Type R Visa for Permanent Residency in Colombia

What is the Type R Visa in Colombia?

The Type R Visa (Resident) is a permanent residence permit for foreigners who wish to establish themselves permanently in Colombia. This visa is particularly suitable for: • Foreigners who renounced Colombian nationality: Those who were Colombian by birth or adoption and wish to regain their resident status in the country. • People with accumulated residence time: Those who have held a Type M Visa for at least 5 consecutive years and wish to change their status to permanent resident. Visa validity: The Type R Visa has an initial validity of 5 years. Before it expires, the holder must apply for a transfer to maintain residency indefinitely.

Requirements to Apply for the Type R Visa

To apply for the Type R Visa in Colombia, it is necessary to meet the following requirements: • Valid passport with at least 6 months of validity. • Copy of the certificate of renunciation of Colombian nationality, if applicable. • Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) for Venezuelan citizens, as an alternative to the passport. • Naturalization certificate, if applicable. • Letter explaining sources of income: Detailing how the stay in Colombia will be financed. • Recent photograph with a white background. • Proof of regular stay in Colombia, such as records of entries and exits. Important: The visa authority may request additional information. All documents in languages other than Spanish must be officially translated by a certified translator.

Costs and Fees for the Type R Visa in Colombia

The process for obtaining the Type R Visa includes fees and consular charges: • Service fees by Servicio Legal SAS: COP $2,700,000, covering personalized advice and the management of the entire process. • Study fee: USD $55. • Issuance fee: USD $400. Approximate total cost: From COP $2,700,000 + USD $55 + USD $400, depending on applicable consular fees and the exchange rate.

Duration of the Type R Visa Process

The process of obtaining the Type R Visa takes approximately 30 calendar days, from the submission of the application to approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

Benefits of the Type R Visa

The Type R Visa offers multiple benefits to those who wish to establish permanent residence in Colombia: • Permanent residence: The right to reside indefinitely in Colombia. • Permission to work and start a business: Opportunities to engage in work or business activities. • Access to Colombian nationality: Possibility of applying for citizenship after 2 years of continuous residence. • Inclusion of beneficiaries: Allows the inclusion of family members as visa beneficiaries, facilitating joint residence.

Activities Allowed with the Type R Visa

With the Type R Visa, holders can: • Legally work in any economic activity in Colombia. • Start a business or invest in local projects. • Access health and education services in the country. • Enjoy the same rights as a Colombian resident, such as purchasing property and achieving financial stability.