Colombia
Colombia visa guide: visitor, migrant and resident visas
- 9 visa types
- checked 29 October 2026
How visas for Colombia work
Colombian visas are decided by the Visa and Immigration Authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), while Migración Colombia controls the border, grants entry permits to visa-exempt travellers and issues the foreigner identity card (cédula de extranjería). The rules are set by Resolution 5477 of 2022. Every application is filed online through the Cancillería's SITAC platform: you upload scanned documents, choose either the Bogotá office (if you are already in Colombia with regular status) or the consulate nearest to where you live, and receive an electronic visa by email.
There are three classes. Visitor visas (type V) cover short and medium stays such as tourism, business, study, medical treatment, digital nomads and income earners (rentista) and never lead to residence on their own. Migrant visas (type M) are for people who intend to settle, for example workers, spouses, pensioners and investors, and last up to three years. Resident visas (type R) are permanent and are mainly reached by accumulating time on an M visa. Holders of most visas longer than three months must register with Migración Colombia and obtain a cédula de extranjería within 15 days.
Nationals on Colombia's lists of countries exempt from a short-stay visa, such as List A, enter with a passport and receive an entry and stay permit (PIP) of up to 90 days at the airport, which Migración Colombia can extend to a maximum of 180 days per calendar year, as long as they are not paid by anyone in Colombia. Any paid activity and any longer stay requires a visa.
Fees are fixed in US dollars or euros by Resolution 3969 of 2026 and are paid in two stages: a non-refundable study fee of USD 56 when you apply and an issuance fee if the visa is approved (USD 138 for most V visas, USD 52 for tourist visas, USD 204 for M visas and USD 183 for R visas). The authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide, and its decisions cannot be appealed.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, family visit or unpaid business meetings up to 90 days (extendable to 180 a year): no visa for nationals of exempt countries (Lists A, B and C of Resolution 5488 of 2022); other nationalities need a V tourist or V business visa.
Remote work for foreign employers or clients: V digital nomad visa, up to two years, open to visa-exempt nationalities with income of at least three minimum wages.
A job with a Colombian company: M worker visa, sponsored by the employer.
Living on a pension: M pensioner visa (three minimum wages). Living on other regular income: V rentista visa (ten minimum wages).
Investing in a company or property: M investor visa (650 minimum wages in direct investment or 350 in real estate).
Studying longer than 180 days: V student visa.
Married to a Colombian: M spouse visa, which leads to an R visa after three years.
Afraid to return to your country while in Colombia: refugee claim with the Cancillería.
Visa types for Colombia
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor visa for tourism (Visa V Turismo) and visa-free entry permit (PIP)
Nationals of visa-exempt countries, such as those on Colombia's List A, do not need a tourist visa: Migración Colombia grants an entry and stay permit (PIP) of up to 90 days at the border, extendable to 180 days per calendar year.
Maximum stay: 90 days per entry, extendable to 180 days (continuous or not) per calendar year for visa-exempt travellers; 180 days in each 365 for V Turismo holders
Business and self-employment
- Investor visa Migrant visa for investors (Visa M Inversionista)
The M Inversionista visa is for foreigners who have made a foreign direct investment above 650 Colombian minimum monthly wages, or bought real estate in their own name worth at least 350 minimum wages, registered with the Banco de la República.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the visa; lapses after more than 180 continuous days abroad in any 365
Study and training
- Student visa Visitor visa for studies (Visa V Estudiante)
The V Estudiante visa covers in-person, online or distance study at any level, from school to university, as well as student internships and university exchanges.
Maximum stay: Matches the visa's validity; absence from Colombia of more than 90 days ends the visa, except for online or distance study
Work
- Work visa Migrant visa for workers (Visa M Trabajador)
The M Trabajador visa is for foreigners hired by a company or other legal entity in Colombia under an employment contract.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the visa; absences of more than 180 continuous days in any 365 end the visa - Digital nomad visa Visitor visa for digital nomads (Visa V Nómada Digital)
Colombia's digital nomad visa lets remote workers, freelancers and digital entrepreneurs live in Colombia for up to two years while working online exclusively for foreign companies or clients.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the visa, up to two years
Family
- Spouse and partner visa Migrant visa for spouses and permanent partners of Colombians (Visa M Cónyuge / Compañero permanente)
Foreigners married to a Colombian citizen, or in a de facto union with one, apply for a migrant visa to live together in Colombia.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the visa; lapses after more than 180 continuous days abroad in any 365
Residence
- Retirement visa Migrant visa for pensioners (Visa M Pensionado) and visitor visa for income earners (Visa V Rentista)
Colombia offers two visas for people who live on passive income.
Maximum stay: For the validity of the visa; an M visa lapses after more than 180 continuous days abroad in any 365 - Permanent residence Resident visa by accumulated time (Visa R Residente por tiempo acumulado de permanencia)
Colombia's resident (R) visa is its permanent status.
Maximum stay: Indefinite; the visa lapses after two consecutive years outside Colombia
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Recognition of refugee status (reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado)
Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides refugee claims, advised by the Commission for the Determination of Refugee Status (CONARE).
Maximum stay: SC-2 safe-conduct of up to 180 days, renewed for equal periods until the claim is decided
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Colombia?
Not for short stays if your passport is on List A, B or C of Resolution 5488 of 2022: you receive an entry permit of up to 90 days at the border, extendable to 180 days per calendar year, for tourism, business and other unpaid activities. Other nationalities apply online for a V visa.
How much does a Colombian visa cost?
Under Resolution 3969 of 2026 every application pays a USD 56 study fee. If approved, the issuance fee is USD 52 for a tourist visa, USD 138 for other V visas, USD 204 for M visas and USD 183 for R visas. In the euro zone the amounts are EUR 44 plus EUR 40, 106, 156 or 141.
How long does a Colombian visa take?
After the study fee is paid the Visa Authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide, longer if it consults other agencies or calls you to an interview. Once you pay the issuance fee, the e-visa is emailed within 10 working days.
Can I apply for a Colombian visa from inside Colombia?
Yes, if you are in the country with regular status. In the SITAC form you choose the Bogotá office and attach the page with your latest entry stamp or permit. Filing an application does not by itself keep you in regular status.
Can a refused Colombian visa be appealed?
No. Visa decisions are discretionary and no administrative appeal is available. After a refusal you must leave within 30 days if you are in Colombia and cannot apply again for six months.
Does Colombia have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. The V digital nomad visa lets nationals of visa-exempt countries work remotely for foreign companies for up to two years with proof of income of at least three Colombian minimum monthly wages.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 29 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.