The Colombia investment visas are intended for foreigners who make an investment in Colombia. We provide a 2023 update with recent visa changes. And these visas are relatively easy to get once you have made an investment in Colombia.

Colombia changed its Colombian visa rules, which went into effect on October 21, 2022. Colombia previously had two types of investment visas: A migrant visa and a resident visa for larger investments. This changed due to the new resolution. 

With the new visa rules, the type R resident visa changed its category to type M, which can be obtained by making a direct foreign investment for 650 minimum salaries (754,000,000 pesos) or by investing in real estate equivalent to 350 minimum salaries (406,000,000 pesos).

The M investment visa currently costs 325,32 USD. 

Note a migrant visa loses its validity if you leave Colombia for a period of over six months without returning to Colombia. 

Also, we have this article about how to obtain a Colombia investment visa in Spanish.

Apartments in El Poblado near Santafé mall

Apartments in El Poblado near Santafé mall

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 larger investment is now M type category. 

The visa agency we partnered with has helped many foreigners obtain visas during the pandemic, including retirement visasmarriage visasstudent visasinvestment visas, and resident visas.

Applying for a Colombia investment visa

Applying for a Colombia investment visa

How to Apply for a Colombia Investment Visa

You can apply for a Colombia investment 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 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.

New 2023 Investment Visa Requirements 

Documents required for all types of investment include:

  • Photocopy of the first page of your passport with a minimum validity of 6 months where your personal data is displayed.
  • Photocopy of the page of your passport with the last stamp of entry or departure of Colombia is located.
  • If you’ve had a previous Colombian visa, a photocopy of this visa.
  • Show by means of bank statements of the last three months prior to the visa application, economic solvency to remain in the country
  • Passport style face photo with a white background, sized at 3 cm width X 4 cm height, maximum size of 300 kb jpg file for online application.
  • Mandatory health insurance policy that covers Colombian territory, all risks, death, and repatriation. This policy should be valid for at least a year since the validity time of your visa is dependent on the validity time of your international health insurance.

Use the Medellin Guru Insurance Service

Additional documents required depend on the type of investment.

1.  Migrant visa for investment in business

If you are applying for a M visa for investment in a business, you need to invest at least 100 times the Colombian minimum monthly salary.

The minimum wage in 2023 in Colombia is 1,160,000 pesos per month. 100 times this equals 116,000,000 pesos or $25,777 USD (at an exchange rate of 4,500 pesos per USD). In addition, you will need for the visa application a number of documents, which can include:

  • 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.
  • Foreign exchange declaration form F4.
  • Certificate of foreign investment issued by the Banco de la República.
  • Certificate of share composition made by an accountant.
  • Photocopy of cedula of the accountant.
  • Photocopy 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 (only in case the company is not newly formed).
  • Last income statement in the name of the company (applies only to companies with more than 1 year of incorporation).

2. Migrant Visa for Investment in Real Estate

If you are applying for a M visa for investment in real estate, you will need to invest at least 350 times the Colombian minimum monthly salary, which is 406,000,000 pesos or $90,222 USD (at an exchange rate of 4.500 pesos per USD).  In addition, you will need for the visa application:

  • Certificado de libertad y tradición of the real estate property that proves ownership.
  • Communication issued by the Department of International Exchange of the Banco de la República, which records the direct foreign investment for the purchase of real estate in the name of the foreigner applying for the visa.

3. Investment Visa for Foreign Direct Investment

If you are applying for an investment visa for foreign direct investment, you must invest at least 650 Colombian minimum wages, which is 754,000,000 pesos or, 167,555 USD (at an exchange rate of 4,500 pesos per USD). Additionally, you will need

  • Communication issued by the International Exchange Department of the Banco de la República, stating the foreign direct investment in the name of the foreigner applying for the visa.

Duration of Validity for Colombian Investment Visas

With the three types of investment for the M investor visa, the foreigner can obtain up to 3 years of validity for any investment made, whether it is the purchase of real estate, direct foreign investment, or the setting up of a business.

I successfully obtained three Colombian visas on my own in the past that were good for five years. Also, I found the process relatively straightforward without much documentation required. But for my latest visa, a Colombia resident visa, I used a visa agency.

Using a Visa Agency for a Colombian Investment 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 Colombia investment 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, 655 visas were successfully received by clients, including 36 investment visas.

Also, our visa service renewed 83 American passports in Bogotá using our passport renewal service. In addition, 48 clients extended tourist visas using our tourist visa extension service.

So, in total we had 822 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, video call, 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.

Medellin Guru partnered with RE/MAX for real estate services

Medellin Guru partnered with RE/MAX for real estate services

Buying Real Estate for a Colombian Investment Visa

If you are looking to buy real estate to obtain a Colombian Investment visa, Medellin Guru has partnered with RE/MAX Coffee Realty to offer real estate services to foreigners and Colombians interested in buying and selling properties in Medellín and Colombia.

Several Medellin Guru readers have asked about real estate and advice about buying and selling real estate. So, we partnered with RE/MAX Coffee Realty to offer reliable real estate services to readers.

We decided to partner with RE/MAX Coffee Realty for services for buying and selling real estate for several reasons:

  • RE/MAX is the largest real estate company in the world and is a well-known brand for foreigners.
  • RE/MAX is one of the largest real estate companies in Colombia with 35 offices in four cities (Medellín, Bogotá, Cali and Barranquilla). So, RE/MAX can offer real estate services to readers in several locations in Colombia.
  • In Colombia, RE/MAX has over 350 real estate agents including more than 70 agents in Medellín. Also, RE/MAX has agents that are bilingual and speak both English and Spanish.
  • RE/MAX ensures properties are not overpriced by performing a study of market property prices known as an ACM (Análisis Comparativo del Mercado).

To use this real estate partner service from RE/MAX, just click on the button below.

Buy or Sell Real Estate in Colombia with RE/MAX

Fill out a very short form and RE/MAX offers a free consultation to provide information about the local market, current pricing information and tips for buying or selling properties.

New entrance to Migracion Colombia in Medellín, on Calle 19A

New entrance to Migracion Colombia in Medellín, on Calle 19A

Getting a Colombian Cedula

After you have successfully received your Colombia investment 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 allowed 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.  Starting on September 21, Migración Colombia offices have reopened in Colombia. So, it again possible to obtain a Cedula de Extranjeria.

Dual citizenship is possible

Dual citizenship is possible

Dual Citizenship

After having a migrant (M) investment visa for five years you are eligible to receive a resident (R) visa. And after having an R visa for five additional years 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.

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.

Also, if you have Colombian citizenship, this benefits you with the Mercosur trade block. Nationals of Member States (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) and Associated States (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) do not need a passport or visa to travel around the region, with only a national identity card required. 

In addition, the Mercosur Agreement grants the right to residence and work for citizens with no requirement other than nationality. Citizens of the Member States and Associated States that are part of the agreement enjoy a facilitated procedure for applying for a residence visa, as long as they have a valid passport, birth certificate and a negative certificate of criminal record.

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.

Furthermore, a complete list of the requirements for Colombian citizenship is found on the Cancillería website here.

Medellin Guru’s Comprehensive Visa and Passport Series

The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in mid-December 2017 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:

We have looked in detail at the seven most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:

  1. Retirement visa
  2. Marriage visa
  3. Investment visa
  4. Resident visa
  5. Work visa
  6. Student visa
  7. Visitor visa

Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:

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. 

Obtaining a Colombia investment visa

Obtaining a Colombia investment visa

The Bottom Line: Obtaining a Colombia Investment Visa

Colombia’s investment visa is relatively easy to get with few documents needed and the investment required is lower than many other countries. But the Colombia investment visa requires making an investment in Colombia before you can apply. 

The visa costs in Colombia are lower than in many other countries in Latin America. Also, the Colombian visa process is streamlined with online applications and is relatively fast. We partnered with a visa agency that can help you obtain an investment visa for a competitive price.

The visa agency we partnered with has helped 26 Medellin Guru readers obtain investment visas and a total of 656 readers with visa and passport renewal services. 

Use the Medellin Guru Visa Service

 

Editors note: updated on March 2, 2019 to add additional documents required for the business investment visa.

Editors note: updated on August 21, 2019 with updates on durations for the three types of investment visas and with information that the business investment visa is typically good for only one year unless you can show business activity.

Editors note: updated on December 14, 2019 with information about the Mercosur agreement benefits of having Colombian citizenship.

Editors note: updated on January 2, 2020 with the new 2020 Colombia minimum wage information, which impacts the investment requirements for the Colombian investment visas.

Editors note: updated on March 30, 2020 with Colombian visa process changes due to coronavirus and the quarantines in Colombia.

Editors note: updated on April 8, 2020 to add information that the nationwide quarantine in Colombia has been extended to April 26.

Editors note: updated on April 21, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to May 11 and international flights banned until the end of May.

Editors note: updated on May 6, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to May 25.

Editors note: updated on May 20, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to May 31 and that international flights will be restricted until August 31.

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 July 8, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to August 1.

Editors note: updated on July 22, 2020 with current investment requirements in USD for Colombian investment visas using the current exchange rate. Also, added the health insurance requirement now needed for investment visas.

Editors note: updated on July 29, 2020 with information that the national quarantine in Colombia has been extended to September 1.

Editors note: updated on August 17, 2020 with current information regarding the quarantine impact on the Colombia visa process. Also, updated the investment requirement in USD for the three types of Colombia investment 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 December 30, 2020 with the updated investment requirements for Colombian investment visas based on the new minimum wage in 2021 in Colombia.

Editors note: updated on March 21, 2022 with current investment requirements in USD for Colombian investment visas using the current exchange rate.

Editors note: updated on February 15, 2023 with updated information regarding the new visa rules.

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