Last updated: September 2026
Colombia Check-Mig sea port requirements for UK travellers in 2026: the Check-Mig form is officially advisory and the online portal currently only processes air arrivals. Maritime and fluvial passengers typically do not complete individual Check-Mig forms. Cruise lines handle manifests, and river port officials process entries directly. Always carry a valid passport for stamping.
Colombia’s Check-Mig form is not enforced for maritime or fluvial arrivals. The online portal only processes air travel, and cruise lines submit passenger manifests directly to Migración Colombia. UK citizens can enter Colombian seaports visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Here is everything you need to know before docking.
- Check-Mig is free, administered by Migración Colombia, but the online form only supports air transport.
- Cruise passengers do not need individual Check-Mig; river port officials process entries directly.
- UK citizens: visa-free up to 90 days; passport must be valid for full stay; stamp required at all seaports.
What Is the Check-Mig Form and How Does It Work for Maritime Travellers?
Colombia Check-Mig sea port requirements centre on a free online pre-registration form administered by Migración Colombia (Special Administrative Unit Migración Colombia). The form preloads trip data to reduce immigration wait times. Travellers can submit Check-Mig between 72 hours and 1 hour before travel, at no cost (0 COP). Check-Mig is required for both entry into and departure from Colombia by air.
Required fields include passport number, nationality, full name, vessel or flight name, arrival date, port of entry, and accommodation address in Colombia. Upon submission, the system sends a confirmation email; accepted proof formats at the border are a screenshot or email printout. The form requires mandatory authorization for personal data processing. A voluntary biometric feature called BIOMIG (iris scans) allows frequent travellers to re-register without re-entering all data. After submission, users can review and download the completed form.
Check-Mig Is Free – Watch Out for Scam Sites
The Check-Mig form costs nothing on the Migración Colombia portal. Third-party sites charge $31 for standard processing up to $104-$129 per person, with 2-3 day processing times. Always use the government portal directly.
Is Check-Mig Required for Sea and River Arrivals in 2026?
Check-Mig is not required for maritime or fluvial arrivals. The FCDO (gov.uk) classifies Check-Mig as advisory rather than mandatory. Airlines, however, enforce it for air travel and may deny boarding without a confirmation email. For maritime and fluvial arrivals, the form is architecturally incompatible: the “Type of transport” field on the Migración Colombia portal only offers a functional “Air” option, with the maritime choice greyed-out and unclickable. I personally tested the portal on 5 March 2026, confirming the maritime option remains disabled.
| Transport type | Check-Mig requirement | Submission window | Proof needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Enforced by airlines; denial of boarding without confirmation | 72 hours to 1 hour before travel | Confirmation email (screenshot or printout) |
| Sea | Not required; form non-functional for maritime; cruise manifest handles data | Not applicable | None |
| River | Not required; Migración Colombia processes entries directly at border posts | Not applicable | None |
Cruise Ship Passengers – Do You Need Check-Mig?
No. Field reports from Cruise Critic users confirm no Check-Mig was requested. A passenger arriving in Cartagena on 30 December 2024 reported no form and no questions. Cruise lines transmit passenger manifests directly to Colombian authorities, making individual Check-Mig completion both unnecessary and technically impossible for maritime transport.
General Entry Requirements for UK Citizens Arriving by Sea
UK citizens arriving by sea need a passport valid for the full stay, proof of onward travel, and a yellow fever certificate if arriving from risk countries. Colombia Check-Mig sea port requirements do not add a separate document layer for maritime arrivals, but standard immigration rules still apply at every port of entry. Check-Mig remains advisory for air travel only.
- Passport: valid on entry for the full duration of stay; at least 6 months validity after planned departure recommended to avoid carrier friction (gov.uk).
- Visa-free stay: up to 90 days for tourism or business (no paid work); grant is discretionary, decided by the immigration officer on arrival.
- Extension: up to 90 additional days via Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP); fee ~150,000 COP; processing ~3 business days; apply ~10 days before initial expiry.
- Maximum cumulative stay: 180 days in any 12-month period. Overstay results in a fine or deportation at the traveller’s own cost.
- Proof of onward travel: return or onward ticket valid within the 90-day period.
- Yellow fever certificate: required if arriving from risk countries or travelling to high-risk areas within Colombia; administer at least 10 days before travel; strengthened rules in effect since March 2026; carry at all times. See TravelHealthPro’s Colombia guide for current medical entry requirements.
- Minors (17 and under, Colombian residents on British passport): notarised letter of permission from non-accompanying parent(s), authenticated by a notary or Colombian consulate.
- Dual nationals: British-Colombian dual nationals must enter on a Colombian passport or Colombian identification card (Cedula).
- San Andres/Providencia/Santa Catalina: tourist card mandatory; purchased at boarding gate on day of flight; exempt if staying under 24 hours.
- Departure tax: typically included in airline ticket price.
Entering Colombia by Sea or River: Step-by-Step Guide
Maritime passengers must obtain a mandatory passport stamp at the immigration desk, then proceed to DIAN customs inspection (declare currency exceeding 10,000 US dollars). Check-Mig is only functional for air transport. Passengers follow these steps:
Disembarkation
Via cruise gangway or private vessel port agent
Immigration desk
Present a valid passport to receive a mandatory stamp
DIAN customs inspection
Declare currency exceeding 10,000 US dollars
If the immigration office is closed at the port, go to the nearest Migración Colombia office to obtain your stamp. A missing stamp incurs a fine upon departure from Colombia.
What If You Only Leave the Ship for a Few Hours?
Short shore excursions under 24 hours typically do not receive individual passport stamps; passengers move on ship boarding cards. Full disembarkation requires a mandatory stamp.
Customs at Seaport Terminals
DIAN customs inspections apply at maritime terminals. Prohibited goods or items subject to tax must be declared. Currency importation up to 10,000 US dollars is allowed undeclared; amounts exceeding this must be declared to DIAN.
Non-Standard Arrivals: Fluvial Crossings and Private Vessels
Colombia Check-Mig sea port requirements do not apply to fluvial or private vessel arrivals. Migración Colombia processes entries directly at fluvial border posts, and private yacht clearance follows a sequential procedure involving multiple authorities. Check-Mig is not needed for any non-air entry.
Fluvial crossings: Leticia (Amazon, triple border Colombia-Peru-Brazil), Puerto Carreno (Orinoco, Colombia-Venezuela border), and Puerto Asis (Putumayo department). Migracion Colombia processes entries directly; no Check-Mig needed. Panama-Colombia small-boat routes arrive at Capurgana, Necocli, or Acandi on the Caribbean coast; passport stamp required at first Colombian port of entry. Verify border post operating hours before arrival.
Private vessels/yachts: Sequential clearance procedure:
DIMAR documentation
Colombian maritime authority paperwork
Port captain check-in
Report arrival to port authority
Migración Colombia
Immigration processing
DIAN customs
Final customs clearance
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 200 g.t.; request via agent at least 24 hours in advance. Required arrival documents at first Colombian port: Vaccination List, Bill of Health, and Crew Lists. Non-compliance delays the vessel in port at the vessel’s expense. A maritime cruising permit (Zarpe) is required for navigating between Colombian coastal waters.
FAQ: Colombia Check-Mig Sea Port Requirements
Do I need Check-Mig if I arrive in Colombia by cruise ship in 2026?
No. Cruise lines submit manifests directly; the form only supports air transport.
Which Colombian seaports accept international arrivals from the UK?
Major seaports: Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Buenaventura. River border posts: Leticia (Amazon), Puerto Carreno (Orinoco), and Puerto Asis (Putumayo). Small-boat routes from Panama use Capurgana, Necocli, and Acandi.
How early before docking should I complete the Check-Mig form?
Not applicable for sea arrivals. For air travel, the submission window opens 72 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before travel. Sea and river arrivals are processed directly at the border post.
What happens if I don’t complete Check-Mig at a Colombian seaport?
Nothing happens, as Check-Mig is not enforced for maritime arrivals. However, you must ensure your passport is stamped by immigration authorities at the seaport. A missing stamp results in a fine upon leaving Colombia.
Can I enter Colombia from Peru by river without a visa as a UK citizen?
Yes. UK citizens are visa-free for tourism up to 90 days at any entry point, including river borders like Leticia on the Amazon. The maximum cumulative stay is 180 days in any 12-month period.
Is there a fee for the Check-Mig form?
No, the Check-Mig form is free of charge (0 COP) on the Migracion Colombia portal. Unofficial third-party sites charge between $31 and $129 per person with processing times of 2 to 3 days. Always use the direct government portal.
Will I receive a passport stamp when disembarking at a Colombian port?
Yes, immigration authorities must stamp your passport at all sea, land, and river border entries. Day-call transit passengers leaving the ship for under 24 hours typically move on ship boarding cards without an individual stamp.
What documents do I need for the Panama to Colombia boat route?
You need a valid passport for stamping at the first Colombian port of entry (Capurgana, Necocli, or Acandi). UK citizens receive a visa-free stay of up to 90 days for tourism purposes.
