VISA APPLICATION IN COLOMBIA
TYPES OF VISAS
If you´re interested on getting a Colombian Visa, the following information can help you choosing which one to apply for.
You must know that there are specific visas for each plan or activity that the foreigner wishes to carry out in Colombia.
These are some of the most common visas and requirements:
a) VISITORS VISAS (TYPE V): intended for foreigners who want to visit Colombia one or more times or stay temporarily in the country without establishing themselves permanently.
2. STUDENT VISA: To carry out face-to-face, virtual or distance studies of education in art or trade; or to carry out student internships, and academic exchange by agreement between higher education entities.
Specific requirements:
c) If the application is submitted under personal title and responsibility:
-Submit a written communication from the applicant in which the full identification of the applicant is reported and the activity that the foreigner intends to carry out in the national territory is explained.
-In case of being invited, you must provide a written request from the Colombian host or a foreign citizen, only if they are the main holder of a Permanent Resident (R) visa
-Prove economic solvency of the applicant and/or the natural person making the invitation through bank statements corresponding to the six (6) months prior to the application, demonstrating monthly income of not less than ten (10) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV ).
d) If the request is made with the support of a legal person:
- Submit reasoned communication signed directly by the legal representative of the legal entity acting on its behalf, which clearly contains the following information:
e) identification of the legal person indicating the NIT.
f) Letter from the legal representative of the legal person that supports the request.
g) Explanation of the relationship or type of relationship with the foreigner for whom the visa is requested and of the special qualification or expertise of the foreigner, if any.
h) Declaration of economic responsibility for the expenses inherent to the displacement and stay of the foreigner in Colombia.
- When the legal entity that supports the application is private and constituted in the foreigner, a certificate of existence, incorporation or constitution and legal representation or document that takes its place must be provided, with the formalities provided for the presentation of foreign documents set forth in this Resolution.
- Accredit economic solvency of the legal entity through bank statements corresponding to the three (3) months prior to the request.In the case of a public entity, it will not be necessary to comply with this requirement.
- In any case, the applicant must demonstrate through bank statements that they have a minimum income equivalent to three (3) Current Minimum Legal Monthly Wages (SMLMV).
- Certificate of admission or enrollment in the educational institution indicating the degree or program for which you are admitted or enrolled and its duration.
In the case of student internships, paid or not, communication from the educational institution that endorses it and indicating the duration of the activity.
- Health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation, for the time foreseen for your stay in the country.
- For second and subsequent visas, certification from the entity of compliance with attendance and completion of the course, studies or practices for which the visa was issued.
Validity : Up to two (2) years. Except for virtual or distance training, the absence of the country for more than ninety (90) calendar days will result in the automatic termination of the visa.
Work permit: This visa allows the postgraduate university student to work up to twenty (20) hours per week.
3. MEDICAL TREATMENT VISA: To assist as a patient or as a companion to the medical and dental consultation, intervention, or treatment.
Specific requirements:
-A copy of your passport.
-Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
- Submit a written communication from the applicant in which the full identification of the applicant is reported and the activity that the foreigner intends to carry out in the national territory is explained.
- In case of being invited, you must provide a written request from the Colombian host or a foreign citizen, only if they are the main holder of a Permanent Resident (R) visa.
- Prove economic solvency of the applicant and/or the natural person making the invitation through bank statements corresponding to the six (6) months prior to the application, demonstrating monthly income of not less than ten (10) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV).
- Letter from the health entity providing the health service in which the type of treatment and estimated duration of the recovery phase are reported.
- Letter from the foreigner stating that the costs of his treatment and permanence in Colombia will be borne by himself or by the foreign entity that supports him and in no case will services be provided by the Colombian health system.
- Both the patient and their companion: must have a health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation, for the time foreseen for their stay in the country.
Validity: Up to one (1) year and will not be extendable in the national territory. The permanence in Colombian territory may not exceed one hundred eighty (180) continuous or discontinuous calendar days.
It does not allow you to work in Colombian territory, it does not allow you to request type M, R visas.
4. DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: To provide remote work or teleworking services, from Colombia, through digital media and the internet, exclusively for foreign companies, as an independent or labor-related, or to start a digital content or information technology venture of interest to the country.
Specific requirements:
-A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
- Letter in Spanish or English, issued by one or several foreign companies for which the foreigner provides his services, indicating the type of relationship and the type of remuneration received by the applicant. In case of having a contract with said company, provide it, or demonstrate that you are a partner or co-owner of a company abroad and a letter indicating that your work for the company is carried out remotely.
- In the case of entrepreneurs, submit a motivational letter explaining your entrepreneurship project and the financial and human resources you have or aspire to have for your venture.
- Demonstrate through bank statements to have a minimum income equivalent to three (3) Current Minimum Legal Monthly Wages (SMLMV) during the last 3 months.
- Health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation, for the time foreseen for your stay in the country.
Validity: Up to two (2) years.
5. ANNUITANT VISA: For foreigners who receive periodic and variable income from a creditable legal source.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
Visa application letter where the income is declared.
- Certificate of judicial, criminal or police record issued by the authority of the country where you have stayed during the last three (3) years with the formalities of apostille or legalization and translation.
- Provide certification issued by a public entity or private company, recognized by the respective Government, where the income paid or rotated in the name of the foreign applicant for the visa is specified; or demonstrate that assets are owned in Colombia from which an income is derived. The amount of income from rentals may not be less than ten (10) monthly legal minimum wages in force.
- Health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation, for the time foreseen for their stay in the country.
Validity: Up to two (2) years.
It does not allow to work in the national territory.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR JUDICIAL PROCEDURES VISA: To carry out procedures of an administrative or judicial nature before entities or authorities in Colombia.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
- Submit a written communication from the applicant in which the full identification of the applicant is reported and the activity that the foreigner intends to carry out in the national territory is explained.
- In case of being invited, you must provide a written request from the Colombian host or a foreign citizen, only if they are the main holder of a Permanent Resident (R) visa.
- Prove economic solvency of the applicant and/or the natural person making the invitation through bank statements corresponding to the six (6) months prior to the application, demonstrating monthly income of not less than ten (10) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV).
- Official document that supports the procedure that is being carried out before the Colombian authority.
- Health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death or repatriation, for the time foreseen for their stay in the country.
Validity: Up to one (1) year.
This visa doesn’t allow working in Colombia, with exceptions.
b. MIGRANT VISAS (TYPE M): For the foreigner who wishes to enter or remain in the national territory with the intention of establishing himself and doesn’t meet the conditions to apply for type "R" visa.
Work permit on the Migrant (M) visa: The work permit granted by some Migrant (M) visa categories will be valid for the same time that the visa is valid.
Under the new visa resolution 5477, all Migrant visas require you to be in Colombia 180 days or more to keep your visa. If you are out of Colombia more than 180 days your visa will no longer be valid, and Migracion Colombia officials may cancel your visa on entry.
Beneficiaries: In certain cases the visa is going to be extended to foreigners who are economic dependents and or family members of another foreigner who has a Colombian visa of either migrant (M) category or resident (R) visa or a few types of V visa.
MARRIAGE VISA: For foreigners who are married to a Colombian citizen and aspire to live in the country. This visa allows you to accumulate time for the Resident Visa.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
- Authentic copy of the Colombian marriage civil registry, issued within the 3 months prior to the visa application.
- Application letter signed by the Colombian spouse, in which he requests the visa for the foreign spouse and states the effective cohabitation.
-Special power of attorney, with diligence of recognition of content and signature before a Colombian notary or consul for the foreign couple to request this type of visa.
- Certificate of migratory movements of the foreigner issued by the Special Administrative Unit of Colombia Migration and of his Colombian spouse.
Validity: Up to 3 (three) years.
WORK VISA: For foreigners who aspire to work in Colombia with a legal entity through an employment contract. This visa allows you to accumulate time for the Resident Visa.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
Contract summary format established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published on the entity's website, signed by the legal representative of the contracting legal entity and by the foreigner. In this document, the contracting party must record the main data that determines the work activity in Colombia.
- Motivation letter from the employer.
- Bank statements in the name of the employer for the last four (4) months, demonstrating average monthly income of one hundred (100) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV).
- In the case of an unregulated profession, provide a copy of the apostilled or legalized and translated professional title or work and experience certifications that support your suitability.
- When it comes to the exercise of a regulated profession, the foreigner and the company or legal entity that hires must process the corresponding permit or license before the competent Professional Council.
Validity: Up to 3 years.
RETIREMENT VISA: This visa allows the foreigner who has a constant monthly income derived from a pension granted by a State or by a private pension fund to live in Colombia and later to apply for a residency.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
Monthly payment certification that proves an income not less than three (3) current legal monthly minimum wages.
- Criminal background certificate.
Health certificate.
- Demonstrate that you count with health insurance or a health policy in Colombia.
Validity: Up to 3 years.
INVESTORS VISA: The investors visa is intended for foreigners who make an investment in real estate in Colombia or a Foreign Direct Investment.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
- Foreign Direct Investment: Certificate of foreign investment issued by the Banco de la República in which the registration of foreign direct investment in his name whose amount is greater is recorded to 650 current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV) on the date of submission of the application.
- Investment in property: the interested part must provide the Certificate of Tradition and Freedom of the property whose domain ownership is exclusively in the name of the foreigner, for a minimum value equivalent to three hundred and fifty (350) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV) on the date of submission of the application, and foreign investment statements that the same user or his representative obtain from the Exchange Information System of the Banco de la República in which the registration of the real estate investment in his name is recorded.
- Prove economic solvency through bank statements of the last three months prior to the visa application.
- Demonstrate that you count with health insurance or a health policy in Colombia.
- When the visa is requested and is not your first time, the foreigner must demonstrate that he maintained the investment or possession of the property during the entire validity of his previous visa.
Validity: Up to three (3) years.
BUSINESS OWNER VISA: This visa is made for foreigners who have incorporated a company or have acquired a share in the capital stock of a commercial company in operation.
Specific requirements:
- A copy of your passport.
- Copy of the page of your passport with the most recent entry or exit stamp.
A letter of request which includes the company name, address and Tax Identification Number (NIT) of the commercial company incorporated or the company in which the investment was made.
- In the case of joint-stock companies, participation in the company shall be certified by a certificate of share composition subscribed to by a public accountant, indicating the amount of capital or assets registered and paid for by the foreigner who applies for the visa, which not less than the equivalent of 100 times the Colombian minimum monthly salary.
- Certificate of opening a bank account in the name of the company.
- Support for the entry into Colombia of the total amount of capital that appears as paid at the Chamber of Commerce.
- Certificate of foreign investment issued by the Banco de la República.
- Certificate of share composition made by an accountant.
- Copy of cedula of the accountant.
- Copy of the professional card of the accountant.
- Current certificate of the disciplinary background of the accountant
- Bank statements of the last 6 months in the name of the company in case the company is not newly formed.
Last income statement in the name of the company for companies with more than 1 year of incorporation.
Validity: up to three (3) years.
c) RESIDENT VISAS (RE): For those who aspire to settle or establish their permanent domicile in Colombia for: having renounced Colombian nationality; being the father of a Colombian national by birth; accumulated time spent; foreign direct investment.
1. RENUNCIATION OF NATIONALITY: This visa only applies for Colombian citizens who was required to renounce their Colombian citizenship when becoming citizens of another country.
2.ACCUMULATED TIME IN COLOMBIA WITH A MIGRANT VISA: It only applies for the following visas:
a. Marriage visa: For foreigners who have held the migrant marriage visa category for uninterrupted period of 3 years.
b. Civil union visa: For foreigners who have held the migrant civil union visa category for a period of 5 years.
c. Parents visa
d. Mercosur visa
e. Stateless person visa
f. Refugee visa
g. Work visa: A foreigner who has held the migrant work visa for 5 years.
h. Business visa: For foreigners who have held the migrant business visa category for a period of 5 years.
i. Freelancer visa
j. investment visa For foreigners who invested 350 minimum monthly wages or more in Colombia and have held the migrant category for 5 years.
k. Promotion of internationalization
l. Retirement visa: For foreigners who have held the migrant retirement visa category for 5 years.
3. Temporary protection statue of Venezuelan migrants.
4. Peace process resident.
Now that you know which visa you should apply for, the first step to follow for your visa application is to fill the electronic formulary at cancilleria.com.co. and digitize the documents that are request for the type of visa that you already choose.
When your done with this step and the cancilleria have approved the documentation you’re ready to get your visa. Congratulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What primary services do you offer?
To carry out business negotiations, market studies, direct investment plans or procedures and the constitution of a commercial company, negotiation, execution of contracts or commercial representation.
Specific requirements:
a) If the application is submitted under personal title and responsibility:
-Submit a written communication from the applicant in which the full identification of the applicant is reported and the activity that the foreigner intends to carry out in the national territory is explained.
-In case of being invited, you must provide a written request from the Colombian host or a foreign citizen, only if they are the main holder of a Permanent Resident (R) visa.
-Prove economic solvency of the applicant and/or the natural person making the invitation through bank statements corresponding to the six (6) months prior to the application, demonstrating monthly income of not less than ten (10) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMLMV ).
b) If the request is made with the support of a legal person:
-Submit reasoned communication signed directly by the legal representative of the legal entity acting on its behalf, which clearly contains the following information:
a) identification of the legal person indicating the NIT.
b) Letter from the legal representative of the legal person that supports the request.
c) Explanation of the relationship or type of relationship with the foreigner for whom the visa is requested and of the special qualification or expertise of the foreigner, if any.
d)Declaration of economic responsibility for the expenses inherent to the displacement and stay of the foreigner in Colombia.
-When the legal entity that supports the application is private and constituted in the foreigner, a certificate of existence, incorporation or constitution and legal representation or document that takes its place must be provided, with the formalities provided for the presentation of foreign documents set forth in this Resolution.
-Accredit economic solvency of the legal entity through bank statements corresponding to the three (3) months prior to the request. In the case of a public entity, it will not be necessary to comply with this requirement.
-In any case, the applicant must demonstrate through bank statements that they have a minimum income equivalent to three (3) Current Minimum Legal Monthly Wages (SMLMV).
Validity : Up to two (2) years. The V Business visa does not allow you to work in Colombian territory or be linked to the Social Security System in the country.
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