What is an emergency passport and how can you apply for it? These are the requirements you must meet.

Given the recent passport issuance crisis in Colombia , many citizens are wondering what alternatives are available to obtain this document quickly.
However, concerns are growing among those who have imminent international travel plans. Faced with this situation, there is the possibility of applying for an "emergency passport."
What is the emergency passport? This mechanism, established in Decree 2465 of 2010 , authorizes the issuance of a provisional passport in exceptional situations, such as cases of force majeure or justified urgency. The document has a limited validity —up to seven months—and a reduced format of eight pages.

No appointment necessary. Photo: iStock
The emergency passport is usually valid for six months and, under no circumstances, replaces a regular passport. It's important to note that the process is carried out in parallel and independently of the conventional passport , so it does not replace or invalidate it.
What's the price? According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, costs may vary depending on the departmental taxes levied on passports. In Bogotá, this process costs $192,000.

You can use it for reasons of force majeure. Photo: AFP
- Have an urgent health reason to travel (specialized medical care, medical treatment or surgery in another country)
- That a family member has died or has a serious illness abroad.
- People who need to travel for work or humanitarian purposes. This must be verified.
- Loss or theft of your passport abroad.
- Force majeure cases that do not allow waiting for an ordinary passport.

Bring all documents. Photo: iStock
This way, it's not necessary to apply for both an emergency passport and a regular passport simultaneously. In these cases, only the provisional document can be processed.
How can you apply? It's important to clarify that the process for applying for an emergency passport differs from the standard procedure. Unlike the standard procedure, no appointment is required . In these cases, the individual must go directly to an authorized Foreign Ministry office with all the documents supporting the urgent need for their application.
- Bring the required documents, such as your ID, papers proving the emergency or the loss of your passport, and a photocopy of your previous passport.
- Go to an authorized office.
- Pay for the procedure.
- Requesting the document is usually delivered within 48 hours if the request was made in Colombia. If it was made abroad, it can take between 3 and 8 business days.
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