Colombian visa re applying requirements: income & documents (2025)

Re-applying for your Colombian visa—whether M (Migrant), R (Resident), or V (Visitor) type—means proving you have sufficient and verifiable financial means.

In 2025, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) has made financial and documentation requirements clearer and stricter, especially when it comes to bank statements, income certifications, and financial solvency. If you’re preparing for re-applying, here’s what you need to know.

What Does Cancillería Require to Re-apply for your Colombian Visa?

1. Bank Statements

Most Colombian visa types require personal bank statements from the past 3 to 6 months.

• They must be under your name, showing consistent balances and identifiable deposits (salaries, pensions, payments, etc.).
  
  
• Documents are accepted in English or Spanish, in legible PDF format.
  
  
• Apostille is not mandatory if the files are clear and readable.
  
  
• Statements should reflect regular income, not sporadic or unsupported deposits.
  
  

2. Income Certification Based on Visa Type

M Visa – Employee
Requires a valid employment letter + company bank statements.
Minimum income: around 100 times the monthly minimum wage annually (approx. COP $11.9 million/month in 2025).

M Visa – Pensioner
Official certificate of a lifetime pension (minimum 3 monthly minimum wages ≈ COP $4,270,500) + bank statements to support it.

M Visa – Independent worker
Personal bank statements showing at least 5 monthly minimum wages + income certification signed by a certified public accountant or contracts.

M Visa – Spouse or family member
Bank statements from the person providing the income. No fixed amount, but at least 1 to 3 minimum wages/month is recommended.

V Visa – Digital nomad
Bank statements for the last 3–6 months + contract or letter from a foreign company. Minimum income: 3 monthly minimum wages.

V Visa – Rentista (Passive Income)
Official certificate showing passive income (rentals, dividends, etc.) of at least 10 monthly minimum wages + supporting bank statements.

V Visa – Student/Visitor
Personal or sponsor’s bank statements + invitation letter, acceptance letter, or other supporting documents.

3. Additional Documents That May Be Required

• Recent employment letter or contract.
  
  
• Accountant-issued income certificate if you’re self-employed.
  
  
• International health insurance with coverage in Colombia for the duration of your stay.
  
  
• Background check or medical certificate (depending on visa type and nationality).
  
  
• Migratory movement certificate (especially for re-applying R visas).
  
  

Key Changes in 2025

• Income thresholds are now clearly set in SMMLV (Colombia’s monthly legal minimum wage). In 2025, 1 SMMLV = COP $1,423,500.
  
  
• Resident visas (R type) must re-apply every 5 years. No proof of income is required, but you must submit your immigration history and documents again.
  
  
• All supporting documents must be uploaded digitally in clear and legible PDF format via the official Colombian visa portal.
  
  
• Do not leave Colombia during the re-applying process. If your Colombian visa expires while you are abroad, the application will be voided.
  
  

What Happens If You Submit Incomplete or Incorrect Documents?

Common mistakes that could cost you time—or your Colombian visa:

• Insufficient income: “Almost meeting the minimum” is not enough. If you fall short of the required SMMLV, your Colombian visa will be denied.
  
  
• Poorly presented bank statements: Blurry files, statements without your name, or unclear transactions will not be accepted.
  
  
• Expired or outdated documents: Old employment letters or bank statements older than 6 months are often rejected.
  
  
• Missing apostilles or translations: If your documents are in a language other than Spanish or English, they must be officially translated. Some will also require an apostille or legalization.
  
  
• Accidental omissions: Forgetting to include a copy of your current Colombian visa or key financial proof can result in rejection or extra requirements.
  
  
• Wrong or duplicate uploads: For example, uploading your passport twice and skipping the contract. Double-check every file before submitting.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Being organized is the key to re-applying for your Colombian visa smoothly. It’s not just about having the documents—it’s about ensuring everything is current, consistent, clear, and correctly formatted.

If you’re preparing to re-apply or aren’t sure what to submit, Nexo Legal can help you put everything together properly, anticipate possible requirements, and avoid mistakes that could cost you time, money—or your legal status in Colombia.

📩 Book your Colombian visa consultation with Nexo and get it done stress-free.