Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For visa holders with a new passport or a resident visa
Colombia visa transfer: requirements, cost and time
The Colombia visa transfer (traspaso) is for you if you need to update the visa you already hold, without applying for a new one.
If you hold a resident visa (R), you transfer it every 5 years.
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
When do you need a visa transfer?
A visa transfer reissues the visa you already have, with the same nationality you got it with (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 105).
If you hold a resident visa (R), you request it every 5 years (art. 86).
These are the cases.
- A new passport. Because yours was lost or stolen, or because you want to change it.
- An error in your visa. A typing error you did not correct within 15 calendar days of issue.
- A change at your employer. A new company name under the same tax ID (NIT), or a new position in the same company.
- Another employer. Added for work related to your current visa, and reported to Migración Colombia and the Ministry of Labor.
- A resident visa (R). At least 1 month before it expires.
- Not a change of visa. To change your type of visa, you apply for a new one.
- Not another nationality. Your visa does not pass to a passport of another nationality (art. 24).
How to transfer your visa in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We check your case
We confirm your visa, your passports and the reason for the transfer, before we ask you for any document.
If you do not need a transfer, we tell you what you do need.
We gather the documents with you
The certificate of immigration movements comes from Migración Colombia.
The rest are your visa, your foreigner ID card and proof of your activity here.
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).
You may also need
Services our clients add to the visa transfer.
A case we see often
- The goal
A resident lived in Colombia for years, then moved abroad.
Later, he wanted Colombian citizenship.
- The problem
His resident visa had expired.
An earlier citizenship application stalled: he had to be in Colombia for a test.
- The first step
It started with a visa transfer (traspaso), which he began from abroad.
Citizenship comes after, once his resident status is up to date.
To apply for citizenship, your resident visa has to be up to date.
If it is not, we do the transfer first.
Holding an old resident visa and thinking about citizenship? Write to us and we will check whether a transfer comes first. →
Colombia visa transfer requirements: the documents
This is what Cancillería asks for a visa transfer (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 106):
- Your current visa and foreigner ID card. A copy of each.
- Certificate of immigration movements. Issued by Migración Colombia.
- Proof of your activity. A document showing what you do in Colombia.
- A letter with the reason. Why you are requesting the transfer.
- Passport. Valid, with the page of your last entry stamp.
If you got your resident visa before 2000 and cannot provide a document, you explain why in a sworn letter, and add an extended certificate of immigration movements and your last foreigner ID card (art. 106).
Cancillería can also ask for 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 visa transfer is COP 1,845,000.
Resident visa (R): the 5-year transfer
If you hold a resident visa (R), as the main holder or as a beneficiary, we file its transfer every 5 years on Cancillería's online platform (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 86).
Resident visas granted under the rules before Resolution 5477 had to be transferred within 2 years of its entry into force.
That deadline was extended (art. 123).
If your resident visa or your foreigner ID card already expired, write to us before you file: we review your case first.
Questions visa holders ask us about the transfer
How long does the visa transfer 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 my visa still valid in my old passport?
Your visa keeps its validity until its end date, even if the passport it is linked to expired.
Until the transfer, you travel with both passports.
Does the transfer extend my visa?
No. The transfer reissues the visa you already have (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 105).
If you add an employer, for example, that does not extend it.
Do I need a new foreigner ID card after the transfer?
Yes. Once the transfer is issued, we tell you how to register it with Migración Colombia and get a new foreigner ID card.
I lost my passport. What happens to my visa?
If your passport was lost or stolen, that is one of the cases for a transfer (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 105).
We file it with your new passport and the documents listed in art. 106.
Without the old passport, it depends on how your case is documented; we check it before you file.
My application was declared inadmissible. Can I apply again?
Yes. After an inadmissible decision, you can file a new application (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 98).
A refusal is different: 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.
Visa transfer
Fixed fees
- Visa study feeCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 56
- Visa issuance, only if grantedCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 56
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.