The New Colombian Passport: Do You Need to Change Yours?

If you have seen friends posting photos of a new Colombian passport and wondered whether yours is now out of date, you are not alone. The new design has caused many questions, and some people have rushed to renew when they did not need to.

Here is the short answer. Colombia began issuing a new passport model on 1 April 2026. Your current passport remains valid until the expiry date printed inside. You do not need to replace it early just because a new design exists.

What Is New About It

The government presented the new model on 23 February 2026. It meets international aviation standards and includes an electronic chip, encrypted reading, a ghost photo, metallic inks and microtext. Its pages show Colombian landscapes, biodiversity, history and culture.

In the first phase, the blank booklets are made by Portugal's national mint, and the Imprenta Nacional de Colombia adds your personal data. The government plans to bring more of the production process to Colombia in later phases. The national audit office has raised concerns about the model's costs, and the Foreign Ministry has responded publicly.

How Much It Costs

Outside Bogotá, governorships add their own departmental tax, so the total can be higher. The Foreign Ministry said the design change would not create an extra charge and that prices would only be adjusted for inflation.

When You Should Renew

• Your passport expires within the next six to nine months and you plan to travel.
• It is damaged, wet, torn or has a loose page.
• It has very few blank pages left.
• Your name or personal details have changed.

Many countries ask for at least six months of validity when you arrive. Spain and the rest of the Schengen area also ask that your passport was issued within the last 10 years.

How to Renew Step by Step

1. Book an appointment with the Foreign Ministry in Bogotá, your governorship or your consulate abroad.
2. Pay the fee through the official channels only.
3. Bring your citizenship card and your old passport.
4. Attend for your photo and fingerprints.
5. Collect your passport and check every detail before you leave.

Keep Your Visas Safe

If your old passport contains a valid US visa, do not throw it away. A valid visa in an expired passport can usually still be used if you travel with both passports, as long as the names match. Ask the relevant embassy if you are unsure.

Tips for Colombians Living Abroad

If you live in Spain, the United States or another country, you can renew at a Colombian consulate. Consular fees are set in local currency and can differ from the Bogotá prices. Book your appointment well before your passport expires, because consulates in cities with large Colombian communities can be busy, especially before December.

Children's passports usually have shorter validity, so parents should check them before every family trip. Both parents may need to give consent for a minor's passport, so plan the appointment when everyone needed can attend.

Finally, protect your passport like cash. Keep a photo of the data page on your phone, never give it to a stranger as a guarantee for a job or a loan, and report a lost or stolen passport immediately so nobody can misuse it.

Watch out for fake appointment sellers too. Passport appointments are booked through the official Foreign Ministry, governorship and consulate channels. Anyone who charges you extra to secure a faster slot is not part of the official process, and paying them puts both your money and your personal data at risk.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

Prices above are the Bogotá figures reported in February 2026 and may have been adjusted since. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

The new passport is a design and security upgrade, not a reason to panic. If your current passport is valid and in good condition, keep using it, and renew in good time before your next trip.

Key takeaways

• Colombia began issuing a new passport model on 1 April 2026.
• Your current passport stays valid until its printed expiry date.
• The government said the price would change only in line with inflation.
• Renew at least six months before expiry, as many countries require that validity.