The Special Administrative Unit of Migration in Colombia has introduced new measures to simplify and speed up the application process for the Certificate of Migratory Movements (CMM). This certificate is an important document required for various immigration-related formalities and procedures, including applications for nationality, residence permits, work permits, visa extensions, and other immigration documents.
If you are living in Colombia, returning after an extended period abroad, or applying for a Colombian visa, it’s essential to understand the requirements set by Migración Colombia. We want to provide detailed information on what to do if you need to address this requirement.
What is the Certificate of Migratory Movements?
According to our expert partner, expatgroup.co, the Certificate of Migratory Movements in Colombia is an official document that provides a detailed record of a person’s entries and exits in a specific country over the last 5 years prior to the date of application.
Migración Colombia provides this essential certificate, showcasing vital details such as the dates of entry and exit at customs, the origin or destination country, and the applicant's personal information.
In what cases is the Certificate of Migratory Movements Necessary?
You may need this certificate in Colombia and other countries for various procedures, such as applying for or renewing visas, processing permanent residency, or proving immigration status to government entities or companies. Regarding its specific uses in the procedures of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the following processes require it:
Colombian Visa Application
When a foreigner applies for a visa, especially in cases of regularizing their immigration status or if they are in the process of applying for a change of visa category, Migración Colombia may request this certificate to verify the applicant’s periods of stay in Colombia. Some Visitors and Migrant visas in Colombia require the Certificate of Migratory Movements as an essential document to verify the applicant’s immigration activity.
Visa Renewal
In contrast to the first visa applications in Colombia, every subsequent application must include the Certificate of Migration Movements. This important document tracks the applicant’s movements. It ensures that there are no valid reasons to revoke any prior visas, confirms that their residency in Colombia complies with legal requirements
Visa Transfer
Article 106, numeral 3 of Resolution 5477 of 2022, details the requirements for Migration Movements related to Visa Transfer. This process is mandatory for renewing residence visas every five years, as well as in other situations such as passport changes, corrections, and updates. For more information about visa transfers in Colombia, you can read the blog written by our expert partner at expatgroup.co about Visa transfer.
If you need professional help and assistance with processing some of these procedures through the Certificate of Migratory Movements, remember that you can contact our expert partner, expatgroup.co. They will handle obtaining your certificate and guide you through your legal processes effectively.
Certificate of Migratory Movements
- Requirements to apply for Migratory Movements
- Collection of documents required for Colombians or foreigners
- Special Power of Attorney
- Fill out the Single Form of Procedures (FUT)
- Certificate and virtual validation.
What information is included in the Certificate of Migratory Movements?
In case you request the Certificate of Migratory Movements, foreigners in Colombia must understand the details it contains to interpret its information accurately. The Certificate of Migration Movements is divided into several columns that you can understand one by one below:
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Travelers' names and surnames (Nombres y Apellidos)
This is where the applicant's personal information is recorded, using the details of the first and last names.
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Travel date (Fecha de viaje):
The Certificate of Migratory Movements records the entries and exits of the applicant from the country at the Immigration Control Points; therefore, this section records the dates on which the applicant left or arrived to the country.
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I/E:
The letter "I" refers to "Entry into the Country," while the letter "E" refers to Emigration, that is, exit from the country.
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Destination or Origin (Destino o Procedencia):
This section refers to the location from which the applicant comes or to which the applicant has gone.
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Type of travel document (Tipo de documento de viaje):
This shows with which document he left or entered the country when being registered at some of the Immigration Control Posts that the country has.
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Travel document number (Número de documento de viaje):
The official number corresponds to the document type with which you entered or exited the country.
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Travel nationality (Nacionalidad de viaje):
Nationality of the applicant.
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Travel Condition (Condición de viaje):
Here the legal or immigration status of the applicant is specified. For example, in the image shown below as a reference, it is noted that their travel condition is P/T, which means Tourist Permit (Tourist Permit).
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PCM:
These are the corresponding abbreviations for Migratory Control Post (Puesto de Control Migratorio), which are the airports where applicants arrive or depart.
What are the requirements for applying for the Certificate of Migratory Movements in Colombia?
To be eligible for the application process, individuals must meet the age of majority requirements and possess valid immigration documentation. Colombian applicants require a citizenship ID, identity card, birth certificate, or passport. On the other hand, foreigners must provide a foreigner’s ID, passport, or national identity document for entry into the country.
Both Colombians and foreigners must validate their identity with clear and legible documentation to ensure a smooth online application experience. In cases where online verification is difficult, visiting the nearest Migratory Services Facilitation Center is advisable, as this can simplify the verification process and secure prompt assistance.
Applicants are also required to complete the Single Form of (Formulario Único de Trámites) available on the Migration Colombia website, providing an accessible email address for official communications regarding their application. The cost for obtaining the certificate is 81,000 COP (approximately 20 USD) based on an exchange rate of 4,000 COP/USD. Payment must be made online via the PSE platform or with a credit card.
How to request Migratory Movements virtually?
To obtain the Certificate of Migratory Movements (CMM), both Colombian and foreign individuals must complete the e-Single Form of Procedures (e-Formulario de Registro Único de Trámites FUT). Depending on the request timeframe, users can choose from three options: the CMM of the last 10 years, since 2012, or prior to 2012, which requires an in-person appointment arranged via email by Migración Colombia. Applicants must attach a PDF image of their identification or travel document, with specific documents required for Colombians and foreigners. The certificate costs $81,000 COP, with different payment options available depending on the request type.
Payments for requests covering the last 10 years or since 2012 can be made online after completing the FUT registration, while requests for records before 2012 must be paid at the migratory services center.
Importantly, applicants have 10 calendar days to request corrections if there are inconsistencies in the information provided. Additionally, if older records require reconstruction, supporting documents such as passport photocopies or entry stamps may be necessary. The processing time for any clarifications or reconstruction of migratory information is subject to specific legal provisions.
If you have any questions regarding the Single Form of Electronic Procedures or need guidance to have clearer information or proceed in a safer manner, do not forget to contact professional and expert help on the subject, such as our expert partner, expatgroup, who, in addition to assisting you with your legal and immigration processes, ensure to help you with certifications and requirements such as those related to Migratory Movements
What are the new measures from Migración Colombia to obtain the Certificate of Migratory Movements?
As of November 14, 2024, the new measures from Migración Colombia allow users to request the Certificate of Migratory Movements through three options:
Certificate of Migratory Movements for the last 10 years
Available via online application
Certificate of Migratory Movements since the year 2012
Available via online application
Certificate of Migratory Movements before 2012
This certificate must be processed in person. Migración Colombia will contact applicants via email within three working days after submission to schedule an appointment.
Additional Guidelines for Collection:
- Certificates issued for individuals under 18 years of age must be collected by a parent, guardian, or mother at designated immigration service points.
- Foreign citizens are required to complete the process virtually but must claim their certificates at the designated service point.
- Colombian citizens over 18 years old may receive their certificates via email if their validation is approved; otherwise, they must visit the selected pickup point.
Delivery and Collection Terms:
The delivery timeframe for the certificate is up to 70 calendar days. It can be collected by:
- The certificate holder,
- A relative,
- A spouse or permanent partner,
- A third party with a duly constituted special power of attorney.
If these conditions are not met, the document will be canceled, and the applicant will need to pay for a new certificate.
Medellin Guru's Comprehensive Visa and Passport Series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in October 2022 were significant. So, on the Medellin Guru site, we have a comprehensive series of visa articles that are kept up-to-date and should answer most visa questions. These articles include:
- Colombia Visa Guide: Ultimate Guide How to Get a Colombian Visa
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa with Up-to-Date Info – an overview of all the Colombian visas
- Popular Colombian Visas for Foreigners: Which Visa is the Most Popular?
- Coronavirus Impacts on Colombian Visas and Tourist Visas
- Visa Agencies: A Guide to Visa Agencies in Medellín and Colombia
- 9Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the nine most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Retirement visa
- Marriage visa
- Investment visa
- Business Visa
- Resident visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Visitor visa
Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:
- Rentista visa (annuity visa) – for foreigners with a fixed income
- Beneficiary visa – for relatives of visa holders
- Expertise visa – for professionals
In addition, we have a guide to Colombia tourist visas and how to extend a tourist visa. Also, we have a guide to renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and a guide to obtaining a Colombian passport.
Furthermore, we provide information about travel insurance that meets the insurance requirement for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellin Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles are up to date (2023) and constantly receive updates in 2024.
The Bottom Line: How to obtain the Certificate of Migratory Movements in Colombia?
To obtain the Certificate of Migratory Movements in Colombia, you can submit an online application through the Migración Colombia website. This process requires identification documents and a fee of 81,000 COP. The certificate provides detailed records of entries and exits over the past five years and is essential for visa applications, residency, and work permits.
For records before 2012, in-person requests are necessary. However, as of November 2024, new measures allow online applications for certificates covering the last 10 years or since 2012, making it easier for foreign applicants.
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