M - Independent professional Visa
Advance your career in Colombia with the M - Independent professional Visa
We support you every step of the way to obtain your visa hassle-free, allowing you to focus your energy on your professional growth in Colombia.
What is the M - Independent Professional Visa?
The M – Independent Professional Visa allows you to legally practice your profession in Colombia, whether in a regulated field or, in exceptional cases, in a non-regulated activity deemed of interest to the country.
This visa is valid for up to three years, and after five years as a visa holder, you can apply for a resident visa in Colombia.
With our guidance, we provide comprehensive support to ensure you meet all migration requirements, making your process easier and allowing you to develop your professional career in Colombia without setbacks.
Without proper guidance, you may face challenges when applying for your M – Independent Professional Visa, such as missing key documents or incorrectly presenting your professional activity. This could lead to inadmissibility, loss of time and money, and delays that impact your job stability in Colombia.
If you want to advance your career in the country, our team will guide you every step of the way to ensure your application meets all migration requirements, guaranteeing a smooth and successful process.
A simple and guided path to obtaining your M - Independent professional Visa
With our specialized guidance, your M – Independent Professional Visa application process will be clear, efficient, and hassle-free.
We ensure you meet all requirements from the start, preventing mistakes that could delay or hinder your visa approval.
After five years as the holder of this visa, you can apply for a resident visa.
As the holder of this visa, you can include your beneficiaries.
This visa grants a work permit exclusively for the profession or activity for which it was issued.
We handle all the paperwork and provide you with a clear and straightforward guide at every step.
From the beginning, you will have a team of experts to guide you, answer your questions, and support you at every stage.
We review every detail to minimize penalties, fines, or rejections, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
With our planning, we help you meet all the requirements, facilitating an organized and smooth reapplication process.
Visa process
STEP 1: Collection, review and preparation of necessary documentation for your visa application
We collect and analyze all required documents to ensure that your application meets migration requirements.
STEP 2: Application, submission and follow-up
We submit your application to the relevant authorities and continuously monitor the process to ensure it progresses smoothly.
STEP 3: Attention to requirements and resolution of possible observations
We handle any additional requests or corrections that may arise during the process, ensuring they are resolved efficiently.
STEP 4: Approval and issuance of the foreigner ID card
Once the visa is approved, we manage the issuance of the foreigner ID card, formalizing your legal status in Colombia.
What are the requirements of the M- Independent professional Visa?
General requirements:
Digital photograph of the applicant, document size, preferably taken in a studio (white background, 3x4 cm).
Copy of the main passport page.
Copy of the last Colombian visa (only if applicable
If located in a country other than the country of residence, provide a document proving migratory regularity in that country (for foreigners who do not require a visa to enter Colombia).
Specific requirements:
Letter stating the occupation or activity you intend to carry out in Colombia as part of your professional practice.
Copy of the degree validation and proof of compliance with all legal requirements for practicing the profession in Colombia, including the presentation of a professional license, provisional permit, or authorization issued by the relevant professional board or council.
Bank certification in the foreign applicant’s name, issued no more than 30 days before the application. It must include the account opening date, types of financial products held, and the average balance and monthly transactions for the past six (6) months. Applicants must demonstrate an average monthly income equal to or greater than five (5) current legal monthly minimum wages. For second and subsequent visas of the same type, income must be demonstrated with a Colombian bank certification.
Proof of health coverage in Colombia, either through a national health plan or an international health insurance policy that covers all risks, including accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation, for the duration of the applicant’s stay.
For activities based on professional experience rather than academic training, applicants must provide documents or certifications that validate their competence and work experience.
Others as requested at the time of acceptance.
What are the costs of the M- Independent professional Visa?
ATTORNEY'S FEE
$1,980,000 COP
*If your first application is not approved, the next application will not incur attorney’s fee.
**The attorney’s fee do not include administrative charges.
Administrative Fees
APOSTILLE PROCESS (Per document):
$624,000 COP ($160 USD)*
TRANSLATION COST (Per resulting page):
$63,026 COP ($15 USD)*
FOREIGN ID CARD ISSUANCE FEE:
$267,000 COP ($63 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCE FEE (Visa):
$1,161,000 COP ($270 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY FEE (Visa):
$232,200 COP ($54 USD)*
Total administrative fees = $2,347,226 COP ($562 USD)*
*ADMINISTRATIVE FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ATTORNEY FEES.
**THE VALUES MAY VARY ACCORDING TO YOUR PARTICULAR CASE AND THE TRM (MARKET REPRESENTATIVE RATE).
***THE VALUES ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND MUST BE PAID TO THE CORRESPONDING INSTITUTIONS OR THIRD PARTIES. THESE AMOUNTS SHOULD NOT BE PAID TO NEXO UNLESS YOU REQUEST OUR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THESE PAYMENTS.
What does our support for obtaining the M - Independent professional Visa include?
Virtual and/or in-person planning meetings: Comprehensive visa application guidance and Q&A session to address any concerns you may have
Pre-study of the documents provided by you, highlighting the important information that must be on them in order to build and write the documents required
Submit the visa application
Give response on time to any additional requirements that could be requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
If your visa is approved, we'll check the information contained in it. In case of an error in the visa, we'll request the respective correction
CĂ©dula de extranjerĂa renewal appointment schedule
Form filling
Preparation of the documents you have to bring to the appointment (if you are in MedellĂn, we'll go to the appointment with you)
CĂ©dula pick-up appointment scheduling
Do you have questions about the M- Independent professional Visa? We have answers.
We know that the migration process can be complex and raise many questions. At Nexo, we understand your concerns and are here to address all your inquiries, giving you the confidence that your M- Independent professional Visa is being handled by a team of experts.
You can apply for a Colombian visa from the country where you have citizenship or legal residence, or you can apply from Colombia.
No, when applying for a Colombian visa, it is required to remain in the country where you submitted your application until the visa process is complete. Leaving that country while your visa is being processed could result in your application being denied or requiring resubmission.
Once we have all the required documentation ready for submission, the visa process usually takes between 15 and 30 days. However, the processing time may be extended if the ministry requests additional information. Plan ahead and apply for your visa early to avoid delays.
Yes, this visa allows the primary holder to apply for dependent visas, including a spouse or permanent partner and dependent children up to 25 years old.
This visa is valid for up to three years.
This visa grants a work permit exclusively for the profession or activity for which it was issued.
Yes. After five continuous years as a holder of the M – Independent professional Visa, you may apply for a Resident Visa in Colombia.
It is necessary to have completed studies in a professional career. If the degree was obtained abroad, it must be officially validated by the Colombian Ministry of National Education. For regulated professions, obtaining a professional license or certificate issued by the corresponding Colombian authority is also required.
Applicants working as freelancers must provide proof of their independent professional activity. This includes a visa application letter detailing the occupation or activity they intend to perform in the country, along with at least three certificates of experience in the corresponding trade or profession. Additionally, personal bank statements from the last six months must be submitted, demonstrating an average monthly income equal to or greater than ten (10) times the legal minimum monthly wage.
Yes, applicants must submit at least three certificates proving experience in their trade or profession. These work references must support the applicant’s experience and skills in their professional field.
You must demonstrate an average monthly income equal to or greater than five (5) times the legal minimum monthly wage in Colombia. For the year 2025, this amounts to approximately 7,117,500 COP. These earnings must be evidenced through personal bank statements from the last six months prior to the application.
Yes, it is necessary to prove that you have health coverage in Colombia or an international health insurance policy that covers all risks, including accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation, for the duration of your stay in the country.
If your profession is not regulated in Colombia, but it is considered a profession of interest to the country, you must submit your diploma properly validated by the Ministry of National Education. In this case, a professional license or certification is not required, but the validation of your degree is mandatory.
For professions based on professional experience rather than formal academic training, you will need to provide documents or certifications that prove your competence and experience in the field.
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What will happen after you fill out this form?
After submitting the form, your case will undergo a thorough review by our team of specialists to assess its viability. Providing clear and concise information about your objectives will expedite this process.
Subsequently, a specialist will be assigned to your case, who will contact you within one day to clarify the details of your case and define the next steps to help you achieve your goals.
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