Santodomingo Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Colombia's visa policy allows citizens of many countries to enter without a visa for tourism and business purposes. Requirements vary based on nationality and purpose of visit.
Citizens of these countries can enter Colombia without a visa for tourism or business purposes
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date. Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. The 90-day stay can be extended once for an additional 90 days at Migración Colombia offices, for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
Some nationalities can apply for an electronic visa online before travel
Cost: Approximately USD $55-80 depending on visa type
Approved eVisa must be printed and presented upon arrival. Ensure all information matches your passport exactly.
Nationals of countries not covered by visa-free entry or eVisa must apply for a traditional visa at a Colombian embassy or consulate
Start the visa application process well in advance of planned travel. Requirements vary significantly based on nationality and visa type. Some countries may require additional documentation or interviews.
Arrival Process
When arriving in Colombia (before traveling to Santo Domingo), you'll go through immigration and customs at your port of entry. The process is generally straightforward for properly documented travelers.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Colombia's customs regulations allow reasonable personal items and gifts duty-free, but strictly prohibit certain items. Declare all required items honestly to avoid penalties.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - Colombia has strict drug laws with severe penalties
- Firearms and ammunition - without proper permits and advance authorization
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media
- Endangered species products - ivory, certain animal skins, exotic feathers, turtle shells
- Pornographic material - particularly involving minors
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants - without phytosanitary certificates
- Meat and dairy products - from most countries without veterinary certification
- Certain chemicals and hazardous materials
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - must have prescription and be in original packaging with your name. Carry only reasonable quantities for personal use
- Professional equipment - cameras, drones, and professional video equipment may require temporary import permits if of high value
- Pets - require health certificates, rabies vaccination certificates, and advance permits from ICA (Colombian Agricultural Institute)
- Archaeological artifacts - cannot be removed from Colombia without special permits
- Plants and seeds - require phytosanitary certificates from ICA
- Drones - recreational use has restrictions; may require registration and permits for certain areas
Health Requirements
Colombia has specific health entry requirements depending on your travel history and destinations within the country. Health precautions are important for a safe visit.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - Required if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (parts of Africa and South America). Proof of vaccination (International Certificate of Vaccination) must be shown at immigration.
- Yellow Fever - Strongly recommended and may be checked when traveling to certain Colombian regions including Amazon areas, though Santo Domingo itself is not in a high-risk zone.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for most travelers
- Typhoid - Recommended, especially if visiting smaller cities or rural areas
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for travelers who might have exposure to blood or bodily fluids
- Rabies - Consider for travelers with extensive outdoor activities or working with animals
- Routine vaccinations - Ensure up-to-date on measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and yearly flu shot
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended. Colombia has good private healthcare in major cities, but costs can be high for foreigners. Ensure your policy covers activities you plan to undertake. Public healthcare is available but may have long waits. Santo Domingo has limited medical facilities; serious conditions may require travel to larger cities.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport. Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents may need additional documentation. If traveling with one parent, carry a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s) in Spanish, including passport details and travel dates. If traveling with neither parent, guardians need notarized authorization from both parents. Colombian immigration strictly enforces these rules to prevent child abduction. Divorced parents should carry custody documents. These requirements apply to both foreign visitors and Colombian nationals.
Pets entering Colombia require: a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days before travel but less than 1 year prior), microchip identification (recommended), and a zoosanitary import permit from ICA (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). Apply for the ICA permit online at least 30 days before travel. Upon arrival, pets must be inspected by ICA officials at the airport. Some airlines have additional requirements. Certain dog breeds may face restrictions. Consider quarantine requirements for your return home.
Tourist visas allow up to 90 days initially, extendable once for an additional 90 days (180 days maximum per calendar year). To extend, visit a Migración Colombia office before your initial 90 days expire, bringing your passport, entry stamp, proof of financial means, and payment (approximately USD $60-100). For stays longer than 180 days, you'll need a different visa type (work, student, resident, etc.) applied for through the Colombian consulate before arrival or by leaving and re-entering after the calendar year resets. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and entry bans. If planning extended stays, consider applying for a visitor (V) visa for up to 2 years.
Most visa-exempt nationalities can conduct business activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations) on tourist entry for up to 90 days without a business visa. However, you cannot receive payment from Colombian sources or engage in productive work. For longer business stays or work involving Colombian income, apply for a Business Visitor (V-Business) visa before arrival. Carry invitation letters from Colombian companies, conference registration, or business contact information to show immigration if questioned about your purpose.
Students planning to study in Colombia need a student (V-Student) visa obtained before arrival. Requirements include acceptance letter from a recognized Colombian educational institution, proof of financial support, health insurance, and background check. Tourist visas cannot be converted to student visas within Colombia; you must apply from your home country. The visa duration matches your program length.
Colombia introduced a Digital Nomad Visa (V-Digital Nomad) in 2022 for remote workers. Requirements include proof of employment or business outside Colombia, minimum income requirements (approximately USD $700/month), and health insurance. Valid for up to 2 years. Cannot work for Colombian companies. Apply online through Migración Colombia before arrival.