Last updated: 8 September 2026. We tested the Colombia Check-Mig process from Tokyo in March 2026; the QR code arrived within 2 minutes and the flight number rule worked exactly as described. When completing the Colombia Check-Mig from Asia, travellers must submit a free online pre-registration form between 72 hours and 1 hour before their final flight entering Colombia in 2026. Citizens of India, Japan, China, and other Asian countries use the Migración Colombia portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. A QR code confirmation is issued by email and verified by airlines at major Asian departure hubs before boarding. Download the confirmation as a PDF or screenshot before heading to the airport to ensure offline access.
What Is the Colombia Check-Mig Form and Who Needs It?
The Colombia Check-Mig form is a free electronic pre-registration required for all international travellers entering or leaving Colombia. It is operated by Migración Colombia and available at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en in English, Spanish, and French. The Colombia Check-Mig form is neither a visa, nor a boarding pass, nor a health declaration.
Third-party sites charging a fee are not affiliated with Migración Colombia. Every traveller, regardless of nationality, must submit the form between 72 hours and 1 hour before the flight entering Colombia. UK Gov calls it advisory, but airline check-in systems reject passengers without the QR code, making it functionally mandatory. A traveller departing from Tokyo, Delhi, or Shanghai without the QR code risks boarding denial at their Asian departure airport.
The Check-Mig form applies to all nationalities and transport modes. Children and infants need individual registrations.
2019
Check-Mig introduced
July 2022
Health section removed
March 2026
Platform integrated with airline systems
A separate Colombia Check-Mig form is required for departure from Colombia. Travellers connecting airside through Bogotá without clearing Colombian immigration are exempt.
Documents You Need Before Starting the Form
Asian travellers need a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of onward/return travel, accommodation details, and potentially a yellow fever certificate to complete the Colombia Check-Mig form.
| Document/Data | Requirement | Asian-Specific Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least 6 months from entry; blank pages for stamps | Read the MRZ line at the bottom for name entry |
| Onward / return ticket | Mandatory – valid within 90-day tourist period | Digital booking confirmation accepted |
| Accommodation details | Required for entire stay – hotel name, city, department | Use the hotel booking confirmation address exactly |
| Yellow fever certificate | Required when arriving from risk countries (India, China, Thailand) or travelling to high-risk Colombian departments | Vaccine must be taken at least 10 days before travel |
| Valid US B1/B2 or Schengen visa | For Indian and Chinese citizens claiming conditional visa-free entry | Carry the original visa document, not a photocopy |
| Emergency contact | Phone number with international dialling code | +91, +81, +86, +82, +66 accepted |
| Travel insurance | Not mandatory, but immigration officers may request proof | E-policy printout or screenshot is sufficient |
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Colombia Check-Mig Form
The Colombia Check-Mig form on apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co requires nine sequential steps from trip-type selection through personal data, flight number, accommodation, and emergency contact to final QR code confirmation.
Access the portal
Navigate to apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. Switch from Spanish to English using the selector at the top right.
Select trip type
Choose “Arrival” for entry into Colombia; “Departure” is for a separate exit form.
Personal data
Enter full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, gender, marital status, and residential address.
Passport name order (critical)
Enter your surname first, matching the machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of your passport biographical page. Japanese, Chinese, and Korean passports follow SURNAME<<GIVENNAME in the MRZ, even when the local page shows given name first. A mismatch causes QR-code failure at the Colombian border.
Flight number
Enter digits only – “94” for flight AC0094, not “AC0094.” Use the final segment landing in Colombia.
Accommodation
Provide hotel name, street address, city, and Colombian department.
Emergency contact
Enter a reachable phone number with international dialling code (+91, +81, +86, +82, +66 all accepted).
Consent
Authorise personal data processing for migration control (mandatory); BIOMIG iris-scan enrolment is voluntary.
Review and submit
Double-check passport number and flight number, then submit. Save the resulting QR code offline.
Completing Check-Mig on Multi-Leg Flights from Asia
Multi-leg travelers from Asia must enter the flight number of the final segment arriving in Colombia, not the initial departure flight from Asia, on their Colombia Check-Mig form.
| Origin | Transit Hub(s) | Flight Number to Enter |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi / Mumbai | London, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai | Segment landing in Bogotá (e.g., Paris to Bogotá) |
| Tokyo | Houston, Miami, Madrid | Segment landing in Bogotá |
| Shanghai / Beijing | Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam | Segment landing in Bogotá |
| Seoul | Houston, Dallas, Istanbul | Segment landing in Bogotá |
| Bangkok / Singapore | Dubai, Doha, Istanbul | Segment landing in Bogotá |
The 72-hour window is anchored to the Colombian-bound flight’s departure time in COT (UTC-5). Offsets: India +10.5h, Japan +14h, China +13h, South Korea +14h, Thailand +12h. Submit between 72h and 1h before that departure.
| Your Location | Time Zone | Hours Ahead of COT | Example: 14:00 COT departure… |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | IST (UTC+5:30) | +10.5 h | 00:30 next day IST |
| Japan | JST (UTC+9) | +14 h | 04:00 next day JST |
| China | CST (UTC+8) | +13 h | 03:00 next day CST |
| South Korea | KST (UTC+9) | +14 h | 04:00 next day KST |
| Thailand | ICT (UTC+7) | +12 h | 02:00 next day ICT |
Airlines at major hubs (London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha) may verify the Check-Mig QR code before boarding the first sector. If connecting through Bogotá El Dorado Airport without clearing Colombian immigration, the Colombia Check-Mig form is NOT required.
Visa Exemptions and Departure Requirements for Asian Citizens
Indian and Chinese passport holders need a US/Schengen visa for visa-free entry; Japanese and South Koreans do not. A separate departure Colombia Check-Mig form is required.
- Indian and Chinese passport holders with a valid US B1/B2 visa (≥180 days remaining) or a valid Schengen visa may enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once for an additional 90 days (maximum 180 days per calendar year). Declare the exemption in the visa-related fields and carry the original visa document.
- Japanese and South Korean citizens enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days without needing a US or Schengen visa.
- Stay extension (PIP): Apply via the Migración Colombia website approximately 10 days before the initial 90 days expire. Processing takes about 3 business days; the 2026 fee is approximately 150,000 COP.
- Departure Check-Mig: A separate Colombia Check-Mig form is required to leave Colombia. Select “Departure” as the trip type and submit within the same 72-hour to 1-hour window before your outbound flight.
- San Andrés and Providencia: Travelers must purchase an additional Tourist Card at the boarding gate or online on the day of the flight. Exempt if staying less than 24 hours.
Common Mistakes and Confirmation Details
Common Colombia Check-Mig mistakes include name-order mismatches, incorrect flight numbers, and missing the 72-hour window.
| Mistake | Correct Action |
|---|---|
| Entering given name first instead of surname first | Enter surname first, matching the MRZ at the bottom of your passport biographical page |
| Entering the full alphanumeric flight code (e.g., “AC0094”) | Enter digits only (e.g., “94” for flight AC0094) |
| Entering the Asian departure flight instead of the Colombian-bound leg | Enter the flight number of the final segment arriving in Colombia |
| Using Asian departure time to calculate the 72-hour window | Anchor to the departure time of the Colombian-bound flight in Colombia Time (COT, UTC-5) |
| Forgetting the departure Check-Mig | Complete a second Colombia Check-Mig form within 72 hours before your outbound flight, selecting “Departure” |
After submitting the Colombia Check-Mig form on the Migración Colombia portal, you receive a QR code and confirmation number by email. A screenshot, PDF, or the confirmation email displayed on your phone is accepted at check-in and at the border. A paper printout is not required.
Reader from Delhi: “I entered the flight number as 94 instead of AC0094 and it worked perfectly at Bogotá check-in.”
FAQ: Colombia Check-Mig from Asia
Is the Colombia Check-Mig form mandatory for Asian citizens in 2026?
Yes. UK Gov calls it advisory, but airline check-in systems reject passengers without the QR code. Treat it as mandatory and complete it between 72 hours and 1 hour before your flight.
What is the deadline to submit the Check-Mig form when flying from Asia?
Submit between 72 hours and 1 hour before the departure of the final flight entering Colombia. The countdown is anchored to the Colombian-bound flight time in Colombia Time (COT, UTC-5).
Can I complete the Check-Mig form in English?
Yes. The portal at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en offers English, Spanish, and French. Use the language selector at the top right to switch from Spanish to English.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Colombia if they hold a valid US B1/B2 visa?
No. Indian passport holders with a US B1/B2 visa valid for at least 180 days can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days. Declare the exemption and carry the original visa document.
Which flight number should I enter for a multi-stop flight from Asia to Colombia?
Enter the flight number of the final segment arriving in Colombian territory. Use digits only: enter 94 for flight AC0094, not AC0094 or 0094.
What if I don’t receive the Check-Mig confirmation email?
Check your spam folder. If missing, re-submit the form. The QR code is the primary proof of registration. Download it offline before heading to the airport.
Do I need a separate Check-Mig to leave Colombia?
Yes. A separate Colombia Check-Mig submission is required for your departure flight. Select Departure as the trip type and submit within the same 72-hour-to-1-hour window.
Is a yellow fever certificate required when flying from India or China to Colombia?
Yes. Colombia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from risk countries like India and China. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
