So, you’ve decided you want to live in Colombia. Great choice—mountains, Caribbean beaches, eternal spring weather. But then comes the million-peso question: Which visa do you actually need? The retirement one? The shiny new digital nomad? Or do you just marry the first Colombian you meet and hope for the best?
Spoiler alert—Colombia now has 43 different visa sub-categories, split into three buckets: Visitor, Migrant, and Resident. And if you don’t know the rules, you can get denied faster than you can say “no más arepas for you.”
Today, we’re doing the ultimate deep-dive into Colombian visas: what’s new in 2025, which ones are most popular right now, the exact documents you’ll need, how much it really costs, and the sneaky mistakes that get people rejected.
If you’ve ever thought about making Colombia your home base, this is your playbook.
The Map: Visitor, Migrant, Resident
Think of Colombia’s visa system like renting, leasing, or buying a house.
Visitor (V visas): short-term, flexible, up to 2 years depending on the type.
Migrant (M visas): mid- to long-term, for people settling in with more stability.
Resident (R visas): long-haul, the “buy the house” version with pathways to citizenship.
Each comes with rules, perks, and traps. If you choose wrong—or ignore the fine print—you could end up back at square one.
The Quick Chooser (Matt’s Fast Lane)
If you don’t want to sit through a 20-minute consultation, here’s your cheat sheet:
Remote worker for a company outside Colombia? → V: Digital Nomad Visa
Retired with a lifetime pension (≥3× minimum wage, around $1,068/month)? → M: Retirement Visa
Married to or in a civil union with a Colombian? → M: Marriage/Partner Visa
Job contract with a Colombian employer? → M: Worker Visa
Studying Spanish or doing a semester abroad? → V: Student Visa
Ready to invest in real estate/business? → M: Investment or Business Owner Visa
These six profiles cover about 90% of expats. Everyone else—diplomats, refugees, Mercosur agreements—you’re the edge cases.
Visitor Visas: The Short-Term Playground
Colombia has 25 subtypes of visitor visas. The most popular include:
Tourist permit (no visa, just a stamp): max 180 days per year, no more than 180 consecutive.
Digital Nomad visa: proof of $1,068 USD monthly income, valid up to 2 years.
Student visa: for Spanish learners or university exchanges.
Business/Event visas: yes, there’s even one if you’re filming a documentary or giving a TED Talk.
If your plan is short-term or you’re testing the waters, V visas are your trial version.
Migrant Visas: The Expat Workhorse
This is where most foreigners land if they want to stay for good. There are 14 subtypes, but here’s where you should pay attention:
Marriage/Partner Visa: work anywhere legally.
Retirement Visa: $1,068 monthly pension.
Worker Visa: tied to your Colombian employer.
Business Owner Visa: invest $35,588+ in a Colombian company.
Real Estate Investor Visa: $124,000+ property investment.
Professional Visa: for regulated professions.
⚠️ Rule to remember: leave Colombia for more than 6 months straight, your M visa is canceled. Pop back in for even one day, and you’re safe.
Resident Visas: The Holy Grail
R visas are your lifetime membership. Only four types exist:
By Time (2–5 years on M visas).
By Family (Colombian children or strong ties).
By Venezuelan TPS.
By Peace Accord (very niche).
Stay out of Colombia more than 2 years? Visa canceled. Stick around long enough and after 5 years (or 2 if married to a Colombian), you can apply for citizenship—and yes, Colombia allows dual citizenship.
The Paperwork Trap
This is where most people get burned. Here’s the non-negotiable checklist:
Documents must be fresh (≤3 months).
All foreign docs need apostilles.
Anything not in Spanish must be officially translated.
Health insurance is mandatory—international coverage with repatriation.
Background checks are now enforced (FBI for Americans, RCMP for Canadians, Police Certificate for Brits).
Skip any of these, and your application is toast.
Timeline & Costs
Here’s the reality check:
Timeline: 1–2 months total (apostilles + translations eat up time).
Government fees: $54–66 study fee, issuance varies.
Agency fees: $220–350 for budget agencies; lawyers $500–2,000.
Extras: translations, apostilles, couriers.
Cédula de Extranjería: $65, and you MUST apply within 15 days of visa approval or risk fines up to nearly $2,500.
Do it all yourself and you’ll spend ~$500. Hire an agency and budget closer to $800.
Top 10 Mistakes Expats Make
Waiting too long to extend a tourist stay.
Forgetting mandatory health insurance.
Skipping the cédula after approval.
Staying outside Colombia too long.
Submitting old documents.
Missing apostilles.
Using Google Translate instead of certified translators.
Starting too late (procrastination kills applications).
Typos/mismatches with your passport.
Ignoring background checks.
Learn these, and you’ll save money, time, and stress.
FAQs (Matt’s Lightning Round)
Can I work on my visa? Marriage = yes. Worker = only that employer. Digital Nomad = only for foreign clients.
How long are Migrant visas valid? Usually up to 3 years.
What if I leave Colombia? M visa = dead after 6 months out. R visa = gone after 2 years.
Do I need a lawyer? No. Agencies are usually cheaper and faster.
Do I need a Cédula? Absolutely yes.
Action Plan
✅ Pick your visa type (Visitor, Migrant, Resident).
✅ Check income/investment thresholds.
✅ Prep fresh, apostilled, translated documents.
✅ Add health insurance + background checks.
✅ Apply online, wait for approval.
✅ Register visa + get cédula within 15 days.
Follow this, and you’ll be sipping tinto legally faster than you can order a bandeja paisa.
Final Takeaway
Colombia’s visa system looks intimidating, but if you break it down, it’s really just three families—Visitor, Migrant, Resident—with rules you can master. Do the paperwork right, avoid rookie mistakes, and the payoff is a legal, comfortable life in one of the world’s most vibrant and affordable countries.
👉 Want a step-by-step guide with checklists and sample documents? Download our full Colombia Visa Roadmap and make your move stress-free.