It is estimated that over 3 million people moved to live in Colombia. I moved to this amazing country in 2009 and I have since held a work visa, a partner visa and I now have a resident visa. Moving here was the best decision I ever made and the visa you hold will be key.
In this article, I will outline the different options you have available, then explain the requirements, benefits and obligations of each Colombian visa.
Colombian Visa Types
There are three types of visa that cover different periods of stay within the country for foreign nationals. The types of Colombian visa established in Resolution 5477 from 2022 are as follows:
- Visitor (Type V) — for temporary stays, tourism, short business, remote work (“digital nomads”)
- Migrant (Type M) — for longer-term residence which can include work, study, retirement, investment, or through having a Colombian partner or family members.
- Resident (Type R) — for permanent or long-term residency, most often granted to someone who has stayed in the country for a period of 5 years with one of the visas above.
Tourist Visa (Type V – Visitor)
Citizens of 102 countries do not require a visa to enter Colombia as tourists. The list of countries exempt includes USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, most European Union countries and all of the South American countries. Visitors from China, India, most of Africa, much of Asia and some Eastern European countries will need a visa before visiting.
Some nationalities may also be exempt if they hold residency or a long-term visa from the US or a Schengen Area country (EU members).
The standard Type V visa required the holder to enter Colombia for tourism, meetings or business. The stay is limited, usually to three months initially, but can be extended in major cities for up to 12 months in a single calendar year. Multiple entries are allowed but holders are not allowed to work.
There is a study fee of US$50 and an issuance fee, which can depend on nationality but is often US$45.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Proof of economic solvency (bank statements etc).
• Return / onward ticket or proof of exit from Colombia.
• If invited, a letter of invitation or proof sponsor’s solvency.
Digital Nomad Visa (Type V – Nomad Visa)
Introduced in 2022, the digital nomad visa allows foreigners to stay in Colombia for an initial period of up to 2 years. Nomad visas can also allow holders to to receive derivative visas for their children or partners to stay for the same period of time.
The study fee for the visa is US$55 while the issuance fee is around US$175. Once the initial period comes to an end you have a 30 day period to leave the country but you can reapply for a new digital nomad visa from abroad before returning. At the end of this period you can also then apply for one of the other Colombian visa.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Proof you work remotely for a foreign entity, or you are freelancing work is outside of the country
• Bank statements from the last 3 months showing monthly net minimum income of at least 3 Colombian monthly minimum wages (4,270,500 COP or around US$1,100 in 2025) per month.
• Health insurance that is valid in Colombia (covering illness, hospitalization, death, repatriation etc.).
• Clean criminal record certificate from country of residence covering the last 3 years
Work Visa (Type M – Worker)
The Colombian work visa (Type M – Worker) is typically issued for a period of up to 3 years, depending on the length of the employment contract. It is renewable and allows the holder to work legally in Colombia for a specific employer. After 5 continuous years of holding this or another Type M visa, individuals may apply for a resident visa.
This visa is employer-specific, meaning the visa is tied to the job and cannot be transferred to another employer without applying for a new visa.
The spouse and dependent children (under 25 or with disabilities) can apply for beneficiary visas under the same terms, though these do not allow them to work. In 2025, the total cost of a work visa is approximately US$330, and it permits multiple entries into Colombia.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Recent passport photo with a white background.
• Copy of employment contract or formal job offer from a Colombian employer, signed by both parties and complying with local labor laws.
• Letter from the employer justifying the hire and confirming the role cannot be easily filled by a Colombian.
• Employer’s RUT (tax registration) and Chamber of Commerce certificate (no older than 3 months).
• Professional qualifications or university degree (with official translation if not in Spanish).
• Recent bank statements from the employer proving financial solvency.
• Health insurance valid in Colombia (including coverage for illness, hospitalization, repatriation, etc.).
• Clean criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of residence, covering the last 3 years.
Student Visa (Type M – Temporary Student)
A student visa allows a foreign national to reside in Colombia while studying. Education can be full-time or part-time but must include a minimum of 10 hours classes per week. Generally, holders can not work, although postgraduate students may be authorized to work up to 20 hours per week and internships can be included.
The cost of a temporary student visa is US$103, with a US$52 study fee and a US$51 approval fee. This is a Colombian visa which allows a prolonged stay, as long as you can support yourself financially and have a course at a recognised institution.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Health insurance that is valid in Colombia (covering illness, hospitalization, death, repatriation etc.)
• Certificate of admission to an educational institution recognized by the Colombian government.
• Proof of financial solvency (either personal or via a sponsor).
• Clean criminal record certificate from country of residence covering the last 3 years
Retirement Visa (Type M – Pensioner)
The initial retirement visa in Colombia is permitted for up to 3 years but it can be renewed. Once the holders has been in the country for a 5 years consecutively, they can then switch to a resident visa (outlined below).
The visa does not allow the holder to work and they must provide evidence of income of three times the current Colombian minimum wage. This can be through a fixed pension or it can be from investments such as rental income or company dividends.
The spouse of the recipient is permitted to apply for the visa as a beneficiary on the same times, as can children who are financial dependents, up to the age of 25. In 2025 the total cost of a retirement visa is around US$325 and allows for multiple entries.
This is one of the most popular of the Colombian visas at present. Many older people are choosing Colombia for their retirement given the lower cost of living, the nice weather, friendly people, and good quality healthcare.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Bank statements from the last 3 months showing monthly income of at least 3 Colombian monthly minimum wages (4,270,500 COP or around US$1,100 in 2025) per month from a pension or investments.
• Health insurance that is valid in Colombia (covering illness, hospitalization, death, repatriation etc.).
• Clean criminal record certificate from country of residence covering the last 3 years
Investment Visa (Type M and Type R)
An investor visa can be granted to those who make a substantial investment in real estate, an existing registered Colombian business or invest in the creation of a new registered business. Holders of this type of visa are allowed to reside in the country to work, run a business, and acquire then maintain real estate.
Most investor visas are Type M (migrant) but in some instances it is also possible to receive an Type R (resident) visa, depending on the level and type of investment. Approval requires investment of 350 times the Colombian minimum wage in real estate (500,500,000 or US$111,000) or 650 times the minimum wage in business investments (845,000,000 COP or US$215,000).
If the visa granted for investment in a business, then the company must remain active, be generating income and paying taxes annually. Holding an investor visa contributes to the time needed for residence.
The cost of the visa is US$450 in 2025 plus a US$50 study fee. This is a good alternative to the Colombian work visa if you have the funds and project to meet requirements.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Proof of investment by the Banco de la República to certify the investment in the name of the applicant
• A form with a commitment to report to the administrative security department
• In the case when the investment is linked to a certified process proof that the investor can undertake the business activities
• When the investment is in property, a certificate of conveyance and freedom from encumbrance from the Public Instruments Registration office dated no more than 1 month prior to the application
Marriage / Permanent Partner Visa (Type M – Marriage)
The visa allows the long-term partner or spouse of a Colombian to stay and work in the country for a perior of time, usually up to 3 years. The visa is a renewable, applicable to same-sex relationships and requires the Colombian to take responsibility for their partner for the totality of the visa.
The visa can be provided in the case of formal marriage or proof of a permanent partnership (unión marital de hecho) of over 3 consecutive years from a notary. The cost of the visa is US$160 plus a US$50 study fee.
This is a Colombian visa which offers the most flexibility and allows you to change employer without limitations.
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Colombian civil registration of marriage or an authentic photocopy of the judicial decision, certificate of conciliation or public deed declaring the existence of the de facto marital union issued within 3 months of the application.
• Copy of the ID card (cedula) of the Colombian partner
• Applicants may need to complete an interview to prove existance of a 3 year relationship
Resident Visa (Type R )
A resident visa allows holders to reside, work, and engage in legal activities without restriction in Colombia. While type M visas have limits on what the recipient can do, that is not the case with a type R visa.
The visa is usually valid for 5 years and renewable, wllowing the holder multiple entries. Once someone has held the resident visa for 5 years they may also apply for citizenship of Colombia. The cost of the visident visa is US$400 with a US$54 study fee.
Requirements:
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passport photo with white background.
• Evidence that a type M visa has been held for the required period of time, in most instances 5 years.
• Proof of migratory movements during the 5 year period to show no extended periods abroad
Cédula de Extranjería – Colombian ID Card
Anyone who stays in Colombia on any visa for longer than 3 months is required to apply and hold a valid Colombian ID card. Once you receive the visa you must register it at Migración Colombia and then schedule an in-person appointment to complete the application.
It is a legal requirement to carry the document with you and this will be used to open a bank account, and acquire a driving licence. Your cedula number will also be used daily for many administrative activities.
