Entering Colombia - Limit on # of times or days spent per year?

Was wondering if there is any limit on the number of days in a year one spends in Colombia? Or if there a certain number of entries you are allowed. Or can you just keep leaving and getting another 90?

Basically I've entered 3 times this year. One I used the full 90 days, exited on day 89 and came back and then used another 25. And then I left to Lima on a flight for 2 weeks and came back for technically the 3rd time, but it was only 2 days... although I might have been issued another 90, but really only stayed 2.

And now I'm headed back at the end of November. So just wondering if I need to have any worries or how the rules work. Do they keep track of number of days overall for example - I would probably be fine in that scenario. Or do those extra 2 days for example technically count as a set of 90? And maybe I've had 3 issues of 90 days already.

Thanks

You can stay for a total of 180 days in any calendar year.

It seems that you have been in Colombia 117 days this year so you have 63 left.

There's no limit to the number of entries.

As far as I am aware it's 180 days in any 12 month period which is not the same as a calendar year.

Thanks for the replies. Calendar year would be much easier to figure out, cause I'd just get a reset in January. Otherwise it's a bit complex to figure out. But I suspect it is a 12 month period. Ecuador works that way.

So what do people who are teaching english in Colombia do? Is there a visa for this? Or when hired does the school help you out with applying for something? I was looking at teaching which is why I ask.

As far as I am aware it's 180 days in any 12 month period which is not the same as a calendar year.

Here's the text:

"Visitante turista: a todo extranjero que ingrese al país con el único propósito de desarrollar actividades de descanso o esparcimiento. Podrá concederse un término máximo de ciento ochenta (180) días calendario dentro del mismo año, con entradas y salidas múltiples"

It's calendar year, not 12 month period.

Otherwise it's a bit complex to figure out.

Not very complex: add up the days in the year you have spent so far, subtract from 180, that's what you have left. It's also what will appear on Migración Colombia's computers at the airport.

If you want to teach (legally) then you will need a TP-4 work visa.

Awesome, fantastic. Calendar year is better in my case, cause it means I have more then enough days to make it to Jan 1st. And then from there I get another 180. Should be more then enough to figure things out.

Thanks for the TP-4 visa mention too, will look more up about it.

Look at www.mintrabajo.gov.co for more information.

Using your method means you could stay for a year, last 180 days in one year followed by the first 180 days the following year which ofcourse is not legal.The 180 days is a rolling count for the preceding 12 month period.

As a visitor, you can’t remain in Colombia for more than 180 days in any 12 month period
Official government source https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia/entry-requirements

alanymarce - thanks so much for the link.

friendly_checkingirl - thanks for your link too. And I totally get what you're saying with your full year example. That is how it's done in Ecuador, 90 days in 12 months.

It's not my method, it's the Colombian method: I believe that the FCO is wrong (not the first time). I suggest that the Colombian government source is more likely to be right than the UK one. The text is clear enough I think:

DECRETO NUMERO 4000 DE 2004, article 43 notes: "el termino maximo de ciento ochenta (180) dias calendario dentro del mismo año calendario y permitirá a su titular multiples entradas."

DECRETO 2622 DE 2009 updates the previous Decreto but makes no change to the number of days permitted in the calendar year.

I guess the only uncertainty is whether you could actually stay overnight December 31st/January 1st or whether you would have to leave for the change of year. If we consider that the calendar year ends at 2400h on December 31st, and the new calendar year starts at 0000h January 1st then there there is no intervening time period, so the implication is that if you did have to leave the country for the change of year it would be for a period of zero seconds, so you could stay with no problem.

I'll be at the airport on Wednesday so if the lines at immigration are not too long, I'll ask them (assuming I remember).

I've done the whole visa reseting on January 1st thing, and your days do indeed reset after the new year. If you play your cards right, you could potentially stay in Colombia for up to one year. A few years ago, before 90 day visas were the norm, I had to make a short trip to Ecuador because my 1 month visa was about to expire. I just stayed in Otovalo for a few days and crossed back into Colombia with no problems.

You can find work as a teacher without a visa. Many companies pay in cash and aren't worried about such things. However, if you want to stay for a protracted period of time, then you're eventually going to need a visa. I have seen advertisements for schools offering visa to foreigners who are willing to sign a contract. Check out the Colombian Craigslist education section. Many institutes post their openings on that page, and I frequently see companies that offer visa sponsorship. Do be careful though, I've heard stories of these companies taking advantage of the teachers once they are in Colombia.

alanymarce - thank you for insisting! Yes that info looks quite clear. So I should be fine, as I arrive Nov 28th and still have my 63 days from this year to get me to Jan 1st.

airbn51st - thanks for confirming and the additional info. The craigslist tip is great, just checked it out. I will do a bit of travel first and find a location I want to be and investigate options in person, but it's really nice to read the ads just to get a sense of start dates, and what they are looking and asking for.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.