
- Proof of funds and accommodation
- Purpose consistent with tourism or permitted short business
- Check-Mig confirmation
- Proof of the entry-fee payment when it applies
You must obtain an entry stamp when you enter by land. Missing that stamp can mean a fine.
How to complete Check-Mig and enter
Step 1. Complete the free electronic immigration form (Check-Mig) within 72 hours to 1 hour before boarding a flight to or from Colombia, or before entering by land, sea, or river. You need flight details, passport, email, Colombian address, and a phone number.
Step 2. Pay the entry fee online when required and screenshot the receipt with the reference number. Travel.gc.ca warns that paying only at the immigration desk can disrupt connections.
Step 3. Carry the same passport used on Check-Mig. Photograph the entry stamp or digital permit and note the expiry date.
Step 4. If you need more than the first grant, start the extension with Migración Colombia before day 90 ends. Build buffer for appointments and systems.
Step 5. Track total days in the calendar year (1 January through 31 December), not only the current stamp. Leaving Colombia does not erase days already used in that year.
Step 6. If you need more than 180 days, explore a Colombian visa or residence category instead of serial tourist presence.
Extensions to 180 days
Migración Colombia states that it may grant extensions of stay to foreigners whose nationality does not require a visa and who used a Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP), without exceeding 180 calendar days, continuous or discontinuous, within the same calendar year. A tourism permit (PT) may be extended for up to 90 calendar days, still inside that annual ceiling.
Extension is not a residence permit. It is still temporary visitor status. Approval is a process, not a guarantee you can remain indefinitely as a tourist.
Worked example with concrete dates
Taylor, a Canadian citizen, enters Bogotá on 10 January 2026 and receives 90 days through 9 April 2026. Taylor extends successfully for another 90 days through 8 July 2026. That uses roughly 180 days in calendar year 2026.
If Taylor exits on 1 July 2026 and tries to re-enter on 15 July 2026 for another 90 days in the same calendar year, officers may refuse or limit entry because the annual visitor ceiling may already be exhausted. Taylor should not plan a second half-year on pure tourist permission without checking remaining annual allowance and current Migración practice.
Remote work, visa runs, and longer stays
Tourist permission is not a Colombian work visa. Remote work for a foreign employer while living as a visitor is common among digital nomads and still different from employment by a Colombian entity. See remote work tourist visa legality. For structured multi-month programs, compare tourist visa vs digital nomad visa and what is a digital nomad visa.
Leaving to Ecuador or Panama and returning creates a new admission decision. It does not erase prior days already counted toward the calendar-year limit. Aggressive hopping can attract scrutiny. Background reading: how visa runs work.
Canadian tax residence day counting is separate from Colombian immigration days. Track both if relevant. See the 183-day rule explained.
Common mistakes
Assuming every entry is a fresh 180. Calendar-year totals matter.
Missing the extension window. Apply before the first 90 expires.
Skipping Check-Mig or the CAD 85 fee. Airlines and officers both check.
Working locally without status. Wrong category.
Entering by land without a stamp. Fines follow.
Losing the entry record. You need the end date.
How Staywise tracks Colombia days
Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) logs Colombia entries and counts remaining days against the limit you set for each grant. Alerts at 7, 3, and 1 day help you file extensions or book exit flights. Multi-country history supports planning when you rotate Mexico, Colombia, and Canada.
Passport details stay on your device. Free trial, then annual subscription. See App Store for current pricing.
Download Staywise on the App Store
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How to track this stay limit automatically
Country stay limits only help if you know how many days you have already used. Staywise (the visa compliance app for digital nomads) counts days across countries automatically and sends overstay alerts before a limit hits. Passport details stay on your device; only travel dates sync for the math. Available on iOS.
For tool comparisons, see Best Visa Tracker Apps for Digital Nomads (2026) and How to Track Your Days in Multiple Countries.
Download Staywise on the App Store
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Canadian citizens stay in Colombia without a visa?
Canadians can usually stay up to 90 days visa-free for tourism on arrival permission. Travel.gc.ca says the officer sets the length, up to 90 days, and you may apply to extend up to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. Cancillería lists Canada among visa-waiver nationalities for short stays under 90 days. Always confirm your stamp end date and extension eligibility for your trip. Overstay of the stamped period can mean a fine.
Can I extend my 90 days in Colombia?
Often yes. Migración Colombia may extend a tourism PIP for up to another 90 calendar days, without exceeding 180 calendar days, continuous or discontinuous, in the same calendar year. Extensions require following Migración procedures, paying fees, and receiving approval before the first period expires. An extension is process compliance, not a guarantee you can remain indefinitely as a tourist. Keep digital copies of the approval with your passport until you leave Colombia.
Do Canadians need to pay an entry fee for Colombia?
Yes if you enter under the visa exemption. Cancillería states Canadian nationals using that prerogative pay an immigration control fee of 85 Canadian dollars, with exemptions for valid Colombian visa holders and certain official categories. Travel.gc.ca says the fee is updated annually and can be paid online or by card on arrival. Screenshot the receipt. Failure to pay may mean denied entry. Destinations such as San Andrés have separate card rules described on Travel.gc.ca.
Can I work remotely in Colombia as a tourist?
Visitor status is for temporary stay, not Colombian local employment. Many nomads work online for foreign employers while present as tourists, which is different from holding a Colombian work visa. If you will be employed by a Colombian company or need multi-year stability, use the correct visa or residence pathway. Keep your activities consistent with the purpose you declared at the border.
What happens if I overstay in Colombia?
Travel.gc.ca states you will be fined if you overstay the period specified on your entry stamp. Overstay can also mean exit problems and future entry issues. Leave on or before your authorized date, or complete a lawful extension first. If an emergency blocks travel, contact Migración Colombia rather than ignoring the deadline. Build buffer into return flights so a delay does not create an accidental overstay.
Sources
- Government of Canada, Colombia travel advice - entry and exit
- Migración Colombia, Check-Mig pre-registration
- Migración Colombia, PIP / stay extension guidance
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Entry to Colombia and courtesy visa information
Related guides
- How Long Can US Citizens Stay in Colombia
- How Visa Runs Work
- Remote Work Tourist Visa Legality
- What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?
About Staywise
Staywise is the visa compliance app for digital nomads. Built by nomads for nomads, it tracks your days across every country automatically, alerts you before overstays, and keeps passport details on your device for privacy. The in-app AI assistant answers visa questions in plain English. Available on iOS.
Important: This content is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Visa rules, tax regulations, and entry requirements change frequently and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with official government sources or a qualified professional before making travel decisions. Staywise tracks your days and surfaces compliance information, but final responsibility for compliance rests with the traveler.