Guide contents
Quick answer: the safe-conduct (salvoconducto) is a temporary Migración Colombia document. There are two types: SC-1, to leave the country, and SC-2, to stay while a situation is resolved, such as applying for a visa. In most cases it is valid for up to 30 calendar days (art. 2.2.1.11.4.9 of Decree 1067 of 2015, amended by Decree 1016 of 2020), and the 2026 fee is COP 88,000, with exemptions.
Before you get to the safe-conduct, remember that when your visa ends you have 30 calendar days in regular status to leave or apply for a new one (art. 111 of Resolution 5477 of 2022).
Regular and irregular immigration status
A foreigner is in regular status when they hold a valid authorization to be in Colombia: a visa, an Entry and Stay Permit (PIP), its extension (PTP) or a safe-conduct. They fall into irregular stay when that authorization expires and is not replaced in time. The most common cases are:
- The tourist permit or its extension expires without the person leaving or applying for a visa. See the guide on the tourist permit extension.
- The visa expires and the 30 days of article 111 pass without leaving or applying for another.
- The visa ends early, for example when the job or the relationship that supported it ends, and 30 days pass without action.
Migración Colombia Resolution 2357 of 2020 classifies irregular stay as a serious violation, which can lead to deportation. In addition, a person in irregular status cannot apply for a visa without first regularizing.
The 30 days of article 111: your safety margin
Article 111 of Resolution 5477 provides that, once the visa ends, whether ordinarily or early, the foreigner has 30 calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new visa, and that during that period they are considered to be in regular immigration status.
In practice, this is your window to act without a safe-conduct or penalty: if your contract ended, your relationship changed or your visa is about to expire, use those 30 days to file the new, complete application. Guide: apply for the visa online.
Types of safe-conduct and official validity
| Type | Purpose | Validity (Decree 1067, art. 2.2.1.11.4.9) |
|---|---|---|
| SC-1 exit | Irregular stay (after paying the penalty), deportation or expulsion, cancellation of a visa or permit, visa denied, or inability to leave due to force majeure | Up to 30 calendar days |
| SC-2 to apply for a visa or change | Stay while a visa is processed | Up to 30 days, extendable 30 more in special cases at Cancillería's request |
| SC-2 administrative situation | Stay while an administrative process is decided | Up to 30 days, extendable at the applicant's request |
| SC-2 by order of an authority | Provisional or conditional release, or order of a competent authority | Up to 30 days, extendable until the legal situation is defined |
| SC-2 irregular stay with visa option | Those who could apply for a visa in the country but became irregular, after paying the penalty | Up to 30 days |
| SC-2 refuge or asylum | While the application is resolved, including family | Up to 180 days, extendable; free |
| SC-2 other reasons | Cases the authority considers | Up to 15 days, extendable |
- The safe-conduct does not authorize work. It only allows you to stay or leave.
- It does not count toward permanent residency. Paragraph 2 of article 90 of Resolution 5477 states that the safe-conduct "is not a continuity factor" for calculating accumulated time. If you relied on a safe-conduct between two visas, the count for the R visa starts over.
- The term is short. Thirty days go by fast: have your visa file ready before requesting the SC-2.
How much the safe-conduct costs in 2026
Migración Colombia Resolution 599 of 2026 sets the safe-conduct fee at COP 88,000. Exempt, among others, are safe-conducts for deportation or expulsion, cancellation of a visa, PIP or PTP, at the request of a judicial or administrative authority, for refuge or asylum, and for voluntary departure from the country.
The administrative penalty process, step by step
Anyone in irregular stay must resolve their situation through an administrative process before Migración Colombia, which applies Resolution 2357 of 2020 and, for matters not covered, Law 1437 of 2011 (CPACA):
- Appointment: booked at a Migration Services Facilitation Center.
- Opening and charges: the authority opens the proceeding for the violation detected.
- Defense: you explain in writing the reasons for the irregularity and provide evidence.
- Evidence and arguments.
- Decision: a reasoned resolution with a penalty, dismissal or expiry (art. 21). Unlike Cancillería's visa decisions, appeals for reconsideration and appeal do apply to decisions in this process.
- Payment of the penalty, if imposed, and issuance of the safe-conduct through the Single Procedures Form.
Grading: the authority considers the offender's conduct, severity, repeat offenses or refusal, risk and duration (art. 22). It may exempt for unforeseeable events, force majeure or unavoidable error, proven destitution, international agreements and other cases in article 23.
Benefits for Mercosur and Ecuadorian nationals
- Mercosur and associates (art. 24, Res. 2357): nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay in irregular stay who want to reside in Colombia sign a record with a term of up to 90 days to obtain the visa, with an SC-2 safe-conduct to resolve their situation. If they present the visa in time, the proceeding is closed; if not, the process continues.
- Ecuador (art. 25): since February 4, 2013, Ecuadorians are exempt from financial penalties for overstaying, through an exemption record, without prejudice to deportation or expulsion where applicable.
How to avoid needing a safe-conduct
- Write down the expiry date of your visa or permit and plan the renewal in advance.
- If your visa ends early, use the 30 days of article 111 to file the new application.
- Have your documents ready and current (no older than three months) and within SITAC's 35-page and 5 MB limit.
- Keep your medical plan active without interruption: it is a requirement for most visas.
- If you are a tourist, request the extension at least 5 business days before your permit expires.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SC-2 safe-conduct?
It is Migración Colombia's stay safe-conduct. It allows you to remain in the country while a visa is processed, an administrative or legal situation is defined, or a refugee application is resolved. For visa applications it lasts up to 30 days, extendable 30 more in special cases at Cancillería's request.
How much does the safe-conduct cost in 2026?
COP 88,000, under Migración Colombia Resolution 599 of 2026, with exemptions for deportation or expulsion, cancellation of a visa or permits, refuge or asylum and voluntary departure, among others.
Can I work with a safe-conduct?
No. The safe-conduct only authorizes you to stay in or leave the country; it is not a work permit.
Does time on a safe-conduct count toward permanent residency?
No. Article 90 of Resolution 5477 states that the safe-conduct is not a continuity factor for calculating accumulated time.
What happens if my visa expires?
You have 30 calendar days in regular status to leave the country or apply for a new visa (art. 111). If that term passes without action, you fall into irregular stay, a serious violation that can lead to deportation.
Do Ecuadorians pay a fine for overstaying?
They have not paid financial penalties for overstaying since February 4, 2013, under article 25 of Resolution 2357 of 2020, although deportation or expulsion may apply where appropriate.
When is a foreigner in regular immigration status?
When they hold a valid authorization to be in Colombia: a visa, an Entry and Stay Permit (PIP), its extension (PTP) or a safe-conduct.
What is irregular stay?
The situation a foreigner falls into when their authorization to be in Colombia expires and is not replaced in time, for example when the tourist permit or the visa expires without applying for another.
What are the 30 days of article 111?
Once the visa ends, ordinarily or early, the foreigner has 30 calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new visa, and during that period is considered to be in regular status.
What is the SC-1 safe-conduct for?
To leave the country in cases such as irregular stay (after paying the penalty), deportation or expulsion, cancellation of a visa or permit, visa denied or force majeure. Valid for up to 30 calendar days.
How long does the SC-2 safe-conduct to apply for a visa last?
Up to 30 days, extendable 30 more in special cases at Cancillería's request (Decree 1067, article 2.2.1.11.4.9).
Who is exempt from paying for the safe-conduct?
Among others, safe-conducts for deportation or expulsion, cancellation of a visa, PIP or PTP, at the request of a judicial or administrative authority, refuge or asylum and voluntary departure (Resolution 599 of 2026).
How does the penalty process for irregular stay work?
You book an appointment at a Migration Services Facilitation Center, charges are opened, you submit a defense with evidence and Migración decides under Resolution 2357 of 2020 and the CPACA.
What benefit do Mercosur nationals in irregular stay have?
Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay who want to reside sign a record with a term of up to 90 days to obtain the visa, with an SC-2 safe-conduct (article 24 of Resolution 2357).
What happens if the Mercosur national presents the visa in time?
The administrative proceeding is closed. If they do not present it, the process continues.
Can I apply for a visa with a safe-conduct?
Yes, the SC-2 allows you to stay while a visa is processed. But time on a safe-conduct does not count toward permanent residency (article 90).
How do I avoid needing a safe-conduct?
Write down your visa or permit expiry, renew early, use the 30 days of article 111 if your visa ends early and keep your documents ready and current.
If I am a tourist, when should I request the extension to avoid irregular status?
At least 5 business days before your Entry and Stay Permit expires.
Does the medical plan matter for avoiding irregular status?
Yes. Keeping the medical plan active without interruption is a requirement for most visas, and an expired policy can delay the new application.
Is irregular stay a serious violation?
Yes. Resolution 2357 of 2020 classifies it as a serious violation, and it can lead to a financial penalty or deportation.
Official sources: Decree 1016 of 2020 (art. 2.2.1.11.4.9 of Decree 1067 of 2015) · Migración Colombia Resolution 2357 of 2020, arts. 15, 21–25 · Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 90 and 111 · Resolution 599 of 2026 (fees). Informational content; for penalty proceedings consult an immigration lawyer.
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