So, you are in Colombia and realize your passport is about to expire: the perfect situation for a panic attack! Not really; renewing a passport in Colombia is fairly frequent.
Several readers asked about renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and if you can renew passports in any city. So, in this article, we first look at how to renew a U.S. passport, and then we look at how to renew passports from a few other countries.
Where Do I Go When Renewing Passports From the U.S. in Colombia?
Renewing a U.S. passport in Colombia must be done at the U.S. embassy in Bogotá or at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
To do this yourself in Bogotá, you need to make an appointment at the embassy and be in Bogotá. Appointments are also needed at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
Also, since 2022, US citizens in Colombia can complete the process through mail as long as they apply through Form D-28.
How Do I Get to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá?
There is a Transmilenio station near the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá – Quinta Paredes on the K line. Or provide the following address to a taxi driver: U.S. Embassy Address: Calle 24 Bis #48-2 a 48-98, Bogotá.
There are multiple entrances into the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. Coming from the Transmilenio, the first entrance gate you will see is for staff, official state visitors, or the like. Keep walking and look for the entrance gate for American Citizen Services (ACS).
Once at the entrance gate, the security guard will write down some information from your passport in their book and open the door for you. Then you walk into the first building to the right, where you will need to turn in your phone and an ID for a green plastic fob and a visitor’s badge before going through a metal detector.
Exit that building and walk 50 meters to the actual embassy building, where you will pass through another metal detector to enter.
You will then have to wait for your appointment. And there is a DHL booth to pay for the delivery of your passport. Once you apply, the passport renewal officially takes a few weeks, and your passport will be sent to you via DHL.
How Much Will I Pay for Renewing My Passport in Colombia?
When renewing your passport, you can do so through two different forms: the DS-11 and the DS-82 Form. The price will depend on the reason for the renewal. By 2026, the price of the service is between $65 USD ($233.000 COP approximately) and $165 USD ($590.000 COP approximately, with an exchange rate of 3,750 COP).
The passport renewal can be done in person or by an agency using the DS-82 Form only if your most recent U.S. passport:
- It is undamaged and can be submitted with your application.
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
- Was issued within the last 15 years.
- Was issued in the exact same name as your previous passport, or you can legally document your name change with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, or other government-issued document evidencing your legal name change under federal or state law.
If you answered no to any of the above statements, you cannot use the DS-82 Form; instead, apply in person using the DS-11 Form.
If you want to optimize the process for obtaining your United States passport in Colombia, you can also use a visa agency. For example, Expatgroup.co offers this alternative in its catalog for people who want to save on trips to Bogotá, priced at $256 USD, with options that let you receive your passport in other parts of Colombia if needed.
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The following are what is needed for a U.S. passport renewal using the DS-82 from the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá:
- Your most recent passport
- One recent color photo with a white background that measures 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) and complies with all government guidelines.
- Passport renewal fee (between $130 and $165 dollars).
- DHL delivery fee (Prices may vary depending on where the passport is being sent).
- Your address in Colombia to deliver the new US passport. DHL will want a postal code in Colombia. See our article about finding Colombian addresses, including postal codes.
Also, you will need a secondary ID (e.g., a driver’s license or Colombian cédula) to serve as your deposit for the embassy visitor’s badge.
Where Do I Go When Renewing Passports in Colombia If I'm Not in Bogotá or Barranquilla?
Renewing a U.S. passport yourself in Colombia requires a trip to Bogotá or Barranquilla. But you can avoid taking it by using a visa agency to renew your U.S. passport.
Several visa agencies in Medellín and other Colombia cities offer U.S. passport renewal services. With this, they will courier your passport to Bogotá and apply for your passport renewal at the U.S. Embassy. So, you avoid the cost and time for traveling to Bogotá or Barranquilla.
Several of the visa agencies we reviewed in our article about visa agencies in Colombia offer services to renew a U.S. passport.
Medellin Guru has partnered with what we believe is the best visa agency in Medellín to offer Colombia visa services and passport renewal services: expatgroup.co. Features of this service include:
Online chat
Get visa questions answered fast.
Online quotes
get immediate visa quotes.
Free consultation
Expert advice for your needs.
Competitive price
With plans and options for expats.
Renewing Passports from Other Countries in Colombia
You can renew passports from many other countries in Colombia. And this needs to be done at the embassies of the countries, which are located in Bogotá.
Renewing a U.S. passport is one of the most common foreign passport renewals typically done by foreigners in Colombia. So, visa agencies have services for this. But for renewing passports from other countries the visa agencies appear to not be set up for this until there is more demand.
Below we look at renewing passports from Canada, Australia and Germany in Colombia.
Canada’s Embassy in Bogotá, photo by Aquintero82
Renewing a Passport from Canada in Colombia
To renew a Canadian passport in Colombia, you must be a Canadian citizen and this can be done at the Canadian embassy in Bogotá. In addition, to renew a Canadian passport, your current passport must:
- Not be damaged
- Never have been reported lost or stolen
- Have been issued with a 5-year or 10-year validity
- Be valid or has been expired for no more than one year
- Have been issued when you were at least 16 years of age
- Have the same name, sex, date of birth and place of birth that you would like to appear on your new passport
You need to provide you most recent passport, fill out a passport renewal form, provide two photos and the fee. The fee is $190 CAN for a 5-year Canadian passport or $260 CAN for a 10-year Canadian passport. And passport photos must meet these Canadian passport photo requirements.
Canadian passport renewals take about 20 business days. And you need proof of travel for more urgent service.
Canadian Embassy Address: Carrera 7 # 114-33, Bogotá
Australian passport
Renewing a Passport from Australia in Colombia
Australian passport renewal applications can only be done in person at the Australian embassy in Bogotá. Australian passport applications are not accepted by mail or courier.
Australian passport renewal applications are done online. The online application will validate your previous passport details and determine if you are eligible for a streamlined renewal process.
If you are eligible, you will only need to print and the form and bring it along with two new photos and your previous passport to apply. Your previous passport will be physically cancelled when you apply.
Here are the Australian passport photo requirements. And the 5-year Australian passport costs $148 AUD and the 10-year Australian passport costs $293 AUD. In addition, there is a $215 AUD overseas surcharge.
Australian Embassy Address: Carrera 9 # 115-06, Bogotá
German passport
Renewing a Passport from Germany in Colombia
German passport renewal applications can be done at the German embassy in Bogotá or at German consular offices in Cali, Cartagena or Medellín.
For a German passport renewal, a passport application, two biometric photos and the fee is required. The passport fee is €81 EUR with an additional fee of €22 EUR for 48 pages added. Also, there is a surcharge of €45 EUR to use the German consular offices in Cali, Cartagena or Medellín
German Embassy Address: Calle 110 # 9-25, 11th floor, Bogotá
For other country passport renewals, you can look on the embassy websites and there typically are instructions for renewing passports. There are over 50 embassies in Bogotá. So, it’s possible to renew passports from many countries in Colombia.
Medellin Guru’s Comprehensive Visa and Passport Series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in mid-December 2017 were significant. So, on the Medellin Guru site, we have a comprehensive series of visa articles that are kept up-to-date and should answer most visa questions. These articles include:
- Colombia Visa Guide: Ultimate Guide How to Get a Colombian Visa
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa with Up-to-Date Info – an overview of all the Colombian visas
- Popular Colombian Visas for Foreigners: Which Visa is the Most Popular?
- Coronavirus Impacts on Colombian Visas and Tourist Visas
- Visa Agencies: A Guide to Visa Agencies in Medellín and Colombia
- 7 Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the seven most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:
- Rentista visa (annuity visa) – for foreigners with a fixed income
- Beneficiary visa – for relatives of visa holders
- Expertise visa – for professionals
In addition, we have a guide to Colombia tourist visas and how to extend a tourist visa. Also, we have a guide to renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and a guide to obtaining a Colombian passport.
Furthermore, we provide information about travel insurance that meets the insurance requirement for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellin Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles were updated in early 2020 to ensure they are up-to-date and are being updated again in 2021. In addition, all visa articles on this website will be kept up-to-date as new details are disclosed.
The Bottom Line: Renewing Passports in Colombia
It is possible to renew passports from many countries while in Colombia due to there being embassies from over 50 countries in Colombia.
One of the most frequently renewed passports in Colombia are passports from the U.S. So, several visa agencies in Colombia offer U.S. passport renewal services. By using a passport renewal service, a trip to the U.S. embassy in Bogotá to renew a passport is avoided – saving time and money and the challenge and risk of travel between cities in Colombia during coronavirus pandemic.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped 63 Medellin Guru readers successfully renew U.S. passports in 36 months including two in February 2022. And helped a total of 656 clients of the Medellin Guru visa service in 36 months.
Use the Medellin Guru Passport Renewal Service
We looked at renewing passports for an adult in this article. There are other procedures to follow for getting a new passport if your passport is stolen or to get a passport for a child, which can be found on embassy websites.
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Editors note: updated on July 8, 2020 with information that the U.S. embassy in Bogotá has resumed the service of renewing U.S. passports.
Editors note: updated on May 24, 2021 with current information for 2021.
Editors note: updated on September 16, 2021 with current client counts.
Editors note: updated on December 11, 2021 with current client counts.
Editors note: updated on February 9, 2022 with current client counts.
25 thoughts on “Guide to Renewing Passports in Colombia – 2022 Update”
Does anyone have a recent experience with how long it took to get the renewed passport back (through an agency or directly at the US embassy)?
Best to ask the visa agency we partnered with – click on this link – https://expatgroup.co/english/American-Passport-Renewal/
Jeff, I have an expired Irish Passport I’d like to renew. Any help?
Sorry, the visa agency we partnered with only does U.S. passport renewals. You will have to contact the Irish embassy.
¿Qué pasa con la renovación de un pasaporte colombiano, es posible durante la pandemia?
Yes they are still issuing passports in Colombia. You need to make an appointment.
En español – Sí, todavía están emitiendo pasaportes en Colombia. Necesita hacer una cita.
Is the Expat Group now open in Poblado, or are they only taking phone calls?
They are open and you can make an appointment – click on this link and there is a chat during business hours – https://expatgroup.co/english/visasincolombia/
Hello Jeff,
I am a US citizen living in Venezuela need to renew my US passport.
Your advice please.
The visa agency we partnered with can help you renew your U.S. passport. The visa agency has helped 31 Medellin Guru readers renew passports.
Click on this link – https://expatgroup.co/english/visasincolombia/ and there is a form to fill out to get a quote or chat during business hours.
Jeff,
I am helping a colleague renew her expired Venezuelan passport who has migrated to Cartagena. Can you provide some insight on how she can get this done?
There is reportedly a Venezuelan consulate in Cartagena – see here – https://www.embassypages.com/venezuela-consulategeneral-cartagena-colombia
Several years ago my passport was nearing its expiration date so I decided to hire a local Medellin visa agency to handle the job. Just the thought of schlepping it down to Bogota and waiting on line was too much. I handed my passport to the guy at the agency here in Medellin and they hand delivered it by messenger to the US embassy in Bogota. When the new passport was ready for pick up they sent the messenger back down there to pick it up as part of a weekly run. A motorcycle courier was dispatched and he delivered it to my door.
The agency fee was soo worth it.
Hi Jeff
How long is the process for them to renew my U.S passport? Wondering if I have to make the trip to Bogota and want to know how long I will have to stay.
There is no need for a trip to Bogotá. Us the visa agency we partnered with and you avoid that cost and hassle of travel. Click on this link – https://expatgroup.co/english/visasincolombia/ and you can ask the visa agency how long it takes (there is chat at the bottom right) and also obtain a quote.
So if im in medellin now with a usa passport issued 3 years ago(running low on passport pages) i can contact the visa agency in medellin and they will take care of everythinf for me? No need for me to go to bogota? Visasincolombia.com will take care od this for me. Correct?
Yes, the visa agency can help you and don’t need to go to Bogotá – use this website – https://expatgroup.co/english/visasincolombia/
Hi Jeff,
I’m in Venezuela with no US Embassy so I was thinking of the option to renew my passport in Colombia. Do you know how to proceed in such cases since I do not fulfill the requirements as would someone living in Colombia?
Thanks
Emilio
Hi Emilio, since Venezuela doesn’t have a U.S. embassy, you can’t renew a U.S. passport there. In Colombia you can renew U.S. passports at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá or the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla. The above article shows the process.
Or in Medellín, the visa agency we partnered with can renew U.S. passports and will send your passport to Bogotá.https://visasincolombia.com/
HI Jeff, do you know if Colombia applies the 6-month passport in-advance expiration rule before entering the country? I am going for just 6 days to Colombia but my passport expires 2 months after I return to the US. According to all information I found on-line, Colombia does not require your passport to be valid 6 months in-advance but wanted to make sure since I don’t have time before my trip.
Thanks
-Orlando
According to this, there are only a handful of countries in South America that implemented the 6-Month validity rule for passports. They are Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela – https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/six-months-validity-rule/
Hi! I’m traveling for 8 days in July and my passport expires in October. Does Colombia enforce the 6 month rule?
I wish I had known about the visa agencies two years ago when I had to take an overnight bus from Medellin — Bogota (couldn’t fly with exp. passport). That trip was the most miserable bus trip ever for me. I would have gladly payed an agent.
Nice article and thanks for covering how to renew passports as I suggested.
Hi James, thanks. Several readers asked about renewing passports. So, we now have an article covering this.
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