Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For M visa holders who want to stay for good
Colombia resident visa: requirements, cost and time
The Colombia resident visa (R) is for you if you want permanent residency after years on M visas.
You can apply after 5 years on most M visas, three on the marriage visa, or two on some others.
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 resident visa?
The resident visa (R) is Colombia's permanent residency, and we file its transfer every 5 years (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 85 and 86).
After 5 years with it, or two in some cases, you can apply for Colombian citizenship (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9).
This is what Cancillería asks to grant it after years on M visas.
- Years on M visas. The years your M visa category requires, as its holder.
- No gaps between visas. Each visa was granted before the previous one expired, and a safe-conduct does not keep the count going.
- The same circumstances. A letter explains how you support yourself and your beneficiaries, and how the reasons for your M visas still hold.
- Your entries and exits. The certificate of migration movements from Migración Colombia.
- From a Mercosur or Andean visa? You also meet any extra requirements your country may ask of Colombians (art. 90).
- It lets you work. In any lawful activity (art. 87).
- Not automatic. Even if you meet the years, that does not by itself mean the visa is granted (art. 90).
- Coming from a retirement visa? Then the resident visa gives you no open work permit (art. 87).
The years that decide it
- Retirement visa5 years
- Investment visa5 years
- Business owner visa5 years
- Work visa5 years
- Independent professional visa5 years
- Permanent partner visa5 years
- Refugee or internationalization promotion visa5 years
- Marriage visa3 years
- Parent of a Colombian visa2 years
- Mercosur or Andean visa2 years
Source: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90, amended by Resolution 10434 of 2023.
Checked on November 12, 2026.
How to get your resident visa in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We count your time
We count your years on M visas and look for gaps, before we ask you for any document.
If you are not there yet, we tell you the date you can apply.
We gather the documents with you
Your certificate of migration movements comes from Migración Colombia.
We can request it 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 resident visa clients add to the visa.
A case we see often
- Time abroad
A foreigner had lived in Colombia for years on an M visa.
Then they spent about a year and a half abroad, and came back on the same visa.
- The application
They applied for the resident visa based on their accumulated time.
Cancillería asked how that time abroad affected their visa, and the application was declared inadmissible.
- The wait
The absence had interrupted their visa.
To apply again, they first had to build up their years once more.
Long trips abroad can break the years you count toward residency.
Spent a long time abroad on your visa? Write to us and we will check your time before you apply. →
Colombia resident visa requirements: the documents
This is what Cancillería asks for the resident visa for accumulated time (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90):
- Your visas. Copies of every visa and safe-conduct you held in Colombia, each valid for its whole term.
- Certificate of migration movements. Issued by Migración Colombia.
- Request letter. How you support yourself and your beneficiaries, and how the reasons for your M visas still hold.
- Foreigner ID card. A copy, so Cancillería can check your criminal record.
- If your visas came through a Colombian spouse or partner. Their letter confirming you still live together, with their address, email and phone, a copy of their ID card, and a power of attorney signed before a notary.
- Passport. Valid, with the page of your last entry stamp.
Cancillería can also check your social security payments (art. 90).
It can also ask for other documents the rule does not list (art. 19).
We tell you before filing which ones 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 resident visa is COP 2,804,400.
Other ways to qualify for the resident visa
Besides accumulated time, there are 4 other ways to qualify for the resident visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 89 to 92.1):
- Former Colombians. If you were Colombian by birth or by adoption and gave up that nationality, with the record of your renunciation (art. 89).
- Venezuelans under the temporary protection statute. 5 years with a PEP or a PPT, or both added together, and a valid PPT (art. 91).
- Stateless people. If Colombia has recognized you as stateless (art. 92.1, added by Resolution 10434 of 2023).
- Special peace residents. Foreign former members of the FARC-EP under the peace process (art. 92).
If you hold a resident visa as a beneficiary, you can apply as its main holder once you are 18 or older and support yourself (art. 90).
What happens after the visa
Toward citizenship
If you spend 1 year or more outside Colombia before you apply, that breaks your time toward citizenship (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9). Colombian citizenship →
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 people ask us about the resident visa
How long does the resident 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.
Does the resident visa expire?
It is not applied for again: we file its transfer, at least a month before the date on your visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 86 and 105).
If that date has already passed, write to us before you file: we review your case first.
How long can I be outside Colombia?
On an M visa, if you spend more than 180 calendar days in a row abroad, within each 365 days counted from its issue, your visa ends automatically (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 65).
On the resident visa, if you spend 2 years in a row abroad, it ends (art. 88).
Do my years on different M visas add up?
The rule sets a minimum time for each M visa category, and asks that each visa was granted before the previous one expired (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90).
Whether years in different categories add up depends on how your case is documented; we check it before you file.
Does time on a digital nomad or other V visa count?
No. Only time on the M visas in the table counts (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90).
The digital nomad visa and the other visitor visas do not.
Is there a resident visa by investment?
Not under the current rule. Investing leads to the investment visa, which is an M visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 79).
Its years then count toward this visa (art. 90).
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 resident visa applications get inadmitted?
In the cases we handle, almost all come down to one thing: the continuity of your time on M visas.
The rule sets it: each visa was granted before the previous one expired, and a safe-conduct does not keep the count going (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 90, par. 2).
Others are details Cancillería checks closely that are not written anywhere. We review your visa history before filing.
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.
Resident visa
Fixed fees
- Visa study feeCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 56
- Visa issuance, only if grantedCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 408
- Foreigner ID cardMigración Colombia, Resolution 0599 of 2026, art. 1 · Nov 12, 2026COP 294,000about USD 89
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.