Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For the foreign parent of a Colombian
Colombia parent visa: requirements, cost and time
The Colombia parent visa is for you if your child is Colombian by birth, whatever their age.
Your last 6 months of bank statements show you can support yourself, with no minimum amount set.
Handled by Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration departmentReviewed on November 9, 2026
4.8 on Google · 251 reviewsImmigration, tax and real estate under one roofOffice in El Poblado, Medellín
Do you qualify for the parent visa?
The parent visa lasts up to 3 years, and after 2 you can apply for the resident visa (R) (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 70 and 90).
This is what Cancillería asks of you.
- Your child is Colombian by birth. Registered in the Colombian civil registry.
- A letter asking for your visa. Signed by the Colombian parent, or by your child if they are an adult.
- Migration records of both parents. A Migración Colombia certificate for the father and one for the mother.
- Your solvency. Bank statement averages, and proof of your source of income.
- It lets you work. In any lawful activity, for as long as the visa lasts.
How to get your parent visa in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We check your child's registry
We confirm it proves your child is Colombian, before we ask you for any document.
If your child is not registered yet, we do that first.
We gather the documents with you
The letter asking for your visa is signed by your child's Colombian parent, or by your adult child.
We request the migration records of both parents for you.
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 parent visa clients add to the visa.
A case we see often
- The request
A father's foreign resident ID card was due to expire in December.
He only asked us for a new card.
- The catch
The card is tied to the visa. Both expired on the same date.
A new card needs a new visa first.
- The timing
The new visa had to be granted before the old one expired.
Otherwise, his time toward the resident visa would start over (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90).
We file well before your visa expires, so your count toward residency does not start over.
Does your visa or ID card expire in the next few months? Write to us and we will tell you when to start. →
Colombia parent visa requirements: the documents
This is what Cancillería asks for the parent visa, also called the parent of a Colombian national visa (M) (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 70):
- Your child's Colombian birth registry. If it carries other notes, such as a name change or a later recognition, the earlier registry too.
- Letter asking for your visa, if your child is a minor. Signed by the Colombian parent, saying you meet your obligations as a parent.
- If the Colombian parent does not sign. A certificate from the family authority saying there is no protection measure for your child and that you have met your obligations.
- Letter, if your child is an adult. Signed by hand by your child, with a fingerprint and a copy of their Colombian ID.
- Migration records. Of the father and the mother, issued by Migración Colombia.
- Your visa when your child was born. If your child is a minor, the visa you held on the day of the birth (art. 70, num. 3).
- If both parents are foreigners. The birth record of your child born in Colombia carries the note «valid to prove nationality», and both parents sign the letter (art. 70).
- Bank statements. With your average balances, and proof of your source of income.
- Passport. Valid, with the page of your last entry stamp.
Cancillería can also check your criminal record, or ask you for a background check from your country of nationality or residence (art. 26).
We tell you before filing which extra documents your case needs.
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 parent visa is COP 2,435,400.
What happens after the visa
Applying again
To stay longer, we apply again before it expires, for the same fee.
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 parents ask us about this visa
How long does the parent 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.
My child was born abroad. Can I still apply?
Yes, once your child is registered as Colombian in the civil registry (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 70).
A child born abroad to a Colombian father or mother is Colombian by birth once registered at a Colombian consulate or domiciled in Colombia (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 3).
That registration comes first, and we can handle it before the visa.
My partner is pregnant. Can I apply now?
Not yet. The visa asks for your child's Colombian birth registry, so you apply after your child is born and registered (art. 70).
Until then, you need a different visa, and we help you choose it.
We separated. Can I still get the parent visa?
Yes. If your child is a minor and the Colombian parent does not sign the letter, a certificate from the family authority takes its place (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 70).
It has to say there is no protection measure for your child and that you have met your obligations.
My child is an adult. Does this visa still apply?
Yes. When your child is an adult, they sign the letter asking for your visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 70).
I am married to a Colombian and we have a Colombian child. Which visa fits?
Both the parent visa and the marriage visa may be open to you.
The parent visa leads to the resident visa (R) after 2 years, and the marriage visa after 3 (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90).
Which one fits depends on how your case is documented; we check it before you file.
Do I need a valid passport?
Yes. Every visa application asks for a passport, travel document or laissez-passer valid for 6 months or more when you apply (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 24).
A PPT or an ID card is not a travel document, so it does not replace it.
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 parent visa applications get inadmitted or refused?
In the cases we handle, almost all come down to 2 things: your child's birth registry and the background check.
Some are in the rule itself: a registry with later notes goes with the earlier one (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 70).
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.
Parent 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.