There are many different types of Colombian visas that allow you to stay in the country.
Citizens of countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States do not need a visa to enter Colombia as a tourist.
A Colombian tourist visa isn’t a formal visa, only an entry visa which can be extended by 90 days at any Migración Colombia office in the country.
However, if you don’t have a formal visa, your stay in Colombia is limited to a maximum of 180 days.
New Classification for Visas in Colombia
Colombia has three (3) types of visas: Temporary (TP), Resident (RE), and Business visas. The most common type of visa among expats are TP or RE. It is important to note that in late 2017 according to Resolución 6045 (resolution 6045), Colombia changed its visa rules and classification. The new classification only includes three types:
- Visitor (V)
- Migrant (M)
- Resident (R)
*The new R type visa is the same as the old RE visa. The different categories of TP visas will become either M or V visas.
1. New Migrant (M) Colombian Visa
The most common TP visas used by expats such as marriage (TP-10), investment (TP-7), retirement (TP-7), work (TP-4) and student (TP-3) are becoming M visas. For this type of visa there are different conditions and requirements, which include but are not limited to:
- Being a spouse or partner of a Colombian resident
- Being a national of one of the States party to the “Agreement on Residence for nationals of Mercosur, Bolivia and Chile” (Old TP-15 visa)
- Being recognized as a refugee in Colombia according to the current regulations (Old TP-9 refugee visa)
- Having permanent employment in Colombia (Old TP-4 work visa)
- Having a qualification to practice a profession independently (Old TP-13 visa)
- Coming to Colombia as a missionary (Old TP-5 visa)
- Being admitted or enrolled in primary, secondary or a higher education program at an undergraduate educational institution in Colombia (Old TP-3 visa)
- Registering a foreign direct investment in Colombia (Old TP-7 real estate investment visa)
- Receiving a retirement pension or receiving a periodic income from a credible legal source (Old TP-7 pensioner or rentista visa)
*Unlike the TP visas, the M visas are valid for three years. The only exceptions are for the work visas (category 5) and student visas (category 9) which can be valid for less than three years depending on the length of employment and studies.
2. New Resident (R) Colombian Visa
This new type of visa will replace the RE (resident) visa. There are five categories of the R visa:
- Returning Colombian
- The parent of a Colombian national by birth
- Has held an M visa category
- Investment of at least 650 times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia
*According to Resolution 6045, holder of an M category 1 visa (marriage visa) can become eligible for an R visa after two years.
3. New Visitor (V) Colombian Visa
This type of visa can be granted to individuals in the following situations:
- Visitors to Colombia for leisure, tourism or culture interest purposes (Old TP-11 visa)
- Individuals conducting business negotiations, market studies, plans or procedures of direct investment and constitution of commercial society, negotiation, the conclusion of contracts or commercial representation
- Individuals who participate in an academic exchange program
- Individuals who attend medical consultations, or accompany the person who attends the consultation
- To carry out administrative and/or judicial proceedings before entities or authorities in Colombia
- To participate in an events as a lecturer, exhibitor, artist, athlete, jury, contestant or logistical staff
- For those who volunteer in development cooperation projects or in the promotion and protection of human rights
- For individuals who perform temporary services
- People who hold a position in a Colombian branch of a company
- Individuals who come to Colombia as a foreign government official
*A V type visa can be valid for up to two years. The time permitted in Colombia with a V visa is limited to a maximum of 180 days (continuous or discontinuous days) per year.
Ready to Get Your Visa in Colombia?
Knowing which type of visa is the appropriate one for you can be complicated, and the process to obtain one can be stressful. At Biz Latin Hub, we have the tools and knowledge to save you the headache.
Given the favorable conditions in the country and the region as well as the economic growth, Biz Latin Hub through its company Colombian Business Services offers the experience and support necessary for investors to have a successful market entry in Colombia. Feel free to contact us now.
For more information on how to apply for a Colombian visa, watch the following video!
