All travellers entering or departing Colombia by air must complete the Colombia Check Mig form, regardless of nationality. The form is free, submitted 72 to 1 hour before each flight, and requires separate entry and exit submissions. Airlines may deny boarding without a valid QR confirmation.
Though no longer legally mandatory (Migración Colombia confirmed this in January 2025), airlines still enforce Check Mig at boarding. Treat it as practically essential for every flight. No nationality-based exemptions exist for this digital pre-registration system managed by Migración Colombia.
Everyone flying into or out of Colombia by air needs Check Mig, except active airline crew and passengers remaining in the international transit zone.
What Is the Check Mig Form and Who Needs It in 2026?
Colombia Check Mig is a free digital immigration pre-registration form launched in 2020 by Migración Colombia during the COVID-19 pandemic and retained as a permanent border-control system. Health-related questions were removed several years ago. The Colombia Check Mig form applies to all air travellers entering or leaving the country, regardless of nationality, visa status, or purpose of travel.
Although Migración Colombia confirmed in January 2025 that the form is no longer a legal obligation, airlines continue to enforce it at boarding and may deny boarding without a valid confirmation. The form is free on the Migración Colombia portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. Never pay a third-party website to complete it.
The Colombia Check Mig requirements do not replace a visa. Visa-required nationalities must obtain their Colombian visa before completing the pre-registration. The form also applies to Colombian nationals travelling on Colombian passports.
Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Sources: Migración Colombia portal, GOV.UK FCDO travel advice, Avianca customer service.
Check Mig Requirements by Nationality – Full Breakdown
Check Mig applies uniformly to all air travellers by passport nationality, not country of residence. No nationality-based exemption exists. More than 80 visa-exempt countries qualify for tourism stays of up to 90 days via the Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP) visa waiver issued on arrival, and the Colombia Check Mig form applies to all of them equally.
| Nationality | Visa for Tourism? | Check-Mig Required? | Special Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | Onward/return ticket required |
| USA | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | None |
| EU/Schengen | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | PTP extension fee currently waived |
| Canada | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | Reciprocal entry fee at border (separate from Check-Mig) |
| Australia | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | None |
| New Zealand | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | None |
| Brazil | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | None |
| Argentina | No (up to 90 days) | Yes | None |
| Colombian nationals | N/A | Yes | Must use Colombian passport/Cédula |
| Visa-required nationalities | Yes | Yes | Obtain visa before completing Check-Mig |
British-Colombian dual nationals must enter and exit using their Colombian passport and Cédula.
Special Case: Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens must pay a reciprocal entry fee at the Colombian border upon entering the country. This fee is entirely separate from the free Check-Mig form and is not collected during the pre-registration process.
Check Mig by Traveler Type – Who Is Exempt?
| Traveller Type | Check-Mig Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourists | Yes | All nationalities |
| Business travellers | Yes | All nationalities |
| Foreign residents (R-Visa, M-Visa, Cédula de Extranjería) | Yes | Complete on every international flight |
| Colombian nationals | Yes | On departure flights |
| Transit passengers (staying in international zone) | No | Exempt if not clearing immigration |
| Transit passengers (leaving transit area) | Yes | Must complete Check-Mig |
| Airline crew (active operating) | No | Processed via crew manifest |
| Diplomatic / official passport holders | Likely No | Handled via Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) |
| Cruise ship passengers | Conditional | Often handled via ship manifest; confirm with cruise line |
| Minors / children (including infants) | Yes | Individual form per child |
Do Children Need a Separate Check Mig Form?
Every child, including infants, needs a separate Colombia Check Mig form using their own passport data. Parents or legal guardians complete the form on behalf of the child. No age-based exemption exists.
Transit Through Colombia
The Colombia Check Mig form exempts passengers who remain inside the airport international transit zone without clearing immigration. If you collect luggage, change terminals, or overnight, a Check-Mig submission is required.
Airline Crew Members
Active operating airline crew are exempt from Colombia Check Mig and processed through separate crew manifest procedures by their airline.
Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
Likely exempt from Colombia Check Mig; handled through separate protocol channels via Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería). Verify with the Colombian consulate before travel.
Foreign Residents and Visa Holders
Holders of a Cédula de Extranjería, R-Visa, or M-Visa must complete Colombia Check Mig on every international flight. Resident status does not grant exemption.
How, When, and What You Need to Complete the Check Mig
The Colombia Check Mig form requirements mandate two separate submissions per trip: one for your inbound flight and one for your outbound flight. Each submission opens 72 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before your flight. Complete both forms 24 to 48 hours in advance; no paper fallback exists at Colombian airports.
Entry Check Mig
Submit between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight to Colombia. You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Save it as a PDF or screenshot and present it at check-in and Colombian immigration on arrival.
Exit Check Mig
Complete a separate form within the same 72-hour-to-1-hour window before your flight from Colombia. Many travellers forget this second submission and risk boarding denial by their airline.
Before starting either form, gather the following required data and follow a step-by-step guide to complete the Check Mig:
- Passport number, nationality, and date of birth
- Flight number, airline, and travel dates
- Accommodation address for your first destination in Colombia
- Valid contact email address to receive the QR confirmation
Your passport must be valid on entry; Colombian authorities recommend at least 6 months validity beyond your planned departure date. If the Migración Colombia portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en is down near your departure, contact your airline directly. The Colombia Check Mig form requirements do not provide a paper fallback at the airport.
Yellow fever vaccination is NOT collected via Check Mig. If arriving from a country with transmission risk, carry your certificate separately at the border. The strengthened requirement has applied since March 2026.
Overstaying your 90-day PIP authorisation carries penalties: a fine up to COP 5,000,000, deportation at your own cost, and a temporary entry ban. A migration officer enforces this upon departure.
Check Mig for Cruise Ships and Land Border Crossings
Colombia Check Mig is an air-travel system. Land border crossings from Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, or Panama use traditional immigration procedures and do not require Check Mig.
Cruise ship passengers: Check Mig may be required; many cruise lines handle immigration paperwork collectively via ship manifest. Confirm with your cruise line before departure. If individual Check Mig is required, complete it before disembarkation at Cartagena or Santa Marta ports.
Land borders (Ecuador via Rumichaca, Venezuela via Cúcuta, Brazil, Peru, Panama): Check Mig is NOT required. Traditional immigration procedures apply: passport stamps and paper forms at the border post. Backpackers and overland travellers are exempt from Check Mig.
Mixed itineraries (flight plus overland): Check Mig is required only for the air segment. If flying into Bogotá then crossing to Ecuador by land, you need an entry Check Mig for the flight but no exit Check Mig for the land crossing.
FAQ
Do UK citizens need to fill out the Colombia Check Mig form?
Yes, all UK passport holders entering or departing Colombia by air must complete the Check Mig form. UK citizens are visa-exempt for up to 90 days for tourism or business, but they still need to submit this free pre-registration and present the QR code confirmation at boarding and arrival.
Is the Check Mig form mandatory for all nationalities?
Yes, Check Mig is required for all air travellers regardless of nationality. There are no nationality-based exemptions. Whether you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country like the US, UK, or EU, or hold a passport requiring a Colombian visa, you must complete the form before your flight.
Do I need a separate Check Mig when leaving Colombia?
Yes, you must complete a separate exit Check Mig form before your departure flight. The exit form has its own submission window of 72 hours to 1 hour before your flight leaves Colombia. Many travellers forget this step, which can cause boarding issues with the airline.
How far in advance should I complete the Check Mig form?
You can submit the form between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight departure. However, it is highly recommended to complete it at least 24 to 48 hours before your trip to avoid last-minute technical issues or portal outages, as no paper alternative exists at airports.
Is the Check Mig form free?
Yes, the Check Mig form is completely free on the Migración Colombia platform. You should never pay a third-party website to complete it. Unofficial sites often charge fees for a government form that costs nothing, so always use the designated platform to avoid unnecessary charges.
Do children need their own Check Mig form?
Yes, every child, including infants, requires an individual Check Mig form. Parents or legal guardians must complete the form on behalf of the child using the child’s own passport data. There is no age-based exemption, and the data must match the child’s passport exactly.
What happens if I don’t complete the Check Mig form?
If you do not complete the form, airlines may deny you boarding without a valid confirmation. Even if you reach the airport, you will be forced to complete it on your mobile device before check-in or immigration, risking delays and potentially missing your flight entirely.
Does Check Mig replace a Colombian visa?
No, Check Mig is a separate immigration pre-registration and does not replace a visa. Visa-required nationalities must obtain a Colombian visa before completing the Check Mig form. The form simply preloads your trip information for immigration control, acting as a digital version of paper arrival forms.
Do I need Check Mig for a transit connection through Bogotá?
Only if you leave the airport international transit zone. Transit passengers who stay airside without clearing immigration are exempt from Check Mig. However, if you must collect luggage, change terminals, or have an overnight layover requiring you to clear immigration, you must complete the form.
Do foreign residents in Colombia need Check Mig every time?
Yes, foreign residents holding an R-Visa, M-Visa, or Cédula de Extranjería must complete Check Mig on every international flight. A Cédula does not grant exemption from the Check Mig requirement. Foreign residents must submit the form just like any other traveller entering or leaving by air.
