Every way into Colombia.

Visitor (V) visa for leisure, tourism, cultural and recreational activities for nationals who cannot enter Colombia visa-free or who wish to formalise a longer tourist stay. Issued for up to 1 year and authorising stays of up to 90 calendar days, extendable by Migracion Colombia for a further 90 days (180 days maximum within the same year). Most Western travellers do not need this visa and enter visa-free with a Permiso de Ingreso y Permanencia stamp; the V Turismo visa exists for nationalities subject to a visa requirement. It does not authorise work or paid activity and does not lead to residence. Colombian visa fees are set in US dollars (a study fee of roughly USD 52 at filing plus a visa/issuance fee on approval) but are collected in Colombian pesos at the day's exchange rate. Confirm whether your nationality requires this visa on the Cancilleria visa portal before applying.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

Visitor (V) visa for business management, market studies, direct-investment planning and procedures, incorporating a company, negotiating, signing contracts or acting as a commercial representative, without taking up local employment. Issued for up to 2 years and allowing stays of up to 180 calendar days (continuous or not) within each 365-day period from issuance, non-extendable. Applicants generally must show economic solvency: bank statements from the prior 3 months evidencing average monthly income of at least 3 SMMLV (about COP 5,252,715 in 2026), or a sponsoring Colombian/foreign company's solvency. It does not authorise an employment relationship in Colombia and does not by itself lead to residence. Fees are denominated in USD (study fee plus issuance fee) and charged in Colombian pesos.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

730 days

Visitor (V) visa for foreigners travelling to Colombia for medical or dental consultation or treatment, with an accompanying-person variant for a carer or family member. Issued for up to 1 year and authorising stays of up to 180 days. Requires confirmation from the Colombian healthcare provider of the planned treatment and dates, plus evidence of means to cover medical and living costs. It does not authorise work and does not lead to residence. Fees are set in USD (study fee plus issuance fee) and collected in Colombian pesos.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

180 days

Validity

365 days

Visitor (V) visa for foreigners admitted to formal basic, secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate or other recognised study, or to an academic internship, at a Colombian educational institution. Issued for up to 2 years (renewable for the duration of the programme). Holders may study and, for university-level programmes, may be authorised to do limited related work as regulated. Absence from Colombia for more than 90 calendar days (except for virtual/distance programmes) automatically terminates the visa. Study time is a visitor category and does not by itself accumulate toward an R resident visa, though graduates may switch to an M work or business visa. The study fee is roughly USD 20-52 and the issuance fee about USD 51-82, charged in Colombian pesos.

• Study: Authorised at the institution and programme stated in the visa.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Created by Resolution 5477 of 2022, the V Nomadas Digitales visa is for non-Colombian remote workers and digital entrepreneurs who provide telework or remote services through digital means exclusively for companies or clients domiciled outside Colombia, whether as employees, independent contractors, or to launch a digital-content or information-technology venture. Applicants must evidence monthly income over the last 3 months of at least 3 SMMLV (about COP 5,252,715 per month in 2026; figures are read individually, not averaged), and hold international health insurance covering Colombia for all risks (minimum coverage about USD 30,000). Issued for up to 2 years and granting a cedula de extranjeria. Visitor-visa time does not accumulate toward an R resident visa, so this is not a direct path to permanent residence. The study fee is roughly USD 52 and the issuance fee about USD 180, all charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Remote work for foreign employers/clients only; no Colombian-domiciled employer.
• Family: Spouse/partner and dependent children may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$180

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$5,252,715

Migrant (M) visa for foreigners who will independently practise a regulated profession, art or trade in Colombia. Requires recognition or validation of the foreign qualification by the competent Colombian authority and, where the profession is regulated, the relevant professional licence/registration. Issued for up to 3 years and granting work permission for the authorised profession. Applicants must show means of subsistence. M time accumulates toward an R resident visa after 5 years. Fees are USD-denominated (study fee plus an M issuance fee of about USD 230) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Authorised to practise the recognised profession/trade independently.
• Study: Study permitted alongside professional activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse/partner and dependent children may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Migrant (M) visa for foreigners with a Colombian employment relationship, sponsored by the employer. Issued for up to 3 years, with a work permit valid for the same period (restricted to the sponsoring employer and role). The employer provides a signed labour contract or contract-summary form and a motivation letter, and must evidence solvency, typically bank certifications for the last 4 months showing average monthly income of at least 100 SMMLV (about COP 175,090,500 in 2026), and justify the hire. The principal may include a spouse/permanent partner, children up to 25, and disabled dependent children as beneficiaries. Crucially, M visas accumulate time toward an R resident visa: after holding M visas continuously for 5 years, the holder may apply for the R por tiempo acumulado resident visa, the route to permanent residence and later naturalisation. Fees are USD-denominated (study fee plus an M issuance fee of about USD 230) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Work permit tied to the sponsoring employer and role for the visa's duration.
• Study: Study permitted alongside employment.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse/partner, children up to 25 and disabled dependent children as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Visitor (V) visa for foreigners hired in Colombia for a specific service, work or task (obra o labor) for a defined entity, profession or activity. Issued for up to 2 years; work authorisation is restricted to the specific role, employer and activity for which it was granted. The Colombian contractor must evidence solvency, typically bank certifications for the last 6 months showing average monthly income of at least 100 SMMLV (about COP 175,090,500 in 2026), and the applicant must document professional/technical suitability (apostilled degree or experience certificates) and hold health insurance covering Colombia. It is a visitor category and does not accumulate toward an R resident visa; foreigners on an ongoing employment relationship usually use the M Trabajador migrant visa instead. Fees are USD-denominated (study plus issuance) and charged in pesos.

• Work: Restricted to the specific role, entity and activity granted.
• Family: Dependent spouse/partner and children up to 25 may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Resident (R) visa granted directly, without first accumulating M-visa time, to foreigners who register direct foreign investment with the Banco de la Republica exceeding 650 SMMLV (about COP 1,138,088,250 in 2026). This is Colombia's closest equivalent to a fast-track investor/golden residence: it grants permanent-resident status and OPEN work authorisation for any lawful activity. The R visa has indefinite validity; the holder must keep the cedula de extranjeria current (renewed every 5 years) and may not be absent from Colombia for more than 2 continuous years without losing the status. After holding the R visa, the holder may apply for Colombian nationality by naturalisation (generally after 5 years of residence, reduced for spouses of Colombians and nationals of certain countries). The study fee is roughly USD 55 and the R issuance fee about USD 400, charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Open work authorisation for any lawful activity.
• Study: Study permitted.
• Residency: R is permanent residence directly; naturalisation generally after 5 years of residence.
• Family: Dependent spouse/partner and children may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$400

Processing time

30 days

Min. investment

$1,138,090,500

Migrant (M) investor visa for foreigners who buy and hold Colombian real estate in their own name worth at least 350 SMMLV (about COP 612,816,750 in 2026). Proven by the property's Certificado de Tradicion y Libertad in the applicant's exclusive name plus the Banco de la Republica foreign-investment registration. Issued for up to 3 years; validity is conditioned on maintaining ownership, and at each renewal the property's value must still meet the then-current 350-SMMLV threshold. The same M Inversionista subtype also covers direct foreign investment in a company registered above 650 SMMLV. M time accumulates toward an R resident visa after 5 years. The study fee is roughly USD 52 and the M issuance fee about USD 230, charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: M visa grants work permission for the same period as the visa.
• Study: Study permitted alongside the investment.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse/partner, children up to 25 and disabled dependent children as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Min. investment

$612,816,750

Visitor (V) visa for foreigners who wish to stay in Colombia living on stable, periodic income from a legitimate source other than a Colombian salary (for example rents, dividends, royalties or annuities). The Cancilleria benchmark is monthly income of at least 10 SMMLV (about COP 17,509,050 per month in 2026). Issued for up to 2 years; it is a visitor category, so it does not grant open work authorisation and does not accumulate toward an R resident visa. Applicants who instead hold a foreign pension should use the M Pensionado migrant visa, which does build toward residence. Fees are set in USD (study fee plus issuance fee) and collected in Colombian pesos.

• Family: Dependent spouse/partner and children may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$17,509,050

Migrant (M) visa for foreigners who own or hold a stake in a Colombian commercial company and wish to reside in Colombia to run or oversee the business. Requires a paid-in capital participation of at least 100 SMMLV (about COP 175,090,500 in 2026), proven by incorporation, share purchase or registered foreign investment, plus evidence of the company's ongoing economic activity and solvency (bank statements for the last 3 months, tax return, social-security contributions, industry-and-commerce tax). Issued for up to 3 years; validity is conditioned on maintaining the qualifying participation. Renewals require proof the company remains active and solvent. M time accumulates toward an R resident visa after 5 years. Fees are USD-denominated (study fee plus an M issuance fee of about USD 230) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Authorised to run/work in the company in which the qualifying investment is held.
• Study: Study permitted alongside the business activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse/partner, children up to 25 and disabled dependent children as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Min. investment

$175,090,500

Migrant (M) visa for foreigners who receive a retirement or disability pension from a public or private entity, whether Colombian or foreign. The pension must be at least 3 SMMLV per month (about COP 5,252,715 in 2026), evidenced by an official pension certificate (apostilled and translated if not in Spanish). Issued for up to 3 years. It does not by itself grant open work permission and does not allow enrolment in the Colombian social-security system except under bilateral agreements. M time accumulates toward an R resident visa: after 5 years of continuous M Pensionado visas, the holder may apply for the R por tiempo acumulado resident visa and later naturalisation. The study fee is roughly USD 52 and the M issuance fee about USD 230, charged in Colombian pesos.

• Study: Study permitted during the stay.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse/partner and dependent children may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Min. income / month

$5,252,715

Visitor (V) work-and-holiday visa available to young nationals of countries with a reciprocal agreement with Colombia, combining tourism with limited, incidental work to help fund the stay. Issued for up to 1 year and non-renewable. Applicants must be within the age range set by the relevant bilateral agreement (commonly 18-30) and show savings of at least 5 SMMLV (about COP 8,754,525 in 2026) or a return ticket plus funds. It does not lead to residence. Eligibility depends on an agreement being in force for the applicant's nationality; check the Cancilleria visa portal. Fees are set in USD (study plus issuance) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Incidental work to support the holiday, as defined by the bilateral agreement.
• Study: Short courses permitted on a secondary basis.

Government fee

$82

Processing time

30 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Migrant (M) visa for the foreign spouse or permanent (common-law) partner of a Colombian national, intending genuine cohabitation in Colombia. Spouses provide a recent authentic copy of the Colombian civil marriage registration; permanent partners provide a public deed, judicial order or settlement act declaring a de-facto union formalised more than 1 year before the application, plus a migratory-movements certificate from Migracion Colombia. The Colombian partner signs a letter requesting the visa and confirming cohabitation. The first M Conyuge visa is commonly issued for up to 3 years and grants OPEN work authorisation (any lawful activity). For this family-based M subtype, residence accumulates faster: after 2 years of continuous M visas the holder may apply for the R resident visa. Fees are USD-denominated (study fee plus an M issuance fee of about USD 230) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Open work authorisation for any lawful activity.
• Study: Study permitted.
• Residency after 2 years
• Family: Dependent children of the couple may be included.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

Migrant (M) visa under the Mercosur Residence Agreement for nationals of Mercosur member and associate states (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador) who wish to settle in Colombia on the basis of nationality alone, without needing an employer, investment or pension. Issued for up to 3 years and granting open work authorisation. Requires nationality of a participating state, a clean criminal record and basic supporting documents. M time accumulates toward an R resident visa after 5 years (2 years for family-based subtypes). Fees are USD-denominated (study fee plus an M issuance fee of about USD 230) and charged in Colombian pesos.

• Work: Open work authorisation under the Mercosur agreement.
• Study: Study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependent family members may apply as beneficiaries.

Government fee

$230

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,095 days

The main permanent-residence route in Colombia: a Resident (R) visa for foreigners who have held qualifying M migrant visas continuously for the required period. The benchmark is 5 years of uninterrupted M-visa time for most subtypes, reduced to 2 years for family-based subtypes (spouse/permanent partner of a Colombian, and parent of a Colombian national). Time is continuous only when each visa is issued before the previous one expires; tourist days and safe-conducts do not count. The R visa grants permanent residence with OPEN work authorisation for any lawful activity, has indefinite validity, and is maintained via the cedula de extranjeria (renewed every 5 years); absence of more than 2 continuous years causes loss of status. R holders may apply for Colombian nationality by naturalisation after the residence period set by law. The study fee is about USD 55 and the R issuance fee about USD 400; apply at least 2 months before the current visa expires.

• Work: Open work authorisation for any lawful activity.
• Study: Study permitted.
• Residency: This visa IS permanent residence; naturalisation follows per the nationality law.
• Family: Family members generally hold their own visas; dependents may be included where eligible.

Government fee

$400

Processing time

30 days