{"id":7534,"date":"2024-01-18T13:05:31","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T18:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nexo.legal\/?p=7534"},"modified":"2026-10-03T15:33:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T20:33:57","slug":"colombian-visa-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nexo.legal\/es\/colombian-visa-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00f3mo Saber Qu\u00e9 Visa Colombiana Necesitas: Gu\u00eda Paso a Paso"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Tom\u00e1s Restrepo, Migration Director at Nexo Legal.<\/em><\/p>\n

Quick answer (Colombian visa guide 2026):<\/strong> Colombia has three main visa families \u2014 Visitor (V) for stays under 2 years, Migrant (M) for stays over 2 years that count toward residency, and Resident (R) for permanent settlement. Which one you need depends on your nationality, where you’re applying from, your purpose of stay, and how long you plan to stay. This guide walks through that decision step by step, with current 2026 income thresholds and official fees.<\/p>\n

With 4.5 million visitors annually, Colombia is a magnet for travelers and expats alike. “What are the different types of visas for foreigners in Colombia?” is one of the most common questions we get at Nexo Legal \u2014 and it’s understandable, since there is a wide range of visa options, each tailored to a different purpose of visit or stay, each with its own requirements.<\/p>\n

This guide takes you through the step-by-step process of determining which Colombian visa fits your situation. The official list of documents for each visa type is published by Canciller\u00eda on its visa requirements page<\/a>. If your visa route requires a police certificate, see our criminal record certificate guide for Colombian visas<\/a>; if you’re retiring here, see our Colombia retirement visa requirements for 2026<\/a>; and for remote workers, our digital nomad visa guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Step 1: What’s your nationality?<\/h2>\n

If you’re from a visa-exempt country \u2014 the United States, Canada, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and others \u2014 you can enter Colombia without a visa and stay up to 90 days on a tourist permit<\/strong>. This is not a visa; it doesn’t allow you to work or stay long-term.<\/p>\n

The permit can be extended once, for a total of up to 180 days per calendar year, either in person at an immigration office or digitally through the Migraci\u00f3n Colombia website. You can also leave the country and re-enter to reset your stay, as long as you never exceed 180 total days in Colombia within a calendar year.<\/p>\n

If you overstay the period on your entry stamp, you risk fines or deportation \u2014 manage your dates carefully.<\/p>\n

Citizens of visa-exempt countries are also eligible to apply for the Visitor (V) \u2013 Digital Nomad Visa<\/strong> without needing a separate visa-exemption check.<\/p>\n

If a tourist permit doesn’t apply to your situation \u2014 your country isn’t on the exempt list, or your reason for visiting goes beyond tourism \u2014 you’ll need an official Colombian visa.<\/p>\n

Two Migrant (M) visas are granted based purely on nationality:<\/strong>
\n– M Visa \u2013 Mercosur:<\/strong> for citizens of Mercosur bloc countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia).
\n– M Visa \u2013 Andean Migrant:<\/strong> for citizens of the Andean Community (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia), allowing them to travel and work freely in Colombia.<\/p>\n

Both are valid for 2 years (non-renewable), include an open work permit, and count toward residency after 2 years.<\/p>\n

\"Colombian<\/p>\n

Visa-exempt visitors can stay up to 90 days on a tourist permit, extendable to 180 per year.<\/em><\/p>\n

Step 2: What country are you currently in?<\/h2>\n

You can start a Colombian visa application from your country of origin, your current country of residence, or from inside Colombia itself.<\/p>\n

Important: once you submit your application, don’t leave the country where you filed it until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Canciller\u00eda) issues a final decision. Leaving early can be interpreted as withdrawing your application.<\/p>\n

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Migrant (M) visas are the route for long stays that count toward residency.<\/em><\/p>\n

Step 3: What’s the purpose and expected duration of your stay?<\/h2>\n

Are you visiting for tourism, business, work, study, retirement, or investment? Purpose and duration together determine which visa family fits:<\/p>\n