Question about the Tourist Permit Shuffle

ChineduOpara · 2025-10-21T20:00:54+02:00

Explore options for extending your stay in Colombia after a Digital Nomad visa. Get insights on tourist permit risks and extension strategies.

ChineduOpara Serial expat

Member since 08 August 2021

ChineduOparaSerial expat21 October 2025 18:00:54

389

My Colombia Digital Nomad visa expired towards the end of September, so I stepped out of the country (1 day before it expired) and came back 2 weeks later (Oct. 9th) as a tourist. My tourist stamp says 90 days.

So, I have 2 options.

Option 1: The "normal" way:

Step out again at the end of December, and come back at the beginning of January, to reset my clock and get another 90 days (+90 extension later) for 2026. That means I can stay till early June 2026.

Option 2: "Another" way? Maybe? Question mark?:

Don't leave in December, stay in the country but request an extension. In theory, if they do grant me the extension, I'll be able to stay until early April 2026.

Questions:

If I stay past Dec. 31st (without the "reset trip"), will they automatically deny the extension?
Colombia Migracion system sometimes has random "gotchas" that no one knows about (or talks about) until literally the final minute. So, if I go with Option 2, what other risks should I be aware of?

Thanks, guys!

CCV Soluciones Migratorias New member

Member since 01 October 2025

CCV Soluciones MigratoriasNew member21 October 2025 20:58:20

Hi ChineduOpara, good question 鈥� this situation is more common than it seems among digital nomads in Colombia. 馃憞

In principle, you can request an extension of your tourist permit without leaving the country, but it all depends on your immigration history and the exact number of days you've accumulated in the last 12 months. Colombian Immigration usually analyzes this before approving or denying the extension.

Keep in mind that the system isn't always predictable, and in some cases, if they perceive an intention to seek "hidden residency" with multiple extensions, they could deny the request or even restrict future entries.

There are also immigration options other than the tourist permit that would allow you to avoid these frequent departures and have more peace of mind during your stay. If you'd like, I can advise you, free of charge, on the most convenient criteria and timeframes for your case.

El Jer Member

Member since 04 June 2015

El JerMemberYesterday 03:46:39

@ChineduOpara

I think there is a strong chance they will give you the extension and you won't have to leave until April. The worry I presume is that your time under the DNV in 2025 will count against you or otherwise affect their decision on the extension? I for example have entered in Dec. each of the last 4 years and they always extend me up to 180 days online with no fuss. I don't have your DNV situation though. But if they were counting that against you, you would have been refused entry when you returned Oct. 9 because you had already exceeded 180 days in 2025. Actually It seems like you were treated the same as any other visitor with a 90 day entry and therefore you should get another 90 when you apply.