What is the Migratory laissez-passer?

Published on: December 28, 2023

Reading time: 3 min

In Colombia, the migration laissez-passer is a document issued by the Special Administrative Unit of Migration Colombia. This document is granted to foreigners who are in a special condition in the country with the purpose of allowing the legal and temporary transit of a person in special situations related to their migratory condition.

The migratory safe-conduct is relevant because it provides a temporary authorization to stay and transit through Colombian territory when a person does not have a valid visa or has an irregular migratory situation. This is a measure that seeks to provisionally regularize the immigration status of those individuals who, due to various circumstances, do not have the proper documentation to be in the country.

There are two types of immigration laissez-passer:

For departure from the country (SC-1)

It may be issued for up to thirty days in the following cases:

When the foreigner is in irregular stay once his administrative situation has been resolved.
When deported or expelled.
When the Visa has been cancelled.
When the entry permit has been revoked.
When there is a Visa denial.

For permanence (SC-2)

For visa processing or its change, up to thirty (30) days.
To remain on probation, parole or by an order of the competent authority, until the pending legal or administrative situation is resolved.
To remain in the country while their refugee or asylum status is being resolved, upon request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A foreigner who, being able to apply for a visa in the country, has incurred in irregular stay, after cancellation of the sanction imposed.
To apply for a visa in the country for being the spouse of a Colombian national, parent of a Colombian national, for one of his or her beneficiaries, for medical treatment or for students.

This document may be required in situations such as:

Departure from the country: Allows a person in an irregular migratory situation to leave Colombia legally without running the risk of being sanctioned.
Renewal of visa or immigration proceedings: If a person has a visa application or immigration proceedings in progress and his or her current document has expired, he or she may apply for a laissez-passer in order to maintain his or her regular immigration status while his or her situation is being resolved.
Humanitarian situations: In cases of humanitarian emergencies, armed conflicts, natural disasters or other special circumstances, the migratory laissez-passer may be granted to allow the entry and legal transit of affected persons.

The processing of the migratory laissez-passer is carried out at the offices of Migración Colombia. To apply, it is necessary to present a series of documents that may vary depending on the reason for the application. Among the common documents required are: the application form duly filled out, a copy of the passport or identity card, supporting documents that validate the need to stay in Colombia or a scanned ticket to leave the country.

The delivery time of this document once the application is made is one day and currently costs 74,000 Colombian pesos.

It is important to keep in mind that the immigration laissez-passer is a temporary authorization and does not constitute a definitive solution to an irregular migratory situation. Persons in these circumstances are advised to seek legal advice to regularize their situation and obtain the corresponding immigration documents.