"What Do I Need To Travel to Medellin?" Travel Requirements (2023)
These are the current, updated requirements to enter Colombia.
By Kaveh Paymayesh
So, you want to travel to Colombia? Like any vigilant traveller, you know that there are entry requirements to prepare prior to your journey.
The information can be a little convoluted and readers regularly ask me what they need. So, here’s a one-stop guide to everything you need to know.
In a nutshell
In a nutshell, to enter Colombia and/or Medellin, you will need:
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A COVID vaccination certificate, OR
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A negative PCR (72 hours) or Antigen test (48 hours)
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To submit the online 'Check-Mig' form up to 72 hours & 1 hour before departure.
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Evidence of onward travel (within 3 months).
COVID regulations
COVID regulations have long been a headache for entry into Colombia. Fortunately, in July 2022, the country officially ended its public health emergency – thus lifting its stringent regulations.
Before, you HAD to provide proof of vaccination. This no longer applies.
To enter Colombia in 2023, you have two options as far as COVID regulations:
Provide evidence of vaccination
You will need to provide evidence of a full vaccination. This includes x2 vaccine shots but does NOT require the administration of BOOSTERS.
No vax = Negative PCR or antigen test REQUIRED
Without vaccination, you will be required to take a PCR test 72 HOURS prior to travel, or an ANTIGEN test 48 HOURS prior.
COVID vaccination is NOT required for entry into Colombia
Until July, 1, a COVID vaccination was required for entry into Colombia but this no longer applies. In the case that you opt not to get a full vaccination, you will need a negative COVID test result.
Specifically, a negative PCR test will be needed 72 hours prior to travel and an ANTIGEN test 48 hours prior.
Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to test themselves
Here is an exhaustive list of all COVID vaccinations that are accepted for entry into Colombia (in brackets are the number of doses needed):
Pfizer (2), Moderna (2), AstraZeneca (2), Jhonson & Jhonson (1), Sinovac (2), Sinopharm (2), Zydus (3), Gamaleya (2), CansinoBio (1), Bektop (1), Novavax (2), ZFSW (3), IVF (2), Abdala (3), Spikogen (2), Medigen (3), Covaxina (2), QazVac (2), Kangtai (2), Corbevax (2).
J&J only requires one dose; Colombia will recognise travellers as adequately vaccinated.
The following vaccinations can be mixed:
AstraZenica / Pfizer / Moderna / J&J.
Boosters are NOT required
Make sure that you received your (final) vaccination 2 weeks, or 14 days before departure.
Don't risk it...
I have observed several cases of travellers coming to Medellin and not having to present their vaccination certification or negative test results. This does not change the official government policy.
You’re better off having the required documentation and not needing it than vice versa…
People have been denied entry.
Check-Mig
In addition to complying with COVID regulations, you will need to fill out a mandatory Check-Mig form in order to be authorized access to Colombia.
Authorities are strict about this. It is mandatory for Colombians and foreigners alike.
According to the official government website, the form can be completed anywhere between 72 hours – 60 minutes before boarding.
Although you can apply on third-party websites, I’d recommend you use the official government website.
After completing this short form, you will be sent a confirmation email with a certificate to be presented before boarding.
Advice on filling out your mandatory online Check-Mig form
Completing the Check-Mig form is easy & quick, but make sure you’re able to access some crucial information:
Flight details into Colombia
Including your booking code, date & time of entry, border crossing point, e.g. Medellin, Bogota.
Flight details OUT of Colombia
You MUST provide proof of onward travel AKA departure flight details. Be ready to supply the same level of information (see above).
Annoyingly, you do need evidence of an onward flight from Colombia and this needs to be within 90 days. This is in accordance with the travel ‘visa’, which offers a default period of 90 days.
People have had success with refundable tickets, usually with companies that provide 24-hour refunds. In this case, you would buy a ticket that demonstrates evidence of onward travel, present it at the airport, then claim a refund within the 24 hours. This requires careful planning.
Keep reading for a popular method to circumvent this requirement…
In addition to onward travel, they will request an address of where you will be staying (‘hosted’).
If you are going to be moving around like I often do when in Medellin, don’t worry.
Simply put an address of where you’ll be staying first. This could even be a hostel or hotel that you haven’t yet booked.
I do recommend that you book accommodation before completing the Check-Mig form. For peace of mind.
Access your Check-Mig portal here
You can complete your Check-Mig form by clicking here.
I do not recommend you use third-party websites to do this unless you are having technical issues using the government website.
Remember not to begin application any earlier than 72 hours and no later than 1 hour.
Visitors are granted 90/180 days in Colombia without a visa
Travellers from a multitude of countries such as the UK, Australia, US and Canada, are permitted a travel ‘visa’ which grants up to 90 days in the country.
Here is an exhaustive list of all nationalities that are accepted
This isn’t actually a visa, but rather a passport stamp that you will receive upon arriving in Colombia.
This stamp can be easily extended for another 90 days, but will require you to either:
- Visit a Colombian Migracion office – there is one in Medellin (Belen).
- Apply for an extension online.
- Leave the country for 24 hours (you will be re-stamped).
Do not conflate the CheckMig form/certificate with a visa. The CheckMig form is a prerequisite for everybody arriving in the country.
Do not conflate the tourist stamp with a visa.
Evidence of onward travel must be within 90 days (how to circumvent)
Even though extending your stay beyond 90 days is easy, you will still need to show evidence of onward travel within this initial 90-day period.
This may pose an issue for those who want to leave after the 90-day period or for those who don’t yet know what they are doing.
To circumvent this frustrating obstacle, travellers can “rent proof of onward travel”. This is a popular service that people can use for as little as $12.
Although many travellers have succeeded in doing this, I cannot recommend it as I haven’t tried it. Consult FB groups if you are interested.
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