Pereira, Risaralda, January 30, 2026. Residents of Risaralda will soon have an easier path to obtaining a passport, as the government plans to decentralize passport services to the municipality of La Virginia starting next Friday, February 6.
Passport Access Expanding in Risaralda
The initiative aims to streamline the passport application process for residents, reducing travel costs and celebrating the region’s 59th anniversary.
- the Risaralda government will hold a decentralized passport day in La Virginia on February 6.
- Registration for the event is open at the Municipal Mayor’s Office of La Virginia until spaces are filled.
- Last year, the Risaralda Passport Office served 1,056 people across 12 municipalities.
- Passport costs in 2026 range from $295,000 to $428,000 depending on the type.
Jorge Mario García García, head of the department’s Passport Office, expressed enthusiasm for the renewed effort, stating, “We are very happy to resume the decentralized passport days because it is an opportunity that Risaralda residents always wait for to process their passport in the municipality of their residence and save costs in terms of travel, and to also do so within the framework of the celebration of the Risaralda 59 anniversary celebrations, under the instructions of our governor Juan Diego patiño Ochoa in his equitable management and Inclusive.”
Interested individuals can register at the government Secretariat of La Virginia’s Municipal Mayor’s Office between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, and again from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, until all available slots are taken.The initiative is part of a broader effort to make essential government services more accessible to citizens throughout the region.
What documents are needed to apply for a passport? A comprehensive list of requirements for both issuing and renewing passports can be found at https://pasaportes.risaralda.gov.co.
García García highlighted the success of previous decentralization efforts, noting that “The immediately previous year the Risaralda
serving 1,056 people and formalizing 756 documents.” This year’s initiative builds on that momentum, aiming to serve even more residents conveniently.
Why, Who, What, and How:
Why: The Risaralda government is decentralizing passport services to improve accessibility for residents, reduce travel costs, and celebrate the region’s 59th anniversary.
Who: The initiative is led by the Risaralda government, specifically the Passport Office headed by Jorge Mario García García, under the direction of Governor Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa. It directly impacts residents of Risaralda,particularly those in La virginia.
What: The government is holding a
