Last verified: 8 September 2026. This guide is reviewed monthly against the official Migración Colombia portal and GOV.UK travel advice. Written by a UK-based travel journalist who has completed the Check Mig form on three trips to Colombia, most recently Bogotá in January 2026.
For the complete list of colombia check mig documents needed, UK travellers require a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity from the planned departure date, inbound and outbound flight numbers, a Colombian accommodation address, and an email address. No document uploads are required: all fields are text-only. Submit the form between 72 hours and 1 hour before each flight departure. A separate Check Mig form is needed for both arrival and departure flights. You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code to present at border control.
Independent informational guide: this website is not affiliated with Migración Colombia or the Colombian government. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal before travelling.
What Is the Colombia Check Mig Form and Is It Mandatory in 2026?
The Check Mig form is Colombia’s mandatory digital immigration pre-registration issued by Migración Colombia, required for all travellers entering or leaving the country by air. For a broader overview, see our Colombia Check Mig 2026 guide.
According to GOV.UK’s Colombia travel advice (accessed September 2026), Check Mig is listed as advisory; however, Migración Colombia’s official pre-registration portal states it is mandatory for all air travellers, and airlines can deny boarding without valid confirmation. See: apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en and gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia.
Every traveller, regardless of nationality, must complete it between 72 hours and 1 hour before flight departure. Once submitted, the form generates a confirmation email with a QR code, accepted at immigration as a PDF, screenshot, or printed copy. The system allows review and download of completed forms. Transit passengers need the form only if leaving the international transit area. The Colombia Check Mig form covers immigration pre-registration only; customs declarations are handled separately by DIAN (National Tax and Customs Directorate). BIOMIG optional iris-scan biometric authorisation is available but not required for standard entry.
Passport and Visa Requirements for UK Travellers to Colombia
UK travellers need a passport valid for 6+ months beyond entry and no tourist visa for stays under 90 days. The form is text-only: no uploads. For more details, see our guide on Check Mig vs Visa entry requirements.
The Colombia Check Mig form requires the following passport details, read directly from your bio page:
- Full name, nationality, date of birth: must match exactly as printed, no abbreviations
- Passport number: 9-character alphanumeric code
- Expiry date and issuing country
Legal minimum validity is “valid on entry”; GOV.UK recommends at least 6 months from the planned departure date. Passports that are unregistered, invalid, or reported lost/stolen will be denied entry.
UK passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days (tourism or business), with the permitted duration decided by the immigration officer on arrival. More than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry. The Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia (PIP) grants the initial stay; the Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP), also known as Prórroga de Permanencia, extends by up to 90 additional days, capped at 180 days in any 12-month period. The 2026 PTP extension fee is approximately 150,000 COP (processing: approximately 3 business days; Schengen-country citizens may be exempt). Apply at least 15 days before the initial permit expires. Overstaying risks a fine of up to COP 5,000,000, deportation at your own cost, and a potential entry ban. British-Colombian dual nationals must use a Colombian passport and Cédula.
Complete Checklist: Documents and Data Needed for the Check Mig Form
To complete the Colombia Check Mig form, UK travellers in 2026 need: a valid passport with 6+ months’ validity, inbound and outbound flight numbers and dates, a Colombian accommodation address, and an email address for QR code delivery. No document uploads are required: all fields are text-only. You must submit a separate Check Mig form for both your arrival and departure flights, between 72 hours and 1 hour before each departure.
| Field Name | Source Document | Mandatory/Optional | Example Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Passport | Mandatory | As printed on bio page |
| Nationality | Passport | Mandatory | United Kingdom |
| Date of birth | Passport | Mandatory | DD/MM/YYYY |
| Passport number | Passport | Mandatory | 9-char alphanumeric |
| Passport expiry | Passport | Mandatory | DD/MM/YYYY |
| Issuing country | Passport | Mandatory | United Kingdom |
| Inbound flight no. | Booking confirmation | Mandatory | AV123 |
| Outbound flight no. | Booking confirmation | Mandatory | AV456 |
| Accommodation address | Hotel booking | Mandatory | Full address + phone |
| Personal | Mandatory | For QR code delivery | |
| Emergency contact | Personal | Optional | Name + phone number |
Airline Booking Reference and Seat Number: Not Required
PNR, booking reference, and seat number are not required fields. Only the flight number and travel date are needed. Find your flight number on the booking confirmation email or airline app.
Connecting Flights: Which Flight Number to Enter
Enter the final leg entering Colombian airspace. For London to Bogotá via Panama, use the Bogotá-bound flight number, not the LHR departure number.
Documents to Present at Colombian Border Control
At Colombian immigration: valid passport, Colombia Check Mig QR code, and proof of return travel within the 90-day visa-free period.
Every traveller must carry a valid passport (stamped on entry; a missing stamp risks a fine on departure) and the Check Mig QR code in printed or digital format (PDF or screenshot accepted). You must also show proof of return or onward travel departing within the 90-day period: a return ticket, onward ticket, or bus ticket to a neighbouring country. Proof of financial solvency (bank statements, credit cards) is advisable but not always requested. Travel insurance is recommended, not mandatory. If a border immigration post is closed, proceed to the nearest Migración Colombia office.
Is a Printed Copy of Check-Mig Required?
Both printed and digital (PDF/screenshot) formats are accepted. Carry a printed copy as backup in case of connectivity issues.
Departure Tax: Who Pays and How Much?
Departure tax is 110,000 COP for stays exceeding 60 days, usually included in the airline ticket price (verify with your carrier). If not included, pay at the airport baggage check-in counter by cash or credit card. Separate from the Colombia Check Mig form. Cash imports over 10,000 USD (in any currency) must be declared to DIAN.
Check Mig for Outbound Flights: Don’t Forget Your Departure Form
A separate Colombia Check Mig form must be completed for the departure flight within the same 72-hour-to-1-hour window. Airlines can deny boarding without it. Learn more about Check Mig entry vs exit requirements.
The arrival form does not cover departure. Use the same URL and process. Practical tip: submit both forms on the same day. When we flew London to Bogotá in January 2026, we submitted the arrival form 48 hours before departure and received the QR code by email in under 2 minutes. At BOG, the free Wi-Fi was fast enough to complete the separate departure form at the gate.
| Aspect | Arrival Form | Departure Form |
|---|---|---|
| Submission window | 72 h to 1 h before inbound flight | 72 h to 1 h before outbound flight |
| URL | Same portal | Same portal |
| Flight number field | Inbound flight entering Colombia | Outbound flight leaving Colombia |
| Boarding denial risk | Yes, without valid confirmation | Yes, without valid confirmation |
Check Mig for Children and Infants
Every child, including infants, needs an individual Colombia Check Mig registration using the child’s own passport data, submitted by a parent or legal guardian. One-parent travel requires a notarised consent letter. Read our complete guide on the Check Mig form for infants, minors, and family groups.
Parents or legal guardians submit the form on the child’s behalf by selecting “add minor” and entering the child’s passport data. Common issues include hyphenated names or different surnames from the travelling parent; ensure all data matches the child’s passport exactly. If travelling with only one parent, a notarised letter of permission from the non-accompanying parent, authenticated by a notary or Colombian consulate, is required. A birth certificate may be requested at immigration.
Health Requirements: Yellow Fever and COVID-19 in 2026
As of 2026, no COVID-19 vaccination, test, or health declaration is required. A yellow fever certificate is only needed when visiting endemic regions such as the Amazon basin.
No COVID-19 requirements have been in place since 2023; the Colombia Check Mig form contains no COVID-related fields. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from countries with transmission risk or visiting high-risk municipalities (Amazon basin, eastern lowlands). Enforcement was strengthened in March 2026 per International Health Regulations. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and carry the International Certificate of Vaccination at all times. Not required for Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, or Cali. Passport registration is also required for entry to Tayrona Park and Caño Cristales.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Check Mig at the Airport?
If you arrive without a completed Colombia Check Mig form, complete it on your mobile via airport Wi-Fi in 5 to 10 minutes, contact your airline, or proceed to the Migración desk. Familiarise yourself with Colombia Check Mig airport requirements to avoid issues.
Use your mobile device at the airport
The form is responsive and works on phone browsers. Free Wi-Fi is available at El Dorado (BOG), Rafael Núñez (CTG), and José María Córdova (MDE).
Contact your airline
Some may deny boarding, but others assist with on-site completion.
Proceed to the Migración desk
An officer may process you manually. The form is free.
If the website is down, retry in a few minutes, proceed to the airport, or contact Migración Colombia via official channels. Set a reminder 72 hours before departure to prevent this scenario.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Completing the Check Mig Form
The most frequent Colombia Check Mig errors are passport number typos, flight number mismatches, incomplete accommodation addresses, and forgetting the departure form.
| Common Error | Cause | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Incorrect passport number | Typo or wrong format | Re-submit with correct 9-char alphanumeric; re-submission is free |
| Flight number mismatch | Wrong leg or outdated booking | Verify on current booking confirmation |
| Incomplete accommodation address | Missing hotel name or phone | Enter full address including phone |
| Name spelling mismatch | Abbreviations or typos vs passport | Copy exactly as printed on bio page |
| Forgetting departure form | Assuming arrival form covers departure | Submit both forms on the same day |
FAQ
What documents do I need to complete the Colombia Check Mig form?
Passport with 6+ months’ validity, inbound/outbound flight numbers, accommodation address, and email. No uploads, text-only entry. Submit between 72 hours and 1 hour before departure; recommended at least 24 hours in advance.
How long before my flight should I submit the Check Mig form?
Between 72 hours and 1 hour before flight departure. Recommended: at least 24 hours in advance. A separate form is required for your departure flight within the same time window.
Do I need a visa to enter Colombia as a UK citizen in 2026?
No. UK passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business. The permitted duration is decided by the immigration officer on arrival.
Can I complete the Check Mig form at the airport if I forgot?
Yes. Use airport Wi-Fi to complete it on your mobile in 5 to 10 minutes, ask the airline, or go to the Migración desk.
Do children need their own Check Mig registration?
Yes. Every child, including infants, needs individual registration with own passport data. Parents or legal guardians can submit on the child’s behalf.
What proof of return travel does Colombian immigration accept?
Accepted: return ticket, onward ticket, or bus ticket to a neighbouring country, departing within 90 days.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Colombia?
Not mandatory and not a field on the Colombia Check Mig form. Highly recommended for UK travellers to cover medical emergencies and cancellations.
Do I need a separate Check Mig form for my return flight?
Yes. A separate departure form must be completed within the same 72-hour-to-1-hour window before your departure flight.
What happens if I overstay my 90-day visa-free period?
Overstaying the 90-day period: fine up to COP 5,000,000, deportation at own cost, possible entry ban. Apply for a PTP extension at least 15 days before expiry.
Is a yellow fever vaccination required to enter Colombia?
Only if visiting high-risk areas (Amazon, eastern lowlands) or arriving from transmission-risk countries. Not required for Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, or Cali. Vaccinate at least 10 days before travel.
Do I need a separate form for San Andrés and Providencia?
The Colombia Check Mig form is still required. Additionally, all visitors to San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina must purchase a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Ingreso y Salida) at the boarding gate or when buying the air ticket. Exempt if staying less than 24 hours.
