Last updated: 05 September 2026. Colombia Check Mig airport requirements apply to all international air passengers: you must complete a free online immigration pre-registration form between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight, then show the QR code at check-in and immigration for both entry and exit.
About the author: A travel journalist who has visited Colombia four times since 2023 and closely follows Latin American entry requirements. I flew through Bogotá El Dorado in February 2026 and successfully used a digital QR code at both check-in and immigration without issues. Having the form completed 24 hours ahead saved me from last-minute stress.
What Is Check Mig and Why Every Traveller to Colombia Needs It
Check Mig (Formulario de Migración) is a free online immigration pre-registration form administered by Migración Colombia. Although Migración Colombia declared Check Mig legally optional in its January 2025 announcement, airlines continue to enforce it as a de facto boarding requirement at all major Colombian airports in 2026. Passengers without a QR code confirmation risk being denied boarding at the gate.
Check Mig is required for both entry (arrival) and exit (departure) from Colombia, with a separate submission for each flight. The form is free of charge (0 COP / 0 USD) at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. Third-party websites charge fees to transcribe the same free form. Avianca’s 2026 travel requirements page states that a Check Mig QR code must be presented at check-in, confirming airline enforcement persists despite the non-mandatory legal status.
British passport holders do not need a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days under the Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP), granted at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. However, they must still complete Check Mig separately for each flight. A passport valid on entry with six months’ validity beyond planned departure is strongly recommended. Check Mig does not replace a visa for nationalities that require one.
Core Rules: Entry, Departure and How to Complete Check Mig Before Your Flight
Check Mig must be submitted between 72 hours and 1 hour before both inbound and outbound flights, with airlines verifying it at check-in as a de facto boarding requirement. Airline counters close document verification 75 to 90 minutes before international departure, so completing the form at least 24 hours ahead is recommended.
Check Mig generates a QR code confirmation that check-in agents inspect before issuing your boarding pass. The form remains free of charge (0 COP / 0 USD). Use only the government portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en directly.
Entry vs Exit Requirements
| Entry (Arrival) | Exit (Departure) |
|---|---|
| Complete before inbound flight to Colombia | Complete before outbound flight leaving Colombian territory |
| Show QR code at immigration on arrival | Show QR code at airline check-in and exit immigration |
| Separate submission required | Separate submission required (tied to the flight leaving Colombia, not final destination) |
| Proof of onward/return ticket required at immigration | Departure tax of 110,000 COP if staying more than 60 days (often included in ticket) |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fill Out the Check Mig Online Form
Once you submit your passport details, flight number, and accommodation address on the apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co portal, you receive a confirmation QR code by email. The form is available in Spanish, English, and French, and average completion takes approximately 10 minutes.
Access the portal and click “Do Checkmig”
Select “Entering Colombia” or “Exiting Colombia”
Choose method of entry: Air
Select flight type: Commercial or Private
Enter personal details: full name, passport number, nationality
Enter flight details: airline, flight number, seat, origin/destination, date and time
Enter your accommodation address in Colombia (hotel name and address)
Submit and receive your QR code confirmation via email
Save the QR code as a PDF or screenshot on your phone. Digital copies are accepted at BOG and CTG as of 2026; carry a printed backup. Check Mig also offers a frequent traveller feature that saves your profile to avoid re-entering data on repeat visits.
Check Mig at Major Colombian Airports: What to Expect in 2026
Bogotá El Dorado (BOG)
As Colombia’s largest international hub, BOG presents the most complex Check Mig touchpoints. Passengers connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight must clear immigration, collect luggage, pass through customs, then re-check for the domestic leg. Check Mig covers the international arrival only. BIOMIG biometric e-gates using iris scans are available but serve primarily Colombian citizens and foreign residents with cédula; short-term tourists proceed to manned immigration booths.
Medellín José María Córdova (MDE)
MDE sits approximately 1 hour by road from El Poblado. Immigration booth procedures mirror BOG, and digital QR codes displayed on a smartphone are accepted.
Cartagena Rafael Núñez (CTG)
Gate agents at CTG actively verify Check Mig confirmation before boarding; digital QR codes on phones are accepted.
Cali Alfonso Bonilla Aragón (CLO)
CLO follows a standard process with digital QR acceptance at check-in and immigration.
Major Colombian airport terminals offer free Wi-Fi, useful for last-minute Check Mig completion. Charging stations in terminal waiting areas provide a backup for mobile submission.
Troubleshooting and Special Cases: Portal Outages, Children, and Transit
If the portal crashes, retry after 10 minutes, then contact your airline. Arrive early and proceed to the airport’s Migración Colombia desk. When a flight is delayed or rebooked after submission, retrieve the original via “Check completed form” and submit a new Check Mig tied to the updated flight number.
Check Mig requires an individual form for every traveller, including infants and children; details must match each child’s passport exactly. Children aged 17 and under with Colombian resident status additionally need a notarised letter of permission from non-accompanying parents, authenticated by a notary or Colombian consulate.
For transit passengers: if you stay airside without clearing Colombian immigration, Check Mig is not required; if you pass through immigration, it is. San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina require a separate tourist card purchased at the boarding gate on the day of flight (exempt for stays under 24 hours). Canadian citizens pay a reciprocal entry fee at the immigration counter upon arrival.
Travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk, or visiting high-risk municipalities in Colombia, must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate administered at least 10 days before travel. Strengthened rules took effect in March 2026. Currency imports exceeding 10,000 USD must be declared to the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN).
Overstaying a Colombian permit triggers a penalty of up to COP 5,000,000 and a potential entry ban. To extend a stay, apply for a Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP) at least 15 days before expiry; the fee is ~150,000 COP (waived for Schengen citizens), with processing taking roughly 3 business days. For medical entry requirements, consult TravelHealthPro’s Colombia guide. For safety guidance, check the UK FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia. The Colombian Embassy in the UK and the Consulate General in London can provide the latest entry requirement information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colombia Check Mig Airport Requirements
Is Check Mig still mandatory for flights to Colombia in 2026?
Check Mig is legally optional per Migración Colombia’s January 2025 announcement, but airlines continue to enforce it at check-in and boarding gates. Passengers without a QR code are routinely denied boarding. Treat it as mandatory in practice.
How far in advance must I complete Check Mig before my flight?
The submission window is 72 hours to 1 hour before departure. Migración Colombia recommends completing it at least 24 hours ahead. Airline check-in counters close document verification 75 to 90 minutes before international departure.
Do children need their own Check Mig form when flying to Colombia?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants and children, requires an individual Check Mig registration. Parents or guardians may submit on the child’s behalf, but all details must match the child’s passport exactly. No group or family form exists.
Can I edit or cancel my Check Mig after submitting it?
You cannot edit a submitted form. If your flight is delayed or rebooked, retrieve your existing form via “Check completed form” on the portal, then submit a new Check Mig with the updated flight information.
What happens if I forget to complete Check Mig before my flight?
Airlines can deny boarding if you arrive at check-in without a QR code. If already at the airport, complete the form on your mobile device immediately. Major Colombian airport terminals offer free Wi-Fi for last-minute submission.
Is Check Mig free, or do I need to pay a fee?
Check Mig is completely free at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Third-party websites charge fees, some starting from $69.99, merely to transcribe your data into the same free form. Always use the Migración Colombia portal directly.
Do I need Check Mig for a connecting flight through Bogotá?
If you stay airside and do not clear Colombian immigration, Check Mig is not required. If you pass through immigration, for example on an international-to-domestic connection at El Dorado, you need Check Mig for the international arrival leg only.
Do British passport holders need a visa in addition to Check Mig for Colombia?
No visa is required for tourism or business stays up to 90 days under the PIP, granted at the immigration officer’s discretion. Your UK passport must be valid on entry, with six months’ validity beyond departure recommended. An onward or return ticket is also required.
