How to Extend Your Tourist Stay in Colombia: A Stress-Free 2025 Guide
Picture this: You're sipping your third cortado of the day in a Bogotá café, your 90-day stamp is running out, and you're nowhere near ready to leave Colombia behind. Good news—you don't have to. Most visitors can extend their tourist status once, entirely online, without the hassle of border runs or visa agents. Here's your no-nonsense guide to buying yourself another 90 days of Colombian adventures.
The 30-Second Summary (For Those Already Packing)
- When: Apply 10-15 days before your current stamp expires
- Cost: COP 125,000 (about $30 USD) - though EU citizens and Ecuadorians currently pay nothing
- Where: Online at Migración Colombia's website
- What you'll get: Up to 90 additional days
- The catch: You can't exceed 180 days total per calendar year
Why Smart Travelers Choose Extensions Over Border Runs
Let's be real—border runs are the old way of doing things. That last-minute flight to Panama City or Quito? You're looking at $200-400 minimum, plus the stress of airports, immigration queues, and hoping they'll let you back in.
Meanwhile, the online extension takes 20 minutes from your hammock, costs less than a decent night out in Poblado, and comes with zero jet lag. Plus, you won't be that person frantically googling "Colombia overstay fine" at 2 AM (spoiler: it starts at around $150 USD and gets worse from there).
The Golden Window: Timing Your Application Like a Pro
Here's where most people mess up—timing. Migración Colombia has a Goldilocks zone for applications:
- Too early (more than 15 days before): Auto-rejected
- Too late (less than 48 hours): Almost always denied
- Just right (10-15 days before): Welcome to extension paradise
Mark your calendar now. Set three reminders. Thank yourself later.
Your Document Checklist (The Make-or-Break List)
Before you start, gather these essentials:
✓ Passport bio page scan - Clear, readable, under 1MB PDF ✓ Entry stamp page scan - Same deal, make it crispy clear ✓ Digital passport photo - White background, under 300KB (pro tip: use your phone's portrait mode) ✓ Colombian address - Your Airbnb counts ✓ Local phone number - Borrow your host's if needed ✓ Payment card - Visa or Mastercard ready
Name your files simply (passport.pdf, not pãşşpørt_FINAL_v2.pdf). The system hates special characters more than Colombians hate being called "Columbians."
The Step-by-Step Process (With Real Talk)
- Navigate to migracioncolombia.gov.co Find "Trámites en Línea" → "Permiso Temporal de Permanencia" → "Prorrogar Permanencia"
- Fill out the form exactly as your passport reads Every tilde, middle name, and second surname matters. This isn't the time for nicknames.
- Upload your documents Click "Guardar" after each upload. If nothing happens, your file's probably too big or you're using Safari (switch to Chrome).
- Pay the fee COP 125,000 goes through instantly. Screenshot everything—Colombian payment systems can be... temperamental.
- Wait for the magic email Usually arrives in 1-5 business days from @migracioncolombia.gov.co. Check your spam folder religiously.
- Save that PDF Download it, screenshot it, email it to yourself. Some bus companies randomly ask for it, and you don't want to be stuck in Ipiales without proof.
Reality Check: What Your Extension Actually Means
Your new 90 days start the day after your original permit expires—not when you get approved. So if you apply on day 85 and get approved on day 92, you haven't gained a week; you've just avoided becoming illegal.
You can still leave and re-enter Colombia during your extension, but those days keep counting toward your 180-day annual limit. Think of it like a data plan—use it wisely.
Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Day
The Blurry Upload Special: That photo you took with your phone flashlight at midnight? It won't work. Scan properly or use a scanning app with good lighting.
The Google Translate Trap: Browser auto-translation can break form fields. Keep the site in Spanish and use your phone to translate what you don't understand.
The "I'll Do It Tomorrow" Syndrome: Immigration offices don't care about your meditation retreat in Minca. Apply on time or pay the price—literally.
When 180 Days Isn't Enough: Your Long-Game Options
Eventually, you'll hit the 180-day wall. Here's what the Colombia-obsessed do next:
Digital Nomad Visa: Perfect if you're working remotely. Prove you make $900+ USD monthly, and you're golden for up to 2 years.
Student Visa: Enroll in Spanish classes (10 hours/week minimum) and combine learning with living.
Investment Visa: Got $110,000 USD burning a hole in your pocket? Buy property and stay for 3 years.
The Marriage Route: Found love in Cartagena? Congrats, you've unlocked the ultimate visa hack.
The Questions Everyone Asks
"Can I extend twice?" Nope. One extension per visit, 180 days max per calendar year. The universe (and Colombian law) is telling you to explore other countries too.
"What if I'm already past my 90 days?" You're officially overstaying. Head to the nearest Migración office with cash for fines and a very apologetic attitude.
"Do kids need extensions?" Yes, even your 6-month-old needs their own application. Colombia doesn't do family plans.
Your Next Move
Extending your Colombian stay is easier than explaining why you're still here to your friends back home. The whole process is:
- Gather documents
- Apply online (10-15 days before expiry)
- Pay $30
- Wait for approval
- Keep exploring
With your extra 90 days secured, where will you head next? The coffee farms of Salento? The beaches of Tayrona? The nightlife of Medellín you swore you were done with?
Whatever you choose, you've just bought yourself three more months of "I'll figure it out tomorrow"—and honestly, that's the Colombian way.
Remember: Immigration rules can change. While this guide is current for 2025, always double-check with Migración Colombia's official website before making plans. And seriously, set those reminders now.
Photo by Global Residence Index on Unsplash