Colombia Visa and Check-MIG for Brazilians

Citizens of Brazil who are traveling to Colombia as tourists or as short-term visitors who do not plan to make money in the country do not need a visa to travel.

However, they do still have to meet some entry requirements. Here’s what Brazilians traveling to Colombia need to know to make their visit a success.

Paperwork Brazilian Citizens Need at the Border With Colombia

At the border with Colombia, Brazilian citizens who need a visa will need to show that they have gotten one.

All travelers from Brazil will need to show their passport, which needs to be valid and should continue to be valid for at least six months from their date of entry. They will also need to show that they have an accepted Check-MIG form for Colombia. There is more information on that listed below.

Finally, Brazilian citizens will need to show that they meet all of Colombia’s current requirements regarding COVID-19. These changes, so they should update themselves before traveling.

Note that travelers may need to show negative COVID-19 test results to travel, so should check requirements in plenty of time to get these results before they leave if they need them.

Brazilian Travelers and the Check-MIG Form

The Check-MIG form asks for personal information and health data. It mostly pertains to COVID-19 and helps the government keep both visitors and citizens healthy.

It will ask for passport data, as well as contact data for the time the traveler is planning to be in Colombia. This allows for contact if a person was exposed to COVID en route to the country.

It also asks for personal health information, such as previous COVID infections, vaccination status, etc. This helps the government to screen individuals who may need to quarantine, etc.

The form can be accessed on the internet, or via a special app set up by the Colombian government. Travelers should follow instructions completely, then submit the form.

They should not, however, submit the form more than 48 hours before they leave for Colombia. That way, the data submitted will be as up-to-date as possible.

It usually takes less than 24 hours for the form to be accepted, though in occasional cases it may take longer. Travelers will likely not be permitted to board transportation to Colombia without an accepted form.

What Brazilian Citizens Should Bring When They Try to Enter Colombia

In addition to their Check-MIG form, valid passport, and their visa if they have one, Brazilian citizens may need to bring a few other documents to get through Immigration.

First, they may need to show proof that they plan to leave the country within the time allowed by their visa. This is particularly true for those entering on 90-day tourist visas.

They will need to show a ticket on a departing form of transportation that has been already paid for. Simply reserving travel will not be accepted, as these tickets are easier to change. 

Travelers may also need to show proof of their travel plans while in Colombia. This proof may take the form of booked tours, hotel rooms, spa reservations, etc.

The Colombian government reserves the right to ask for any relevant documentation, so travelers should have that in order before they try to enter the country.

How Brazilians Can Spend Even Longer in Colombia as Tourists

Some Brazilians may find that their travel plans change after they enter Colombia and they need to extend their tourist visa. They can usually do so, for up to 90 more days.

They can access the application for an extension online, so they won’t have to stand in line. On the Colombian Immigration Authority website, they should click on “Permiso Temporal de Permanencia para Prorrogar Permanencia” and follow the directions there. 

There is a small fee for processing the application. Applicants may need to upload photos of their passport and their Colombian entry stamp, as well as documentation of how and when they plan to leave Colombia.

They should get a notification of their extension status within a couple of business days. This will come in an email, which should be kept on hand for future reference.

Common Visas Brazilians Get for Colombia

When travelers from Brazil do need to get visas for Colombia, they most often get one of the ones listed below.

Resident Visas

Brazilians who want to live in Colombia long term may qualify for a resident visa.

They can get one of these if they have a Colombian father if they marry a Colombian citizen if they invest in Colombia, or for a few other reasons. They may also qualify for one of these visas if they once had Colombian citizenship but renounced it for whatever reason.

Applicants will need to prove that they qualify for a resident visa, then will need to upload passport information and photos of themselves. The government will process these visa requests as quickly as possible, but it can take some time to verify that an applicant qualifies.

These visas last for a maximum of five years, though may be issued for shorter times. They can usually be renewed at the end of the visa period.

Retirement Visas

Brazilian citizens who want to retire in Colombia can do so on a retirement visa. These visas are only issued to people who can prove that they have government or private pensions.

In some cases, people who can prove that they have independent income over a certain value can get this visa, even if they do not have a pension.

They will also need to have health insurance/medical insurance that covers them in Colombia for the duration of the visa.

Applicants should submit their applications, then wait for verification. Visas are usually issued for periods between 1 and 3 years and can be renewed.

Work Visas

Brazilians who want to work in Colombia will first need to find a job there. They can enter on a tourist visa to have time to find the right job for them.

In order to transition to a work visa, they need a copy of their employment contract and proof that the company planning to hire them qualifies financially

They will also need copies - in Spanish - of their relevant degrees or professional certifications, as well as affidavits that these are legitimate and valid.

Companies often help their employees through the visa process. This may expedite it and make it easier for everyone involved.

Visitor Visas

Extended visitor visas (beyond 90 or 180 days) are also available to Brazilians. These will be issued based on the time the person needs to spend in Colombia.

Visitor visas cover academic exchanges, internships, some short-term educational programs, volunteer work, medical procedures, and more.

Applicants will need to show proof of what they plan to do while in Colombia, as well as the relevant passport and photo ID information.

They may also need to show proof of how and when they plan to leave Colombia. The details of the visa will depend on the reason for travel and the length of stay. Some of these visas are renewable, while others are not.

See more visa types.

Brazilian Embassies & Consulate Offices in Colombia

Brazil’s main embassy is in Bogota, near embassies from other countries. They also have consulate offices in six major cities around the country, so it’s always easy to get help.

What Embassies/Consulates Offer Travelers Overseas

In general, embassies and consulates exist to help travelers who are facing problems overseas.

These problems may be relatively small, like losing a passport. They can also be major, like having someone in the party died during the trip.

No matter the size of the problem, the embassy is there to do what it can to make it easier for its citizens. If they can’t solve it, they can at least provide a comfortable place.

Embassy staff can also help people who need legal counsel, whether they are accused of a crime or are victims. They can even help travelers who are the victims of theft and other crimes, and who might not be able to get home on their own. Finally, embassies often help travelers when there is a natural disaster in a country. They can keep them safe and get them home.

Travelers facing problems overseas should always seek out the aid of their consulate or embassy. That is the best way for them to make sure they get home safely.

Travel to Colombia should be easy for Brazilian citizens who know what they are doing and what to expect. The information here should make these trips simple and straightforward.