Colombia Visas: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For visa-related questions or legal matters, always consult with a qualified immigration lawyer.
VISA CATEGORIES
– Business, Immigration, Real Estate, Trademarks, Visas.
– Business, Contracts, Criminal, Family, Immigration, Litigation, Real Estate, Trademarks, Visas.
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA
Visa Type:
🪪 Visitor Visa: Type V – Digital Nomad
Eligibility Requirements:
✅ You must be a remote worker, freelancer, employee, or entrepreneur working for a foreign company, own your own business abroad, or conduct business remotely.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
✅ Earn at least three times the Colombian legal monthly minimum wage (approx. $1,015 USD per month). Due to currency rate changes and constant changes in wages in Colombia, it is recommended you earn a minimum salary of $1,200 USD per month.*
Although $1,200 USD meets the minimum income requirements for a DNV, it is recommended you earn at least $2,500-$3,000 per month for living expenses and emergency savings while living in Colombia.
Employment Verification:
✅ Submit an employment contract, work-for-hire agreement, or letter from a foreign employer.
✅ Business owners and entrepreneurs must provide business documents and financial statements.
Required Documents:
✅ Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity).
✅ Recent passport-size photo.
✅ Proof of income (bank statements, pay stubs, or contracts).
✅ Health insurance covering your stay in Colombia. We use this GENKI (click here)
✅ Motivation letter explaining your remote work/business activities and why you want a DNV to stay in Colombia.
Fees:
💰 Application fee: $55-$60 USD*
💰 Visa issuance fee: $175-180 USD*
💰 Lawyer fee: $200-$600 USD*
*Varies based on the USD/COP exchange rate, payment processing fee, etc…
Processing Time:
⌛ 30-45 Calendar Days. If there are any issues with your application, you will be notified via e-mail if additional documents or information is requested.
Personal Experience. My DNV processing time was 36 days with a request for additional information. I had to resubmit my “motivational letter” on why I wanted to live in Colombia and my business activities. (Think 5 paragraph essay for this.)
Validity & Restrictions:
✅ Valid for up to 2 years.
It has been reported many expats are approved for only 10-18 months that earn less than $3,000 USD per month, with higher earning expats and business owners or entrepreneurs receiving the full 24 months.
Additional Notes:
🚨 Visa requirements and fees are subject to change.
🧐 Always check with the official Colombian consulate or immigration website for the latest updates.
Source: Capital M Law Firm Colombia
INVESTOR VISA
Visa Type:
🪪 Migrant Visa: Type M
👔 Category 6: M-6 – Business Investment. This visa is for foreigners who invest in a new or existing business in Colombia.
🏠 Category 10: M-10 – Real Estate Investment. This visa is for foreigners who invest in real estate in Colombia.
Eligibility Requirements:
✅ To obtain a Colombian Migrant Visa (Type M) for business investment (M-6), you need to invest a minimum of 100 times the current minimum monthly wage ($COP 142,350,000) which is equivalent to approximately $35,000 USD in Colombian real estate.
✅ To obtain a Colombian Migrant Visa (Type M) for real estate investment (M-10), you need to invest a minimum of 350 times the current minimum monthly wage ($COP 498,225,000) which is equivalent to approximately $120,000 USD in Colombian real estate.
Fees:
💰 Application fee: $55-$60 USD*
💰 Visa issuance fee: $240-250 USD*
💰 Lawyer fee: $500 – $1,000 USD*
*Varies based on the USD/COP exchange rate, payment processing fee, etc…
Required Documents:
✅ Valid passport
✅ Personal bank statements
✅ Health insurance policy
✅ Certificate of ownership
✅ Direct foreign investment certificate
Processing Time:
⌛ 30-60 Calendar Days. If there are any issues with your application, you will be notified via e-mail if additional documents or information is requested.
Validity & Restrictions:
✅ Valid for up to 3 years.
✅ The M-6 visa allows you to live and work in Colombia, but the work permit is specifically for the company you are associated with as a partner, shareholder, or owner. You cannot work for another company while holding this visa.
✅ The M-10 visa is designed for foreign nationals who invest in real estate in Colombia, allowing them to live in the country based on their investment. This visa does not provide the right to work in Colombia.
⛔ You cannot start an Airbnb or rental business under the M-10 visa. You ARE allowed to rent your personal property as a homeowner for passive income, but you are NOT allowed to operate your personal home as a business with management or staff.
Additional Notes:
🚨 Visa requirements and fees are subject to change.
🪪 Foreigner ID (Cédula de Extranjería): Once your visa is approved, you must register it and apply for your Foreigner ID within 15 days. The ID card usually takes about 7 to 10 days to be issued.
🧐 Always check with the official Colombian consulate or immigration website for the latest updates.
Source(s): Capital M Law Firm Colombia
Colombian State Department Website(s)
MARRIAGE VISA
Visa Type:
🪪 Migrant Visa (Type M)
💍 Category 1 (M-1) – Marriage visa. This visa is a temporary visa for foreigners who are married to a Colombian citizen or in a civil union with a Colombian citizen.
Eligibility Requirements:
✅ You must be a foreigner married to a Colombian national (or in a recognized permanent partnership).
✅ Same-sex couples are also eligible if they are legally married or in a registered civil union.
Fees:
💰 Application fee: $55-$60 USD*
💰 Visa issuance fee: $270-280 USD*
💰 Lawyer fee: $300 – $1,000 USD*
Associated Cost
💰 Apostille: $100-300 USD*
💰 Certified Translation: $50 – $100 USD*
*Varies based on the USD/COP exchange rate, payment processing fee, etc…
Required Documents:
✅ Valid passport
✅ Birth certificate (Official copy. Apostille and translated)
✅ Health insurance policy
✅ Certificate of no impediment to marry (Single status or no record certificate)
✅ Divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse (if applicable)
✅ Record of entry stamp into Colombia or valid Colombian visa
✅ Colombian partner documents
✅ Certificate of migratory movements (Certificado de Movimientos Migratorios)
Validity & Restrictions:
✅ The M-1 visa is valid for up to three years.
✅ After two years with the M-1 visa, you can apply for a resident (R) visa.
✅ The M-1 visa allows you to stay, work, and study in Colombia.
🚨 You must stay in Colombia for a minimum of a 180 days per year. Exceptions “can” be made with pre approval while still in Colombia if you need to be outside of Colombia for an extended period of time for a family emergency or work. Attempting to “live” outside of Colombia while maintaining a Colombian VISA or attempting to get a Colombian passport without being a tax resident will not work.
Source(s): Capital M Law Firm Colombia
Colombian State Department Website(s)
STUDENT VISA
Visa Type:
🪪 Visitor Visa: Type V – Student
Eligibility Requirements:
✅ You must be enrolled in an educational program with an educational institute recognized by the Colombian government.
Financial Eligibility Requirements:
✅ Provide your bank statements from the previous six months, showing a monthly income of at least 10 Colombian minimum wages, that is $13,000,000 COP per month.
(As of 2025, the minimum wage in Colombia is $1,423,500 per month)
Required Documents:
✅ Valid passport
✅ Health insurance policy (we use GENKI (click here)
✅ Proof of financial solvency
✅ Motivational letter
✅ Letter of sponsorship (from host, university, or your own behalf)
✅ Admission certificate
Fees:
💰 Application fee: $15-$20 USD*
💰 Visa issuance fee: $50-55 USD*
💰 Lawyer fee: $200-$500 USD*
*Varies based on the USD/COP exchange rate, payment processing fee, etc…
Processing Time:
⌛ 30-45 Calendar Days. If there are any issues with your application, you will be notified via e-mail if additional documents or information is requested.
Validity & Restrictions:
✅ Valid for up to 2 years.
⛔A student visa does not allow you to legally work in Colombia
⛔A student visa does not allow you to bring your spouse or children under 25 unless you are a postgraduate student.
Additional Notes:
🚨 Visa requirements and fees are subject to change.
🧐 Always check with the official Colombian consulate or immigration website for the latest updates.
Source: Capital M Law Firm Colombia
WORK VISA
RESIDENT VISA
Visa Type:
🪪 Resident Visa: Type R
Eligibility Requirements:
✅ Marriage – Have had a valid Colombian Marriage (M) Visa for at least 3 continuous years while living in Colombia. (Important: No more than 6 continuous months out of Colombia during those 3 years.)
✅ Parent of Colombian child – Be the parent of a Colombian-born child. You can apply immediately once you have the Colombian birth certificate.
✅ Investment – Invest at least 650 times the Colombian minimum wage (around $175,000 USD in 2025) in real estate or a Colombian company.
✅ Accumulated Stay – Have lived in Colombia for at least 5 continuous years under eligible visas (e.g., work visa, student visa, marriage visa, business visa).
✅ Returning Colombian – Be a Colombian citizen who gave up citizenship and now wants to return.
Additional Notes:
❗ If you are wanting to move to Colombia and make Colombia your permanent home, you’ll need to meet specific qualifications before applying for a Colombian Resident Visa (R Visa). You cannot simply apply while visiting as a tourist. To be eligible, you must either be married to a Colombian citizen for at least three years, be the parent of a Colombian-born child, have invested a substantial amount (around $175,000 USD) in Colombian real estate or a business, or have legally lived in Colombia for five continuous years under an eligible visa type.
VISITOR VISA
Coming Soon
THE GOLDEN VISA
🔑 Colombia does not have a formal “Golden Visa” program like what Spain, Portugal, or Greece famously offered (temporarily) in recent years — which typically offered residency or citizenship in exchange for a large investment in real estate or the economy.
✅ However, Colombia does have investment-based visas that functions similarly to a Golden Visa, offering residency to foreign investors under specific conditions, which then can lead to citizenship within 5 years. (2 if married to a Colombian citizen).
LAWYERS IN COLOMBIA
– Business, Immigration, Real Estate, Trademarks, Visas.
– Business, Contracts, Criminal, Family, Immigration, Litigation, Real Estate, Trademarks, Visas.
