Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For citizens of Mercosur and Andean countries
Mercosur and Andean visa Colombia: requirements, cost and time
The Colombia Mercosur visa is for you if you are from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia or Chile, and the Andean visa if you are from Ecuador or Peru.
Your nationality is what qualifies you. You do not need a job offer or a minimum income.
Handled by Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration departmentReviewed on November 9, 2026
4.8 on Google · 251 reviews
Do you qualify for the Mercosur or Andean visa?
The Mercosur visa lasts 2 years, and the Andean visa up to 2 (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71 and 72).
After 2 years on either one, you can apply for the resident visa (R) (art. 90).
This is what Cancillería asks of you.
- Your nationality. From a country in the Mercosur Residence Agreement or in the Andean Migration Statute (Estatuto Migratorio Andino).
- Your passport. Valid for the time in the figures below.
- Your entry stamp. An image of the stamp from your last entry into Colombia.
- Your background check. Judicial, criminal or police, for the period in the figures below.
- A letter about your plans. The activity you will do in Colombia and your means of support.
- No minimum income. The rule sets no amount for your means of support.
- An open work permit. Any lawful activity, within the rules of your profession if it is regulated.
- Granted only once. You cannot get a second Mercosur or Andean visa.
What you must prove
- Background check, Mercosur visaLast 3 yearsFrom the country where you stayed in that time.Source: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 71, num. 3
- Background check, Andean visaLast 5 yearsFrom your country of nationality, or where you lived.Source: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 72, num. 3
- Passport validity6 months or moreOn the day you apply.Source: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71, num. 2, and 72, num. 1
Checked on November 12, 2026.
How to get your Mercosur or Andean visa in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We check your passport
We confirm your nationality qualifies and that you have not had this visa before.
If it does not qualify, we explore other ways for you to live in Colombia.
We gather the documents with you
Your background check usually takes the longest.
We help you write the letter about your plans.
We file your application
We file it online, whether you are in Colombia or abroad.
Cancillería studies it and decides.
We follow your application to a decision
Once it is approved and you pay the issuance fee, your electronic visa arrives by email within 10 business days (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 101).
Then we tell you how to register it with Migración Colombia and get your foreigner ID card.
You may also need
Services our Mercosur and Andean clients add to the visa.
A case we see often
- Time away
A Mercosur visa holder spent about 17 months outside Colombia.
When they came back, they entered Colombia on that visa.
- The resident visa
After 2 years, they applied for the resident visa (R).
Cancillería asked for Migración Colombia's opinion on how the absence affected the visa.
- The outcome
That answer did not arrive in time.
The resident visa was declared inadmissible, and the Mercosur visa then expired.
Long trips abroad can cost you your visa and your 2 years.
Planning time outside Colombia? Write to us and we will check your dates before you go →
Colombia Mercosur visa requirements: the documents
Mercosur visa
This is what Cancillería asks for the Mercosur visa, also called the Mercosur migrant visa (M) (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 71):
- Letter asking for the visa. Under the Mercosur Residence Agreement, explaining the activity you will do in Colombia and your means of support.
- Passport. Valid for the time in the figures above.
- Background check. Judicial, criminal or police, from the authority of the country where you stayed in the last 3 years.
- Entry stamp. An image of the stamp from your last entry into Colombia.
Andean visa
This is what Cancillería asks for the Andean visa, also called the Andean migrant visa (M) (art. 72):
- Passport. Valid for the time in the figures above.
- Entry stamp. Or your migration card, if you are in Colombia.
- Background check. Judicial, criminal or police, from your country of nationality or where you lived in the 5 years before applying.
- Written statement. Why you want to live in Colombia for a time, and your means of support.
How recent each document must be, the apostille and the translation depend on your case.
At Nexo Legal, in Medellín, Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration department, gives you the exact list for your case, reviews each document and files your application. Our fee for the Mercosur or Andean visa is COP 2,435,400.
What happens after the visa
Toward residency
You can get this visa only once, so your next step is the resident visa (R).
Cancillería can ask you for the same extra requirements your country asks of Colombians (art. 90).
Time outside Colombia
You can be away up to 180 calendar days in a row, about 6 months.
If you are away longer in any of the 365-day periods counted from the day your visa was issued, your visa ends automatically (art. 65).
Your family
If they depend on you financially, your spouse or permanent partner and your children up to 25, or of any age with a disability, can join you on a beneficiary visa.
Taxes
If you spend more than 183 days in Colombia within 365, you become a tax resident, whatever your visa. Taxes for foreigners →
Questions we get about the Mercosur visa
How long does the Mercosur visa take?
Cancillería has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the application is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 13).
It can take longer if Cancillería consults other entities.
Is the Mercosur visa still available for Chileans?
Yes. Colombia grants it to nationals of the states in the Residence Agreement for Mercosur nationals, Bolivia and Chile (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 71).
Chile is named in that agreement, so your Chilean passport qualifies.
Does the Mercosur visa cover Venezuela?
No. Venezuela is not covered by the Mercosur visa or the Andean visa.
With a Venezuelan passport, you need a different visa, and we help you choose it.
I am Bolivian. Mercosur or Andean?
Bolivia is in both agreements, so both visas are open to you (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71 and 72).
The Mercosur background check covers the last 3 years; the Andean one, the last 5.
Which one fits depends on where you have lived, and we can work it out with you.
I already had a Mercosur visa. Can I get another one?
No. The Mercosur and Andean visas are granted only once (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71 and 72).
With your 2 years, the next step is the resident visa (R).
Without them, you need a different visa.
I have 2 passports. Which one do I use?
The one from the Mercosur or Andean country.
You enter, stay, apply and leave with a single nationality, and a visa issued on one passport does not carry over to the other (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 24).
Do I need to prove a minimum income?
No. The rule sets no minimum.
Your letter explains your means of support, and Cancillería can ask you for documents that back it up (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 19 and 71).
Can I work on the Mercosur or Andean visa?
Yes. Both carry an open work permit: you can do any lawful activity in Colombia (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71 and 72).
If your profession is regulated, you also have to meet its rules in Colombia (art. 16).
You do not need a job offer to apply.
Can I stay in Colombia while it is processed?
You need to stay in the country where you applied until Cancillería decides: in Colombia if you applied from here, or abroad if you applied from there.
In Colombia, your status has to stay regular the whole time, with a valid visa, a stay permit or a safe-conduct (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 13).
We check your dates before filing, so your permit does not run out midway.
Why do Mercosur and Andean visa applications get inadmitted?
In the cases we handle, almost all come down to 2 things: the background check and the letter.
Both are in the rule: the background check covers the period and the countries the rule asks for, and the letter explains your activity and how you will support yourself (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 71 and 72).
Others are details Cancillería checks closely that are not written anywhere. We review each one before filing.
A refusal is different from an inadmissible decision: you leave Colombia within 30 days and wait 6 months before applying again (art. 99).
If we handle your visa, the second application carries no professional fees: we review what led to the decision and fix it before we file again.
Don't see your case?
Tell us about it. In a free 15-minute call, we assess it and send you a proposal.
In-depth questions? 1-hour consultation: COP 400,000 (about USD 121).Outside what we do? We refer you to someone who does.
Visa and document costs, besides our fees
They go to Cancillería, Migración Colombia and the document issuers.
Mercosur or Andean visa
Fixed fees
- Visa study feeCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 56
- Visa issuance, only if grantedCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 279
- Foreigner ID cardMigración Colombia, Resolution 0599 of 2026, art. 1 · Nov 12, 2026COP 294,000about USD 89
Apostilles and translations
For documents issued abroad
- Apostille of a U.S. state document, such as a pension letterUSD 160
- Apostille of a U.S. federal document, such as the FBI checkUSD 180
- Certified translation into Spanish, per pageUSD 15
We do not process apostilles ourselves.For U.S. documents, we can refer you to a company that does, at these prices.Elsewhere, each document is apostilled in its own country, and the price varies.
Your proposal adds them up for your case, together with our fees.
Who handles your case
Your visa is handled by the firm's immigration area, led by Tomás Restrepo.
- 3partners lead the legal, tax and immigration areas
- 22professionals in corporate, private, employment, intellectual property, immigration and tax law
- Medellínour own office
What our clients say
4.8
Based on 251 reviews
Google
Maria Isabel SNovember 12, 2026
Great human quality, the team was always there to solve all my questions. 100% recommend it
Nikola Tarasiuk CorreaOctober 26, 2026
Great service! Tomás who was taking care of my case was very responsive and helpful with every step of the process. Highly recommended :)
Kent MennemSeptember 17, 2026
Nexo Legal provides great services. They are extremely responsive and efficient! Highly recommended.
Joshua HarrisSeptember 14, 2026
They have been super helpful with me through multiple rounds of figuring out my visa and paying taxes. Nexo is who I go to for all my legal needs
Ken KanouseSeptember 6, 2026
I have used Nexo Legal for filing mine and my wife's Colombian income taxes the past 3 years. While I am retired and Colombia doesn't tax my retirement income, the filing still needs to be done. Each year the tax accountant requests the necessary information early so they can be filed accurately on time. They are very easy to work with, and I'd recommend using them for all you accounting and legal needs.
Chris HumphreyAugust 20, 2026
I’ve trusted Tomas and Nexo team on multiple visa applications and would highly recommend them when considering your next legal needs
daniela sanchezAugust 4, 2026
Great experience atty Tomas was very helpful in walking me through every step of the way and keeping me calm and stress free . I would highly recommend this firm with my eyes closed 🙂
Mark HarringtonJuly 31, 2026
Tomas handled my wife's visa application very professionally and was always available to address any questions or issues. Five stars
Arthur WalstonJuly 29, 2026
This was my first time working with The Nexo Firm. I have nothing but high regards for this Firm and specially for Tomas Restrepo. Tomas helped me with my visa process and communicated with me on the progress from start to finish. Plus, his English is very good so there is no language barrier. So, if your traveling aboard and you need help with the visa process, I highly recommend The Nexo Firm and Tomas Restrepo!
Shivaya GuraveJuly 22, 2026
Camila recently helped me obtain my RUT tax registration then did the necessary paperwork and filed my Colombian tax for 2025. Fast, reasonable price, in flawless English. I highly recommend her and Nexo Legal.
nicca louisJuly 7, 2026
All the way from NJ, USA this firm helped me revolve matters in Columbia so fast! I'm appreciative and glad I got the chance to work with them because I would still be fighting this legal battle if I did it on my own!
LilyJuly 6, 2026
Camila was a great accountant to work with and made filing taxes in Colombia as a digital nomad super easy! Thank you
See all 251 reviews on Google →
Client stories on video
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After you send the form, our team reviews your case and a specialist contacts you, usually within the hour during business hours, to clarify details and outline the next steps.
Nexo Legal is a private law and accounting firm, not a government office. Visa decisions are made by Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) and tax matters are decided by the DIAN; no lawyer can guarantee the result.