If you’ve ever stared at a Colombian visa checklist and thought, “I need a translator for this translator,” you’re not alone. I sat down with Juliana Wilches from Expatgroup.co—a team that’s been helping foreigners live, invest, work, marry, and study in Colombia for over a decade—to boil everything down to what actually matters.
This is your clear-eyed, plain-English field guide: the real visa categories, who qualifies for what, the documents people miss, why applications get rejected, what the digital nomad visa really asks for, and when to stop DIY’ing and get a pro on your side.
Grab a coffee. Let’s make this easy.
Colombia’s Three Big Visa Buckets (and Where You Fit)
Colombia doesn’t have “one visa to rule them all.” It has three categories, and your purpose decides the path:
Visitor (V) — “Short stay, keep it flexible.”
Good for: digital nomads, students, scoping business opportunities, events, short-term projects.
Typical validity: up to 2 years (granted at the discretion of Migración/Ch Cancillería), usually with stays capped per entry or across the year depending on sub-category.Migrant (M) — “I’m building a life here.”
Good for: marriage or civil partnership (common-law), retirees, real-estate investors, company owners/partners, certain workers.
Typical validity: 1–3 years, and time on an M counts toward Residency (R).Resident (R) — “I’m putting down roots.”
Good for: those who accumulate time on qualifying M visas, and a few specific categories.
Think of this as your long-term stability step after you’ve proven ties.
Matt’s take: Decide your “why” first. The category chooses you once your purpose is clear.
Marriage vs. Civil Partnership (Common-Law): Same Love, Different Paperwork
Both can qualify you for an M (migrant) family visa, but the rules and timelines differ.
Civil Marriage
What it is: A civil marriage certificate (from abroad or Colombia).
If married abroad: You apostille the certificate and register it in Colombia.
Timeline to apply: Immediately after registration.
Time toward residency: 3 years on this M visa typically unlocks eligibility for R (resident).
Civil Partnership / Common-Law (Unión Marital de Hecho)
What it is: Colombia’s legal recognition of a common-law union (think “domestic partnership”).
Important: The partnership must be constituted in Colombia—issued by a Chamber of Commerce or an approved conciliation center.
Timeline to apply: You must wait 12 months after issuance before applying for the visa.
Time toward residency: Plan on 5 years before residency eligibility.
Pro tip: Colombia does recognize that long-term cohabitation creates a common-law union in principle, but for visas you need the official document—and it must be issued in Colombia and seasoned for a full year before you file.
The Digital Nomad Visa: What It Is (and Isn’t)
This is one of Colombia’s friendliest visas—if you tick the right boxes.
Core rule: Your income is from outside Colombia.
Work remotely for a foreign employer,
or freelance with foreign clients (provide client letters/contracts),
or own a foreign company (show incorporation + that you’re the owner + that it actually operates).
How you prove it (pick what fits you):
Employment contract with a non-Colombian company.
Freelance client letters stating services, duration, rate, and that they’re overseas entities.
Founder/owner route: company docs + proof of ongoing operations/income (bank statements help).
Project-based creators (e.g., content/education platforms): a well-framed letter explaining the project’s nature, reach, and sustainability.
Matt’s take: “I pay myself from my U.S. LLC” works—if you document the LLC’s legal status and your ownership. Bring proof of income that matches the visa’s minimums (they change with SMMLV; your consultant will calibrate the current threshold).
Why Visas Get Rejected (So You Don’t)
Juliana sees three failure patterns again and again:
Missing or incomplete requirements.
People skip items in the resolution (the official rulebook) or assume “close enough” counts. It doesn’t.Expired documents.
Many documents must be issued within the last 90 days. Submit older than that? Expect a denial.Discretionary power.
Colombia can approve/deny based on government discretion. You can’t control it—but you can avoid inviting doubts with sloppy files.
Fix it before it breaks: Use fresh documents (under 90 days), apostille and translate what needs it, and present a coherent, complete story of who you are and why you qualify.
Universal Paperwork You’ll Likely Need (Beyond the Category-Specific Stuff)
Passport (valid and scannable, obviously).
Digital photo (Colombia is picky about dimensions/background—follow specs).
Entry stamp if applying inside Colombia (your tourist entry record).
Proof of income (varies by visa; bank statements, pension letters, contracts, etc.).
FBI background check (not always listed in the resolution, but often requested—get it early).
Apostilles and official translations (Spanish) for foreign docs where required.
Dates matter: Treat 90 days as the shelf life for most official docs. Don’t file with stale paperwork.
Should You Hire a Specialist?
You can DIY. But here’s what a solid firm like Expatgroup.co navigates for you:
Government-speak → human-speak. Requirements are written for case officers, not for newcomers.
Document choreography. What to apostille, translate, notarize—and in what order.
“Right the first time.” A complete file often avoids those dreaded “please provide additional…” emails (which can stall you right past your stamp expiry).
Language barrier. At the cédula office (ID card stage) and across agencies, English is rare. Misunderstandings at the counter = avoidable delays.
Edge cases. Real estate investments, business formation, tighter digital-nomad scrutiny—these aren’t the place to learn by trial and error.
Matt’s take: I’ve used Juliana’s team for my original visa and renewals. Zero drama. That’s not an ad; that’s relief.
Build-Your-File Checklists (Use These)
Fast Pre-Flight (works for most visas)
□ Passport valid + high-quality scan
□ Digital photo (Colombian spec)
□ Entry stamp (if applying in-country)
□ Proof of income (aligned to your visa type)
□ FBI background check (start early)
□ Apostilles + sworn translations (as required)
□ Category-specific docs (marriage/partnership certificate, investment deed, pension letter, contracts, etc.)
□ All docs issued within 90 days where applicable
Marriage vs. Civil Partnership
Marriage:
□ Marriage certificate apostilled + registered in Colombia
□ Apply immediately post-registration
□ Track 3 years toward residency
Civil Partnership (Unión Marital de Hecho):
□ Partnership constituted in Colombia (Chamber of Commerce/conciliation center)
□ Wait 12 months from issuance before visa
□ Track 5 years toward residency
Digital Nomad
□ Employment contract with foreign entity or
□ Freelance client letters/contracts from foreign clients or
□ Proof you own and operate a foreign company
□ Bank statements / income evidence meeting the threshold
□ Clear statement of remote activities (no Colombian-source work)
Common “Almosts” That Derail Applications
“It’s translated, but not sworn.” Colombia wants official (sworn) translations.
“It’s notarized, not apostilled.” Different processes, different purposes. Apostille is the international one.
“We lived together for years—does that count?” Not without the right Colombian document and the 12-month wait (for the partnership visa).
“My documents are from last fall.” Re-issue them. The 90-day clock is real.
“I explained it in a letter.” Good. Back it with evidence (contracts, bank statements, legal filings).
A Smooth Timeline (What “Good” Looks Like)
Pick your visa path (V, M, or R) based on purpose.
Collect docs (fresh, apostilled/translated).
Package proof of income to match the specific threshold and form (pension letter, contracts, company docs).
Submit a complete file (this is where a specialist pays for themselves).
Respond quickly to any additional requests with precisely what’s asked.
Visa approved → Cédula de Extranjería appointment → ID in hand → exhale.
When in Doubt, Ask Before You File
Colombian immigration has discretion—and it’s easier to align your file than to salvage a half-baked one. If your case is even slightly non-standard (mixed income sources, company ownership, prior overstays, investment timing), a 30-minute consult will save you weeks.
Want a hand? Juliana’s team is at Expatgroup.co.