Colombian Visas in Crisis: New Requirements 2026 and Changes in the Law (Official Guide)

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With Colombian Visas there are three visa categories. They are V for visitor, M for migrant, and R for resident.

Colombia Visitor Visas (type V)

The Colombian Visitor Visa is for a foreigner wishing to visit Colombia once or multiple times, or to stay temporarily in the country, without the stay being permanent. The visitor visa may be as short as 1 week or as long as 3 years. This visa type does not qualify for long-term residency, unlike the M visa.

Financial requirements for Colombian visitor visas have changed as of January 1, 2026. President Gustavo Petro implemented a very rare extreme hike in the Colombian minimum wage. The 2025 minimum wage was raised by 22.7% for 2026, affecting most visa requirements. We are currently updating the individual visa requirements. Please contact us for more details on the new 2026 requirements.

Colombia Visitor Visa Type V 2026

Colombia Tourist Visa V – entry requirements and durationV – Tourist

Discover how to apply for the Colombian Tourist Visa (Type V), ideal for vacations, short stays, or visiting friends and family. Learn about eligibility, documents, and application steps. Must show economic solvency and proof that you have a reason to return to your home country.

Colombia Student Visa V – enrollment and financial proof requirementsV – Student

(Visitor or Migrant) The Colombian Student Visa category depends on proof of enrollment at an accredited institution and funds to cover tuition. Monthly solvency of 17,509,050 COP, 10 SMMLV, or 4,608 USD at an exchange rate of 3,800 pesos per dollar.

Colombia Business Visa V – for meetings and corporate activitiesV – Business

The Colombia Business Visa are designed for workers of foreign companies which are traveling to Colombia to engage in meetings, followup, etc.

Colombian Rentier Visa Type V income requirements 2026 and economic solvency (Note: We include V – Annuity / Rentista

(Previously TP7) This Colombia Annuity Visa is great for landlords, trust fund holders, or persons earning a fixed monthly income paid from sources outside of Colombia. 17,509,050 COP, 10 SMMLV, or 4,608 USD at an exchange rate of 3,800 pesos per dollar.

Colombia Event Visa V – for conventions, speakers, and artistsV – Event or Convention

This Visa is to someone who is going to partipate about an event like a speaker, artist, athlete, among, each others

Colombia Work Visitor Visa V – temporary technical servicesV – Work Visitor

(Previously TP 13) – This is a temporary visitor’s Visa for Performing Technical Services in Colombia, 180 days per year. It’s best to be sponsored by a company that can show economic activity. Persons should be affiliated with companies that perform technical or specialized work on a temporary basis.

Digital Nomad Visa Colombia remote work salary requirements 2026V – Digital Nomad Visa

The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers who own or work for foreign companies. Your income must be 5,252,715 pesos (3SMMLV) or 1,382 USD, with a monthly exchange rate of 3,800 pesos or more.

Colombia Medical Treatment Visa V – patient and companion visaV – Medical Treatment

If you need a Colombia Medical Treatment Visa in Colombia, you can traveling with a friend, and to take this visa.

Colombia Religious Visa V – missionary or clergy visaV – Religious

Come to Colombia as religious, missionary or religious in formation of a church or religious denomination, duly recognized by the Colombian State.

Colombia Administrative Procedures Visa V – government procedure participationV – Administrative Procedures

If you want to apply to this visa, you need a certificate issued by the institution that will carry out the procedure.

Colombia visa requirements chart
Colombia Migrant Visa overview section

Colombia Migrant Visas (type M)

The Colombian Migrant Visa is for a foreigner who intends to enter or remain in the national territory to establish themselves and does not meet the conditions for a type R visa.

Financial requirements for Colombian Migrant visas have changed as of January 1, 2026. President Gustavo Petro implemented a sporadic, extreme increase in the Colombian minimum wage. The Minimum wage, effective from 2025, was raised by 22.7% for 2026, affecting most visa requirements. We are currently updating the individual visa pages. Please contact us for more details on the new 2026 requirements.

Colombian Pensioner Visa for retirees earning minimum wage (2026) for approvalM – Pension

(Previously TP7) You must receive at least 3 times the minimum monthly salary, 3 SMMLV (approximately USD 1,382), or exactly 5,252,715 to qualify for the Colombia Pension Visa. See the new requirements from the 5477 resolution of 2022.

Colombia Business Owner Visa M – foreign investor and entrepreneur visaM – Business Owner

Migrant (Previously TP7): This Colombia Business Owner Visa is well-suited for expats who want to run a company in Colombia. The financial qualifying investment for 2026 is 175,090,500 COP, 100 SMMLV, or approximately USD 46,081 at an exchange rate of 3,800 pesos per dollar.

Colombia Refugee Visa M – humanitarian protection under Decree 4503 of 2009M – Refugee

The application for recognition of refugee status is governed by the  Decree 4503 of 2009 and must be presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Colombia Refugee Visa

Colombia Mercosur Visa M – residency for citizens of Mercosur nationsM – Mercosur Agreement

Criminal records of the country of origin and proof of source of income or financial solvency, or may be sponsored by a family member. Colombia Mercosur Agreement.

Colombia Parent Visa M – residency for parents of Colombian nationalsM – Migrant Visa for Parents

Full Migrant Visa for Parents, As an abiological or foster parent you obtain residency by being the parent of a Colombian.

Colombia Investor Visa for real estate purchases: new amounts 2026M – Property

(Previously TP7) – The Colombia Property Visa requires direct foreign investment of at least 612,816,750 COP, 350 SMMLV direct foreign investment or approximately 161,283 USD in real estate for the year 2026. Future renewals depend on the minimum investment value, which is adjusted annually by the government.

Colombian Marriage Visa: Spouse Legal Requirements 2026M – Marriage

(Previously TP10) Visa – A great Colombia Visa for Married persons (up to 3 years) or civil union couples (1-year visas only). Must have documented proof of relationship and also be prepared to show economic solvency in some cases.

 Colombia Migrant Work VisaM – Work

(PREVIOUSLY TP4) – To qualify for a Colombia Work Visa, you must be sponsored by a Colombian corporation, with more than 175,090,500 COP, 100 SMMLV, or approximately USD 46,081 average corporate bank balance over the last 6 months.

colombia migrant beneficiary visaM – Beneficiary

The Colombia Beneficiary Visa is intended for foreigners who are dependents and family members of another foreigner who has a type visa. (Re, M or V)

Colombia Resident Investor VisaM – Colombian Investor Visas

This can be achieved by investing 350 SMMLV, totaling 612,816,750 pesos, or 161,283 in Colombian real estate in 2026. Colombian Property Investor Visa.

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Colombia-Visa-Application-Steps

Colombia Resident Visas (RE)

For those aspiring to establish themselves or begin permanent residency in Colombia due to: having renounced Colombian nationality; being the parent of a Colombian national by birth; accumulated time of permanence; and foreign direct investment. Colombian Residency offers a path to Colombian Citizenship. Once you obtain Colombian citizenship, you can obtain a Colombian passport and a citizen ID card. Full residency is a step in that direction and is much more respected than a temporary visa and residency card. With full residency, your foreign ID card (cedula de extranjeria) will display “RESIDENT”.

Colombia Residency Visa 2026

Colombia resident Qualified VisaRE – Qualified Migrant Visa Years

This visa is for holders of various who reach 2-5 years living in the country, and then QUALIFY for a FULL residency visa.

Colombia Resident Returning Colombian VisaRE – Returning Colombian

Colombians who renounced their Colombia citizenship for living in another country, but they want to require your citizenship again.

Colombia Resident Beneficiary VisaRE – Colombian Beneficiary Visa

Full residency is also provided to beneficiaries of the RE principal visa holders. Children aged 25 or younger and spouses qualify. More Information on Colombian Beneficiary Visa. Disabled Children or older family members may be an exception to this rule. Still, each case must be reviewed carefully and submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Relations’ visa office or a Colombian consulate for approval.

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