Last updated: September 2026. This guide reflects current Check-Mig requirements as confirmed with Migración Colombia. This is an independent informational resource; we are not affiliated with Migración Colombia. Always verify requirements at the Check-Mig portal before travel.
Colombian dual citizens must complete the Check-Mig form between 72 and 1 hour before travel when using a foreign passport. Permanent residents and temporary visa holders need Cédula de Extranjería or visa number. Skipping Check-Mig can result in airline boarding denial and immigration fines.
Colombian dual citizens must complete the Check-Mig form when entering or leaving Colombia on a foreign passport. If travelling on a valid Colombian passport, you may be exempt. For permanent residents and temporary visa holders (Type V, M, R), additional document fields and visa registration steps apply within 15 days of arrival.
What Is the Check-Mig Form and When Do You Need It?
The Check-Mig form, managed by Migración Colombia, must be submitted 72 to 1 hour before departure via apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro and delivers a QR-code confirmation in approximately 3 minutes.
- Although classified as advisory, airlines enforce Check-Mig completion and may deny boarding without a valid Check-Mig confirmation.
- The Check-Mig form is free ($0) and available in English and French.
- Check-Mig is valid for single entry or exit only; a new submission is required for each border crossing.
Passport Validity Rules
Your passport must be valid on the date of entry; a minimum of 6 months after planned departure is recommended. A passport reported lost or stolen is grounds for entry denial.
Dual Citizens – Which Passport to Use in Check-Mig
For a Colombia Check-Mig dual citizen, the rule is clear: use your Colombian passport and Cédula de Ciudadanía in the Check-Mig form, not a foreign passport. Entering the wrong passport number can lead to boarding denial (Delta, Nov 2020) or a fine. If passport details were entered incorrectly, a duplicate Check-Mig submission is allowed.
Dual nationals choosing to travel on a British (foreign) passport must complete the Check-Mig form with that foreign passport number and are subject to the 90-day visa-free tourist window, which requires a valid onward or return ticket within that period. Stays can be extended up to 120 days, with a maximum cumulative limit of 180 days in any 12-month period. Overstaying results in a fine and deportation at the traveller’s own cost.
Travelling on Your Colombian Passport Only
Dual citizens entering Colombia on a valid Colombian passport may be exempt from Check-Mig requirements, but must still carry their valid Cédula de Ciudadanía at the border.
Travelling on Your British (Foreign) Passport
Dual citizens entering on a British passport must complete the Check-Mig form with the foreign passport number and are subject to the 90-day visa-free tourist window. A valid onward or return ticket within that period is required.
Minor Dual Citizens Without a Colombian Passport
Minor dual citizens without a Colombian passport enter foreign passport details in the Check-Mig form, supported by a Colombian birth certificate and notarised parental permission (authenticated by a notary or Colombian consulate). A parent or guardian completes the Check-Mig form with the child’s details.
Check-Mig for Permanent Residents and Temporary Visa Holders
Permanent residents enter their Cédula de Extranjería in the Check-Mig form, while temporary visa holders (Type V, M, R) must include their visa reference number and register within 15 days of arrival. This document-matching rule applies to all traveller types. Make sure you have all required documents for Check-Mig ready before starting the form.
| Traveller Type | Document for Check-Mig | Key Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident | Cédula de Extranjería | No foreign passport number needed |
| Temporary Visa (Type V, M, R) | Visa reference number | Register visa with Migración Colombia within 15 days |
Visa registration can be completed at a Migración Colombia office or online; non-registration carries a fine. For visa inquiries in the UK, contact the Colombian Consulate General in London.
Student Visa (Type V) Holders
Student visa (Type V) holders enter their visa reference number in the Check-Mig form and should carry university enrolment documentation for immigration inspection upon arrival.
Work Visa (Type M) Holders
Work visa (Type M) holders must include their employer-linked visa reference number in the Check-Mig form and present a valid employment contract at the immigration desk.
How to Complete the Check-Mig Form: Step-by-Step
All traveller types complete the Check-Mig form in five steps, then verify at migracioncolombia.gov.co/verificacioncheckmig. Flight changes beyond 72 hours require a new Check-Mig submission.
Personal data
Passport number, date of birth, valid email address.
Travel details
Flight number and a contact phone number in Colombia.
Visa status selection
Select visa type (tourist, permanent resident, temporary visa) and declare dual nationality if applicable.
Health questions
Complete the health declaration section.
Itinerary
Confirm accommodation and travel dates.
How to Verify Your Check-Mig Status
Travellers can verify Check-Mig status at migracioncolombia.gov.co/verificacioncheckmig and must re-submit the Check-Mig form if passport details were entered incorrectly.
Frequent Traveller Shortcut
Eligible frequent travellers can bypass full Check-Mig re-entry by using Migración Colombia’s simplified re-registration module, which auto-fills stored personal and document data.
Troubleshooting and Consequences – What Happens If Your Check-Mig Goes Wrong
Flight changes beyond the 72-hour window require a new Check-Mig submission; airlines such as Delta deny boarding without valid confirmation, and immigration fines may apply upon arrival in Colombia.
If the Check-Mig portal times out, disable VPN, use Chrome, and clear cache. A contingency form delivers a QR-code PDF in approximately 60 seconds. In November 2020, Delta denied boarding to a passenger without valid Check-Mig confirmation; airlines cross-check form data against transmitted passenger records before allowing boarding.
Travellers carrying currency exceeding 10,000 USD (or equivalent) must declare it to the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN). Overstaying a visa results in a fine and deportation at the traveller’s own cost.
FAQ
Do I need Check-Mig if I enter Colombia on my Colombian passport?
Dual citizens entering on a valid Colombian passport may be exempt from Check-Mig, but must carry their valid Cédula de Ciudadanía at the border.
Can I use my British passport for Check-Mig and Colombian passport at the border?
Enter Colombian passport and cédula details in Check-Mig; a British passport instead means the 90-day tourist window applies.
What if my Colombian cédula de ciudadanía is expired: can I still complete Check-Mig?
An expired cédula may be accepted if accompanied by a valid Colombian passport; Migración Colombia recommends obtaining a new cédula before travel.
Is Check-Mig required for transit passengers connecting through Bogotá?
Check-Mig is not required for transit passengers staying in the international transit area. If collecting luggage or changing airports, Check-Mig is required within 72 to 1 hour before travel.
What is the BIOMIG voluntary iris-scan system, and does it replace Check-Mig?
BIOMIG is a voluntary iris recognition system for security at immigration control. It does not replace the Check-Mig form; non-automated channels remain available.
Is a safe-conduct pass (Salvoconducto SC-1/SC-2) accepted in Check-Mig?
Salvoconducto SC-1/SC-2 are not accepted in Check-Mig; holders must complete a manual form at a Migración Colombia office.
Do I need a separate Check-Mig form for each family member, including children?
Yes, Check-Mig is valid for single entry or exit only. Each family member, including children aged 17 and under, requires a separate submission completed by a parent or guardian.
How long does Check-Mig processing take in 2026?
Standard Check-Mig confirmation takes approximately 3 minutes via email. The contingency form delivers confirmation in approximately 60 seconds. Check-Mig is free ($0) for all traveller types.
