Colombia offers many different categories of visas, which enable you to stay in the country for a year or more. We provide updated for Colombia’s visa rules for 2023.
In addition, Colombia changed its visa rules in late 2022. The new visa rules went into effect on October 21, 2022. So, it’s important to understand the new visa rules before applying for a Colombian visa.
Also, there are coronavirus impacts on the Colombia visa process that we look at in this article.
Citizens of several countries including the Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and many other countries do not need a visa to enter Colombia as a tourist for up to 90 days.
If you are a tourist from Canada, you used to have to pay a reciprocity fee of 201,000 pesos – but were exempt from the fee if older than 79 or younger than 14. However, this reciprocity fee was eliminated on May 1, 2019.
A Colombian “tourist” visa isn’t a formal visa. It’s just a stamp in your passport. Furthermore, a “tourist” visa can be extended by 90 days at any Migración Colombia office in the country or online. We previously covered how to extend a tourist visa in Colombia.
However, with a tourist visa/permit and out a formal Colombian visa, your stay in Colombia is limited to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year. So, if you want to stay longer than 180 days you will need a Colombian visa.
Colombian Visa Types
Colombia previously had three types of visas: temporary (TP), resident (RE) and business visas. Most expats living in Colombia before the visa changes in late 2017 had TP or RE visas.
According to Resolución 5477 (Resolution 5477) released by the Minister of Exterior Relations on October 21, 2022, Colombia officially changed its visa classifications and now has three types of visas:
- Visitor (V)
- Migrant (M)
- Resident (R)
There are currently 25 different types of visitor visas, in addition to 4 courtesy visitor visas such as the international agreement visa. Moreover, there are 14 different types of migrant visas and finally 4 types of resident visas.
New Visa Resolution Impacts
Has the visa process changed in Colombia due to the new Resolution 5477?
According to ExpatGroup, the visa agency we partnered with, tells us that with the new resolution, the government has introduced new application requirements, in addition to having eliminated some visas, such as the M student visa, and changed the category, for example, the R type visa for Colombian child, it is now M category.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped many foreigners obtain visas during the pandemic including retirement visas, marriage visas, student visas, investment visas and resident visas.
The Migrant (M) Colombian Visa
The most popular migrant visas are retirement, marriage and investment visas, but according to Resolution 5477 you will be able to apply for 14 different activities shown below.
- Be a permanent Colombian national’s spouse.
- For foreigners who have a common-law relationship with Colombian citizens.
- Be a Colombian national’s father or son by adoption.
- Be a Colombian national’s father or son by birth.
- Be a national of one of the States party to the “Agreement on Residence for nationals of Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile”.
- For nationals of any of the States party to the “Andean Migratory Statute”.
- Be recognized as a refugee in Colombia according to the current regulations.
- Have permanent employment in Colombia or long-term, by virtue of a labor relationship or contracting of services rendered with natural or legal person domiciled in Colombia.
- Have constituted or acquired participation in the capital stock in a commercial company valued at least 100 times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia.
- Have qualification or expertise to practice a profession independently. This is similar to the former TP-13 visa.
- Receive a pension for retirement. A pension must be at least three times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia.
- For foreigners with a master’s degree, doctorate or postdoctoral training in basic or applied sciences, engineering, mathematics and related fields, whose profiles are in line with the priorities required by the country in its internationalization plans.
- Have registered foreign direct investment in Colombia for real estate valued at least 650 times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia.
- For foreigners who the Colombian State has granted stateless status.
More Details about Colombia M Visas
Most of the migrant visas allow working in Colombia, except for the retirement, beneficiary and investor visas.
Also, the M work visa or practicing professional can work only for the position, entity or profession with which the visa was granted. And the M business investor visa can only work for the company in which the visa holder is a partner or shareholder.
Furthermore, the requirements for the new M visas are similar to the requirements for the corresponding former TP visa categories.
Also, similar to the old TP visas, if you leave Colombia for more than six consecutive months with a M visa, the visa expires and is no longer valid. But this time counting for being outside of Colombia has been suspended during the quarantine with no flights available.
The Resident (R) Colombian Visa
The Colombia resident visa (R visa), which in Colombia is essentially the same as the previous RE (resident) visa. There are four categories of R visas according with the new Resolution 5477:
- Returning Colombian – In some cases, Colombians living in other countries were required to renounce their Colombian citizenship when becoming citizens of their adopted countries.
- Has held a M visa category continuously and uninterrupted for two, three, or five years, according to visa type. For example, if it is retirement needs five years, but if it is a marriage visa, only three.
- For Venezuelan citizens under the Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelan Migrants.
- For those foreigners who belong to the FARC-EP and who have completed the process of laying down their arms.
The previous rules for visas included those investments that exceeded 650 minimum wages, or for parents of Colombian children could obtain a resident visa directly, now these visas have changed category and are migrant visas.
In addition, if you leave Colombia for more than two years with an R visa, the visa expires and is no longer valid. But this time counting for being outside of Colombia has been suspended during the quarantine with no flights available.
2023 Income and Investment Requirements for Colombian Visas
Some of the Colombia visas have income and investment requirements. These income and investment requirements are based on a multiple of the Colombian minimum monthly salary.
The minimum salary in Colombia is 1,160,000 pesos per month in 2023. And the following are income and investment requirements in 2023 in pesos and USD using an exchange rate of 4,500 pesos per USD:
- Colombia retirement visa income requirement – 3 X minimum wage = 3,480,000 pesos per month or $773 USD per month.
- Colombia digital nomad visa income requirement – 3 X minimum wage = 3,480,000 pesos per month or $773 USD per month.
- Colombia rentista visa income – 10 X minimum wage = 11,600,000 pesos per month or $2,577 USD per month.
- Colombia business investment visa investment – 100 X minimum was = 116,000,000 pesos or $25,777 USD.
- Colombia real estate investment visa investment – 350 X minimum wage = 406,000,000 pesos or $90,222 USD.
- Colombia investment visa investment – 650 X minimum wage = 754,000,000 pesos or $167,555 USD.
The Visitor (V) Colombian Visa
The Colombian visitor visa (V visa) can be granted for 25 different activities as follows:
- Carry out direct transit in one of the airports of Colombia and destined to a third country.
- Visit Colombia for leisure, tourism or cultural interest purposes.
- Conduct business management, including: business negotiations, market studies, plans or procedures of direct investment and constitution of commercial society, negotiation, conclusion of contracts or commercial representation.
- Participate in an academic exchange program, advance training in art or trade, or undertake different studies such as Spanish classes or in a primary, secondary or undergraduate higher education program.
- Attend medical consultation, intervention or treatment.
- Carry out administrative and/or judicial proceedings before entities or authorities in Colombia.
- Enter and work in Colombian jurisdictional waters as a boat crew member or offshore platform.
- To carry out seasonal agricultural work under programs established by the government.
- Participate in an event as a lecturer, exhibitor, artist, athlete, jury, contestant or logistical staff.
- Perform an internship.
- To work in a religious ministry or as a missionary of a spiritual entity duly recognized by the Colombian State.
- To enter and remain in the country as a volunteer or student in religious training or to conduct theological studies in an institute or church organization.
- Volunteer in development cooperation projects or in the promotion and protection of human rights.
- Perform audiovisual production or digital content.
- Working remotely for foreign companies from Colombia.
- Perform journalistic coverage or stay temporarily as a foreign media correspondent.
- To provide technical assistance to a legal entity in Colombia.
- Hold a position in a Colombian branch of a company with a presence abroad, by virtue of inter-corporate transfer of personnel.
- Coming as a foreign government official or foreign government trade representative, on a mission that does not imply accreditation to the Colombian government.
- Visit Colombia under holiday-work programs agreed by Colombia with other States through treaties in force.
- For internship activities in companies established in Colombia.
- To work temporarily in Colombia under a contract to render services, work, or labor.
- For productive, innovation or research activities oriented to the adoption or adaptation of technologies that complement or develop products, processes or services that contribute to strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
- For foreigners who receive a periodic and variable income from a creditable legal source.
- Cases and circumstances not provided for in Resolution 5477, on an exceptional basis and upon assessment by the Visa and Immigration Authority.
In addition, there are six additional categories of courtesy visas where a V visa may be issued. For example, one category of courtesy visa is for artistic, technical and foreign production personnel who enter Colombia for projects of production and filming of foreign cinematographic works.
A V visa’s validity duration takes into account the activity proposed by the foreigner.
Health Insurance is Now Required for Colombian Visas
Colombia requires health insurance when applying for Colombian visas, all visitor visas are mandatory, and some migrant visas, such as retirement visa.
Many Medellin Guru readers have asked about health insurance needed for visas. And the insurance agent we partnered offers a relatively inexpensive travel insurance policy from ASSIST CARD that meets the health insurance requirement for Colombian visas.
Use the Medellin Guru Insurance Service
How to Apply for a Colombian Visa
How to Apply for a Colombian Visa
You can apply for a Colombian visa online. In addition, you can obtain Colombian visas at Colombian consulates around the world. In the U.S., Colombia has consulates located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Newark, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.
The Colombian visa process is fairly easy as it’s done online. You can apply for a Colombia visa online here. This application will require scans of all required documents in PDF files plus the photo in jpg format. In addition, a detailed guide for applying online is found here.
Visas in Colombia are issued by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Since the coronavirus, all visas are issued electronically, so you do not have to travel to Bogota for the stamp.
I successfully obtained three Colombian visas that I applied for my own in the past that were good for a total of five years. But the biggest challenge with doing a Colombian visa yourself is not benefiting from the experiences of a a visa agency, which has processed hundreds of visas and knows exactly what is needed for each type of visa.
Also another big benefit of using a visa agency is that they help you gather all the information and documents necessary for the visa application. The cost of the service includes immigration advice, visa application, visa registration, and application for a foreigner identification card.
So, for my latest visa received in 2018, a Colombia resident visa, I used a visa agency. And I found the experience painless and now highly recommend using a visa service over doing a Colombia visa application yourself. The bottom line is with a visa agency you are less likely to run into problems and you can avoid a trip to Bogotá.
Using a Visa Agency for a Colombian Visa
If you are in Colombia and not located in Bogotá and you don’t want to travel, you can use a visa agency to obtain a Colombian visa. A visa agency can handle the online application.
Medellin Guru has partnered with what we believe is the best visa agency in Medellín to offer Colombia visa services. Features of this service include:
- Online chat – get visa questions answered fast.
- Online quotes – get immediate visa quotes.
- Bilingual team.
- Office in El Poblado in Medellín.
- Competitive price compared to other visa services.
The Medellin Guru visa service partnership was launched in March 2019. And in 47 months, 613 visas were successfully received by clients.
Also, our visa service renewed 87 American passports in Bogotá using our passport renewal service. In addition, 28 clients extended tourist visas using our tourist visa extension service.
So, in total we had 728 clients of the Medellin Guru visa service in 47 months.
In addition, many more visas are in process – short, medium or longer term, depending on client needs.
Use the Medellin Guru Visa Service
We reviewed all the Colombia visa agency services in Medellín and found one agency that offers a more efficient visa service with more features and more comprehensive communications including online chat, WhatsApp, Skype, email and phone plus a low price and a convenient office in El Poblado.
Our visa partnership is an affiliate relationship (like the Amazon affiliate program). If you use our visa partner, Medellin Guru receives a small commission and you support the website. This is at no additional cost to you. The price remains the same, whether you use a button or affiliate link on this website or not.
Furthermore, the visa agency we partnered with offers visa services anywhere in Colombia. So, if you are located in another city in Colombia you can use this service.
New entrance to Migracion Colombia in Medellín, on Calle 19A
Getting a Colombian Cedula
After you have successfully received your Colombian Visa you have a maximum of 15 calendar days to register your visa with Migración Colombia to get a Cedula de Extranjeria (Colombian ID for foreigners). Or if you received your visa at a consulate, you will have 15 calendar days after you arrive in Colombia to register your visa.
Due to being photographed and fingerprinted this must be done in-person at a Migración Colombia office.
Especially relevant, it is very important to register your Colombian visa within the allotted time frame. If not, you will be liable for a big fine of up to seven times the minimum monthly salary in Colombia. The minimum salary in Colombia is $1,160,000 COP per month in 2023. So, the fine is up to 8,120,000 COP pesos in 2023.
To register your visa and apply for a cedula this must be done at one of the Migración Colombia offices. You can find Migración Colombia offices in major cities in Colombia.
- Barranquilla – Carrera 42 # 54-77, Barrio El Recreo
- Bogotá – Calle 100 #11B-27
- Cali – Avenida 3 norte # 50N-20
- Cartagena – Carrera 20 B # 29-18, Barrio pie de la Popa
- Medellín – Calle 19 #80A-40, Barrio Belén (the entrance is on the other side of the building on Calle 19A)
A complete list of the Migración Colombia offices is found here. In addition, we have a guide to applying for a Cedula Extranjeria in Colombia.
Dual citizenship is possible
Dual Citizenship
After having an R visa for five years (or after having for two years if married to a Colombian) you can apply to become a citizen of Colombia. And you won’t have to give up your existing citizenship. Colombia permits dual-citizenship, as does the U.S. and many other countries.
Latin American and Caribbean nationals are eligible to apply for citizenship in Colombia after shorter time frames of only one year as a resident or two years if from Spain.
Once you become a dual citizen with Colombian citizenship, you will no longer need to deal with visas anymore. Also, you will be able to travel to a few countries as a Colombian citizen without a visa such as Russia, which require a visa for U.S. citizens.
To become a citizen, Colombia requires a citizenship test, just like the U.S. does. You will be required to pass a test related to Colombian history, geography and the constitution. Also, a basic Spanish oral test is required. Those who have a bachelor’s degree from a Colombian university or are over 65 years old are exempt from these tests.
Medellin Guru’s Comprehensive Visa and Passport Series
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
- 9 Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the seven most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
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 were updated in early 2022 to ensure they are up-to-date and were updated again multiple times in 2023. In addition, all visa articles on this website will be kept up-to-date as new details are disclosed.
Also, “How to obtain a Colombian visa?” is one of the most common questions asked by expats. So, we included this question in our list of Medellín frequently asked questions (FAQ).
The Bottom Line: Obtaining a Colombian Visa
Colombia has many visa options for foreigners who wish to stay in Colombia for a longer period than the 180-day maximum per year as a tourist.
In addition, obtaining a Colombian visa is relatively easy with fewer documents required than many other countries. Also, the visa costs in Colombia are lower than in many other countries in Latin America. Furthermore, the Colombian visa process is streamlined with online applications and is relatively fast.
The visa agency we partnered with has helped 728 Medellin Guru readers obtain Colombian visas and renew U.S. passports. Click on the blue button below and that will take you to a page of the visa agency where you can obtain a quote and ask questions using a chat.
Use the Medellin Guru Visa Service
Colombia has many visa options for foreigners who wish to stay in Colombia for a longer period than the 180-day maximum per year as a tourist.
Editors note: updated on 2/7/2018 with Canadian reciprocity fee based on a readers comment about the new fee.
Editors note: updated on January 3, 2019 with the new 2019 Colombia minimum wage information.
Editors note: updated on February 25, 2019 with information that the Colombian entry fee charged to tourists from Canada will be eliminated on May 1, 2019.
Editors note: updated on January 4, 2020 with the new 2020 Colombia minimum wage information, which impacts the income and investment requirements for several Colombian visas.
Editors note: updated on March 17, 2020 with impacts of coronavirus on the Colombian visa process and updated to use the current exchange rate.
Editors note: updated on March 19 to add that President Iván Duque, announced that starting on March 23 the arrival of international travelers to Colombia will be suspended for a period of 30 days – this includes all Colombians and foreign residents.
Editors note: updated on March 30, 2020 with Colombian visa process changes due to coronavirus and the quarantines in Colombia.
Editors note: updated on June 10, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to June 30 and updated information about the Medellin Guru visa service.
Editors note: updated on August 5, 2020 to update information regarding the quarantine impact on the Colombia visa process and updated income and investment requirements for visas with the current exchange rate.
Editors note: updated on September 22, 2020 with information that Migracion offices in Colombia reopened on September 21.
Editors note: updated on January 8, 2021 with the updated income requirement for the Colombian visas based on the new minimum wage in 2021 in Colombia and the current exchange rate.
Editors note: updated on March 15 with current income and investment requirements for visas based on the current exchange rate.
Editors note: updated on March 7, with updated information regarding new visa rules and current rates.
Great information, thank you. Do you know if the Resident visa’s are indefinite, or like currently ”indefinite” however require a traspaso every 5 years to confirm you have adhered to the requirements?
Per article 22 of Resolution 6045 “The “R” type visa will be valid indefinitely.” I suspect will also require a traspaso every 5 years to confirm you have adhered to the requirements – I’ll see if I can confirm.
Jeff,
With the new rules in effect is it correct to assume that when you renew your RE-VISA all you need to do is go online to renew your cedula extranjeria ($190.000 COP) , get the tramites # and then go to a Migracion Colombia office location to finish the process ? You no longer need the pasted into your U.S. passport the RE-VISA as we have done in the past that is no longer being done ? You simply need the Resident cedula extranjeria and nothing else , am i correct in asuming that ?
It is now known as an R (resident) visa, see: https://medellinguru.com/resident-visa/. I received an R visa in September last year and it is valid for 5 years. So, when I get a new R visa when it expires will need to get a new cedula following the process outlined here: https://medellinguru.com/cedula/. You will still need a copy of the visa from your passport. And the cedula will have the same validity dates as the visa.
Hi Jeff, My RE visa expires in a couple of months. In response to Kenneth A Miller when he asked about renewing his RE visa (January 19, 2019), you stated “It is now known as an R (resident) visa, see: https://medellinguru.com/resident-visa/.” Do you mean that existing RE visas are actually R visas?
This appears to say that when an R (and an RE?) visa expires, the applicant only needs to apply for a new cedula with Migracion, not a new visa: https://medellinguru.com/resident-visa/, it states “… there is no need to apply for a new R visa at the end of five years. Instead, the visa agency said the process to renew is done at Migracion and is essentially like getting a new cedula.”
But at your January 19 reply to Kenneth, you continued: “I received an R visa in September last year and it is valid for 5 years. ‘So, when I get a new R visa when it expires’ will need to get a new cedula following the process outlined here: https://medellinguru.com/cedula/. You will still need a copy of the visa from your passport. And the cedula will have the same validity dates as the visa.”
That seems to conflict with the earlier statement, as if the holder of an R visa will need to get a new R visa, then a new cedula which will have the new dates of the new R visa. How could it have new dates on a cedula, the same as a visa unless you apply for and get a new visa?).
See our guide to the resident visa – https://medellinguru.com/resident-visa/
“According to Resolution 6045, Article 22, the “R” visa is valid indefinitely. However, according to Article 25, the validity period of the “R” visa label (“visa stamp” in a passport) is five years. At the request of its owner, this document may be renewed for equal periods by a “visa transfer procedure. I asked a visa agency about this, as this isn’t clear. The “R” visa is supposed to be valid indefinitely but the “R” visa stamp in your passport is only good for five years. The visa agency said there is no need to apply for a new R visa at the end of five years.Instead, the visa agency said the process to renew is done at Migracion and is essentially like getting a new cedula.”
I haven’t been through this process and haven’t talked to a foreigner who has either. So I recommend contacting the visa agency we partnered with at https://visasincolombia.com/. There is a chat at the bottom right where you can chat during business hours.
I just received my R visa today, and the answer to your question is Yes. The R is valid permanently *unless* you leave the country for more than Two years, which will void it. Also, you need a new ‘sticker, (that’s what they called it) traspaso every Five years.
Jeff,
Thanks for the info but i want to follow up with so when i get my new Cedula which will now say R-visa not RESIDENCE along with my ID # the will issue me office of Migracion Colombia will issue me a sticker to place on my Colombian Visa which expires in mid-April of this year , correct . So when traveling on airlines etc., you still must present your expired Colombian Visa ?
The cedula will say “Residente” with the same five year validity dates as the R (resident) visa. You will need to renew your resident visa.
Jeff: Good stuff, and matches our recent experience. We were not aware of the upcoming extension of our TP-7 retirement visa to three years, that’s good news. The only comment I have on the application process is that applicants should assume that every piece of paper they submit must be Apostilled. This may not be mentioned at an office, or at any time, but if a document is copied from an on line source, for example a Social Security source of income statement, the office may demand an Apostille for it. This happened to us in Medellin, and it cost us almost two weeks and quite a bit of $$$ to get it done. My advice is to Apostille everything!
Thanks, we plan to cover the specifics for each individual visa popular with expats with details like Apostilles and translations for required documents.
It was too much to cover in one article the detailed requirements of each individual visa category.
Jeff, For the TP 7 Investor visa the renewal periods will be every three years beginning Dec 15, 2017, correct? Then after five years the investor can apply for a permanent visa, correct? What is not clear is the in-country requirement that the investor must spend a least one day every six months to keep his visa intact. Has that changed or is it still the six month requirement?
Hi Rich, yes for the new investor visa (M category 6 or 10) the renewal period will be 3 years and after 5 years with a M visa you can apply for a R resident visa.
And yes, I understand the new M visa will be like previous TP visas where you lose the visa if you are out of the country for more than 180 consecutive days. So, you need be be in the country at least 1 day every 180 days.
The R visa you only lose of you are out of the country for more than 2 consecutive years.
GREAT INFO! Thank you! Your detailed instructions are great! However it got even easier because now they’re all in English online. One thing they don’t all your documents must be combined into one.pdf file. Don’t make the mistake I didn’t upload them wanted it done. The system will except them wanted to time but will review it and kick it back to you. It won’t cost you anything, you won’t have to pay again, but it’s a pain. Yeah the thing is that sometimes when you upload your photo it will corrupt your document package. You won’t notice but you’ll get an email from them that says the documents are illegible. They’re probably not illegible but you’ll have to do the upload everything again or do what I did and go to their office in person and that literally issue the visa on the spot
Jeff,
I can’t reach any Colombian consulates by phone outside of Colombia to ask my question. I am in Colombia on a TP-10 visa that expires in three months. I would prefer to just go to Miami for a M1 visa, instead of running the gamut of issues of trying to do everything online here, and still have to go later to Bogota. I have heard that everything now has to be done online, while your website states that visas can be obtained, as always, at consulates outside Colombia. I’m confused. Help!
Hi Baine, yes if you apply in Colombia you must apply online but you could use a visa agency they would file for you and courier your passport for the visa in Bogotá. So that would get rid of the hassle. That is probably less costly than a trip to Miami (when you factor in airfare, hotel, taxis and other expenses) There are several visa agencies listed in the article.
I used Visas and Tramites to obtain my retirement visa and cedula. When I brought up the subject of apostille they told me not to worry about that. The process went smoothly and I’ve since “renewed” without a hitch. I don’t understand why by using this firm the apostilles weren’t required. I’d previously spent many weeks obtaining apostilles for an Argentine visa and it was an arduous task to say the least.
Do you know what the senario is for this example : I am married to a National , Have my ‘spouse visa’ My adult son was 16 when he moved here with us, so is a Beneficiary under my visa, up until he turns 25 (in 2 years). He studies full time and has been living here since 2010. If he for example is no longer enrolled in University in 2 years and has to get his ‘own visa’ what would that look like?
Once your son turns 25, he would no longer be eligible for a beneficiary visa. So he’d have to get his own visa like a student, work, etc. visa. You could talk to one of the visa agencies listed in the article to explore all options.
Thanks for the information. My TP7 visa expires on 17 November. When do the new visas actually come into effect–first of November? Has the price changed?
Hi James, good questions. Resolution 6045 with the new visa rules was issued on August 2 and is supposed to go into effect in 90 days, so that would be early November. But this is Colombia, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a delay.
Resolution 6045 doesn’t mention pricing, so not sure if pricing has changed. I will try to find out and update the article.
Thanks for the quick reply. Hope more info is available as we approach November.
All the best, Jim
Hi Jim,
The new visas will reportedly be available on December 15.
Hello,
Given the uncertainty about the implementation date of the new visa categories I went ahead and got my visa renewed in October. After doing it myself for four years I used an agency this year. I used InterCol which was on your list of recommended agencies. They were excellent and I thought the price was reasonable. Thanks for the helpful information and recommendations .
Jim
Thanks Jeff, What a wealth of information. Have chatted with Juan Dario a few times, so I’m not worried. That’s probably who I’ll discuss this with. Other than that. Everything appears to be pretty straight forward. As I intend on starting a farm in Colombia, and need some workers. I guess it will be a bit more involved. Also need an medical operation, before I can move forward. Any advice is always welcomed. Going out for a few hrs. hope to hear back.
Cheers, Brock
For the R visa : “Has continuously and uninterrupted held for five years a M visa category 4 to 11 above”.
My interpretation is I cannot leave Colombia for five years after receiving the R visa. Correct?
Regards,
Don
Hi Don, no, you can leave Colombia with either a R visa or M visa. All these visas permit multiple entries into Colombia. “Uninterrupted” means you don’t leave the country for more than six consecutive months with a M visa. Per Article 66 of Resolution 6045, you lose a M visa if out of the country for more than six continuous months, which is the same as a TP visa. And you lose the new R visa if you are out of the country for two continuous years – this is the same as the existing resident visa. I updated the article to add this information.
Really nice article and will answer pretty much the basics of everything for anyone needing visas. I wrote something along these lines on my RE visa and Cedula tribulations in Bogotá.
Thanks Jeff, this is a great article that will help so many people. Good to know that many of the new M visas will be valid for three years so no need to renew each year.
Jeff, Colombia Legal Partners at http://www.colombialegalpartners.com does a great job for visas and are the legal group that we send our visa clients to.
Hi Rich, thanks I added Colombia Legal Partners in the article.
Both of my parents are Colombian Nationals. they move to the United States in the 60s. I was born in United States. I’m 49 I want to live in Colombia,but my parents forbid me and do not want to hand over their documentation so I can receive residency!! Can the Colombian consulate help me and show proof that my parents are Colombian without them being present. HELP it’s the only way I can receive my Visa I have no pension I can live off my savings. Thanks.
We recommend contacting the nearest Colombian consulate in the U.S. to see what they can do. Here is a list of Colombian consulates in the U.S. – https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/embajada-colombia-estados-unidos
Thanks Jeff, All in all I think this is one of your best.
Cheers, Brock
Have a wonderful night Jeff. Heading out for a while.
Cheers, Brock
Medical visas are only allowed 180 days a year? What if my medical treatment requires more than that!?
Hi Frank, yes, that appears to be a problem. In addition, the new medical visa is pretty worthless, as you can come as a tourist and also stay for 180 days.
Jeff, just to let you know. My WI FI has been down for quite a while., so haven’t been able to comment lately. They are putting in a new system that will be much better.
When, not sure.
Cheers Brock
There has been some buzz that the tourist visa (I am American) is changing from 180 days per calendar year to 180 days a year from point of entry for 2017? Is this true?
I currently volunteer for an NGO – A volunteer visa would only get me 180 days per calendar year – could I get this in addition to a tourist visa?
Thank you! Great article!!
No, very doubtful that Colombia’s tourist visa is changing from 180 days per calendar year to 180 days a year from point of entry for 2017. I just asked one of the visa agencies and they said they haven’t heard of this.
And yes, you could combine a visitor visa – V visa – (or other visa) with a tourist visa. I previously combined a student visa with a tourist visa to stay an entire year.
Hi Jeff,
Does this mean I’d be able to stay 6 months on a tourist visa and then get a job or start studying in Colmbia to stay the second half of the year?
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom, yes you could come as a tourist for 6 months and then get a visa for studying or work for the second half.
For the effective date of new visa rules I have seen conflicting info on various websites (not surprising of course!). Does anyone have a definitive answer?
I’ve seen both Nov 1 and Nov 2 on some sites, but these are mostly just blogs and news type websites. What I believe is more credible is what I’ve seen on legal / immigration type sites. They list the effective date as Dec 14, 2017. They state the effective date is 90 business days after initial resolution/publication. Since Resolution 6045 was published on Aug 2, then Dec 14 is spot on (after subtracting the numerous Colombian holidays).
Perhaps the web sites stating Nov 1 or 2 were not reading the law carefully? Just thinking 90 calendar days? Or maybe just they just added 3 calendar months to the Aug 2 date?
Here’s the places where I saw it shown as 90 BUSINESS days:
https://www.fosterglobal.com/colombia-significant-changes-to-immigration-system-effective-december-14-2017/
https://peregrineimmigration.co.uk/newsletter/RBr4R3f2144
http://bu.com.co/en/newsandpublications/388
If nobody knows for sure, I guess we’ll find out later next week! Thanks.
The official government resolution dated August 2 and seen here http://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=70275 says at the end “La presente Resolución empezará a regir noventa (90) días después de su publicación”. So, it said 90 days after publication and didn’t say 90 business days. But this is Colombia and such things tend to take longer than planned. I have a meeting with a visa agency next week and will find out for sure and update the article.
Thanks Jeff. That helps me make a choice. My current TP-7 visa expires on Saturday Nov 4. I was considering waiting until Nov 1 or 2 to submit my new application. But that is cutting it so very short. And if immigration doesn’t approve me by Friday, mine expires. Then I must start all over again towards accumulating my 5 years of temporary residency. Like you say, Colombia doesn’t implement things like clockwork with no glitches, so that puts me at a risk that is probably not worth it.
I am now leaning towards just submitting it all tomorrow and being content with the old 1-year TP-7. Then by NEXT year when it’s time for me to repeat the visa process, there’s a much better chance for immigration to be running smoothly with the new law.
Thanks again, Suzann
If I was in your situation, I would likely submit tomorrow to be safe. I suspect that they won’t have the bugs in their systems and processes worked out for the new visa rules until early next year.
So, I’m happy my visa doesn’t expires until next year.
Thanks for your wonderful information, it helps a lot,
Question:
According to the new rules, after two years you can apply for the permanent residency, I’m wondering if someone already has a TP10 visa and by December will be a full two years, as a result of the new rules is that possible to apply for the permanent residency?
If the answer is no, then it is wise for those who are planning to apply for a TP10 visa now, to wait for new regulations to begin
Thanks in advance for your answer