Tourist entry on an entry permit (US citizens visa exempt): US passport holders are visa exempt for short stays. At arrival the migration officer stamps a Permiso Temporal (PT) entry permit; tourism is one of the PT classes under the entry rules of Resolution 3167 of 2019. No paid activity is allowed on this status.
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Living in Colombia long term
Colombia runs its long stay system on three visa classes under Resolution 5477 of 2022: Visitor (V), Migrant (M), and Resident (R). US citizens enter visa free for 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year, and the V digital nomad visa covers remote workers earning at least 3 SMMLV (COP 5,252,715 per month at the 2026 minimum wage of COP 1,750,905). Real residence runs through the M class, granted for up to 3 years at a time, and only M time accumulates toward the permanent R visa: 5 years for pensioners, workers, and investors, 3 years for a spouse of a Colombian, 2 years for a parent of a Colombian child. Naturalization then needs 5 more years of domicile counted from the R visa, or 2 years for spouses, partners, and parents of Colombians.
Numbers on this page apply to holders of a US passport. Page last verified: 2026-10-15
Rules change. Confirm the current rules with the official source or the consulate for Colombia before you apply, pay a fee, or book travel around a date in this table.
Every route, with the math
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| Route | Income required | Investment required | Total cost | Processing time | Days allowed | Renewal rules | Tax residency trigger | Years to permanent residency | Years to citizenship | Last verified | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist entry on an entry permit (US citizens visa exempt) Tourist allowance | Not applicable | Not applicable | No fee for entry. The PTP extension costs COP 150,000 at the 2026 Migracion Colombia tariff. | The permit is issued at the port of entry. The PTP extension is filed online through the Formulario Unico de Tramites before the first 90 days run out. | 90 days on the entry permit stamped at arrival. It can be extended once with a Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP) up to a maximum of 180 calendar days of stay in the same calendar year. | One extension only, capped at 180 calendar days per calendar year. Staying longer requires a visa. | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the status held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code (Estatuto Tributario), a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). The 180 day per year cap on entry permits keeps permit only stays under that line. | Does not lead to permanent residency. Entry permit time does not accumulate toward the Resident (R) visa; only time as an M visa holder counts under Article 90 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. | Does not count. Naturalization domicile is counted only from the issuance of a Resident (R) visa under Ley 2332 de 2023. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Visitor (V) visa for digital nomads and remote workers Digital nomad | Income from remote work for a foreign employer, foreign clients, or a company abroad of at least 3 SMMLV per month, proven with bank statements for the last 3 months. At the 2026 SMMLV of COP 1,750,905 (Decreto 1469 de 2025) that is COP 5,252,715 per month. A health policy covering the whole stay in Colombia, including repatriation, is also required. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 177 issuance fee, USD 231 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). The Cedula de Extranjeria (COP 294,000 at the 2026 Migracion Colombia tariff) must also be obtained within 15 calendar days of arrival. | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Visa validity of up to 2 years, and the authorized stay matches the visa validity. | Resolution 5477 sets no extension for this visa; when it expires the holder files a new application. Visa exempt nationals, including US citizens, can also work remotely on entry permits for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year, as long as no Colombian source pays them. | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | Does not lead to permanent residency. Visitor (V) time does not accumulate toward the Resident (R) visa under Article 90 of Resolution 5477; only M visa time counts, so the long term path is to switch to an M category. | Does not count toward naturalization. The domicile clock for naturalization starts only when a Resident (R) visa is issued (Ley 2332 de 2023). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Visitor (V) visa for rentista (private income) Passive income | Periodic rent from a lawful, documented source of at least 10 SMMLV per month. At the 2026 SMMLV of COP 1,750,905 that is COP 17,509,050 per month. The rent is proven with a certification from a public entity or a government recognized private company stating the rent paid, or with proof of owning property in Colombia that generates the rent. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 177 issuance fee, USD 231 in total (reported, the general Visitor class tariff from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). The Cedula de Extranjeria (COP 294,000 at the 2026 Migracion Colombia tariff) must also be obtained within 15 calendar days of arrival. | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Visa validity of up to 2 years, and the authorized stay matches the visa validity. | Resolution 5477 sets no extension for this visa; when it expires the holder files a new application. | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | Does not lead to permanent residency. Visitor (V) time does not accumulate toward the Resident (R) visa under Article 90 of Resolution 5477; only M visa time counts. | Does not count toward naturalization. The domicile clock for naturalization starts only when a Resident (R) visa is issued (Ley 2332 de 2023). | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for pensioners (pensionado) Retirement | A lifetime pension paid by a government or by a public or private entity of at least 3 SMMLV per month, certified by the paying entity or by the diplomatic mission of the pension country. At the 2026 SMMLV of COP 1,750,905 that is COP 5,252,715 per month. A background certificate covering the last 3 years, a medical certificate, and health coverage in Colombia are also required. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff), payable within 15 calendar days of arrival or issuance. | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. | A fresh application is filed before expiry while the pension continues. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). Time accumulates toward the R visa only when the new visa is granted before the previous one expires. | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 5 years as an M Pensionado holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). | 5 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 5 years of domicile counted from the R visa issuance before naturalization (Ley 2332 de 2023), about 10 years in total. The term on the R visa drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national or a parent of Colombian children. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for real estate investors Investor | No income threshold. The applicant must show bank statements for the last 3 months proving economic solvency to stay in the country; no fixed amount is set in the resolution. | Real estate bought and titled exclusively in the applicant's own name with a value of at least 350 SMMLV, COP 612,816,750 at the 2026 SMMLV, with the purchase registered as foreign direct investment at Banco de la Republica. | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. | On second and later visas the applicant must prove the property is still held and still registered as foreign investment. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 5 years as an M Inversionista holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). | 5 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 5 years of domicile counted from the R visa issuance before naturalization (Ley 2332 de 2023), about 10 years in total. The term on the R visa drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national or a parent of Colombian children. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for foreign direct investors Investor | No income threshold. The applicant must show bank statements for the last 3 months proving economic solvency to stay in the country; no fixed amount is set in the resolution. | Foreign direct investment registered in the applicant's name at Banco de la Republica of more than 650 SMMLV, more than COP 1,138,088,250 at the 2026 SMMLV. | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. | On second and later visas the applicant must prove the registered investment was maintained. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 5 years as an M Inversionista holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). | 5 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 5 years of domicile counted from the R visa issuance before naturalization (Ley 2332 de 2023), about 10 years in total. The term on the R visa drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national or a parent of Colombian children. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for business owners (socio o propietario) Investor | Not applicable. There is no personal income test; the company must show economic activity and solvency, which is checked from the second visa onward. | Paid in capital of a Colombian commercial company, newly formed by the applicant or acquired from it, of at least 100 SMMLV, COP 175,090,500 at the 2026 SMMLV. For a share company, a public accountant certifies the participation in the registered paid capital. Buying shares on the secondary market does not qualify. | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. | The visa lasts only while the capital participation is maintained, and the company circumstances are checked again on later applications. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 5 years as an M Socio o Propietario holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). | 5 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 5 years of domicile counted from the R visa issuance before naturalization (Ley 2332 de 2023), about 10 years in total. The term on the R visa drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national or a parent of Colombian children. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for employees of a Colombian company (trabajador) Work | No salary floor is set for the applicant. The Colombian employer must show bank statements for the last 4 months with average monthly income of 100 SMMLV, COP 175,090,500 at the 2026 SMMLV, and must file a summary of the employment contract stating the role, activity, and salary. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. The work permit is limited to the role, profession, and employer entity named in the application. | A fresh application is filed before expiry while the employment continues. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 5 years as an M Trabajador holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). | 5 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 5 years of domicile counted from the R visa issuance before naturalization (Ley 2332 de 2023), about 10 years in total. The term on the R visa drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national or a parent of Colombian children. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national Other | Not applicable. No income or investment threshold is set for this category. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant, with an open work permit for any lawful activity. | A fresh application is filed before expiry while the marriage or union and the cohabitation continue. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 3 years as an M Conyuge holder, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477). A permanent partner accumulates 5 years instead. | 3 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 2 years of domicile on the R visa, because Ley 2332 de 2023 cuts the naturalization domicile term to 2 years for the spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national, about 5 years in total. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Migrant (M) visa for parent of a Colombian national Other | Not applicable. No income or investment threshold is set for this category. | Not applicable | USD 54 study fee plus USD 270 issuance fee, USD 324 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Up to 3 years per grant. | A fresh application is filed before expiry while the qualifying link continues. An M visa ends automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365 day period counted from issuance (Article 65). | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | 2 years as an M holder in this category, then the Resident (R) visa by accumulated time (Article 90 of Resolution 5477), the fastest accumulation on this page. | 2 years as an M holder to reach the R visa, then 2 years of domicile on the R visa, because Ley 2332 de 2023 cuts the naturalization term to 2 years for a parent of Colombian children, about 4 years in total. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
| Resident (R) visa by accumulated time as an M visa holder Other | No fixed threshold. The applicant must explain the source of income and show the facts that supported the M visa still hold; investors and business owners must prove the qualifying investment, property, or participation was maintained for the whole accumulation period (Article 90). | Not applicable as a new investment. The qualifying stake from the M visa must have been maintained. | USD 54 study fee plus USD 400 issuance fee, USD 454 in total (reported, from the Cancilleria online cost simulator figures reproduced by Colombian immigration law firms). Plus the Cedula de Extranjeria fee of COP 294,000 (2026 Migracion Colombia tariff). | The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the file is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 13). | Permanent residence with no end date. The visa is issued with a 5 year validity and must be transferred (traspaso) to a fresh visa before that validity expires. | Residence itself does not expire or renew; only the visa label transfer (traspaso) is repeated every 5 years. The R holder must request the transfer before the current visa validity expires. | Tax residence turns on presence, not on the visa held. Under Article 10 of the Tax Code, a person is a tax resident after remaining in Colombia, continuously or not, for more than 183 calendar days within any period of 365 consecutive calendar days, counting entry and exit days (DIAN). Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. | This route is permanent residency itself, reached after 2 to 5 years as an M holder depending on category: 2 years for a parent of a Colombian national, 3 years for a spouse of a Colombian national, 5 years for the pensioner, worker, investor, business owner, and permanent partner categories. | 5 years of continuous domicile counted from the issuance of the R visa (Ley 2332 de 2023, which replaced Ley 43 de 1993). The term drops to 2 years for a spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national, a parent of Colombian children, or a Spanish national. Naturalization is discretionary and includes an exam on the Colombian constitution, history, culture, and geography. | 2026-10-15 | Official source |
Route notes
Visitor (V) visa for digital nomads and remote workers: Created by Article 46 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. The work must be exclusively remote, through digital media, for companies or clients outside Colombia; working for a person or company domiciled in Colombia is not allowed. Entrepreneurs and startup founders in digital content or internet technology can also qualify with a motivational letter. Family members can be added as beneficiaries.
Visitor (V) visa for rentista (private income): Article 56 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. No work is allowed on this visa, and a health policy and a background certificate from the country of origin or residence are required. Under the previous Resolution 6045 of 2017, rentista was a Migrant (M) visa whose time accumulated toward residence. Resolution 5477 moved it to the Visitor (V) class, and V time no longer counts toward the Resident (R) visa.
Migrant (M) visa for pensioners (pensionado): Article 77 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. No work is allowed on this visa, and the holder cannot join the Colombian social security system except under a bilateral agreement in force for that purpose.
Migrant (M) visa for real estate investors: Article 79 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. Under the rules in force before October 2022 a qualifying investor could receive a Resident (R) visa directly; Resolution 5477 made the investor a Migrant (M) category, so residence now comes after 5 years of accumulated M time.
Migrant (M) visa for foreign direct investors: Article 79 of Resolution 5477 of 2022, the alternative to the real estate track in the same article. The investment must be registered with Banco de la Republica as foreign direct investment before the visa is granted.
Migrant (M) visa for business owners (socio o propietario): Article 75 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. The work permit attached to this visa covers only activity inside that company.
Migrant (M) visa for employees of a Colombian company (trabajador): Article 74 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. For regulated professions, the foreign degree must be validated (convalidacion) before the visa is granted. The employer also files a letter explaining why the position is being filled by a foreign national.
Migrant (M) visa for spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national: Article 67 (spouse) and Article 68 (permanent partner) of Resolution 5477 of 2022. A spouse files a Colombian civil registry marriage record issued within the last 3 months and must show effective cohabitation. A permanent partner files a public deed, court order, or conciliation act formalizing the union, executed more than 1 year before the application.
Migrant (M) visa for parent of a Colombian national: Article 70 of Resolution 5477 of 2022 covers the father or mother of a Colombian national by birth. The child civil registry record proving the link is the core document. Parents of a Colombian national by adoption accumulate toward residence on the same 2 year term under Article 90.
Resident (R) visa by accumulated time as an M visa holder: Article 90 of Resolution 5477 of 2022. Meeting the time requirement does not guarantee the grant; the visa authority decides each case, and application study time does not add to the accumulated time. Time counts as continuous only when each visa was granted before the previous one expired; time on a salvoconducto does not count.