CheckMig is completely free. There is no government fee, no processing fee, and no hidden charge. The form is provided at zero cost by Migracion Colombia through their official website at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. If any website asks you to pay for CheckMig, you are on a third-party service – not the official government portal.
This page explains exactly what CheckMig costs (nothing), why some websites charge for it, and how to make sure you complete the form for free without falling for paid imitations.
Is CheckMig Really Free?
Yes. CheckMig is a free government form. Migracion Colombia, the Colombian immigration authority that manages the system, does not charge any fee for completing or submitting the form. There is no payment step in the official process – you will never be asked for a credit card, bank transfer, or any other form of payment.
The official CheckMig form at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co is free for:
- Adults – no fee
- Children and infants – no fee
- Colombian citizens – no fee
- Foreign nationals – no fee
- Arrival forms – no fee
- Departure forms – no fee
- Corrections or resubmissions – no fee
There is no “basic” version and no “premium” version. There is one form, and it costs nothing regardless of your nationality, age, or travel direction.
For a full explanation of what CheckMig is and why it exists, see our complete guide to CheckMig.
Why Do Some Websites Charge for CheckMig?
Several third-party websites charge between $20 and $80 USD to “process” your CheckMig form. These sites are not affiliated with Migracion Colombia. They are private companies that take your information, fill out the same free form on your behalf, and keep the fee as a service charge.
These paid services exist because:
- The official site is only in Spanish. Travelers who do not speak Spanish may feel more comfortable paying someone to handle it.
- The official site can be confusing. The layout and error messages are not always user-friendly.
- Search engine ads push paid sites to the top. When you search “CheckMig,” paid services often appear above the official government site.
- Some travelers assume government forms cost money. Many countries charge for immigration forms, so travelers expect to pay.
The important thing to understand: these sites are providing a service, not a requirement. The CheckMig form itself is always free. You are paying for someone to fill out a free form on your behalf.
If you want to avoid this entirely, follow our step-by-step guide to filling out CheckMig for free.
Official (Free) vs Third-Party (Paid) Cost Comparison
| Aspect | Official (Migracion Colombia) | Third-Party Services |
|---|---|---|
| Form fee | $0 | $0 (included in service) |
| Processing fee | $0 | $20-$80 USD |
| Service charge | $0 | $20-$80 USD |
| “Priority” option | N/A (instant for everyone) | $10-$30 extra |
| Total cost | **$0** | **$20-$110 USD** |
| Website | apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co | Various private domains |
| Data handling | Colombian government | Private company |
| Form validity | Official | Same form (just filled out by someone else) |
The “priority” option some third-party sites offer is meaningless. The official CheckMig form processes instantly for everyone. There is no queue, no waiting period, and no way to speed it up because it is already instant.
How to Complete CheckMig for Free
Follow these steps to complete your CheckMig form at no cost:
- Go to the official website: Visit apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co directly. Do not click on ads or third-party links.
- Select your language: The site offers English and Spanish options.
- Choose arrival or departure: Select the direction of your travel.
- Enter your information: Passport details, flight number, accommodation in Colombia.
- Review and submit: Double-check all fields before submitting.
- Check your email: The confirmation PDF will be sent to your email address.
The entire process takes 5-10 minutes. No payment information is requested at any step. If a site asks for your credit card details for CheckMig, you are on a third-party or scam site – close the tab and go to the official URL instead.
For detailed instructions with screenshots, see our CheckMig filling guide.
Red Flags: Signs of a Paid CheckMig Site
Watch for these warning signs that indicate you are on a third-party paid site rather than the official government portal:
- The URL is not apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Any other domain is not the official site.
- The site asks for payment. The official form never requests payment.
- The site has ads or promotional banners. The official government site is plain and functional.
- The site offers “priority processing.” No such thing exists – the official form is instant.
- The site shows a price in USD, EUR, or other currencies. The official site shows no prices because the form is free.
- The site has customer reviews or testimonials. The official government site does not have a review section.
- The site offers a “money-back guarantee.” You should not need a guarantee for a free form.
If you encounter a site like this, do not enter your personal information. Go directly to apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co instead. For a full breakdown of scam tactics, read our guide on how to avoid CheckMig scams.
What If You Already Paid for CheckMig?
If you have already paid a third-party site for CheckMig, here is what you should know:
Your CheckMig is probably still valid. Third-party sites fill out the same official form. If they submitted it correctly, your CheckMig confirmation should work at the border. However, verify that you received a confirmation PDF from apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co (the official system), not just a receipt from the third-party site.
You can try to get a refund. Contact your bank or credit card company and explain that you were charged for a free government form. Many banks will process a chargeback for this type of transaction. Some third-party sites also offer refunds if you request one quickly.
You do not need to redo the form. If the third-party site submitted your CheckMig correctly through the official system, the confirmation is valid. You do not need to complete a new one.
Report the site. If you believe the site was deliberately misleading, report it to your country’s consumer protection agency. This helps prevent other travelers from falling for the same tactic.
CheckMig Cost by Nationality
One common question is whether the cost varies by nationality. It does not. CheckMig is free for everyone:
| Nationality | CheckMig Cost | Visa Required? |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| United Kingdom | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| Canada | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| Australia | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| EU Countries | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| India | Free | Yes |
| China | Free | Yes |
| Brazil | Free | No (up to 90 days) |
| All others | Free | Check requirements |
Whether or not you need a Colombian visa, CheckMig is free. The visa is a separate document with its own fees, but CheckMig itself never costs anything for anyone.
FAQs About CheckMig Cost
Is there any fee for CheckMig?
No. CheckMig is completely free. There is no government fee, no processing fee, and no hidden charges. The form is provided by Migracion Colombia at no cost.
Why did a website charge me for CheckMig?
You used a third-party service, not the official government website. These private companies fill out the free form on your behalf and charge you a service fee of $20-$80 USD. The official form at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co is always free.
Is there a difference between the free and paid CheckMig?
No. There is only one CheckMig form, and it is always free. Third-party sites fill out the exact same form. You are paying for the convenience of having someone else do it, not for a different or better product.
Do children have to pay for CheckMig?
No. CheckMig is free for all travelers, including children and infants. Each person needs their own form, but there is no charge for any of them.
Is there a fee for correcting a CheckMig form?
No. If you made a mistake on your CheckMig, you can simply fill out a new form for free. There is no penalty or fee for corrections.
Can I pay to get CheckMig processed faster?
No. There is no expedited processing because the form processes instantly for everyone. The official CheckMig takes minutes to complete and the confirmation arrives by email shortly after. Any site offering “priority” or “rush” processing is charging you for something that does not exist.
Is the official CheckMig website really apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co?
Yes. This is the only official website for CheckMig, operated by Migracion Colombia (Colombia’s immigration authority). Any other website offering CheckMig is a third-party service.
Can I get a refund from a paid CheckMig site?
Possibly. Contact the site directly first. If they refuse, contact your bank or credit card company to request a chargeback. Explain that you were charged for a free government form. Many banks will side with you in this situation.
Does CheckMig cost more for certain nationalities?
No. CheckMig is free for all nationalities without exception. Whether you are from the US, UK, India, China, or any other country, the form costs nothing. Visa requirements vary by nationality, but CheckMig does not.
Is it legal for third-party sites to charge for CheckMig?
Technically yes – they are selling a service (filling out the form for you), not selling the form itself. However, many of these sites are misleading and make it look like payment is required. The best protection is to use only the official website at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co.
