Here for a new TIP?

If you are reading this, then you have likely been travelling in Colombia for a while, probably received a three month tourist visa, probably received a three month Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and are probably looking to extend both of those items for another three months. If so then, great. This article is for you.

If you are looking for a fun travel post rather than an (admittedly dull) article on navigating Colombian Customs, then hit up our blog for something a little more appetizing.  

What to expect

The process takes about 2-3 weeks in Bogotá (friends have completed the process in Bucaramanga and Armenia and received the TIP the same day). The process is very straightforward. I recommend starting this process in Bogotá 3-4 weeks before your TIP expires if possible. We started it 8 days before and it wasn’t enough time. We ended up having to back to beg them to expedite the process.

Step 1 – Renew Tourist Visa

First, you need to extend your personal visa. This can be done quickly and easily online using the link below. The process only took a couple of hours and they email the new visa to you. This can be done as early as you want, you don’t have to wait until it’s nearly expired.

Here is the link: Online Tourist Visa Extension

You will need to upload a copy of the following documents for the application:

• Copy of the page of your passport with your personal data/photo
• Copy of the page in your passport with your current, valid Colombia tourist visa stamp
• Proof of onward travel

As ‘Overlanders’, we don’t usually have proof of onward travel the most simple way to fulfil this requirement is to Book a refundable ticket on Expedia that is refundable within 24 hours. Once you receive the PDF of the ticket, cancel the flight. At first, I tried applying with an explanation of why I didn’t have proof onward travel but they just declined my application

All documents must be uploaded as a single, combined PDF file of all 3 required documents and must be no bigger than 1MB. I used an online PDF combining and compressing program called Combine PDF to do this.  

There is a good explanation of how to complete the online tourist visa extension process on a website called Medellin Guru.

Step 2 – DIAN Form

Download and complete the DIAN form which can be found by clicking the link HERE. This link will automatically download the form for you but is an Exel spreadsheet file (.xlxs) and some people have had difficulty opening it. If you struggle then I also converted it into a PDF, which you can download HERE.

The second page includes instructions on how to complete the form. You need to make 2 copies and take them both with you. They will take one copy with your application and give you the second copy with a sticker on it which shows the application is being processed.

Step 3 – Copy Documents

You will need one copy of the following documents:

• Page of your passport with your personal data/photo
• Page in your passport with your current, valid Colombia tourist visa stamp
• Your new tourist visa
• Original TIP
• Car registration
• Car insurance
• Drivers licence

Go to the DIAN office at the International Airport in Bogotá. This can be found at the junction of Avenida El Dorado and Terminal De Carga, or see the icon on iOverlander – alternatively you can click HERE for a Google Map location. (NB – If you search for the DIAN office in Google Maps it will show an incorrect location)

There is large, secure parking right next to the office. big rigs should be ok. Click HERE for a Google Maps link. 

1. On entering the building, go to the reception desk and tell them you want to extend your TIP. They will register you using your passport and give you a security badge.
2. Proceed to the second floor. Sign your name with security there and turn to the right.
3. In that office, someone will check you have all the required documents and send you to the 3rd floor.
4. At the third floor, you again have to register your name and then proceed to the very back of the room (straight ahead) and give all documents to the people behind the glass screen. They will enter your details into the system, print out a sticker and put it on one of the copies of the completed DIAN form and give you this as proof of your application. They will take all the other copies and you’re done.
5. No one wanted to see the vehicle.

They told us to check the DIAN Website under notifications and eventually the new TIP will be published. This doesn’t require any sort of login and you can just search for the publication of your TIP using your name or passport number.

At this point you just need patience and a small amount of luck. Let us know if you have any issues by messaging us at our FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM pages.