Foreign-born population – 2024 | 5.8% of the population | Main countries of birth: Venezuela (95%), the United States (1%), Ecuador (1%) |
Size: 3.1 million, 50% women | Evolution since 2015: +2 005% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
The United States, Venezuela and Peru were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, the United States registered the strongest increase (2 500) and Venezuela the largest decrease (‑1 500) in flows to Colombia compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 17%, to reach around 8 200. The majority of applicants came from Venezuela (7 700), Cuba (200) and Ecuador (84). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Venezuela (1 300) and the largest decrease nationals of Cuba (‑55). Of the 20 000 decisions taken in 2025, 1% were positive.
Emigration of Colombian citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2024, to 252 000. Approximately 67% of this group migrated to Spain, 12% to the United States and 7% to Chile.
During 2025-2026, Colombia continued to co‑operate with international and regional partners on refugee protection, socio-economic inclusion and long-term solutions for displaced populations, while maintaining its role as the main host country for Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the region.
National and local authorities continued to develop programmes to support the social and economic integration of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. Measures focussed on access to employment, education, healthcare and local services, as well as support for host communities in areas receiving large numbers of migrants.
Between May 2025 and June 2026, Colombia continued to implement the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants (ETPV), with administrative efforts focussed on issuing and delivering Temporary Protection Permits (PPT) to eligible beneficiaries in order to promote their integration. National authorities, with the support of international organisations, continued working to complete documentation procedures for Venezuelans already registered in the programme. In August 2025, UNHCR reported that co‑operation with Colombian authorities was continuing to support the issuance of Temporary Protection Permits and the inclusion of permit holders in national systems, while strengthening social cohesion and local integration programmes. During the period, public debate increasingly focussed on Venezuelans who remained without access to regularisation mechanisms after the ETPV registration process closed, as well as on possible alternative pathways to obtain regular status and access services, particularly for those who had arrived more recently.
During 2025, the authorities continued to implement measures associated with the closure of registration under the ETPV, which had ended for new applicants in 2023. Public policy discussions increasingly focussed on migrants who arrived after the registration deadline and therefore remained outside the main regularisation mechanism. During 2025-2026, existing residence and visa channels continued to be used to address individual cases.
A notable development during the period was the operational rollout of the Special Stay Permit for legal representatives of Venezuelan children and adolescents (PEP Tutor). Regulated by Resolution 2451 of 2025, the application period is scheduled from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2026. Migración Colombia issued the first permits in March 2026, initially in ten cities; coverage was subsequently expanded to 24 additional cities.
The permit grants regular immigration status and work authorisation to the legal representatives of minors who held a PPT or whose PPT had been approved before 31 December 2023. It is valid until 30 May 2031 and will not be renewable.
In January 2026, the government prepared contingency plans for a possible increase in arrivals from Venezuela. The authorities developed a phased response framework for border regions and reception areas, including provisions for registration, humanitarian assistance and co‑ordination with local authorities in the event of a significant increase in migration flows.
Decree 071 of 27 January 2026 formalised the elevation of the internal Working Group “Colombia Nos Une” to “Colombia Nos Une” Directorate, attached to the Vice‑Ministry of Migration, Consular Affairs and International Protection, previously created by Decree 1081 – 15 October 2025. This complemented the institutional architecture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the lead agency for the care of Colombians abroad, returning nationals and the regular migrant population in the national territory.
For further information: www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/
