Ladies & Gents,

I’ve done some research ahead of needing to extend my visa and TIP early December. Here it is for the benefit of others.

In Colombia you are able to extend both a further 90 days without needing to ride all the way to border (in my case that would be a week round trip from Medellin to Ecuador, with rainy afternoons, the only option given recent reports re the difficulty of re-entering Colombia from Venezuela).

This can be done in any of the big cities, including Santa Marta.

Here are the steps:

1. Renew tourist visa, which can only be done within 10 days of expiration. Google immigration offices for whichever city you’re in. [Medellin address: Calle 19, Carrera 80A, #40, Barrio Belen]. First you must make an appointment online and print the form you need to complete (www.migracioncolombia.gov.co). Take copies of your passport photo page and copy of visa stamp. No need for photo. You can pay the COP 87,000 by card in the office. Open from 08:00 to 16:00. You need this stamp before you can extend TIP.

2. Renew your SOAT. Many offices around and about. You need this before you can extend TIP.

3. Make copies of you vehicle ownership doc, initial TIP, new SOAT, passport and visa stamp.

4. Look up DIAN (Direccion de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) in the city where you are. Don’t Google simply 'Aduanas', otherwise you’ll go on a wild goose chase around the junior offices which can’t help. In Medellin the address is Avenida Carabobo (Carrera 52) and Calle 43. Big building, 2nd floor for Aduanas. Very helpful people. You fill out a brief form and hand over the document copies you made. The process may take a few days, so it’s best to renew your tourist visa as soon as allowed (9-10 days before expiration) and then head straight for DIAN. I didn’t ask, but I believe the new TIP is free of charge.

Note 1 – I asked both offices if it was possible to extend a second time (the tourist visa limit of 6mths per year is the calendar year, so in theory you can have 6mths July to Dec and another 6mths Jan-June in the next year). If immigration renew your tourist visa then DIAN will renew the TIP. However, you can only extend once at these offices. To extend again you will need to cross the border and re-enter.

I asked because the first extension will take me through to end-Feb. The rains might still be heavy. I’m not yet sure what the situation will be with boats from Cartgena to Panama. Hopefully fine. I’ve seen recent posts, including air cargo option, and look forward to more info. I prefer the ferry option.

Note 2 – a few blocks south on Av Carabobo are plenty the moto shops selling tyres and parts.

I’m confident the first extension will be a smooth process. If not, I’ll let you know!

All the best,

Bob