Colombia dropped the appointment requirement for passports. Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has overhauled its passport service in Bogota: Citizens can now walk into either of two official offices in Bogota without scheduling an appointment in advance, while those who voted in the last congressional elections can access a 10% reduction on the issuance fee.
Walk-in service, two locations
The Foreign Ministry activated two walk-in service points in the capital. The downtown office operates at Calle 12C No. 8–27 and the northern office at Avenida 19 No. 98–03. Both locations serve the public Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The elimination of the prior appointment requirement marks a significant shift in how Colombians access this document. Until now, citizens had to schedule a slot through the Ministry’s online portal before appearing in person, a step that often created bottlenecks and extended waiting times. The new walk-in model aims to cut through that friction and bring the service directly to those who need it.
A discount tied to the ballot box
Citizens who cast a ballot in the March 8 legislative elections can present their voting certificate at the time of the passport procedure and receive a 10% reduction on the issuance cost.
Voter turnout for the March 8 congressional elections almost reached 50%, marking an increase of more than 2 percentage points compared to the 47% recorded in the 2022 legislative elections.
That means a large share of the eligible population now holds a voting certificate that qualifies for the discount
Each of those voters received a certificate that, if presented at a passport office, unlocks the cost reduction announced by the Cancillería.
What the discount means in money
A standard passport costs 190,000 Colombian pesos (US$51), made up of a base fee of 111,000 pesos plus a stamp tax of 79,000 pesos.
The 10% discount brings that total down to 171,000 pesos (US$46), representing a saving of 19,000 pesos for voters who complete the procedure with their certificate in hand.
For those opting for an executive passport used for frequent international travelers, the price stands at 323,000 pesos (US$87), but with the discount, the cost reduces to approximately 290,700 pesos (US$78).
It is also worth noting that a redesigned Colombian passport is set to begin circulating from April 1, 2026, incorporating new security features such as ultraviolet-visible elements, multitone watermarks, and a real-time online validation system for immigration checkpoints.
Citizens who hold valid passports issued before that date do not need to replace them ahead of schedule — their documents remain valid until the expiration date printed on each booklet.
No intermediaries, no extra costs
The Ministry reiterated that the passport procedure is strictly personal and requires no intermediaries or third-party agents. Citizens can complete the entire process directly at the official offices, avoiding additional fees or the risk of fraud associated with unofficial fixers.
Once the procedure is finalized at the office, the passport is available for pick-up within approximately 24 hours in Bogota. So, it’s not only that Colombia dropped the appointment requirement for passports; now the process is swifter.