Last updated: 8 September 2026. This is an independent informational guide for travellers and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Migración Colombia. Regulations change frequently; confirm current Colombia Check-Mig child requirements on the Migración Colombia portal within 72 hours before departure.
Every traveler entering Colombia, including infants and minors, requires an individual Check-Mig registration submitted between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. The form is free of charge (0 COP). One parent can add dependent children to their submission while the second parent submits a separate form without re-listing the children.
Each child’s passport details must match their travel document exactly. The confirmation email lists all travellers included on a single submission. Families should save the PDF confirmation for every child and carry a printed copy to the airport. For UK passport holders, passports should be valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from Colombia.
Does Every Child Need Their Own Check-Mig Registration?
The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements mandate an individual registration for every traveller: infants under 2, children aged 2-11, and teenagers 12-17. The form costs 0 COP and must be submitted 72 hours to 1 hour before departure on the portal operated by the Special Administrative Unit Migración Colombia at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. There is no age-based exemption, not even for babies travelling on a parent’s lap.
Airlines enforce this pre-registration as a boarding condition. Without a confirmation email listing the child, families face denied boarding at the check-in counter. The confirmation arrives as a PDF or email and should be saved for every minor in the group. For sequential family submissions, use an incognito/private window for each form, clear your cache between submissions, and note that the portal times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Registering Infants and Minors
The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements require the child’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth entered exactly as printed in the passport.
Select traveller type
Choose “Foreign National” for UK passport holders or “Colombian National” for dual-citizen children using a Colombian passport.
Enter the child’s passport data
Full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth must match the passport’s machine-readable zone exactly, including hyphens in surnames and compound given names (e.g., “José María”).
Link to the parent’s flight
Enter the airline and flight number matching the accompanying adult’s booking. For lap infants under 2 with no separate seat, leave the seat number field blank or enter “N/A.”
Provide accommodation details
Enter the hotel name or local address and a Colombian contact phone number.
Review all fields
Incorrect passport numbers or flight details are the primary reason for registration denials.
Submit and save
The confirmation email (PDF) arrives within 1 hour; download and print it for each child.
Lap Infants Without a Separate Seat Booking
The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements apply to lap infants under 2 travelling without their own seat. Use the child’s passport details, leave the seat number field blank or enter “N/A,” and match the flight number to the accompanying adult’s booking. The Check-Mig form does not require a separate airline booking reference for infants.
Data-Entry Pitfalls: Names, Passports, and Common Errors
Compound given names (e.g., “José María” as two words) must both be entered in the first-name field. Hyphenated surnames must match the passport exactly, including the hyphen. The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements do not demand that parent and child surnames match: only the child’s individual passport data is validated. For dual-national children using a Colombian passport, select “Colombian National” and have the cedula number ready.
Family Group Submission Logic
The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements for family groups allow one parent to list all dependent children on a single submission; the second parent submits separately. During our March 2026 family trip, we registered our 10-month-old and 4-year-old on one parent’s form; the second parent filed separately and no duplicate records appeared.
- Parent A completes their own form and adds each minor. The confirmation email lists Parent A plus all children.
- Parent B submits a separate form with their own data only. Do not duplicate children on both forms.
- If the portal rejects the “add child” function, submit a standalone form for the minor via the contingency backup.
- Save the downloadable PDF (“Confirmación de Pre-Registro Migratorio”) for each child.
- To fix errors post-submission, use the “Review and Re-download” section on the Migración Colombia portal. If fields are locked, submit a new form and bring both confirmations.
Required Documents Beyond the Check-Mig Form
Colombia-resident minors travelling without both parents need a notarised parental consent letter in Spanish beyond the Check-Mig form. The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements apply to every traveller, but supplementary documents vary by residency status and nationality.
| Traveller Type | Passport | Parental Consent | Exit Permit | Birth Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign tourist minor (UK passport) | Valid on entry; 6 months validity after departure recommended | Not required if travelling with at least one parent | Not required | Not required |
| Colombia-resident minor (British passport) | Valid on entry | Notarised letter in Spanish, authenticated by Notario Público or Colombian consulate | Not required | Not required |
| Colombian national minor | Colombian passport | Required if travelling without both parents | Permiso de salida from Notario Público or Consular Authority | Required |
UK Passport Validity Rules for Minors Travelling to Colombia
UK children’s passports must be valid on entry to Colombia. The recommended expiry is at least 6 months after the planned departure date. If a child’s passport expires sooner, renew before travel: airlines may refuse boarding. The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements do not mandate a birth certificate for non-resident visitors on UK passports.
If the Check-Mig Portal Crashes: Troubleshooting and Backup Options
A contingency backup form from Migración Colombia allows families to complete the Check-Mig when the main portal crashes. The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements still apply: every child needs a confirmation. The contingency form allows individual submission for a minor if they were omitted from the main form, and confirmation is received moments after submission.
If the 1-hour deadline passes, show the airline check-in desk a printed screenshot of any partial confirmation plus the child’s passport. Browser fixes for common portal errors: use incognito mode, clear your cache between submissions, try a different browser or device, and disable VPN. The portal times out after approximately 15 minutes of inactivity.
What Happens at the Border: Families on Arrival
At Colombian immigration, each child’s Check-Mig confirmation is scanned and the passport is stamped individually. Infants are processed at the same counter as their parent. Immigration officers stamp the child’s passport individually: children aged 2-11 and teenagers 12-17 all receive their own entry stamp.
Ensure the child has their own passport: UK passports are individual documents, not listed on a parent’s passport. For entry by land, sea, or river, immigration authorities must stamp the passport; the penalty for a missing stamp is a fine when leaving. If the border office is closed when entering by land or sea, go to the nearest office of Migración Colombia. The Colombia Check-Mig child requirements ensure each minor is registered in the migration system before arrival.
FAQ: Colombia Check-Mig Child Requirements
Do infants under 2 need their own Check-Mig form?
Yes. Every traveler entering Colombia, including infants under 2, must have an individual Check-Mig registration. No age-based exemption exists. For lap infants, leave the seat number field blank or enter N/A.
Is the Colombia Check-Mig form free for children?
Yes, the Check-Mig form costs 0 COP for all travellers regardless of age. Migración Colombia does not charge any processing fee.
Can both parents list the same children on separate Check-Mig forms?
No. Children should appear on only one parent’s Check-Mig form to avoid duplicate records. Parent B submits a separate form with their own data only.
What passport details do I enter for a newborn?
Enter the child’s full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth exactly as printed on the passport. For lap infants, leave the seat field blank or enter N/A.
Do I need a notarised consent letter for my child?
Only if the child holds Colombian resident status or is a Colombian national travelling without both parents. A notarised letter in Spanish, authenticated by a Notario Público or Colombian consulate, is required. Foreign tourist minors travelling with at least one parent on a UK passport do not need one.
What happens if the Check-Mig portal crashes and I miss the deadline?
Use the contingency backup form provided by Migración Colombia. If the 1-hour deadline passes, show the airline check-in desk a printed screenshot of any partial confirmation plus the child’s passport.
Do I need a separate Check-Mig to leave Colombia?
Yes. An outbound Check-Mig is mandatory for departures from Colombia, completed 72 hours to 1 hour before your departure flight for each family member. For layover flights, the Check-Mig is tied to the flight leaving Colombian territory.
Is the Check-Mig the same as a visa for my child?
No. Check-Mig is a pre-travel digital registration, not a visa. Most UK passport holders, including minors, do not need a tourist visa for stays up to 90 days. A stay extension (PTP) of up to 90 additional days is available online via Migración Colombia, with an annual cap of 180 days and a processing fee of approximately 150,000 COP.
Can I edit my child’s Check-Mig details after submitting?
Attempt to edit via the “Review and Re-download” section on the Migración Colombia portal. If fields are locked, submit a new form for the child and bring both confirmations to the airport.
What do I enter in the accommodation contact field for an Airbnb?
Enter the property host’s phone number, or the phone number of the family member you are staying with. If no local contact is available, use the emergency contact number of your travel insurance provider.
Does my dual-national child need a Check-Mig?
Yes. If using a Colombian passport, select “Colombian National” on the form and have the cedula number ready. If using a British passport, select “Foreign National.”
What if my child’s surname differs from mine on the passport?
Enter the child’s details exactly as printed on their passport. The Check-Mig form does not require parent and child surnames to match: it only validates the child’s individual passport data.
Does my child need a yellow fever vaccination for Colombia?
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from countries with transmission risk or travelling to high-risk municipalities. The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before travel. Colombia strengthened this rule in March 2026.
Do we need a tourist card for San Andrés, Providencia, or Santa Catalina?
Yes. A tourist card is required for travel to San Andrés, Providencia, or Santa Catalina, purchased at the boarding gate on the day of the flight. Stays under 24 hours are exempt.
What is the currency declaration limit for families entering Colombia?
Families carrying more than $10,000 USD-worth of any currency must declare it to DIAN (National Tax and Customs Directorate) on arrival.
Sources: Migración Colombia Check-Mig portal (apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en), accessed 8 September 2026; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for Colombia (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia/entry-requirements). We update this article when official notices are published.
