A major earthquake in Colombia has temporarily disrupted immigration and travel services in several parts of the country.
Following the earthquake recorded on August 10, 2026, Migración Colombia suspended in-person services at seven offices as a precautionary measure. The affected locations were Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Medellín, Pereira, Popayán, and Quibdó.
The latest update indicates that some services have now resumed, while several offices remain temporarily closed.
Foreign nationals with appointments or pending immigration procedures in the affected locations should continue to expect possible delays until all services are restored.
Visa application processing and adjudication are continuing normally.
This distinction is important for foreign nationals because the temporary suspension primarily affects in-person services provided by Migración Colombia rather than the country's general visa processing system.
Commercial flight operations were initially suspended at airports serving:
The latest update confirms that commercial flights have resumed in Armenia, Buenaventura, and Manizales, although some operational restrictions remain.
Cartago and Pereira continue to face restrictions, while Popayán is temporarily closed because of volcanic ash.
Travelers should continue checking directly with their airlines before traveling, as flight schedules and airport operations may change.
The partial resumption of services in Armenia, Medellín, and Popayán is a positive development, but continued closures in Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Quibdó mean that some foreign nationals may still experience delays.
Travel conditions are also continuing to change as affected airports undergo safety assessments and operational restrictions are lifted or introduced.
Employers and foreign nationals with upcoming travel or immigration appointments should therefore continue monitoring developments and confirm both immigration service availability and flight status before making travel arrangements.
Following the earthquake recorded on August 10, 2026, Migración Colombia suspended in-person services at seven offices as a precautionary measure. The affected locations were Armenia, Cali, Manizales, Medellín, Pereira, Popayán, and Quibdó.
The latest update indicates that some services have now resumed, while several offices remain temporarily closed.
Immigration Services Resume in Some Locations
As of August 14, 2026, Migración Colombia has resumed in-person services in:- Armenia
- Medellín
- Popayán
Foreign nationals with appointments or pending immigration procedures in the affected locations should continue to expect possible delays until all services are restored.
Immigration Procedures That May Be Affected
The temporary closures may affect immigration processes requiring in-person attendance, including:- Foreign national registrations
- Issuance of local identity cards
- Immigration status regularization
- Travel permits, including salvoconductos
- Other procedures requiring physical attendance at immigration offices
Visa Services Continue Normally
Despite the disruption to several Migración Colombia offices, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not announced any earthquake-related disruption to its services.Visa application processing and adjudication are continuing normally.
This distinction is important for foreign nationals because the temporary suspension primarily affects in-person services provided by Migración Colombia rather than the country's general visa processing system.
Travel Disruptions Continue
The earthquake has also affected commercial aviation in several areas.Commercial flight operations were initially suspended at airports serving:
- Armenia
- Buenaventura
- Cartago
- Manizales
- Pereira
- Popayán
The latest update confirms that commercial flights have resumed in Armenia, Buenaventura, and Manizales, although some operational restrictions remain.
Cartago and Pereira continue to face restrictions, while Popayán is temporarily closed because of volcanic ash.
Travelers should continue checking directly with their airlines before traveling, as flight schedules and airport operations may change.
What Foreign Nationals Should Do
Foreign nationals affected by the temporary closures should consider:- Confirming whether their immigration office has resumed operations.
- Checking the status of scheduled appointments.
- Allowing additional time for pending immigration procedures.
- Monitoring official announcements for further service updates.
- Confirming flight status directly with the airline before traveling.
Outlook
The temporary suspension of immigration services demonstrates how natural disasters can affect international mobility even when national immigration and visa systems remain operational.The partial resumption of services in Armenia, Medellín, and Popayán is a positive development, but continued closures in Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Quibdó mean that some foreign nationals may still experience delays.
Travel conditions are also continuing to change as affected airports undergo safety assessments and operational restrictions are lifted or introduced.
Employers and foreign nationals with upcoming travel or immigration appointments should therefore continue monitoring developments and confirm both immigration service availability and flight status before making travel arrangements.
Pros and Cons Summary
Pros
- In-person immigration services have resumed in Armenia, Medellín, and Popayán.
- Visa application processing and adjudication continue to operate normally.
- Other Migración Colombia offices across the country remain operational.
- Commercial flights have resumed in Armenia, Buenaventura, and Manizales.
- Authorities are gradually restoring services following safety assessments.
Cons
- Immigration offices in Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and Quibdó remain temporarily closed.
- Foreign nationals may face delays with registrations, identity cards, status regularizations, and travel permits.
- Some airports continue to operate with restrictions.
- Popayán airport remains temporarily closed due to volcanic ash.
- Travelers may face flight cancellations or delays and should confirm their flight status before departure.