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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
2 clusters · 8 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: POLITICS
Colombia 2026 Free Passport Initiative
Entities: Casa da Moeda de Portugal · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia · Procuraduría General de la Nación (Colombia) · Imprenta Nacional de Colombia · Waleska Quintero
Overview
In July 2026 the Colombian government continued its free‑passport programme, extending fee‑waiver eligibility to citizens classified in the lowest tiers of the Sisbén poverty index as well as people traveling for medical treatment, persons with disabilities, seniors over 62, students under 25 studying abroad, children under ICBF protection and workers with overseas contracts. Applicants must still provide proof of citizenship and documentation supporting the travel purpose.
A few days later the Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed the implementation rules, warned of scammers using counterfeit websites and phone calls to solicit advance payments, and clarified that fees are only payable in person. The announcement also noted a legal dispute over the passport‑production contract; the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca rejected a precautionary injunction and allowed the release of 1.3 trillion pesos for a new contract with Colombia’s Imprenta Nacional and Portugal’s Casa da Moeda, replacing the previous supplier.
Together the snapshots show the programme’s operational rollout, its broadened eligibility criteria, and the emergence of fraud alerts and a court‑approved contract change as the government sought to maintain uninterrupted passport services for vulnerable Colombians.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 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)
- [● 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)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Required documents include a valid citizenship ID, Sisbén certificate, disability certificate, and medical documentation. (Document requirement sections)
- [● 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)
- [● 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] 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)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The contract involves Colombia’s Imprenta Nacional and Portugal’s Casa da Moeda, replacing former supplier Thomas Greg & Sons. (Contract description articles)
Timeline
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about 8 hours ago
[POLITICS] 7 sourcesColombia's 2026 Passport Reform Extends Free Travel Exemptions and Faces Fraud AlertsColombia's 2026 passport reform grants free passports to vulnerable groups, warns of fraud scams, and sees courts uphold a 1.3‑trillion‑peso contract with Imprenta Nacional and Portugal's Casa da Moeda.
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3 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesColombia Extends Free Passport Scheme to Vulnerable Citizens in 2026Colombia will keep free passports in 2026 for vulnerable citizens meeting criteria such as low‑income Sisbén status, medical travel, disability, seniors, students abroad and official delegations.
Sources
asuntoslegales.com.co · baoquangtri.vn · diariodelcauca.com.co · elespectador.com · elfrente.com.co · elnuevosiglo.com.co · extra.com.co · hsbnoticias.com