Colombia retirement visa (M Pensionado and V Rentista)

The pensioner visa is for foreigners with constant monthly income from a pension granted by a state or by a private pension fund. You must present a certificate recognising the monthly payment of a lifetime pension in your favour of at least three Colombian legal minimum monthly wages (SMLMV). It must be issued by the competent body with an apostille and translation, or issued by the diplomatic or consular mission of the country that pays the pension.

You also need a medical certificate of physical and mental fitness, issued by a Colombian health authority or by the medical authority of your country of origin, and proof of health coverage in Colombia or a comprehensive health insurance policy for the planned stay.

The rentista visa suits people who receive periodic income from a lawful, provable source that is not a pension, such as rents, dividends or annuities. The application letter states the origin of the income. You add a certificate from a public body or a private company recognised by its government stating the income it pays or transfers to you, or proof that you own assets in Colombia that generate income. The income must be at least ten SMLMV a month. Applicants also provide a police or criminal record certificate from every country where they lived in the last three years, apostilled and translated, and comprehensive health insurance.

Both visas exceed three months, so holders register with Migración Colombia and obtain a cédula de extranjería within 15 calendar days of entry or of issue if already in Colombia. Renewing means filing a new visa application before the current one expires; Migración Colombia can grant a salvoconducto for up to 30 days while a visa is being processed in Colombia, but it does not count as visa time towards residence.

Neither visa allows work in Colombia. The pensioner visa also does not let the holder join the Colombian social security system, except where a bilateral or multilateral agreement provides otherwise. Both visas allow beneficiary visas for a spouse or permanent partner, children up to 25 and children with a disability who depend on the holder. The pensioner visa is a migrant (M) visa: five years as its principal holder qualify for a resident (R) visa by accumulated time. The rentista visa is a visitor (V) visa and does not build residence time.

An M visa lapses automatically if the holder is outside Colombia for more than 180 continuous days within any 365-day period from issue.