Entering Colombia for tourism is straightforward for most Western nationalities, with one step that trips up first-time visitors simply because it’s unfamiliar: the Check-Mig form.
The Check-Mig form #
This is a mandatory, free online form required for every traveller entering or leaving Colombia, by air, land, or sea. It asks for passport details, flight or travel information, and your accommodation address, and must be completed before travel through the official Migración Colombia portal (migracioncolombia.gov.co) only; third-party sites charging a fee for this free form are exploiting travellers who don’t realise it costs nothing directly. Keep the confirmation email or a screenshot accessible, since it may be requested at the border.
Passport and stay basics #
Most Western nationalities (US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and much of Latin America) enter visa-free for tourism, with a passport valid for at least six months from your entry date. The standard stay is 90 days, extendable once to a combined 180 days per calendar year; see the visa requirements guide for the full nationality-by-nationality picture and how the extension actually works.
Yellow fever vaccination #
Required or recommended depending on your specific itinerary: relevant if you’re visiting the Amazon, parts of the Pacific coast, or other rural lowland areas, generally not required for a trip confined to Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. See the vaccinations guide for the complete regional breakdown.
Customs basics #
Standard personal items (clothing, cameras, laptops) enter without issue. Prohibited items include drugs, weapons, and certain plants or animals; alcohol and tobacco have standard duty-free limits, and higher-value goods should be declared. Keep receipts for valuable electronics or jewellery in case customs asks.
*Related: Visa and Entry Requirements | Vaccinations and Health | What to Pack for Colombia
