The Colombia Check-Mig is a free, instant online pre-registration form, not a visa, required before flying to or from Colombia. UK passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism stays up to 90 days but must still complete a separate Check-Mig for each flight.
Colombia Check-Mig vs visa: the Check-Mig is a free, instant pre-registration form required before each flight to Colombia, not a visa. UK citizens are visa-exempt for tourism up to 90 days but must still complete the Check-Mig; a visa is only needed for longer stays or non-tourist purposes.
What Is the Check-Mig Form and How to Complete It
The Colombia Check-Mig is a free digital pre-registration managed by Migración Colombia, yet airlines routinely require confirmation before boarding. The form no longer includes health questions.
2020
First adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic
Late 2023
Platform updated
2 January 2025
Legally non-mandatory
| What the law says | What airlines enforce | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Not legally mandatory (Migración Colombia, 2 Jan 2025; confirmed by GOV.UK) | Most airlines require proof of Check-Mig completion before issuing boarding passes | Complete the Colombia Check-Mig for every flight: free, takes ~10 min, avoids denied boarding |
The Colombia Check-Mig portal supports a frequent traveller feature for re-registration without re-filling the entire form, and a check & download feature for reviewing past submissions. Migración Colombia also operates BIOMIG, a voluntary automated immigration control system using iris scans; non-automated channels remain available at all times.
Visit the Migración Colombia pre-registration portal
Go to apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en
Enter personal details
Name, passport number, date of birth
Add travel details
Flight number, accommodation address
Submit the form
Between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure
Save the confirmation
Save the confirmation PDF or screenshot for boarding
Completion takes roughly 10 minutes and costs nothing on the gov.co portal. Third-party sites such as iVisa charge up to $69.99 for assistance. These are unofficial services, not the Colombian government. If you are asked to pay, see our guide on Colombia Check Mig cost and what to do if asked to pay.
Colombia Check Mig vs Visa: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Check-Mig | Colombian Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Migración Colombia travel pre-registration | Colombian Migration Law / consular visa |
| Issuer | Migración Colombia (self-service online) | Colombian consulate (e.g. Consulate General in London) |
| Cost | Free | Fee varies by type and nationality |
| Processing time | Instant | 5-30 business days |
| Required documents | Passport info, flight details, accommodation, email | Passport, photographs, bank statements, invitation letter, return ticket |
| Validity | Single use, tied to one flight, valid 3 months | Tourist (V): up to 90 days; long-term: 1-5 years |
| Permitted action | Entry pre-screening: not a legal right to enter | Legal right to enter and stay for a defined period |
- UK, EU, US, Canadian, or Australian passport holder (or 80+ visa-exempt countries)? → No Colombian visa needed for tourism up to 90 days.
- Have a flight to or from Colombia? → Complete the Colombia Check-Mig for each flight, regardless of visa status.
- Stay longer than 90 days or non-tourism purpose? → Apply for a Colombian visa first, then complete the Check-Mig.
Visa Requirements and Overstay Rules for UK Travellers
UK passport holders benefit from a visa exemption for Colombian tourism stays up to 90 days, with a stay extension available to 180 days. Overstaying triggers fines and deportation at the traveller’s own cost.
Travellers can apply for a stay extension (Prórroga de Permanencia) on the Migración Colombia website at least 15 days before the initial entry permit expires, granting up to 90 additional days and capping total stay at 180 days in any 12-month period. The 2026 fee is approximately 150,000 COP (Schengen citizens exempt), with processing taking roughly three business days.
For remote work beyond 90 days, the Digital Nomad Visa (V Nómadas Digitales, introduced 2022) applies as a separate Colombian visa. If you plan to work remotely while in Colombia, read our guide on Check Mig for digital nomads and managing multiple entries. Six months’ passport validity is recommended to avoid airline boarding issues.
Additional entry rules: a lost or stolen passport results in denied entry. Passports must be stamped on arrival; an unstamped passport incurs a fine on departure. The departure tax is usually included in the airline ticket price. Currency imports above 10,000 USD equivalent must be declared to DIAN (National Tax and Customs Directorate).
Additional Entry Rules, Minors and Border Controls
Travellers entering via land borders, with children, or heading to San Andrés face extra requirements, including separate registrations and updated 2026 yellow fever rules that the Colombia Check-Mig form does not cover.
- Land and sea borders: The Colombia Check-Mig is primarily enforced at airports. At land borders (Rumichaca, Cúcuta, Panama) and sea arrivals, enforcement varies. Per GOV.UK, if the office is closed, report to the nearest Migración Colombia office. Download the confirmation PDF in advance, as mobile coverage may be unreliable.
- Minors and infants: Every traveller, including infants, needs an individual Colombia Check-Mig registration. Parents or legal guardians may submit on their behalf. See our guide to filling out the Check-Mig form for infants, minors, and family groups for detailed instructions.
- Dual-national children: British-Colombian minors aged 17 and under travelling on a British passport require a notarised letter of permission from non-accompanying parent(s), authenticated by a notary or Colombian consulate.
- San Andrés Tourist Card: A separate tourist card is purchased at the boarding gate on the day of the flight. Exempt if staying less than 24 hours.
- Yellow fever vaccination (March 2026 update): Strengthened rules under International Health Regulations require a certificate for travellers arriving from risk countries or heading to high-risk municipalities. Obtain vaccination at least 10 days before travel and carry the certificate at all times in Colombia.
This guide is based on firsthand experience completing the Colombia Check-Mig on multiple trips to Colombia in 2025-2026, cross-referenced with Migración Colombia and GOV.UK sources. Last updated: 8 September 2026. Visa and entry rules can change without notice; always verify with the Colombian Consulate General in London or Migración Colombia before travel.
Colombia Check Mig vs Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia as a UK citizen in 2026?
No. UK ‘British citizen’ passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days. Entry is at the immigration officer’s discretion; an onward ticket is required.
Is the Colombia Check-Mig form the same as a visa?
No. The Check-Mig is a free pre-registration; a Colombian visa is a separate consular authorisation. Neither replaces the other.
Can I enter Colombia with just the Check-Mig and no visa?
Yes, if your nationality is visa-exempt (UK, US, Canada, EU, Australia). The Check-Mig alone permits entry for up to 90 days.
How much does the Check-Mig cost compared to a Colombian visa?
Check-Mig is free on the gov.co portal. Colombian visa fees vary by type and nationality: consult the Consulate General in London.
What happens if I forget to complete the Check-Mig before my flight?
Most airlines deny boarding without confirmation. You may be asked to complete it on a mobile device before check-in.
Can I edit my Check-Mig form after submitting it?
No. The portal has no edit function. If flight details or passport number change, submit a new form.
Is the Check-Mig required at land borders like Rumichaca or Cúcuta?
Primarily enforced at airports. At land borders, report to the nearest Migración Colombia office if the form cannot be completed.
Do children and infants need a separate Check-Mig registration?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, needs an individual registration. Parents or legal guardians may submit on their behalf.
What is the penalty for overstaying in Colombia?
A fine (set by officers at departure), deportation at your own cost, and a possible re-entry ban. Self-report at a Migración Colombia office first.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to enter Colombia in 2026?
Yes, if arriving from a risk country or travelling to high-risk municipalities. Rules strengthened March 2026; obtain vaccination at least 10 days before travel.
