Colombia's 2026 Passport Reform Extends Free Travel Exemptions and Faces Fraud Alerts
The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue passports without charge to qualifying citizens under Law 1212 of 2008 and the 2026 exemption rules. Eligible groups include people classified in Sisbén levels A, B or C, certified persons with disabilities and their close companions, patients travelling abroad for specialized medical treatment and their accompanying relatives, adults over 62 years travelling for health or family reunification, students under 25 enrolled in international schools, and children under ICBF protection involved in international adoption. Applicants must present a valid citizenship ID, a Sisbén certificate where applicable, a disability certificate, medical documentation or an order for treatment, among other required paperwork.
In Santander, the regional government warned that scammers are using counterfeit websites, fraudulent links and phone calls to solicit advance payments for passport processing. Officials stressed that passport fees are only payable in person at the designated office and that no online channels exist for pre‑payment or expedited services.
A legal dispute over the new passport‑production contract was resolved when the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca rejected a precautionary injunction sought by the Procuraduría General de la Nación. The court kept in place the release of 1.3 trillion Colombian pesos allocated to a contract with Colombia’s Imprenta Nacional and Portugal’s Casa da Moeda, which replaces the former supplier Thomas Greg & Sons. While the Procuraduría alleged procedural irregularities and the absence of a public tender, the court ruled that suspending the funds would jeopardise the continuous provision of passport services.
Entities: Casa da Moeda de Portugal · Imprenta Nacional de Colombia · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia · Procuraduría General de la Nación (Colombia) · Waleska Quintero
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Procuraduría alleged the contract was awarded without a public tender, but the court said suspending funds would harm passport services. (Legal dispute articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The passport production contract is valued at 1.3 trillion Colombian pesos. (Financial details in court article)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The contract involves Colombia’s Imprenta Nacional and Portugal’s Casa da Moeda, replacing former supplier Thomas Greg & Sons. (Contract description articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Required documents include a valid citizenship ID, Sisbén certificate, disability certificate, and medical documentation. (Document requirement sections)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Eligible groups include Sisbén A‑C persons, certified disabled individuals and their close companions, patients traveling abroad for medical treatment and accompanying relatives, adults over 62 for健康或 (Eligibility list in multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities in Santander warned that scammers are using fake websites and phone calls to collect advance payments for passport processing, which must be paid in person. (Santander fraud alert article)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Administrative Court of Cundinamarca denied a precautionary measure sought by the Procuraduría to freeze 1.3 trillion Colombian pesos allocated for the new passport production contract. (Court ruling articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will issue passports free of charge to qualifying citizens under Law 1212 of 2008 and 2026 exemption rules. (Colombia passport free exemption articles)