✅ FREE Medellin Visitor's Guide here: www.akjoel.com/ebook

A bit late to the party and this might just be anecdotal, but when you go through immigration, just be respectful and try to speak Spanish. My first trip into the country last year, I knew zero Spanish, walked up and said "Hello" and had to show every single piece of information including Check Mig, my Airbnb, contact info, exit ticket, etc. This year, I was fully prepared to do the same, but walked up to the agent and said "Buenos días señor". The guy looked at me and asked if I spoke Spanish. I replied in Spanish saying I knew a little and was learning. He then just stamped my 90 days and told me to have a good day. Again, might be anecdotal, but just having a little respect for the people of the country you're going to might make your life a lot easier.

Best, most updated video on form. Thanks!

Thank you so much for this information as I'm leaving for Columbia from the USA in June. I didn't know i needed the Chek Mig. I appreciate your videos

Thank you Joel, perfect timing bro, im headed to Colombia for the first time, sitting in SAN airport, filled out form and it worked, no charge.

Much appreciated bro your video is very helpful 100 dios te bendiga amigo

Very informative video. Excellent! Great that you showed form and how to fill it out. I think that you are the only one who has done so. Very impressive!

Great tips, thanks!

Thank you for your information mate!

Awesome. Thank you :)

You’re a G for this ❤️

Leaving for Colombia Monday thanks for the hot tips dide

In March I flew into Bogota from MIA and had connection flight 1.5 hours after arrival to Caqueta. Customs was super fast, only asked where i was going and who visiting... Stamped snd moved on. Didnt provide any documents other than passport. Did my check mig a couple days prior.

Useful video

Thanks for this information! Another helpful video.

AK - This is very helpful and I wish I had seen it prior to my last trip to Medellin in July. The airline I took, I think it was Avianca, required me to upload proof that I had completed a Check MiG form. One other thing, when I filled it out, Colombian immigration emailed me a PDF copy of the form. I submitted it and it was rejected by my airline. The version I was sent had white text on a white background so about half of the text was hidden. I had to manually edit the form and changed this text from white to black (select all) and then save it as a PDF. Hopefully they have this fixed, but if you have this problem where the actual document seems incomplete, you’ll probably want to do a “select all” and then make sure all the text is set to a black or dark blue font. I am about to sign up for your Masterclass by the way. I’ll be in Medellin on August 21st.😊

I had been in bogota 2022 and remember the check mig which was easy to fill and add the app to my phone and it was free

I’ve been to Colombia arriving in Bogota 5 times first in feb 2021 last in feb 2023. Never asked for anything but passport and check mig. They will also ask for proof of COVID vaccination when you are in line. I think how you’re treated and what you’re asked is going to vary a lot depending on where you are from, how busy immigration is at that moment, and possibly the airport you are entering.

Just visited a few weeks ago. They didn't ask to see anything. Just took my passport and stamped it. Didn't ask about where I was staying, why I was visiting, how long I was staying, didn't ask to see check mig or if I had a departing flight... nothing.

The airlines always ask for your check-mig, you can only do 3days before you go and up to 30 mins of your flight, same way on the way out

My trip to Colombia from Europe was in September 2023. When i arrived in Bogota, i wrongly listened to people and waited for the migration line, while i could pass through the automatic machines and just show my passport. When i left the country i used this way and i didn't wait 1 hour.... Also when i arrived i did not have an exit ticket and when my time came to go to the person who would proccess me, nobody asked for any info on where i would stay or anything. He just compared my passport to the checkmig and let me go.

Hey Joel, thanks for this. I'm flying into Bogota next week and didn't see any of this info when I bought the flight. If you got any recs for Bogota, would love to hear what you think. Cheers!

Do your check mig on the computer instead of your mobile phone because of the formatting. I had issues finishing the form on my phone because I couldn’t click the some of the buttons. Luckily they didn’t fault me in Cartagena!

Save time and hassle by using Onward ticket to show a return flight. It's less than $20 and no need to purchase a refundable ticket. If your flight into Colombia is delayed you may risk loosing your refund on the return ticket you made pan to cancel.

I was asked to provide this a couple times then i just changed the subject to how much extra i would have to pay to bring my bicycle and it was never brought up again. This was the airline that was asking, immigration did not bring it up. Maybe it's because i made him switch up his routine by going up and immediately and in a joking matter if i could get the password the airport wifi. He laughed, said something to his co-workers and said have a nice stay. The most vulnerable part to any system is people - i am a hacker and social engineering is a big part of it.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Thank You ... Brilliant video giving clear & understandable advise

It's really a sharp time to fill this form out. As you're getting ready to go on a big vacation. The site does not work on all devices. Also I did not get my email sent back to me and tell the last minute. Seriously, the last minute before the flight.

Thanx AK, much needed information for my Medellin trip in November.

Good idea about the refundable ticket. Also in US Expedia gives the 24 hr grace period to cancel. Never tried from Colombia, but will next time.

I haven't had to register to check Meg since covid. I go every year for a month.

I just missed my flight today to Barranquilla do to my passport only having one left to expire even dough i was only flying out for 4 days. Lost my flight and have to get an emergency passport by next week

Great info thank you

Um....I just flew into Cartagena on 26 July, and immigrations didn't ask me for anything like that. Customs line was 2.5 hours long, longest customs line I ever been in, but once I got to the representative, it took 2 minutes--passport, return ticket proof and I was on my way.

hey AK, thanks for the tips! Coming to Medellin mid Oct, not sure if I want to carry much cash around. Will I survive with credit card and/or apple pay or should I have cash on me at all times? I understand it's a necessity to have some cash for street food vendors, but do most coffee shops/bars take tarjetas? Gracias

Cool video

Thanks for this!

Thanks for the video that check mig form is always an issue when I go to colombia

Thanks great video

You don't need a refundable ticket if you plan to cancel within 24 hour of booking. The rule applies also to non refundable tickets as long as the flight is more than 7 days from the booking date.

Great job. Yeah I travel a lot and have never had to produce a return flight ticket, because like you said, and often times im the same I might stay 90 to 180 days and buying a return ticket before I know when Ill return is dumb. Btw...justfly has way better deals on flights, I've used them for years. Something new? I wonder why?

Thank you very much. I plan on coming back to Colombia in a few months. Have a great day!

There is a paid Check Mig form that sometimes pops on Google. One time I was at the airport trying to do it before my flight and the one that cost popped up. I luckily knew it was BS and didn't pay Also when you translate the US is often Estados Unidos.

Good information! Planning a trip soon. Just curious if my ATM debit card works the same way over there? Don't want to carry much cash

What are the requirents for a person with spanish travel document going to colombia.?

Bit of advice to all, even though they don’t ask for the screenshot it’s still very important to fill out, once they run your information everything from the check mig comes up, immigration asked for the address for the AirBnB and while I was searching on me phone he responded and said “don’t worry I have the information” and began to recite the address

Oh dear I’ve never been there I’d like to visit South America. Yea few countries will let a foreigner in under visitor status with no onward ticket out.

Regarding exit tickets, do you know of anyone who has used a prepaid bus ticket from a city like Pasto into Ecuador? Not sure such a thing exists, but it would be useful.

I have always used an onward ticket ilo of a refundable ticket not just to Colombia but just about ever country your travel to wants to see the exit. Often they forget to check or ask but for $14 it's worth the piece of mind vs if sht happens you don't end up with an expensive ticket you don't want to use on down the line if you can't cancel within that 24 hours for some reason. Some airports only offer free wifi for a hour for example so if a flight is canceled or you miss your transfer due to a late flight your not stuck holding the bag.

they wouldn't let me board my flight without check mig. the girl at checking helped me go to the site and let me stand to the side and ask questions while she attended other people. Its free. then you show them the pdf output right on your phone. For the exit flight I've always had one. But from what I have heard is buy the return ticket right before the flight then refund when you land as you have detailed.

You can rent a outward ticket for $6.99. valid for 3 days.

Very helpful video man I go back to Colombia in October I live in uk thanks

I was in Colombia but my time was up after the extension was up I have a Colombia visa but it is expired if I renew here in America can I return to Colombia or do I have to wait

2:54 I don’t recall ever having to go thru this, much less an exit flight.

Should you book the expedia return ticket plus 90 days or 180 days? Because you also need that ticket for the application of extension, and then 180 days might be too much if you arrive at the first day and havent got the extension?

I have a resident marriage visa to.live in Colombia. I am going for a visit to UK in August for 4 weeks. Do I need any exit visa?

Greetings Joel, Arriving in Colombia am I required to fill out the Check Mig form even if I already have the permanent Resident visa? Thank you for this good information.

Hey Joel do they require Check Mig for domestic flights, like if I'm flying from Medellín to Bogota, or only if you are arriving from another country?

Whoa interesting, ya since Covid, i’ve noticed that if I fill out the check Mig ahead of time and also speak Spanish to the passport agent they just ask me how many days I’m there, and then they just let me in. However, if I forget to fill out the check mig then they ask me all kinds of questions about where I’m staying with my phone number. However, I’ve never been asked for a return flight, been like 10 times in the last couple years. I always have one anyway, but that’s interesting. I have not heard of that yet until now.

Hi AK I will travel to colombia from brazil but i have to change plane in panama . what flight number should i put in check mig, the fisrt one from brazil or the second one that arriving to colombia THANKS BRO

I tried to registered using the new check mig. I fky in and iut theiughout thr year because i gave a multiple entry visa. I started to out my information in the system and it cancelled me out. Gave me a server error. Guess it cant handle too much information from one user as it includes your visa information. I had to byoass this issue by using the single entry mode. Using the registered user mode is broken now.

Before I even left the US I was asked to show return ticket. This is my 2nd time here. I'm getting a digital nomad before my 180 days are up.

So it won’t charge your card until after 24 hours or it does charge you card the money then you get it back when you cancel within ?

If you get your "information is already registered" error message, that means you have a field with wrong information. Double check. Estados Unidos = United States. Like other comments stated, take a screenshot and have your Airbnb address ready. Also, while in the immigration line, keep moving and pay attention. I've seen so many times people either on their phones or talking and forgot to move and left a huge gap, or don't respond when called.

I had a document showing a return flight, but when asked, I simply replied, "No, I am flying to Spain in 30 days!" That sufficed in my case. Just sayin'... it's not a legal requirement, it's just a screening question. Have backup, but it may not be required.

Does this only apply to anyone that books a one-way trip or is this for round trip as well? I am traveling there in June and would hate to be held back because of documents.

What is your favorite health insurance while in Colombia? I have used a couple. Never needed them, lucky me, but I wondering what others use.

Hey Joel. I'm moving to Medellin in late October. Since I'm coming towards the end of the year and the maximum 180 day tourist stamp is within a calender year shouldn't I leave Colombia sometime in January then come back?

Advice on the exit flight ticket… instead of using Expedia, just book a return flight dates a month out, directly with an airline at your airport of origin. All flights booked with airlines are cancelable within 24 hours. So you can cancel as soon as you get through Colombian immigration.

For entering hosting details, are they asking for the phone number of the airbnb host where it says contanct number?

Joel, I just entered the end of July and no onward ticket was requested. Been going to Colombia for 7 years now and never had or been asked for an onward ticket

So even if i choose to go on a vaca in Colombia for 7 days i have to do this check mig thing both ways? And what if i have a roundtrip? Im from Toronto by the way

Did you do a atm no withdrawal fee video ?

Where does is say that the check mig is mandatory? on the check mig page it says "check mig allows travellers to preload information related to their trip". it does not say it's mandatory.

I'm flying from the UK to Colombia for tourism, therefore i dont need a visa. But do i still need to complete the check-mig form?

Do you know the best agency with experience for visa applications for African and Asian countries?

Outbound flights are such pointless bureaucracy. You can rent a ticket for $10 off any "onward flight" websites.

Can you help

If im leaving from melbourne australia to medellin but i have a stop over in los angeles do i still write origin as melbourne or the last stop before arriving in medellin cause ill probably have two or three stops before arriving?

I’m flying tomorrow I just completed the check mig form I completed it and got confirmation I presume it was done correctly on country destination of origin I put where I’m from my nationality is that right ? I got the confirmation email have I done it correctly?

I traveled to like 15 countries getting asked for where your staying , when are you leaving do you speak the native language is a pretty standard procedure. I had to wait in the bag room in london because the English thought I was going to illegally stay in UK but I boarded my flight 2 hours later and was in eastern europe. Im just happy its not covid times u had to get like 10 different things to travel it was bad.

I know you need the form to enter, what about to leave Colombia?

Hey man! I booked the exact same ticket as you from Expedia but I am not able to cancel it. Expedia won’t let me.. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

@AKJoel if I'm staying in medellin but the flight to enter is coming from Atlanta to Bogota and then I'm transferring to Medellin...what do I put on the Mig form as Immigration Point?

I was asked when I was in the Dominican Republic I didn't know about it until the airplane told me however when I was in Colombia I was never asked.

The frustrating part is Check MiG rarely works

I plan on buying a cheap ticket to a neighboring country as my proof of exit and just letting it expire. What if my exit flight is 2 weeks from when I get in Colombia and the immigration guy says. “Oh, 2 week visit? You get a 2 week visa then”?

I usally get a onward ticket for about 15 bucks just to show the ticket agent here in the states and imagration in Colombia just in case they ask for a return ticket but they have never asked me when I arrive in Medellin they ask what address I’m staying in or they just say sabaneta again lol welcome to Colombia

This has been around since Covid I think. Super easy just make sure y’all hit the actually Colombian goverment site.

Flew Into bogota in June and I don’t think I had to fill this out…

How difficult is it to get a retirement visa?

Check-Mig has many issues so even though I attempt to fill it out, I do not get asked for it most of the time. I believe that Migración knows that the system has many problems. When I enter, I usually show my passport and VISA and all is good.

Visited in July until August, nobody asked me for it

I'm from Melbourne Australia. Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Medellin Colombia?

anyone had problems using tickets from Expedia?

This was helpfull. Will be flying this month to Bogota from EU. And then to Medellin. So booking of the ticket is enough as a proof you don't realy need the ticket?

If an United States citizen involved in an vehicle accident? I f the U. S citizen was at fault, however he has valid insurance, valid lincese, valid registration would thier passport been tooken away till this accident is full resolved.

You are only on a tourist visa? So you have to be out of the country for half the year?

not only foreigners, but Colombians also have to fill out those document amount before entering my country.

if i get divorced in colombia do i lose my residency visa

Remember that you have to fill one out when exiting the country too and processing can take up to 2 days according to the form. I filled mine out on the day I was leaving the country and got done, I mean charged about $100 emergency processing fee to guarantee I wouldn’t miss my flight.