Recognition of refugee status
CONARE, Decreto 1067 de 2015 · Official name: Procedimiento de determinación de la condición de refugiado
People in Colombia who fear persecution in their own country can ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) to recognise them as refugees. The Advisory Commission for the Determination of Refugee Status (CONARE) studies each case and recommends a decision to the Ministry. While the claim is pending, Migración Colombia issues a safe-conduct (salvoconducto SC-2) so the person can stay lawfully.
1 entry rule for Colombia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in Angola, Brazil, DR Congo, Uganda
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from Angola, Brazil, DR Congo or Uganda (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit there) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Colombia
Finance
3
Currency
Colombian Peso
COP
Colombian Peso
Cost of living
41
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
19–39%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 19% · social security 8%
Bands set in UVT: exempt up to 1,090 UVT; 39% above 31,000 UVT.
Living
1
Happiness
#65 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals in Colombia, or at its border, who fear persecution in their country of nationality or habitual residence.
Eligibility
Fear of persecution or serious threat
The claim must be based on a fear of persecution or of serious threats to life, safety or freedom in the country of origin, as defined in Colombia's refugee rules (Decreto 1067 de 2015, refugee chapter).
Apply soon after arrival
If you claim more than two (2) months after entering Colombia, you must explain in detail why you waited.
2 months
Time after entering Colombia
- This is a reference point, not a stated closing date
- Source: the Ministry's guide
Official wording
The Ministry's guide says that if the claim is made more than two (2) months after entering Colombia, the applicant must explain in detail why they waited. This is a reference point, not a stated closing date.
Sign in to read the full guide (free)
The full steps, your rights while you wait, and free legal help contacts are free for anyone with an e-Passage account. You can turn on sensitive mode for discreet emails.
- 3 documents
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
- Cancillería - Procedimiento de determinación de la condición de refugiado
- Cancillería - Guía de refugio en Colombia (24.11.2023)
- Cancillería - Form DP-FO-278, request to extend the SC-2 safe-conduct
- Corte Constitucional via Cancillería normograma - Sentencia SU-543 de 2023 (SC-2 issued by Migración Colombia for up to 6 months, extendable)
