Colombia Check-Mig is a free digital immigration form from Migración Colombia, enforced by airlines at UK airports before issuing boarding passes. Complete it online at migracioncolombia.gov.co between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. Download the QR code as a PDF. Airline staff at London Heathrow and Manchester may ask to see it at check-in.
Last updated: 8 September 2026. This guide reflects current Colombia Check-Mig requirements as of this date. All information has been cross-checked with the official Migración Colombia portal (apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co) and the UK FCDO travel advice page for Colombia. Always verify with your airline before travel.
What Is Colombia Check-Mig and When Should UK Travellers Complete It?
Colombia Check-Mig (Migración Colombia) is a free digital pre-registration form. The FCDO states it is not legally mandatory, but airline staff at LHR and MAN practically enforce it before boarding passes are issued. The form applies to both entry to and exit from Colombia, across all international transport modes (air, land, sea, river).
British citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days for business or tourism, with an onward or return ticket required within that period. The maximum cumulative stay is 180 days in any 12-month period. Your passport must be valid on entry and stamped by immigration authorities; a minimum of 6 months validity after departure is recommended.
Complete the Colombia Check-Mig between 72 hours and 1 hour before scheduled departure. Enter your flight time in UK local timezone (GMT/BST), not Colombian time. For example, if your flight departs London at 10:00 AM GMT on 15 March 2026, enter 10:00 AM. Complete the form at least 24 hours before departure to allow time for corrections. For a detailed breakdown of the 72-hour submission window and form validity, see our dedicated guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Check-Mig from the UK
Go to the portal
Visit apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. Note: drop-down menus stay in Spanish even on the English interface.
Enter passport details
Full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth. Select “Reino Unido” as nationality, not “Inglaterra” or “United Kingdom”.
Enter flight details
Airline name, travel date, flight number in digits only (e.g., 24, not AV24). For connecting flights from Manchester or Heathrow, enter the transatlantic leg number, not the UK feeder flight.
Enter accommodation info
Full accommodation address in Colombia and a local contact phone number in international format (e.g., +57 XXX XXX XXXX).
Enter email address
Provide a valid email address for confirmation delivery.
Submit and wait
Submit the form, then wait for the confirmation email with the QR code PDF before closing the browser. Use Google Chrome or Safari; avoid outdated Edge versions.
Airport Tips for London Heathrow and Manchester Departures
Airline staff at both London Heathrow and Manchester physically inspect the Colombia Check-Mig PDF confirmation before issuing boarding passes. They cannot verify your submission independently, so you must present the proof.
London Heathrow (LHR)
Avianca operates from Terminal 2; British Airways and Iberia depart from Terminal 5. Wi-Fi signal weakens in boarding gate corridors, so download the QR code as an offline PDF before leaving home. Save it to Apple Wallet, Google Pay, or take a screenshot. No dedicated on-site Check-Mig kiosk exists at LHR in 2026. If you arrive without it, complete the form on your phone using airport Wi-Fi and allow extra time.
Manchester Airport (MAN)
Manchester has no direct flights to Colombia. All itineraries connect through Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid (MAD), or Paris (CDG). The Colombia Check-Mig form requires the transatlantic leg flight number, not the UK feeder flight. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
| Route | Airlines | Flight number to enter |
|---|---|---|
| MAN → AMS → BOG | KLM + Avianca | Transatlantic leg digits (e.g., 72 for AV72) |
| MAN → MAD → BOG | Iberia + Avianca | Transatlantic leg digits (e.g., 24 for AV24) |
| MAN → CDG → BOG | Air France | Transatlantic leg digits only |
At BOG, clear immigration and customs for onward domestic flights (MDE/CTG). Your Colombia Check-Mig covers the BOG arrival only; no separate form is needed for the domestic leg. If your luggage is checked through to BOG, you do not need to re-clear immigration at the European hub.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Flight number format: ❌ Entering
AV24✔ Enter24(digits only, no airline code). For connecting flights, use the transatlantic leg number, not the UK feeder flight. - Nationality drop-down: ❌ Searching for “United Kingdom” or “Inglaterra” ✔ Select “Reino Unido”. The menus stay in Spanish even on the English interface.
- Passport number typo: ❌ Rushing the passport field ✔ Double-check against your physical passport to avoid rejection.
- Timezone: ❌ Entering Colombian departure time ✔ Enter UK local departure time (GMT/BST).
- Wrong flight number for connecting flights: ❌ Entering UK feeder leg (e.g., KL1030 MAN→AMS) ✔ Enter transatlantic leg (e.g., 72 for AV72 AMS→BOG).
- Closing browser before confirmation: ❌ Closing the tab immediately after submitting ✔ Wait for the confirmation email with the QR code to arrive.
- Date format confusion: ❌ Assuming MM/DD/YYYY format ✔ Follow the portal’s date format (typically DD/MM/YYYY on the English interface).
- Browser compatibility: ❌ Using outdated Edge browser ✔ Use Google Chrome or Safari.
The Colombia Check-Mig form allows resubmission using the same passport number. The latest submission supersedes all previous ones. If you need to edit, correct, or update your form after submission, the most recent version will replace any earlier one. Dependent children are registered under the accompanying adult’s entry; distinct passport details are required per child.
Colombia Check-Mig London FAQ: UK Airport Departure Questions
Is the Colombia Check-Mig really free, or should I use a paid service?
The Colombia Check-Mig is always free at migracioncolombia.gov.co. Paid services like iVisa (charges ~US$25) or HandleVisa charge unnecessary fees for the identical government form. Always verify the URL ends in .gov.co. Any .com or .io site soliciting payment is an unofficial intermediary.
Do I need Check-Mig if I am only transiting through Bogotá to another Colombian city?
If flying UK to Bogota to Medellin or another domestic destination, you must clear full immigration and customs at El Dorado International Airport (BOG), your first point of entry. Your Colombia Check-Mig covers this BOG arrival. No separate form is needed for the domestic leg.
Can I use a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD) with the Check-Mig form?
The Colombia Check-Mig portal requires standard passport details like full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. Travellers holding a UK Emergency Travel Document should contact the Colombian Consulate General in London before departure to confirm acceptance of the 8-character ETD identifier.
Which flight number should I enter for connecting flights from Manchester?
Enter the transatlantic leg number only, in digits without the airline code. Example: if flying MAN to AMS to BOG with KLM and Avianca, enter the transatlantic flight digits (e.g., 72 for AV72), not the MAN feeder flight. The Colombia Check-Mig references your arrival in Colombia, not your UK departure.
Do airlines at Heathrow or Manchester check my Check-Mig before boarding?
Yes. Airline staff at LHR and MAN check the Colombia Check-Mig PDF before issuing boarding passes. You must present it; they cannot verify it independently. Have the QR code saved on your phone or printed.
What if I made a typo after submission, can I still correct it?
Yes. Return to the Migración Colombia portal and resubmit the Colombia Check-Mig form using the same passport number. The most recent submission replaces any earlier version. Complete the corrected form at least 1 hour before your scheduled flight departure.
What are the passport validity requirements for British citizens entering Colombia?
A British citizen passport must be valid on entry into Colombia and stamped by immigration authorities, with a recommended minimum validity of at least 6 months after the departure date. British citizens are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days for business or tourism, with an onward or return ticket required. The maximum cumulative stay is 180 days in any 12-month period. For the most current rules, see the FCDO Colombia entry requirements page.
Do I need to fill out Check-Mig when leaving Colombia?
Yes, the Colombia Check-Mig form applies to both entry to and exit from Colombia. The digital pre-registration managed by Migración Colombia is required for all international transport modes, meaning you will need to complete the departure form before leaving the country.
