As stated by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. citizens traveling to Colombia must present their valid U.S. passport upon entry into the country as well as when returning to the United States. Dual citizens who have both U.S. and Colombian citizenship must present a Colombian passport when entering and exiting Colombia in addition to a U.S. passport. Colombian citizens include people born in Colombia or who have obtained Colombian citizenship later on in life. U.S. citizens born in Colombia will need both passports as well. Passports must have enough blank space for a visa stamp.
U.S. citizens who are traveling to Colombia for 60 days or less do not need a Colombian visa, according to the Department of State. Travelers may be asked to present a return ticket to the U.S. when entering Colombia as evidence of return. Americans traveling to Colombia must enter the country at an official border crossing, even if this is travel by bus, since entering at unauthorized crossings may result in a fine.
As stated by the Embassy of Colombia, U.S. citizens traveling to Colombia and who are required to fill out a visa application include: holders of diplomatic, official and service Passports traveling for the purpose of official activities for the U.S. government; members of diplomatic missions; and employees of international organizations as well as their family members and domestic employees.
The Colombian immigration officer at the point of entry into Colombia determines the length of stay for travelers. This information will be stamped on the traveler's passport and is known as the actual visa. A longer stay than the one indicated in the traveler's passport may be requested after arriving in Colombia at an office of the Colombian immigration authority, also known as Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS.) Travelers who stay in Colombia longer than authorized must pay a fine and cannot leave the country without paying it.
Colombian visas valid for more than three months must be registered at a DAS immigration office within 15 days of arrival in Colombia. Otherwise, the traveler will be faced with a fine. The Department of State encourages all travelers from the U.S. to register in their local embassy or consulate when arriving in Colombia. This helps travelers in case of emergency, natural disaster evacuation or lost documents that require immediate replacement.
An arrival tax is not collected from travelers entering Colombia, but an exit tax must be paid in cash when leaving Colombia by plane. The tax as of December 2010 is usually between $50 and $70, according to the Department of State. Certain airlines include this tax in the cost of the plane ticket, but at other times this tax must be paid at the airport.
