Resources for U.S. Citizens in Colombia During COVID-19

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The U.S. government cannot guarantee the ability to arrange flights indefinitely.  U.S. citizens should return immediately to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. If you intend to remain in Colombia, we have compiled resources to assist you through this extraordinary time in Colombia. If you choose to depart, register for step at Step.State.Gov and read the FAQ Page. 

Disclaimer: Given the continual changes related to COVID-19, this page is a work in progress will be updated with local government information as it is obtained by the U.S. Embassy.  The U.S. Government assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability, reputation or the quality of services provided by the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on these lists is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Names are listed alphabetically where possible and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Updated July 29, 2020.

The Colombian and U.S. government resources below are provided to help U.S. citizens in Colombia better understand the nationwide quarantine.

Please see the Department and City-Specific Resources at the end of this page to better understand regional and city regulations. 

If you or a loved one is currently in Colombia and needs financial assistance, the below options may be of interest:

  • How to Send Money to Destitute U.S. Citizens Abroad.
  • A loan is possible through the Department of State. The loan is processed in person at a U.S Embassy or consulate. Find out more about the loan process here and then contact ACSBogota@State.Gov if you meet the requirements for a loan to return to the United States.

Resources for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Bogota for an Evacuation

Travel Letters:

As of Monday, May 25, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is no longer requiring nor issuing Transportation Letters (Salvoconductos) for travelers on humanitarian flights. According to the MFA, both drivers and travelers should be prepared to show travel documents (passport, etc.), identification (cédula), and the boarding pass and/or flight confirmation. You may find it helpful to print or take a photo of the boarding pass /flight confirmation to have it available to show authorities during your trip to your outbound airport. Drivers are permitted up to 48 hours to complete travel to and from the international airport from which the humanitarian flight is departing. If you are detained by the authorities at any point during your overland travel, please contact us anytime at +57 1 2752000.

Ground Travel:

At the moment, all domestic air travel is suspended. U.S. citizens should not travel unless for an evacuation or commercial flight back to the United States.

The U.S. government does not recommend or support private companies or enterprises. Given the seriousness of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we will attempt to provide a range of possible lodging options so U.S. citizens in Colombia can make lodging arrangements in Bogota as they await an evacuation flight.


Resources for U.S. Citizens who will Shelter in Place in Colombia

Many departments and cities have regulations on when and how citizens can go to the supermarket. Please use the links under Resources by Department and City (at the bottom) to understand when you can go to the store without breaking quarantine regulations.

If you do not hold a cedula, reach out to your city government to ask when you are permitted to go to the store. You can also use the below delivery services which run nationwide, to order food delivered to your shelter-in-place location.

Many departments and cities have closures and curfews in place that are specific to that region and in addition to the nationwide regulations. This information is subject to change by regional and city governments. For the latest information, use the links in Resources by Department and City (at the end of this page) to better understand the rules in your area.

El Dorado Airport:
The airport is under restricted operation. One of the most relevant exceptions is the permit for international and national flights under humanitarian emergency from the Colombian Civil and Migration Aeronautics. More information here. If you do not have a booked flight to the United States do not go to the airport.

Airport Shuttle: NOT OPERATING

Opain bus shuttle is not operating. However, passengers traveling for humanitarian flights are able to get to the airport by Taxi (only reserved by phone or mobile apps) and Transmilenio – SITP.

Migración Colombia (Colombia Migration’s authority): CLOSED

In order to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the service in its 27 Migratory Services Facilitators Centers will be suspended until the end of the national quarantine, according to the mandatory isolation instruction decreed by the National Government.

In addition, the time count for the Permanent Safe Passes, the Permanent Extensions and the Special Permanent Permit (PEP) will be provisionally suspended. As established, the suspension of time would go until May 30, or until the term established by the National Government for the health emergency is met. Clearly put, if you overstay your 90 day stay, Migration Colombia will be flexible due to the virus. However, once commercial flights resume, you should make plans to depart if you have overstayed your permitted time in Colombia.

National Parks and trails in Bogotá: CLOSED

National parks in Colombia and natural trails in Bogotá will remain closed until further notice. EAAB (Empresa de Acueducto y alcantarillado de Bogotá), posted on their website: Starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, visits to ecological trails are suspended. Likewise, scheduled visits to the treatment plants and reservoirs of the Bogotá Aqueduct are temporarily suspended. Please plan to adhere to the national quarantine measures.

National Mail Service: OPEN

The National Mail Service is operating Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. During quarantine, it will be possible to request shipment information or schedule deliveries through electronic channels: Contact center: +57 4722000, email: servicioalcliente@4-72.com.co and Chat: http://www.4-72.com.co/

Banks: Partially OPEN under specific guidelines from the Financial Superintendent as of May 18, as follows:

  • Banks must be open to customers at least six hours per day on a regular schedule, and more if analysis of customer volume suggests it is necessary,
  • Customers over 60 must have designated hours, established by each bank,
  • All employees and customers must wear masks at all times,
  • Physical distance protocols must be established, especially while standing in lines,
  • Banks must provide preferential service for medical and health personnel, Armed Forces, and Police,
  • All banks should encourage customers to use online services, and
  • The capacity of call centers and teleservices should be increased.

The U.S. government encourages all U.S. citizens in Colombia to comply with city, department and national regulations throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Quarantine regulations vary widely by department and often by city. If you are a U.S. Citizen in Colombia, you must comply with the regulations where you reside.

Some regional governments are lifting regulations as COVID-19 cases in those areas decrease, meanwhile other areas have returned to full quarantine or the implementation of orange zones, or areas of heightened COVID-19 concern. Consult the local, regional, and national regulations to ensure you are compliant.

  1. Amazonas
  2. Antioquia
  3. Arauca
  4. Atlántico
  5. Bolívar
  6. Boyacá
  7. Caldas
  8. Caquetá
  9. Casanare
  10. Cauca
  11. Cesar
  12. Chocó
  13. Córdoba
  14. Cundinamarca
  15. Guainía
  16. Guaviare
  17. Huila
  18. La Guajira
  19. Magdalena
  20. Meta
  21. Nariño
  22. Norte de Santander
  23. Putumayo
  24. Quindío
  25. Risaralda
  26. San Andrés y Providencia
  27. Santander
  28. Sucre
  29. Tolima
  30. Valle del Cauca
  31. Vaupés
  32. Vichada

Disclaimer: Given the continual changes related to COVID-19, this page is a work in progress will be updated with local government information as it is obtained by the U.S. Embassy.  The U.S. Government assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability, reputation or the quality of services provided by the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on these lists is in no way an endorsement by the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Names are listed alphabetically where possible and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Updated July 29, 2020.

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This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

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