Colombia is a large country located in South America, with a population of over 50 million people and a culture and way of life that captivates millions of tourists every year. Its natural beauty (white sand beaches, the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, among others), its cuisine (bandeja paisa, ajiaco soup, arepa, among others) and its history are some of its main attractions.
To travel to Colombia, all travelers need a travel authorization called Check Mig and, in some cases, a visa as well. In this article, we'll explain what the Colombia Check Mig is, how to get it, and what other types of visas exist. Embark on your South American adventure.
Do you need a visa for Colombia?
In general, a visa is required to travel to Colombia, and this varies depending on nationality and the purpose of the trip. However, all travelers must obtain a travel authorization called Colombia Check Mig.
Any traveler who enters or leaves Colombia by air must apply for a Check Mig, including Colombian citizens traveling to and from the country.
As mentioned, certain travelers will also need a traditional visa for Colombia. However, some nationalities can travel with just the Check Mig, without a traditional visa, for a maximum period of 90 days.
The nationalities exempt from a traditional visa for Colombia include, among others, most countries in the European Union, Latin America, North America, Oceania, and several in Asia and the Persian Gulf. Since this list can be updated through bilateral agreements, we recommend checking the official, up-to-date list on the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before traveling.
Types of visas for Colombia
Colombia Check Mig
The Check Mig is a mandatory document for all travelers entering or leaving Colombia by air, including Colombian citizens. It's not a traditional visa, but a mandatory travel permit or authorization that can be processed online.
Travelers of certain nationalities will need to apply for a traditional visa in addition to the Check Mig. If this applies to you, you must obtain the visa before completing the Colombia Check Mig form, since you'll be asked for it. Here are some of the most commonly requested visas for Colombia:
Visitor Visa (type V)
The visitor visa is for travelers who wish to visit Colombia once or a few times temporarily, for reasons such as:
- Airport transit.
- Tourism.
- Business, academic exchange, or studies.
- Medical treatment.
- Administrative or judicial procedures.
- Joining the crew of a vessel or offshore platform.
- Participating in events, internships, volunteer work, or audiovisual/digital production, among other reasons.
Migrant Visa (type M)
With the migrant visa, travelers can legally live and work in Colombia. It's available to:
- Spouses or permanent partners of a Colombian citizen.
- Mothers or fathers of a Colombian citizen by birth or adoption.
- Nationals of a Mercosur member state.
- Workers.
- Refugees.
- Business partners, company owners, or investors.
- Retirees.
- Stateless persons recognized by Colombia.
Resident Visa (type R)
The resident visa is intended for those who want to establish permanent residence in Colombia. It can be granted to:
- People who have renounced Colombian nationality.
- People who have accumulated the required time under other visa types.
- Venezuelan nationals under the Temporary Protection Status.
- Special peace residents.
Transit visa
You won't need a transit visa for Colombia if:
- You continue your trip within the next 24 hours, on the first available flight.
- You have confirmed tickets and all the necessary documents for the next leg of your trip.
- You'll remain within the airport.
You'll need a visa if you're from: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
How do you apply for the Colombia Check Mig?
The Colombia Check Mig is processed entirely online, with no need to visit an embassy or consulate. If you're traveling by air and meet the entry requirements, you can get it by following these steps:
- Complete the Check Mig application form. You'll need to provide personal, flight, and passport details, as well as whether you're entering or leaving Colombia and through which immigration checkpoint. If your nationality requires a visa, you'll also need to provide that information.
- Pay the fees with a debit or credit card.
- Receive your approved Check Mig by email at the address you provided.
If, in addition to the Check Mig, you need a traditional visa or have any questions, contact your nearest Colombian embassy or consulate: they'll guide you on obtaining the visa before applying for the Check Mig.
What documents are needed to apply for the Colombia Check Mig?
To apply for the Colombia Check Mig, you'll need:
- Passport.
- Confirmation of your departure or arrival flights (flight number and airline).
- Address, city, and phone number of your accommodation in Colombia.
- Possibly, information about your health status.
- If required by your nationality, an approved visa for Colombia.
- A debit or credit card to pay the processing fees.
- Email address to receive your Check Mig.
What are the entry requirements for Colombia?
In addition to the Check Mig, to enter Colombia you'll need a valid passport, the corresponding visa if required by your nationality, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. We cover the rest of the details (travel insurance, other recommended vaccines, and local currency) in our complete guide to Colombia's entry requirements.
