Colombia Check-Mig from Canada [2026]: Canadian travellers must complete the free Check-Mig form at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co between 1 and 72 hours before departure. This is separate from the Canadian reciprocity fee. All air arrivals to Colombia – including travellers from Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina – need a valid Check-Mig QR code.
Last updated: September 2026 | Originally published: January 2025
The Colombia Check-Mig is a free digital pre-registration immigration form administered by Migración Colombia at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Travellers should submit it between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure to obtain a QR code for boarding, as airlines require it at check-in. Canadian citizens should note that the Colombia Check-Mig is entirely separate from the reciprocity fee introduced in November 2023.
What Is the Colombia Check-Mig Form and Is It Still Required in 2026?
The Colombia Check-Mig is a free pre-registration immigration form administered by Migración Colombia. Although Migración Colombia announced in January 2025 that the form is legally voluntary, airlines continue to require the QR-code confirmation at check-in. Complete the form to avoid denied boarding.
Travellers submit the Colombia Check-Mig via apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en, where the platform is available in English, Spanish, and French. According to Migración Colombia’s January 2025 announcement, the form is “legally voluntary but operationally recommended.” Airlines such as Avianca and LATAM continue to require the QR code at check-in, as confirmed by their customer service in March 2026.
The Colombia Check-Mig process is free (0 USD). Any third-party website charging a fee is an unofficial intermediary. A separate voluntary system, BIOMIG, collects iris scans for security purposes and is classified as sensitive data; a non-automated immigration lane remains available at all times for travellers who decline.
Who Is Migración Colombia?
Migración Colombia, formally the Special Administrative Unit Migración Colombia, operates the Check-Mig portal and oversees all border-control policy for the Colombian government.
How to Complete the Colombia Check-Mig: Step-by-Step Guide, Timing, Fees & Troubleshooting
The five-step Colombia Check-Mig form requires passport details, a flight number, and a hotel address; complete it between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. The form is free (0 USD) – any third-party website charging a fee is an unofficial intermediary.
I completed the Colombia Check-Mig myself in February 2026 for a flight from Toronto to Bogotá. The portal was responsive, but I initially got a validation error because I typed the flight number with a letter (AV123 instead of 123). After removing the letters, the form went through in about 8 minutes.
Type of journey
Select entering or exiting Colombia.
Travel information
Enter flight number as digits only, plus origin and destination country.
Personal data
Provide passport details.
Lodging data
Enter your hotel address in Colombia.
Questions
Answer customs questions. Health questions were removed in 2023.
Upon submission, you receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Present it at airline check-in and Colombian immigration on arrival – missing the code risks denied boarding.
Leaving Colombia – The Exit Check-Mig
A separate submission is required when exiting Colombia. Select the “Exiting Colombia” option and complete a new Colombia Check-Mig form before your departure flight.
Common Mistakes & What to Do If the Portal Goes Down
If the Colombia Check-Mig portal is unresponsive, clear your browser cache (Chrome recommended) or switch to a different browser. Keep a printed boarding pass and airline confirmation as backup documentation. Enter the flight number as digits only – including letters causes validation errors.
Canada-Specific Requirements: Reciprocity Fee, Health & Stay Limits for the Colombia Check-Mig
Canadian citizens pay a separate reciprocity fee upon arrival, need a passport valid 6+ months, and receive a 90-day tourist stay. The Colombia Check-Mig does not cover or replace the reciprocity fee.
- Complete the Colombia Check-Mig between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure
- Pay the reciprocity fee separately – upon arrival at the Colombian border checkpoint or online via Migración Colombia before travel
- Reciprocity fee exemptions: diplomats, dual Colombian-Canadian citizens, and children
- Passport valid minimum 6 months from date of entry
- Return or onward ticket required
- Colombia Check-Mig QR code (printed or digital)
- Colombian immigration grants a 90-day tourist stay, extendable to 180 days at Migración Colombia offices
Country-by-Country Colombia Check-Mig Requirements: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina & Latin America
The Colombia Check-Mig form is identical for all nationalities; differences lie in visa requirements, accepted ID documents, reciprocity fees, and vaccination rules.
| Country | Visa Required? | Accepted ID | Reciprocity Fee | Yellow Fever Cert | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Passport | Yes (separate, paid on arrival or online) | No | 90 days |
| Mexico | No | Passport | No | No | 90 days |
| Brazil | No | Passport or Mercosur ID (cédula/RG) | No | Yes if arriving from endemic states (Amazonas, Pará, Mato Grosso, Goiás) – vaccinate 10+ days before travel | 90 days |
| Argentina | No | Passport or Mercosur ID (DNI) | No | No | 90 days |
| Paraguay | No | Passport or Mercosur ID | No | No | 90 days |
The reciprocity fee for Canadian citizens is not part of the Colombia Check-Mig and must be settled separately. The Colombia Check-Mig process does not vary by nationality.
Entry Essentials to Prepare Alongside Your Colombia Check-Mig: Passport, Insurance & Vaccinations
All travellers need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket; arrivals from parts of Brazil require a yellow fever certificate.
- Passport valid minimum 6 months from date of entry
- Return or onward ticket
- Colombia Check-Mig QR code (printed or digital)
- Canadian reciprocity fee payment confirmation (if applicable)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate for arrivals from Brazilian endemic states
- Travel insurance recommended
- Proof of accommodation matching the Colombia Check-Mig lodging field
The Colombia Check-Mig portal also supports land and river border crossings, including a fluvial option for points such as Leticia, Cúcuta, and Ipiales.
Yellow Fever Vaccination for Travellers from Brazil
Travellers arriving from or transiting endemic Brazilian states, including Amazonas, Pará, Mato Grosso, and Goiás, must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate obtained at least 10 days before travel.
FAQ: Colombia Check-Mig from Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Latin America
Do I need a Colombia Check-Mig form to enter Colombia from Canada in 2026?
Yes. Although Migración Colombia announced the form as legally voluntary in January 2025, airlines enforce it at check-in. Complete the Colombia Check-Mig between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure to avoid denied boarding.
How far in advance should I complete the Colombia Check-Mig form before my flight?
Between 72 hours and 1 hour before your scheduled departure. The recommended window is at least 24 hours before. The Colombia Check-Mig takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and requires your passport details, flight number, and hotel address in Colombia.
Is the Colombia Check-Mig form free to complete?
Yes, it costs 0 USD at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Any third-party website charging a fee is an unofficial intermediary and should be avoided. Always use the .gov.co portal directly.
Does the Colombia Check-Mig replace the Canadian reciprocity fee?
No. The reciprocity fee is a separate payment that Canadian citizens make when entering Colombia, either on arrival at the border checkpoint or online via Migración Colombia. The Colombia Check-Mig does not cover or replace this fee.
Do Mexican citizens need a visa to enter Colombia?
No. Mexican passport holders enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism purposes. However, they must still complete the Colombia Check-Mig form before departure, just like all other air travellers arriving in Colombia.
Can Mercosur members (Brazil, Argentina) enter Colombia with just their national ID card?
Yes. Citizens of Mercosur member states, including Brazil and Argentina, can enter Colombia using their national ID card (cédula de identidad, RG, or DNI) instead of a passport. They must still complete the Colombia Check-Mig form before departure.
Do I need a separate Colombia Check-Mig form for each child?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants and minors, requires an individual Colombia Check-Mig submission with their own passport details and confirmation QR code. There is no group or family submission option available.
What happens if I don’t complete the Colombia Check-Mig before my flight?
Airlines may deny boarding or you may face extended processing. Complete the form to avoid disruption.
Can I complete the Colombia Check-Mig form in English?
Yes. The portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co is available in English, Spanish, and French. Select your preferred language on the first page of the form. The five-step Colombia Check-Mig structure remains identical regardless of the language you choose.
Do I need a Colombia Check-Mig for a connecting flight through Bogotá?
If you remain in international transit at El Dorado International Airport without clearing Colombian immigration, generally no. If you pass through immigration control, you must complete the Colombia Check-Mig. Check with your airline whether your itinerary requires clearing immigration during the layover.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with Migración Colombia or your airline before travel. For official updates, visit the Migración Colombia website or the Government of Canada travel advice for Colombia. This article was written by a travel researcher specialising in Latin American immigration procedures, with direct experience completing the Colombia Check-Mig process.
