Canadians Urged to Pre-Pay Entry Fee for Colombia
Canada’s foreign travel advice now highlights a small but useful step for those heading to Colombia. Canadian passport holders can speed up immigration by paying the reciprocity fee online before departure. The fee - roughly CA$85–90 per person - covers a single entry and requires passengers to show a screenshot of the voucher and reference number at the immigration desk on arrival.
Payments made on arrival are possible but only by credit card, and all Canadians are funnelled into a dedicated immigration line regardless of whether the fee was pre-paid. The recommendation to pay in advance aims to reduce queues at Bogotá and other busy international gateways. It also avoids the scramble for bank cards or mobile coverage after a long flight when lines can be slow.
Who is exempt from the reciprocity fee
- Canadian citizens under 14 or over 79
- Holders of a valid Colombian visa
- Travellers connecting onward through a Colombian airport
- Those bound for San Andrés or Providencia
- Holders of seaman books, diplomatic or special passports
Alongside the reciprocity fee, there is one more formality: Canadians are asked to submit the Checkmig form online before departure. This step is intended to smooth passport control and help Colombian authorities manage daily arrival volumes. The form can be completed shortly before travel and must be shown digitally or printed if requested.
The updated guidance makes Colombia’s entry process clearer and adds predictability for those planning trips to Bogotá’s museums, Medellín’s cable cars or Cartagena’s walled city. The exemption for San Andrés and Providencia is also relevant for beach-focused itineraries, while connections through Bogotá or Cali are unaffected as transit passengers do not pay the fee.
The change is modest, yet it reflects the steady return of long-haul travel between Canada and South America. Paying the fee ahead of time limits airport hassle and helps Canadians move through immigration more quickly. Colombia remains a popular destination for culture, wildlife and coastal scenery, and this administrative tweak should make arrivals less stressful for anyone heading that way.
