When should you renew your passport? Requirements to keep in mind when doing so in Colombia.
Having a valid passport is an essential requirement for traveling abroad. Therefore, renewing it becomes mandatory when the legal requirements are not met or when you need to update any of your personal information, such as your name, photograph, or ID number.
What are the requirements to renew it? With this document in hand, Colombian citizens will be able to legally enter and leave the country and abroad, as long as they comply with the international agreements signed by Colombia and the immigration requirements of each country they visit.
There is uncertainty about the future of Colombian passports. Photo: César Melgarejo
A Colombian citizen must renew or apply for a new passport in the following cases, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Passport expiration: Ordinary and executive passports are valid for up to 10 years. Once expired, they cannot be used for international travel.
- Document deterioration: If the passport is irreparably damaged (for example, torn, stained, illegible, or has altered information), it must be replaced.
- Loss or theft: If your passport is lost or stolen, you must apply for a new one. It is advisable to file a report with the relevant authorities.
- Page exhaustion: If there is no more space available for immigration stamps (32 pages in ordinary passports and 48 in executive passports), it must be renewed.
- Data correction: If there are errors in your personal information (name, ID number, date of birth, etc.), you must apply for a new passport with the corrected information.
- Victim of identity theft or related crimes: If the applicant has been the victim of identity theft or another crime related to their identity, they may apply for a new passport by presenting evidence that proves the fact.
- You did not claim your previous passport: If you did not collect your passport within the established time (usually 6 months), it will be cancelled and you must start a new process.
The 'secret' can only be seen under ultraviolet light. Photo: iStock
In Colombia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues the following types of passports, each with specific characteristics and durations:
Ordinary: duration of 10 years.
Executive: duration of 10 years.
Emergency: 7 months duration or until a regular passport can be issued.
Border: duration of 10 years.
Each one has its own duration. Photo: iStock
It's important to note that some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and India, require passports to be valid for at least six months upon entry. Therefore, it's essential to check the document's expiration date in advance.
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