Fees imposed on Canadian travelers

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? Colombia recently began requiring Canadian nationals to pay a fee of COP 160,000 (about 78 CAD or 65 USD) to enter Colombia. The fee was implemented following Canada’s move to collect biometric fees from Colombian nationals applying for visas to travel to Canada.

What does the change mean? Canadian nationals must prepare to pay the fee upon arrival in Colombia.

• Implementation timeframe: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: The move does not affect any visas or permits; it imposes a requirement that Canadian nationals pay a fee in order to enter Colombia.
• Who is affected: Canadian nationals traveling to Colombia.
• Impact on processing times: No impact.
• Business impact: Canadian business travelers – like most other Canadian travelers – will be required to pay the fee.
• Next steps: When planning to travel to Colombia, Canadian travelers should build the new fee into their budgets and planning.

Background: Colombia’s move in December 2014 to collect a non-reimbursable “Platinum Ticket” fee followed Canada’s move in May 2014 to collect fees of COP 155,000 for biometrics as part of the visa process for Colombian nationals traveling to Canada.

There are a number of Canadian nationals who will be exempt from paying the new fee. They include diplomats, Canadian nationals with Colombian visas, airplane crews, those transiting through Colombia, cruise ship passengers and those arriving by charter to Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport. Travelers arriving in San Andrés, Old Providence and Santa Catalina Island are also exempt.

BAL Analysis: Canadians will be charged the COP 160,000 fee upon entry and should plan accordingly. Payment of the fee does not guarantee entry into Colombia and Canadian nationals must be in compliance with all other travel requirements in order to be permitted entry.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Colombia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.