Visa Types — Colombia

Colombia Immigration Visa Categories

Colombia's visa system is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) through the Visas e Inmigración portal. Since Resolution 5477 of 2022, visas are organized into three main types based on purpose and length of stay: V (Visitante/Visitor), M (Migrante/Migrant), and R (Residente/Resident).

Note: Fees are set in USD but paid in Colombian Pesos (COP) at the exchange rate on the payment date. All figures below are approximate and subject to change — always verify current rates at the official Cancillería website (cancilleria.gov.co) or your nearest Colombian consulate before applying.

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V Visa – Tourist (Visitante Turista)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals visiting Colombia for tourism, family visits, or short-term leisure (non-work, non-study purposes beyond typical visa-free stays).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of accommodation
• Return/onward travel ticket
• Not required for many nationalities (90-day visa-free entry); this visa is mainly for extended stays or nationalities requiring a visa

Processing time: 3–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $720,000 (~$177 USD)

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V Visa – Business (Visitante Negocios)

Who it's for: Foreign businesspeople attending meetings, negotiations, conferences, or exploring commercial opportunities in Colombia.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Invitation letter from Colombian company or proof of business activity
• Proof of financial solvency
• Company registration documents (if representing a business)
• Valid passport

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $960,000–$1,230,000 (~$235–$300 USD, varies by nationality/reciprocity)

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V Visa – Digital Nomad (Nómada Digital)

Who it's for: Remote workers and freelancers employed by foreign companies or self-employed with foreign clients who wish to live in Colombia while working remotely.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of remote employment or freelance contracts with entities outside Colombia
• Proof of income (varies, generally equivalent to ~3 minimum monthly wages, roughly $700–$900 USD/month)
• Comprehensive health insurance valid in Colombia for the visa duration
• Clean criminal record certificate
• Valid passport

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $720,000–$960,000 (~$177–$235 USD)
• Validity: Up to 2 years, non-renewable (must leave and reapply)

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M Visa – Work (Migrante Trabajador)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals with a formal job offer or employment contract with a Colombian company, or those providing services under contract.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Labor contract or service provision contract with a Colombian entity
• Employer must be registered and in good standing (RUT, chamber of commerce registration)
• Educational/professional credentials relevant to the job (may require apostille/certification)
• Clean criminal background check
• Valid passport

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $1,060,000–$1,230,000 (~$260–$300 USD)
• Validity: Up to 3 years, renewable while employment continues

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M Visa – Investor (Migrante Inversionista)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals making a qualifying financial investment in Colombia (real estate, business capital, or financial instruments).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Minimum investment threshold (real estate: ~350 SMMLV, roughly $85,000–$95,000 USD equivalent, adjusted annually based on minimum wage; business investment thresholds vary, often ~100–650 SMMLV depending on sector)
• Proof of funds transfer through legal foreign exchange channels (registered with Banco de la República)
• Property title or business registration documents
• Valid passport

Processing time: 10–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $1,230,000 (~$300 USD)
• Validity: Up to 3 years, renewable if investment is maintained

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M Visa – Rentista (Independent Income)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals who can demonstrate a stable, recurring foreign income (investments, pensions from private sources, business income) without needing to work in Colombia.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of monthly income of at least ~10 SMMLV (~$2,300–$2,600 USD/month equivalent, adjusted yearly)
• Documentation showing income is stable, recurring, and derived from abroad (bank statements, investment income certificates)
• Valid passport, clean criminal record

Processing time: 10–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $1,230,000 (~$300 USD)
• Validity: Up to 3 years

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M Visa – Pensioner (Migrante Pensionado)

Who it's for: Retirees receiving a foreign government or private pension.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of pension income of at least 3 SMMLV/month (~$700–$800 USD, subject to annual minimum wage adjustment)
• Official pension certification/letter from paying institution, apostilled
• Valid passport, clean criminal background

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $1,060,000 (~$260 USD)
• Validity: Up to 3 years, renewable

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M Visa – Spouse/Partner of Colombian National (Migrante por Vínculo)

Who it's for: Foreign spouses, civil union partners, or common-law partners of Colombian citizens.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Colombian marriage certificate or registered civil union (Escritura Pública de Unión Marital de Hecho)
• Proof of genuine relationship (may include shared address, photos, correspondence)
• Colombian partner's ID (cédula) and civil registry documents
• Clean criminal record certificate

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $960,000 (~$235 USD)
• Validity: Up to 3 years, renewable; typically no minimum income requirement

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M Visa – Student (Migrante Estudiante)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals enrolled in long-term academic programs at Colombian institutions (undergraduate, graduate, or extended language/vocational programs).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Certificate of enrollment from a recognized Colombian educational institution
• Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses
• Valid passport
• Clean criminal record (for longer programs)

Processing time: 5–15 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $720,000 (~$177 USD)
• Validity: Duration of academic program, up to 3 years, renewable

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R Visa – Resident (Residente)

Who it's for: Foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, typically after holding an M visa continuously for 5 years, or qualifying through other special routes (marriage to Colombian national after residing 2+ years, being a Colombian by adoption's parent, significant investment, etc.).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Continuous legal residence in Colombia under M visa status for 5 years (most common route), OR qualifying alternative criteria:
• Parent of a Colombian national by birth
• Spouse/partner of Colombian national with 2+ years of prior M visa residence
• Investors meeting higher thresholds
• Clean criminal record (Colombian and/or international)
• Proof of continuous stay (exit/entry stamps, prior visa history)

Processing time: 10–30 business days

Cost:

• Study fee: ~COP $220,000 (~$54 USD)
• Issuance fee: ~COP $1,230,000–$1,600,000 (~$300–$390 USD)
• Validity: Indefinite (does not expire, though the visa holder must not remain outside Colombia for more than 2 continuous years)

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Summary Table (Approximate Costs)

| Visa Type | Study Fee (USD) | Issuance Fee (USD) | Validity |

|---|---|---|---|

| V Tourist | $54 | $177 | Up to| Visa Type | Study Fee (USD) | Issuance Fee (USD) | Validity |

|---|---|---|---|

| V Tourist | $54 | $177 | Up to 2 years (multiple entry) |

| V Business | $54 | $235–$300 | Up to 2 years |

| V Digital Nomad | $54 | $177–$235 | Up to 2 years (non-renewable) |

| M Work | $54 | $260–$300 | Up to 3 years |

| M Investor | $54 | $300 | Up to 3 years |

| M Rentista | $54 | $300 | Up to 3 years |

| M Pensioner | $54 | $260 | Up to 3 years |

| M Spouse/Partner | $54 | $235 | Up to 3 years |

| M Student | $54 | $177 | Duration of program, up to 3 years |

| R Resident | $54 | $300–$390 | Indefinite |

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Additional Important Notes

• Reciprocity fees: Some nationalities (notably the U.S., Mexico, and a few others) are subject to additional "reciprocity" fees based on bilateral agreements. These can add $10–$100+ USD on top of standard issuance fees depending on the visa category and nationality.

• Cédula de Extranjería / Foreigner ID Card: After visa approval, most visa holders (M and R visa categories) must register with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days of entry (or visa issuance if already in-country) to obtain a Cédula de Extranjería (PPT), which costs approximately COP $265,000–$400,000 (~$65–$100 USD), separate from visa fees.

• Health insurance requirement: M and V visa holders (except in some short-term V categories) generally must show proof of health insurance coverage valid in Colombia for the duration of stay.

• Family members: Most M and R visa categories allow dependents (spouse, children under 25 if studying, dependent parents) to apply for a corresponding beneficiary visa, generally at similar or slightly reduced fees.

• Non-refundable study fee: The "study fee" (estudio de solicitud) is paid upon application submission and is non-refundable even if the visa is denied. The issuance fee is only charged upon approval.

• Processing time variability: While official processing windows are often listed as 5–15 business days, actual times can extend to 30+ business days during high-demand periods or for cases requiring additional document verification.

• Currency fluctuation: Since fees are pegged to USD but paid in COP, the exact peso amount varies daily with the exchange rate (historically ranging roughly COP $3,800–$4,300 per USD in recent years).

Recommendation: Given that fee schedules, income thresholds (tied to Colombia's annually adjusted SMMLV/minimum wage), and eligibility rules are updated periodically, verify current details directly through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal (visas.cancilleria.gov.co) or a Colombian consulate before applying.

More about immigrating to Colombia