South America > Colombia > Governments: Customs and Visa Information

Entry/Exit Requirements: All U.S. citizens who are not also Colombian citizens must present a valid U.S. passport to enter and depart Colombia, and to return to the United States. Dual U.S-Colombian citizens must present a Colombian passport to enter and exit Colombia, and a ... Read this Article

Colombia representation in the U.S.A.

chief of mission: Ambassador Carolina BARCO Isakson
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338
FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC

Website: Embassy of Colombia

U.S.A. representation in Colombia

chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD
embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C.
mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811
FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197

Website: Colombia: Bogota

Passport Information and Travel Registration

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

This site will allow you to find the nearest location to apply for a passport. It is provided by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) provides reliable information on passport and visa requirements for personal and business travel to Colombia. Click here to Start.

Colombia at a Glance

Official Country Name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia

Government Type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Administrative Divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

National Holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Constitution: 5 July 1991; amended many times

Legal System: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted into law in 2004 and reached full implemention in January 2008; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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Snippets of Interest for Colombia

!	The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Registration / Embassy Location: Americans residing or traveling in Colombia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Colombia. Americans without Internet access may ... Read this Article

Special Circumstances: Colombia employs strict screening procedures for detecting narcotics smuggling at its international airports. Americans and other travelers are occasionally questioned, searched, fingerprinted, and/or asked to submit to an abdominal x-ray upon arrival or departure. Most airport inspectors do not speak English, and travelers who ... Read this Article

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law ... Read this Article

Government Type: Republic. Independence: July 20, 1810. Constitution: July 1991. Branches: Executive--President (chief of state and head of Government). Legislative--Bicameral Congress. Judicial--Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Council of State, Superior Judicial Council. Administrative divisions: 32 departments; Bogota, capital district. Major political parties: Conservative Party of Colombia, Liberal, National Unity, Radical Change, Alternative Democratic Pole, and ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Bogota released the following Warden Message on October 23: This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that on October 23, 2008, several minor explosions, which resulted in 11 injuries, occurred in Bogota. The explosive devices used were reported to be in small packages ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Bogota released the following Warden Message on November 19: This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia about an anticipated march/demonstration of between 30,000 to 40,000 supporters of better treatment for indigenous people of Colombia. The march is expected to take ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Bogota issued the following Warden Message on September 5: The U.S. Embassy has received information that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) may be targeting large-scale chain superstores and other commercial establishments in Bogota, as well as Colombian government buildings and places of worship in ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Bogotá. The victim was driving to the bank to cash a check. When he arrived at the bank, the parking lot was full so the victim pulled around the corner and parked on a residential street. As soon as he stopped, two motorcycles, both with two passengers, ... Read this Article

...U.S. Embassy Bogotá released the following Warden Message on August 22, 2008: This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia of increased terrorist activity. Several bombings of public facilities and increased seizures of explosive materials have necessitated a review of security procedures for ... Read this Article

Intercountry Adoption For information on how to proceed with an adoption, please visit the the Department of State�s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services.

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