How to Request the SC-1 and SC-2 Safe-Conduct at Migración Colombia Step-by-Step

Being in Colombia with a visa about to expire or waiting for a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) generates enormous uncertainty. Many foreigners fear falling into irregular status and accumulating immigration fines while their formal application is still under review. Fortunately, Colombian immigration legislation provides a legal and temporary solution: the Safe-conduct (Salvoconducto).

Issued exclusively by Migración Colombia, this administrative document temporarily regularizes the stay of a foreign citizen. If you need the English version of this guide for a colleague or relative, you can consult our guide on SC-1 and SC-2 safe-conducts in English. In this article, we detail the requirements, current rates for 2026, and the step-by-step procedure to manage it without intermediaries.

Quick answer: What is each safe-conduct for?

Decree 1067 of 2015 divides this instrument into two fundamental categories that address completely different objectives:

• Safe-conduct SC-1 (Departure from the country): Granted to foreigners who must leave the national territory in an orderly manner. It applies when a visa or tourist permit has been canceled, when an administrative sanction is resolved, or when a visa application is denied and there are no further legal remedies. Its typical validity is up to 30 calendar days.
• Safe-conduct SC-2 (Provisional stay): This is the document you need if you are processing a new visa before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) and your current status is about to expire. Its initial validity is 30 calendar days, extendable for another 30 additional days while the process concludes.

Key differences between the SC-1 and SC-2 safe-conducts

To avoid mistakes when submitting your online application, review the following comparison table with the operational parameters of each modality:

Official costs and current rates in 2026

According to Resolution 0599 of February 10, 2026 issued by Migración Colombia, the standard rate for the issuance of a safe-conduct is $88.000 COP.

However, the regulations provide for situations where the process has a cost of $0 COP (exempt from payment):

• Safe-conducts derived from the formal cancellation of a visa or permit by authority decision.
• Procedures linked to the recognition of refugee or political asylum status.
• Judicial or competent administrative authority orders.
• Deportation or expulsion processes.
• First duplicate due to provable loss or deterioration.

Important note on payment security: Migración Colombia strictly prohibits its officials from receiving cash. Payment is made in person at the Migration Services Facilitation Center (CFSM) using a debit or credit card terminal, or via an official slip for deposit at authorized bank counters (usually Banco de Occidente). Never give money to fixers or people outside institutional counters.

Requirements and necessary documents

Before entering the official portal, prepare the following scanned supports in PDF format (each file must not exceed the weight limit stipulated by the system, usually 1 MB to 3 MB):

1. Full copy of the passport biographical page: It must be sharp, legible, and with a minimum adequate validity.
2. Formal visa application support: If you are processing an SC-2, you must attach the electronic proof of submission issued by the Cancillería with the application number visible, demonstrating that the file is in review status. This frequently applies to those applying for a partner or investor visa in Colombia.
3. Copy of the last entry stamp, previous safe-conduct, or previous visa: Evidence that your previous stay was supported according to the law.

Step-by-step guide to applying for a safe-conduct from Migración Colombia

The safe-conduct process is a hybrid process: it begins online and must be concluded in person for biometric enrollment.

Step 1: Filling out the Single Procedure Form (FUT)

Enter the official Migración Colombia portal and go to the online services section. Select the Single Procedure Form (FUT). In the main procedure field, choose Safe-conduct (Salvoconducto) and select the corresponding subcategory (SC-1 or SC-2). Complete your personal data, residential address, email, and upload the previously prepared PDF documents.

Step 2: Scheduling the in-person appointment

Once the FUT is completed, the system will provide an application number and allow you to schedule an in-person appointment at the Migration Services Facilitation Center (CFSM) in your jurisdiction (for example, in Bogotá at Calle 100 or in Medellín in the Belén sector). Try to complete this step at least 10 to 15 business days before your current stay expires to ensure an available slot.

Step 3: Attending the appointment and biometric enrollment

Show up on the agreed day and time at the CFSM with your original passport and physical supports in case the official requests to check them. The officer will proceed to perform the biometric enrollment, which consists of capturing your digital photograph, fingerprints, and electronic signature in the system.

Step 4: Payment of the official rate and issuance

At the window, the payment order for $88.000 COP will be generated (if you are not exempt). Make the payment by card terminal. Once the transaction is validated, the issuance of the safe-conduct is usually formalized in 1 business day, generated in digital format or delivered as a printed copy signed by the immigration officer.

What you can and CANNOT do with a safe-conduct

It is common for there to be misunderstandings about the scope of this document. Keep in mind its operational limitations:

• It is not a visa: The salvoconducto (safe-conduct) does not guarantee that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will approve your visa application; it only suspends the count of irregular days so that you do not accumulate immigration violations.
• It does not grant automatic work authorization: The standard SC-2 does not enable you to work at Colombian companies unless the specific regulations for your particular case formally stipulate it.
• It does not allow for multiple international trips: If you leave the national territory with a salvoconducto, the document expires the very moment you reach the border control post. You will not be able to use it to re-enter the country.
• Local administrative access: It allows you to keep proof of legal stay active for landlords and to carry out basic tasks, facilitating the continuity of tax procedures such as obtaining the RIT from the Secretary of Finance once you regularize your definitive situation.

If you are waiting for an SC-2 and need a roof, according to the active listings on Colombia Move (September 2026) there are 171 housing ads and barely 2 for temporary rentals, with 406 views in that niche category: it is advisable to search early while your process is underway.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How much does the SC-1 or SC-2 Salvoconducto cost in 2026?

It costs $88,000 COP according to Resolution 0599 of 2026 issued by Migración Colombia. The process is exempt ($0 COP) in specific cases such as the official cancellation of a visa or refugee applications.

❓ Can I work in Colombia with an SC-2 Salvoconducto while I wait for my visa?

As a general rule, no, since the standard SC-2 is proof of temporary stay and does not grant independent labor rights. The authority to work, according to Decree 1067 of 2015 and current 2026 practice, depends on the conditions of the visa granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

❓ How long is the validity of the salvoconducto for applying for a visa?

It has an initial validity of 30 calendar days. It can be extended for up to 30 more days in 2026 if the visa review remains active with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Migración Colombia portal.

❓ What happens if I leave Colombia while holding a valid salvoconducto?

The salvoconducto automatically loses all validity upon registering your exit at immigration control points. It does not work as a re-entry document, according to the current 2026 procedure of Migración Colombia.

❓ How far in advance should I start the procedure on the FUT?

Ideally, you should fill out the FUT between 10 and 15 business days before your current permit or visa expires. This window, recommended for 2026 due to appointment congestion, helps in securing a slot at the CFSM without falling into irregularity.

❓ Can I pay the cost of the salvoconducto in cash to an official?

No, under no circumstances. Migración Colombia prohibits cash collection at its offices; in 2026, payments are made via card terminal or official bank deposit, according to the entity's current rates.