Visas that foreigners can apply for in Colombia

Following Resolution 6045 of 2017, Colombia reclassified and updated its visa regulations. The new categories are:

1. Visitor visa or Type V visa
2. Migrant visa or Type M visa
3. Resident visa or Type R visa

Note: Former visa categories—Temporal (TP), Residence (RE) and Business—have been consolidated. RE visas are now Type R, and TP visas have become Type M or V.

Common Features of All Visa Applications

Under Articles 8 and 9 of Resolution 6045 of 2017:

• Multiple entries, exits and transits are permitted.
• Except for tourist and airport-transit visas, any visa valid for 180 days or more allows the holder to study in Colombia during that period.

Common Requirements for All Visa Applications

1. Copy of the main passport page (biographical data).
2. If applying in Colombia, proof of regular immigration status and presentation of the last entry, exit stamp or safe-conduct.
3. If applying at a Colombian consulate abroad, proof of regular stay in that country.

Countries That Require a Visa to Enter Colombia

Afghanistan, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Cambodia, Chad, People’s Republic of China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Korea, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macao (SAR China), North Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Central African Republic, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Eswatini, Thailand, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Visitor Visa (Type V)

The Type V visa is intended for foreigners who wish to visit Colombia temporarily without establishing permanent residence.

Who Can Apply?

Foreigners entering Colombia for tourism, airport transit or event attendance.

Validity

Granted for up to 2 years, depending on the applicant’s planned activity.

Permitted Activities

1. Airport transit: up to 30 days, maximum 24 hours in sterile transit zones.
2. Tourism: up to 180 continuous or non-continuous days per 365 days of visa use.
3. Business activities: up to 180 days per 365 days of visa use.
4. Academic exchange and studies in arts, trades or postgraduate programs.
5. Medical treatment.
6. Administrative or judicial procedures.
7. Crew member on a vessel or offshore platform.
8. Event participation: up to 180 days per 365 days of visa use.
9. Internships or practical training.
10. Volunteering.
11. Audiovisual or digital production.
12. Journalistic coverage.
13. Provision of temporary services.
14. Intra-company transfers under applicable international instruments.
15. Official or commercial representative of a foreign government.
16. Working holiday programs under treaties (1-year validity, stay equal to validity).

Courtesy Visa

Granted in cases such as:

1. Spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian diplomatic or consular official.
2. Holder of a diplomatic passport engaging in non-diplomatic activities.
3. Academic participants in Icetex programs.
4. Cases under international cooperation treaties or agreements.
5. Foreign artistic, technical or production personnel for film projects.
6. Refugee applicants whose status is pending before the Refugee Determination Advisory Commission.
7. Other cases of special importance to the Colombian State.

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Migrant Visa (Type M)

The Type M visa is for foreigners who wish to enter and remain in Colombia with the intention of establishing themselves but do not yet meet the requirements for a Type R visa.

Who Can Apply?

1. Spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national.
2. Adoptive parent or child of a Colombian national.
3. Migrants under the Mercosur Agreement.
4. Refugees.
5. Employment.
6. Entrepreneurs.
7. Independent professionals or tradespeople.
8. Religious workers.
9. Students (primary, secondary, middle or undergraduate).
10. Real estate investors.
11. Retirees.
12. Rentiers.

Validity

3 years, matching the authorized stay.

Main Activities

Employment, company formation or investment in Colombia, studies and re-entry under special categories (refugee, Mercosur, etc.).

Types of Type M Visa

• Spouse with marital union: up to 3 years, with work authorization.
• Spouse without marital union: 3 years; after 2 years, eligible for a 5-year Type R visa.
• Mercosur: 3 years for nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and Paraguay.
• Work: for salaried employment.
• Partner/Owner: investment of at least 100 minimum legal monthly salaries (SMMLV) in a Colombian company.
• Independent activities: practicing a profession independently.
• Religious: missionaries or religious trainees, 3 years validity.
• Real estate owner: foreign direct investment exclusively for property purchase.
• Pensioner: retirees with foreign pension income, 3 years validity (void if out of Colombia > 6 months).
• Rentier: recipients of periodic income, 3 years validity.
• Student: for primary, secondary, middle or undergraduate studies; validity up to program duration (maximum 3 years).

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Resident Visa (Type R)

The Type R visa is for those seeking permanent residence in Colombia—due to nationality renunciation, family ties, accumulated stay or foreign investment.

Who Can Apply?

Foreigners with at least 2 years of uninterrupted residence in Colombia.

Validity

Indefinite, with a 5-year visa sticker and renewable for equal periods via visa transfer.

Permitted Activities

Permanent residence for family reunification, accumulated residency or foreign direct investment.

Types of Type R Visa

• Mercosur: for Type M Mercosur holders with 2 years’ residence.
• Spouse/Permanent partner: for Type M spouse holders with 2 years’ residence.
• Accumulated time: for Type M holders with 2 years (family categories) or 5 years (other categories).
• Child of Colombian national: parent of a Colombian by birth; indefinite validity.
• Foreign investment: investment over 650 SMMLV registered with Banco de la República; indefinite validity.