Colombia offers several different ways to enter the country depending on your purpose of visit, nationality, and length of stay. Whether you are coming for a two-week vacation, a business meeting, a semester of study, or a year of remote work, there is an entry category that fits your situation. This guide explains each type, the requirements, and how Check-MIG fits into all of them.
Tourist Entry (TP-11)
The tourist entry is by far the most common way travelers enter Colombia. It is designed for visitors coming for vacation, tourism, visiting friends or family, or short-term recreational activities.
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 90 days
- Extension available: Yes, up to an additional 90 days
- Visa pre-approval needed: No (for most Western passport holders)
- Check-MIG required: Yes, mandatory
Travelers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia, and many other countries do not need to pre-apply for a tourist entry. You arrive at the Colombian airport, present your passport and Check-MIG QR code at immigration, and receive an entry stamp that authorizes your stay for up to 90 days.
What you cannot do on a tourist entry:
- Work for a Colombian employer
- Enroll in a long-term academic program (more than a few weeks)
- Receive payment from a Colombian source
- Establish permanent residence
If your travel purpose involves any of these, you need a different visa category.
For US-specific tourist entry details, see our Check-MIG for US Citizens article.
Business Entry (TP-12)
The business entry is for travelers entering Colombia to conduct business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, trade shows, negotiations, or business consultations.
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 90 days
- Extension available: Yes, up to an additional 90 days
- Visa pre-approval needed: No (for most Western passport holders)
- Check-MIG required: Yes, mandatory
Critical distinction: The business entry does not allow you to accept employment in Colombia or receive payment from a Colombian company. It is strictly for professional activities that do not constitute local employment. If you plan to work in Colombia (even temporarily), you need a work visa (TP-4).
Many businesses in Colombia use this entry type regularly. The process is identical to tourist entry from the immigration perspective – you still complete Check-MIG and receive your entry stamp the same way.
Practical tip: If an immigration officer asks about your purpose and you say “business meetings,” have documentation ready (conference registration, letter from the Colombian company, business card). This is not always requested but it speeds up the process if asked.
Student Entry (TP-3)
For travelers planning to study in Colombia – whether at a university, language school, or professional training program – the student entry (TP-3) visa is required.
Key details:
- Maximum stay: Duration of academic program (typically 6 months to 2 years)
- Visa pre-approval required: Yes, must be obtained from a Colombian consulate before arrival
- Check-MIG required: Yes, mandatory
- Required documents: Acceptance letter from Colombian institution, proof of financial means, health insurance
The student visa application process involves more documentation than tourism or business entry. You need a formal acceptance letter from your Colombian institution and proof that you can support yourself financially during your studies.
First 30 days on student visa: Colombia allows you to enter on a tourist entry and then apply for the student visa from within the country, as long as you start the process within the first 30 days of your authorized tourist stay. This is a common approach for language school students who want to arrive and settle in before starting the formal visa process.
The Check-MIG process for student visa holders is identical to all other entry types – you need to complete it before each entry into Colombia.
Digital Nomad Visa
Colombia introduced the Digital Nomad Visa (V-Type) in 2022 to attract remote workers and digital nomads to live and work from Colombia. It has become one of the most popular digital nomad visas in Latin America.
Key details:
- Maximum stay: Up to 2 years
- Visa pre-approval required: Yes, applied online before arrival
- Cost: Approximately $52 USD (as of 2025)
- Check-MIG required: Yes, mandatory
- Minimum income requirement: Must demonstrate income of at least 3 times the Colombian minimum monthly salary (approximately $1,000 USD/month as of 2025)
Eligibility:
- Must work remotely for a company or clients outside of Colombia
- Cannot receive income from Colombian sources
- Must have valid health insurance covering Colombia
Application process:
- Apply online through the Migracion Colombia visa portal
- Submit proof of remote employment or freelance contracts
- Submit bank statements showing income meeting the threshold
- Upload proof of health insurance
- Pay the application fee
- Wait for approval (typically 5-15 business days)
- Once approved, complete Check-MIG and travel to Colombia
The Digital Nomad Visa is particularly popular in Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena, all of which have thriving digital nomad communities with coworking spaces and networking events.
Transit Entry
Transit passengers passing through a Colombian airport to reach another destination have different Check-MIG considerations.
When Check-MIG is required for transit:
- You need to collect and re-check your baggage during a layover
- You are leaving the international transit area of the airport
- Your layover is long enough that you are spending a night in Colombia
When Check-MIG may not be required for transit:
- You remain in the international transit area
- Your baggage is checked through to your final destination
- Your connecting flight is within the same terminal and you do not leave the secure area
Important: Airlines have varying policies on Check-MIG for transit passengers. Some airlines require Check-MIG for all passengers whose itinerary includes a Colombian airport, regardless of whether they leave the transit area. Check with your airline directly if you are unsure.
If there is any chance you will need to pass through immigration during transit (even just to change terminals), having Check-MIG already completed is the safe choice. The form takes only minutes to complete and avoids any risk of being denied onward travel.
Diplomatic Entry
Foreign diplomats and government officials entering Colombia on official business use a separate entry category through diplomatic channels. This entry type is administered through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MinRelaciones) and does not follow the standard immigration process.
Diplomatic travelers still need to carry appropriate diplomatic documentation and should be processed through separate immigration lanes at the airport.
How Check-MIG Applies to All Entry Types
One point that many travelers misunderstand: Check-MIG is required regardless of entry type. Whether you are entering as a tourist, business traveler, student, digital nomad, or transit passenger, Check-MIG is a separate, parallel requirement.
| Entry Type | Check-MIG Required? | Visa Pre-Approval Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (TP-11) | Yes | No (for most nationalities) |
| Business (TP-12) | Yes | No (for most nationalities) |
| Student (TP-3) | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Nomad | Yes | Yes |
| Transit | Varies by situation | No |
| Diplomatic | Varies by situation | No (handled through MinRelaciones) |
Check-MIG is not a visa and does not influence your visa application. It is a health and migration declaration that feeds into Colombia’s border tracking and epidemiological surveillance systems.
For detailed information about what you need to complete Check-MIG, regardless of entry type, see our Check-MIG Requirements article.
Visa-Free Countries and Arrangements
Colombia has visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements with many countries, making it one of the more accessible destinations in South America for international travelers.
Countries with visa-free tourist entry (90 days):
- United States, Canada
- United Kingdom
- European Union member states (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.)
- Australia, New Zealand
- Japan, South Korea
- Most Caribbean nations
Countries requiring pre-approved visa:
- China (mainland)
- India
- Many African nations
- Some Middle Eastern countries
Nationality-specific requirements: Visa requirements change periodically. Always verify your country’s current visa requirements with the Colombian consulate or on the Migracion Colombia website before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Colombia’s entry types helps you plan the right trip. Whether it is a 2-week vacation or a 2-year remote work stay, the requirements are clear and the process is efficient. And regardless of which type applies to you, Check-MIG is your first step. Visit our Check-MIG requirements guide to prepare for your submission.
