President Abelardo de la Espriella,

Colombia’s landscapes, culture and hospitality should make people want to return. This letter proposes a concrete decision for the country: review the repeated charge imposed on Canadian travellers who are not exempt every time they enter.

In 2026, the charge is 270,000 COP per applicable entry. The Canadian reference invoked is the 85 CAD biometrics fee, with biometrics normally reusable for ten years for temporary stays. The systems are not identical, and a Canadian visa application is charged separately. This is precisely why we ask that the proportionality of repeated charges be reviewed.

A returning visitor may book a hotel, eat at a restaurant, hire a guide and buy from a Colombian shopkeeper. Charging them again may leave a poor impression and encourage them to choose another destination. That is a risk to reputation and tourism spending; we do not claim to have measured how many travellers have been lost because of this fee.

Our request is public and concrete: work with Cancillería, Migración Colombia and the tourism sector towards ending the repeated charge or adopting a proportionate alternative, such as one payment valid for ten years. We request a public review timetable and a reasoned response.

A ‘stroke of the pen’ expresses the will to act. Reform requires the acts and procedures of the competent authorities. We ask that this review begin as a priority.

A properly adopted reform would be a welcome signal and good news for people whose livelihoods depend on tourism. The outcome Colombia deserves is simple: more reasons to come back and spend here.

Respectfully,
Reciprocidad Justa · Independent citizen initiative
https://reciprocidadjusta.com/en/abelardo-de-la-espriella/