Medellin Reports

[AmorPorFavor]

It would help if it were correct. Here is what Colombia's official immigration site says right now: 'Estamos realizando mejoras tecnolgicas al aplicativo Check-Mig. Por lo tanto, en este momento no es necesario diligenciarlo. Te esperamos en nuestros puestos de control migratorio para que realices con normalidad tu proceso de ingreso o salida de Colombia. ' So it isn't even being used now, and hasn't been used for at least six or seven weeks. Most likely you got ripped off by a third party provider. I have entered Colombia maybe eight times, including in late Oct. Of this year, and have never been asked where I was staying. Of course, they certainly have the right to ask you whatever they want.

When I go to their site now I see that pop up message but it was not there a little over 2 weeks ago. The site worked fine. One thing I can tell you is that if you do fill it out the agent has all that info on his computer. I asked one once and he confirmed that but I also still print out the confirmation page and give it to them. Anything to stay out of secondary.

[KeviKev68]

I entered at MDE last week. I travel to Medellin 3-4 times a year. The agent definitely spent more time typing stuff and checking his computer screen than I have ever seen but I got in no secondary inspection. It takes me less than 5 minutes to fill out checkmig on my PC and if there is even a small chance that it helps keep me out of secondary it's worth the 5 minutes it takes. The government does want you to do it. The only question he asked was where I was staying.

It only take a few minutes so why would you not do it? There's no upside in not doing it unless

[KeviKev68]

It would help if it were correct. Here is what Colombia's official immigration site says right now: 'Estamos realizando mejoras tecnolgicas al aplicativo Check-Mig. Por lo tanto, en este momento no es necesario diligenciarlo. Te esperamos en nuestros puestos de control migratorio para que realices con normalidad tu proceso de ingreso o salida de Colombia. ' So it isn't even being used now, and hasn't been used for at least six or seven weeks. Most likely you got ripped off by a third party provider. I have entered Colombia maybe eight times, including in late Oct. Of this year, and have never been asked where I was staying. Of course, they certainly have the right to ask you whatever they want.

It works for you because you speak and can read Spanish. The airlines don't require it anymore but I would not tell someone not do it. There's a lot of this following statement" No one says anything to me and I have been there several times."

You cannot guarantee someone will have your experience. Especially folks who not Spanish. I have been here dozens of times and cannot recall a time when immigration did not ask where I was staying. Also, I think I saw signs that said you provide information on where you are staying.

It sounds like you are being treated more favorably than those of us who are "gringos."

[John Gault]

It would help if it were correct. Here is what Colombia's official immigration site says right now: 'Estamos realizando mejoras tecnolgicas al aplicativo Check-Mig. Por lo tanto, en este momento no es necesario diligenciarlo. Te esperamos en nuestros puestos de control migratorio para que realices con normalidad tu proceso de ingreso o salida de Colombia. ' So it isn't even being used now, and hasn't been used for at least six or seven weeks. Most likely you got ripped off by a third party provider. I have entered Colombia maybe eight times, including in late Oct. Of this year, and have never been asked where I was staying. Of course, they certainly have the right to ask you whatever they want.

Wow very good intel. I am impressed.

[Huacho]

I could tell there was something wrong and others noticed too by how flustered and confused the guy was as he was led to the room. I think it is worth repeating here that you MUST do your Check Mig before you arrive and have address, phone number of the place where you are staying entered correctly. You also MUST have place to stay confirmed before you arrive. You can't look for place when you get here. (it's a problem for some).
I hope that helps.

It would help if it were correct. Here is what Colombia's official immigration site says right now: 'Estamos realizando mejoras tecnológicas al aplicativo Check-Mig. Por lo tanto, en este momento no es necesario diligenciarlo. Te esperamos en nuestros puestos de control migratorio para que realices con normalidad tu proceso de ingreso o salida de Colombia. ' So it isn't even being used now, and hasn't been used for at least six or seven weeks. Most likely you got ripped off by a third party provider. I have entered Colombia maybe eight times, including in late Oct. Of this year, and have never been asked where I was staying. Of course, they certainly have the right to ask you whatever they want.

[AmorPorFavor]

I entered at MDE last week. I travel to Medellin 3-4 times a year. The agent definitely spent more time typing stuff and checking his computer screen than I have ever seen but I got in no secondary inspection. It takes me less than 5 minutes to fill out checkmig on my PC and if there is even a small chance that it helps keep me out of secondary its worth the 5 minutes it takes. The government does want you to do it. The only question he asked was where I was staying.

[AddictedToWomen]

It was absolutely required in Philippines, I'm wondering if it's the thing to do in Colombia or does it make you look like a tourist / easy to snatched?

I'm a gringo: I look like a tourist with or without a cross-body bag. I use one everywhere I go, not just in Colombia. In fact I've been stolen from less in Colombia than in Spain.

[AddictedToWomen]

It may be worth repeating, but that does not make it true. I have not filled out checkmig in 2 years. Also if you have done it once, your information stays in the system. Several times upon entering without filling the form out, they have asked me are you staying at such and such again? I say you know me like a book. Whenever I travel somewhere and do not know where I am staying and there is a form to fill out, I just put Marriott or some big hotel chain. Don't make this out to be complicated or scary.

Checkmig is broken for me: my information never stays in the system. Further the options available don't include my visa category, but it doesn't matter: most (all?) of the information you (or, at least, I) enter never gets seen by the entry agent. I do try and fill it out but I have forgotten on occasion and it seems to make no difference.

[KeviKev68]

A quite ridiculous discussion about people being detained IMHO. If you have not done anything wrong, then what is your worry? What exactly were you nervous about to the point of sweating? It is immigration, not a torture chamber. I have 2 active passports with tons of stamps. Never seen anyone get alarmed because of the amount of stamps. And you said security. All they do is make sure you have nothing you are not supposed to? Why not ask the person why they took the picture? A simple question can alleviate all of your anxiety and nervousness. It is okay to talk to the people.

Whether you think you have done anything wrong is besides the point. We don't know what they are looking for. Yes, it's immigration but doesn't have to be torture to cause concern. I am sure you haven't seen anyone who has been alarmed but you haven't seen everybody.

It may be worth repeating, but that does not make it true. I have not filled out checkmig in 2 years. Also if you have done it once, your information stays in the system. Several times upon entering without filling the form out, they have asked me are you staying at such and such again? I say you know me like a book. Whenever I travel somewhere and do not know where I am staying and there is a form to fill out, I just put Marriott or some big hotel chain. Don't make this out to be complicated or scary.

It doesn't make it wrong either. Not everyone has been to Medellin multiple times like you or I. It doesn't hurt to fill out the Check Mig form. I get your point the airlines no longer require you to do this but it's not difficult to do. Also, I not fluent in Spanish. So I can't engage in the back and forth that are accustomed to.

I never said or implied that entering Medellin was complicated. Nor am I trying to "scare" people as you suggest. This information isn't useful for you but might help others.

[Mr Enternational]

There's been a lot of discussion about people being detained and turned away at immigration.

I was nervous because the last time I was here the security guy took a photo of my passport as I was leaving! I don't know if he thought I was transporting anything but he was alarmed when he saw all of the stamps on my passport.

So, when I arrived I was sweating profusely

A quite ridiculous discussion about people being detained IMHO. If you have not done anything wrong, then what is your worry? What exactly were you nervous about to the point of sweating? It is immigration, not a torture chamber. I have 2 active passports with tons of stamps. Never seen anyone get alarmed because of the amount of stamps. And you said security. All they do is make sure you have nothing you are not supposed to? Why not ask the person why they took the picture? A simple question can alleviate all of your anxiety and nervousness. It is okay to talk to the people.

I think it is worth repeating here that you MUST do your Check Mig before you arrive and have address, phone number of the place where you are staying entered correctly. You also MUST have place to stay confirmed before you arrive. You can't look for place when you get here. (it's a problem for some).

It may be worth repeating, but that does not make it true. I have not filled out checkmig in 2 years. Also if you have done it once, your information stays in the system. Several times upon entering without filling the form out, they have asked me are you staying at such and such again? I say you know me like a book. Whenever I travel somewhere and do not know where I am staying and there is a form to fill out, I just put Marriott or some big hotel chain. Don't make this out to be complicated or scary.

[HumbleHal]

Say what? I have been to the Philippines 100 times and have never worn any shit like that. I put my money in my pocket like a normal person would.

This is not the Philippines forum.

[KeviKev68]

Here's the latest as I arrived yesterday. At 2:40 pm. The line was long but it moved fast. There were groups of people so it went well. There's been a lot of discussion about people being detained and turned away at immigration.

I was nervous because the last time I was here the security guy took a photo of my passport as I was leaving! I don't know if he thought I was transporting anything but he was alarmed when he saw all of the stamps on my passport.

So, when I arrived I was sweating profusely like the dude in Midnight Express. The room behind checkpoint was unlit and empty so that relaxed me. But, eventually the lights came on and I saw two dudes with stern looks on their faces directing a guy to the room.

I have never noticed this before but when you are first in line, there are a few seats on the left. I saw two guys sitting there. That's where they make you wait when you go to back room.

I could tell there was something wrong and others noticed too by how flustered and confused the guy was as he was led to the room. I think it is worth repeating here that you MUST do your Check Mig before you arrive and have address, phone number of the place where you are staying entered correctly. You also MUST have place to stay confirmed before you arrive. You can't look for place when you get here. (it's a problem for some).

You have to stick to the script. That is: you are here for "Tourism. " You don't need to say anymore than that. I was nervous and uneasy it was a long trip. You need to have your ticket and passport ready and that will help. That's where crossbody wallet really helps. (people don't like those) LOL.

I hope that helps.

[KeviKev68]

It was absolutely required in Philippines, I'm wondering if it's the thing to do in Colombia or does it make you look like a tourist / easy to snatched?

I wear one so I don't have to worry about pick pockets or losing / misplacing things. I use it for the airports to have my documents on me in accessible way. I don't put my passport in a carryon bag. It's very unlikely that you'll come across someone who will try to grab your wallet even much less approach you with a weapon.

[Dinosaur9]

Say what? I have been to the Philippines 100 times and have never worn any shit like that. I put my money in my pocket like a normal person would.

I'm not sure where you went in Philippines but when I went, there was not a single foreigner that didn't have a sling wallet.

[MoonShot]

Say what? I have been to the Philippines 100 times and have never worn any shit like that. I put my money in my pocket like a normal person would.

I haven't been to the Philippines a hundred times but probably over 20 times and I have found sling bags to be great because you can put your wallet and cellphone and other things together. Pickpocketing is not unusual in the Philippines and putting money in your pocket is easier to steal. Everyone can make their own choice. There really is no right or wrong answer.