Colombia Visa Types
Nowadays, more and more people want to know more about the types of visas to Colombia, because while some choose Colombia as a travel destination, others even decide to stay there permanently.
Citizens of certain eligible countries can visit Colombia for recreational purposes even without a tourist visa - only if their passport is visa-free. Others must apply for a visa to enter Colombia.
Depending on the purpose and expected length of stay, there are three types of Colombian visas:
V for visitors, M for migrants and R for residents.
Important! Check-MIG for Colombia is a document that confirms that the traveler has the necessary documents to enter and exit the country, as well as appropriate health insurance while in Colombia.
This document is used to prove that the traveler has met all the requirements needed to travel in and out of Colombia.
Colombia Check-MIG
Colombia Check-MIG is a mandatory document for anyone who must enter or leave Colombia. It was implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 because it reduces travellers' contact with border officials. This is an application form that contains the applicant's personal, travel and health information.
It can be obtained completely online in a few simple steps. You must request this within 24 hours before your flight departs. By using this form, customs officers can ensure that each passenger crossing the border is healthy and will not infect other travelers.
Colombia Visitor Visas (type V)
Colombia tourist visa (Type V) allows visitors to enter Colombia one or more times. The allowed period of stay can vary from 1 week to 3 years.
There are several types of tourist visas:
- Colombia tourist visa - allows foreigners to visit Colombia for leisure, tourism, and to visit relatives and friends.
- Student visa - for individuals who wish to enroll in a private or public educational institution for non-degree programs, for example to study Spanish or obtain a degree from a university or technical school.
- Business visa - designed for employees of foreign companies who want to participate in meetings, conferences and congresses;
- Event or conference visa - allows you to participate in events as an artist, athlete, speaker, etc.
- Work visa - issued to foreigners on temporary, short-term or irregular contracts or who are required to provide specialized technical support in Colombia.
- Medical treatment - for people undergoing medical treatment and having follow-up appointments that require an extended stay in Colombia.
- Administrative Procedures - to carry out administrative/judicial proceedings before agencies/agencies.
Colombia Migrant Visas (type M)
The Colombian immigrant visa (M type) is suitable for foreigners who want to live in Colombia for a longer period of time but cannot obtain an R type visa.
Colombian immigrant visas are represented by the following types:
- Retirement Visa – issued to retirees receiving retirement income from their home country. This visa is popular among retirees because it requires a low income (about $750) and is valid for 3 years.
- Annuity Visa - issued for a period of up to 3 years to foreigners receiving a fixed income of 250 USD or more from sources such as annuities or pension funds, rental properties, interest on loans , dividends or interest payments on investments in the company, insurance payments or sale of a business.
- Business Owner Visa – launched for individuals investing in a business or property. It is valid for 3 years and allows multiple entries.
- Refugee visa - can be granted by people who are persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group and political opinion, or who are threatened by violence spread, foreign invasion, internal conflict or serious human rights violations. People with this type of visa can live, work and study in Colombia.
- Student Visa - for foreign students who wish to enroll in a study program at a public or private educational institution recognized by the Colombian government.
- Mercosur Agreement - for permanent or associate members of the Mercosur economic bloc who meet the requirement of a legalized criminal record report. Visa holders can bring their spouse and children to Colombia.
- Real Estate Visa - granted for temporary residence as a migrant for up to three years after investing 650 minimum wage in company shares.
- Marriage Visa – designed for spouses of Colombian citizens. This Colombian visa is valid for three years and allows you to enroll in studies and find work.
- Work visa – for foreigners who have found work in Colombia. To apply for this Colombia visa, applicants must meet the position requirements and support their experience with appropriate documentation. The value is valid throughout the term of the contract but not exceeding three years.
- Religious visa - issued to persons belonging to the hierarchy of a church, sect, religious denomination, federation, confederation or association of religious ministers recognized by the Colombian state.
- Beneficiaries - issued to members of the immediate family of Colombian immigrants:
spouses, permanent companions, parents, children under 25 years of age or older if disabled.
Colombia Resident Visas (RE)
The permanent residence visa is chosen by those who want to live in Colombia permanently.
To qualify, the applicant must meet one of five Colombian residency visa categories:
- Investor Visa - this way, a person can qualify for full permanent residency by purchasing real estate or invest in shares of a company with a minimum salary of 650.
- Qualifying visa - issued to immigrant visa holders who have lived in Colombia for 3-5 years and wish to obtain a visa full residence.
- Colombia National Parent Visa - designed for biological or adoptive parents of Colombian citizens to become full citizens.
- Beneficiary visa – issued to people who are economically dependent on the main residence visa holder.
- Colombia repatriation visa - for people who wish to regain their Colombian citizenship after renouncing it to live in other countries.
