Last updated: 8 September 2026. Sources: Migración Colombia portal and Australian Smartraveller. We are not affiliated with any third-party visa service.
Travellers completing the Colombia Check-Mig from Australia must submit a free, mandatory digital immigration form before flying. Australian passport holders can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days but must complete the Check-Mig between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman nationals also enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days, while Saudi Arabian citizens require a consular visa before submitting the form. The Check-Mig is managed by Migración Colombia and is completely free (US$0).
Colombia Check-Mig from Australia: All travellers entering Colombia, including Australian, UAE, and Saudi Arabian passport holders, must complete the free Check-Mig form on the Migración Colombia portal between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure. Australians enjoy visa-free entry for 90 days, but UAE and Gulf nationals should check visa requirements first. The form takes approximately 10 minutes and issues a QR code required at check-in.
What Is Colombia’s Check-Mig Form and Who Must Fill It Out?
The Colombia Check-Mig is a free online immigration pre-registration form managed by Migración Colombia, mandatory for all foreign nationals entering or leaving Colombia by air. It is not a visa.
The Check-Mig preloads trip data to accelerate immigration control processing. It applies to all foreign nationals arriving or departing by air and does not extend to land border crossings. The form is completely free (US$0). Upon submission, the system issues a QR-code confirmation that airlines verify at check-in. The Check-Mig is not a visa and does not replace any visa or waiver. It is also mandatory when leaving Colombia, and every traveller including infants requires individual registration. The form is available in Spanish, English, and French, and remains valid for 3 months after issued.
Australian Passport Holders: Visa-Free Entry and Check-Mig Requirements
Australian passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Colombia for up to 90 days but must complete the free Check-Mig form and carry a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival.
Australians enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism (paid work prohibited). Colombia grants visa-free entry to more than 80 countries. Even visa-exempt nationals must complete the Check-Mig before departure. Immigration officers will check: a passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds. COVID-19 entry requirements ended in February 2023; the health emergency was lifted May 2023. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East: Do You Need a Visa Before Check-Mig?
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman passport holders can enter Colombia visa-free for 90 days, but Saudi Arabian citizens must obtain a consular visa before submitting the Check-Mig form.
| Country | Visa-Free? | Max Stay | Consular Visa Before Check-Mig? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | 90 days | No |
| UAE | Yes | 90 days | No |
| Saudi Arabia | No | – | Yes (consular visa required) |
| Qatar | Yes | 90 days | No |
| Kuwait | Yes | 90 days | No |
| Bahrain | Yes | 90 days | No |
| Oman | Yes | 90 days | No |
Saudi Arabian citizens must obtain a visa from a Colombian embassy before submitting the Check-Mig form; the form alone is insufficient. Passport nationality, not country of residence, determines visa status under Colombian immigration rules.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Check-Mig Form
The Check-Mig form consists of 5 steps on the Migración Colombia portal: selecting transit type, entering travel and passport details, completing accommodation information, answering health declarations, and downloading a QR code confirmation. For a complete step-by-step guide to applying for the Colombia Check-Mig, see our dedicated walkthrough.
Type of journey
Select Entry or Exit and transport type (air).
Travel information
Enter airline, flight number (numbers only, e.g., “107” not “AV107”), dates, and origin/destination country.
Personal data
Passport details, nationality, and full name.
Accommodation data
Hotel name or local address in Colombia.
Questions
Health and security declarations.
Required Documents and Technical Tips
You need a passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival, a return ticket, accommodation proof, and sufficient funds. For a full checklist of documents needed for the Check-Mig, see our dedicated guide. Submit via apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en using desktop Google Chrome. A known glitch keeps some drop-down menus in Spanish even when the site language is set to English, displaying “Estados Unidos”, “Reino Unido”, and “Pais Bajos”.
Codeshare Routes: Which Flight Number to Enter?
Enter the operating carrier’s flight number, not the marketing carrier’s code. Check the “Operated by” line on your booking. If Emirates EK405 is operated by LATAM LA8001, enter “8001”.
Troubleshooting: Portal Won’t Load from Overseas
When filling out the Check-Mig from Sydney, the nationality dropdown showed “Estados Unidos” even after switching to English. Clearing cache and using Chrome on desktop resolved this. If the portal times out, disable VPN or switch devices. Fallback: use an airport kiosk or ask airline staff.
When Does the 72-Hour Window Open? Validity and Timing Explained
The Check-Mig submission window opens exactly 72 hours before scheduled departure and closes 1 hour before the flight, calculated against the departure time of your first flight out of your origin city. For more details on the 72-hour submission window and form validity, see our complete guide.
Submit at least 24 hours in advance as an advisory buffer. Airlines may deny boarding without the QR code confirmation. The time zone difference between origin and Colombia (COT, UTC-5) shifts the calendar day on which the window opens.
Time Zone Conversion for the 72-Hour Window
| City | Time Zone | Diff. to COT | Departure (local) | Earliest Submission (COT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | AEST (UTC+10) | -15 h | Fri 10:00 AM | Mon 7:00 PM |
| Dubai | GST (UTC+4) | -9 h | Fri 10:00 AM | Tue 1:00 AM |
| Riyadh | AST (UTC+3) | -8 h | Fri 10:00 AM | Tue 2:00 AM |
Formula: departure time minus 72 hours equals earliest submission, converted to COT.
Avoid Scam Websites: The Check-Mig Form Is Always Free
The Check-Mig form is completely free on the Migración Colombia portal. Any third-party site charging US$25 to US$70 is a commercial intermediary, not a government portal. Learn how to spot Check-Mig scams and fraudulent websites before you apply.
The only legitimate URL is apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en. Red flags: sites misspelling “Columbia”, sites asking for credit card details. iVisa charges US$25 to US$69.99 in service fees and exaggerates difficulties of the government page. Handy Visas lacks transparent contact details and misspells “Colombia” as “Columbia”. The Check-Mig has always been free (US$0). Verify you are on the correct portal by checking for “migracioncolombia.gov.co” in the URL.
Transit Passengers, Yellow Fever and Extra Entry Requirements
Transit passengers who remain in the international sterile zone do not need a Check-Mig, but as of March 2026, Colombia requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers arriving from or transiting through endemic countries.
Do Transit Passengers Need Check-Mig?
Check-Mig applies only if you leave the sterile zone; airside transit needs no form. Connecting through Miami, Madrid, or Panama City and staying airside means no Check-Mig required.
Yellow Fever Vaccination: What Changed in March 2026
As of March 2026, Colombia requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers arriving from or transiting through countries with transmission risk, including South Africa and Brazil. The certificate must be obtained at least 10 days before travel. Gulf travellers are typically unaffected unless routing through Africa or South America.
Transit Visa Rules for Your Connecting Hub
Australians may need an ESTA for US transit (Miami, Dallas, Houston) or a Schengen visa for European hubs (Madrid, Frankfurt). UAE passport holders may need ESTA or Schengen visa depending on the hub. Saudi passport holders typically need visas for all major transit hubs. These requirements are independent of Colombia’s Check-Mig.
Extending Your Stay Beyond 90 Days in Colombia
Visa-free nationals including Australians and UAE citizens can extend their 90-day stay once for an additional 90 days (180-day total) by applying online via Migración Colombia’s Prórroga de Permanencia for approximately 150,000 COP. This extension is separate from the Check-Mig entry form. Digital nomads and long-term visitors can read our guide on managing multiple entries and visa extensions for more information.
The initial 90 days granted at entry (verified alongside your Check-Mig QR code) is extendable once for another 90 days (maximum 180 days per calendar year). Apply online via the Migración Colombia portal for the Prórroga de Permanencia. The 2026 fee is approximately 150,000 COP (about £30); the fee is waived for Schengen citizens. Processing takes approximately 3 business days; apply 10 to 15 days before the initial permit expires. Saudi nationals on consular visas: extension rules depend on visa type.
Safety, Travel Advisories and Emergency Contacts in Colombia
Australia’s Smartraveller advises a “high degree of caution” for Colombia overall, with “Do not travel” warnings for specific border regions including the Venezuela and Ecuador border areas.
Smartraveller (updated 25 August 2026) advises “Exercise a high degree of caution” for Colombia due to violent crime and terrorism. “Do not travel” zones: Venezuela border (20 km), Ecuador border (20 km, exception: Ipiales), Catatumbo, Cauca (exceptions: Popayán, Pan American Highway). “Reconsider your need to travel” zones include Antioquia (exceptions: Medellín, Jericó, Jardín), Arauca, Chocó, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Valle del Cauca.
Emergency numbers: 123 (fire/medical), 112 (police). Crime reporting: +57 018 0009 197 48 or 122. Embassy contacts: Australian Embassy Bogotá (colombia.embassy.gov.au), UAE Embassy Bogotá (mofaic.gov.ae/en/missions/bogota), Saudi Embassy Bogotá (mofa.gov.sa/en/Embassies/Colombia). Colombian Embassy in Australia: australia.embajada.gov.co. If the Check-Mig system fails at the airport, airline staff or Migración Colombia officers can assist.
FAQ
Is the Colombia Check-Mig still required in 2026?
Yes, as of September 2026, all foreign nationals must complete the Check-Mig before flying to or from Colombia. The form is mandatory for entry and exit by air.
How much does the Colombia Check-Mig cost?
Nothing. The Check-Mig is completely free (US$0) on the Migración Colombia portal. Any site charging a fee is a third-party intermediary.
Where do I find the Check-Mig form?
The form is at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Use desktop Chrome. Beware of sites misspelling “Columbia”.
Do I need Check-Mig when leaving Colombia too?
Yes, a separate exit Check-Mig is mandatory when departing Colombia. Airlines verify it at check-in.
I have dual nationality: which passport do I enter?
Enter the passport you will present at immigration. Colombian dual nationals should use their Colombian passport.
Can I complete Check-Mig on my phone?
Yes, but desktop Chrome is more reliable. Avoid in-app browsers like WhatsApp or Facebook.
What if I forget to fill out Check-Mig?
Airlines may deny boarding without the QR code. Use an airport kiosk or ask staff as fallback.
Do minors need a separate Check-Mig?
Yes, every traveller including infants needs their own Check-Mig. A family of four completes four forms.
Do Australian citizens need a visa for Colombia?
No. Australians enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days. The Check-Mig is still mandatory.
Which flight number for codeshare bookings?
Enter the operating carrier’s flight number, not the marketing carrier’s code.
