M - Business owner/shareholder
Obtain your visa and future residency in Colombia with your business project
Structure your business project strategically to meet your migration goals and secure your residency visa in the future.
What is the M - Business owner / shareholder Visa in Colombia?
The M – Business Owner / Shareholder Visa allows you to reside in Colombia for up to three years, with the possibility of applying for a resident visa after five years as a holder. This visa can be obtained by investing in an existing Colombian business or creating a company where you are the sole owner.
To renew this visa, it is essential to comply with all business regulations in Colombia and demonstrate that your company remains operational.
Our team works with you at every step to ensure your business project meets legal requirements and becomes a solid foundation for doing business in Colombia and achieving residency.
Without the right guidance, doing business in Colombia could become a complicated process, leading to errors in structuring your company or meeting visa requirements. These mistakes could put your investment and time at risk. Starting or investing in a business in Colombia involves adhering to key regulations, and any mistakes could lead to penalties, legal issues, or the inability to renew your visa.
If you are developing a business project or expanding your operations to Colombia, doing business in Colombia can become simpler and more secure with the right support. Our team will assist you in every step to ensure compliance and make doing business in Colombia a pathway to your residency.
A simple and guided path to obtaining your M - Business owner / shareholder Visa
We understand the importance of doing business in Colombia and ensuring that your business project meets migration requirements while serving as a solid foundation for your future.Â
With our specialized advisory services, we work closely with you to ensure your business is strategically designed to comply with all legal and migration regulations, giving you an edge while doing business in Colombia.
After five years as the holder of this visa, you can apply for a resident visa.
As the holder of this visa, you can include your beneficiaries.
With this visa, you can work in Colombia exclusively in the business where you are a shareholder or owner.
We handle all the paperwork and provide you with a clear and straightforward guide at every step.
From the beginning, you will have a team of experts to guide you, answer your questions, and support you at every stage.
We review every detail to minimize penalties, fines, or rejections, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
With our planning, we help you meet all the requirements, facilitating an organized and smooth reapplication process.
Visa process
STEP 1: Collection, review and preparation of necessary documentation for your visa application
We collect and analyze all required documents to ensure that your application meets migration requirements.
STEP 2: Application, submission and follow-up
We submit your application to the relevant authorities and continuously monitor the process to ensure it progresses smoothly.
STEP 3: Attention to requirements and resolution of possible observations
We handle any additional requests or corrections that may arise during the process, ensuring they are resolved efficiently.
STEP 4: Approval and issuance of the foreigner ID card
Once the visa is approved, we manage the issuance of the foreigner ID card, formalizing your legal status in Colombia.
What are the requirements for the M - Business owner / shareholder Visa?
General requirements:
Digital photograph of the applicant, document size, preferably taken in a studio (white background, 3x4 cm).
Copy of the main passport page.
Copy of the last Colombian visa (only if applicable
If located in a country other than the country of residence, provide a document proving migratory regularity in that country (for foreigners who do not require a visa to enter Colombia).
Specific requirements:
A letter of application stating the company’s name, address, and Tax Identification Number (NIT) of the commercial company either established or in which the applicant is investing, including the company's main activity and the number of direct jobs it generates.
Proof of the company's establishment, ownership, capital contribution, or registration of foreign investment for an amount no less than one hundred (100) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV) at the time of the visa application, along with supporting bank statements.
Evidence that the commercial company maintains economic activity and solvency through bank statements for the last three months prior to the visa application, tax returns, social security contributions, lease agreements, and/or proof of payments for industry and commerce taxes. This requirement applies to second and subsequent visa applications.
For joint-stock companies, ownership in the company must be certified with a shareholder composition certificate signed by a public accountant, indicating the amount of capital or registered and paid assets owned by the foreign visa applicant, which must be no less than one hundred (100) current legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV) at the time of the visa application.
In the case of establishing companies in the mining or energy sectors, the corresponding mining title must be provided.
What are the costs of the Colombian
M - Business owner / shareholder Visa?
ATTORNEY'S FEE
$1,980,000 COP
*If your first application is not approved, the next application will not incur attorney’s fee.
**The attorney’s fee do not include administrative charges.
Administrative Fees
ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY FEE (VISA):
$232,200 COP ($54 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCE FEE (VISA):
$1.161.000 COP ($270 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE OF FOREIGN ID CARD ISSUANCE FEE:
$267,000 COP ($63 USD)*
Total administrative fees = $1,660,200 COP ($387 USD)*
*ADMINISTRATIVE FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ATTORNEY FEES.
**THE VALUES MAY VARY ACCORDING TO YOUR PARTICULAR CASE AND THE TRM (MARKET REPRESENTATIVE RATE).
***THE VALUES ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND MUST BE PAID TO THE CORRESPONDING INSTITUTIONS OR THIRD PARTIES. THESE AMOUNTS SHOULD NOT BE PAID TO NEXO UNLESS YOU REQUEST OUR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THESE PAYMENTS.
What does our support for obtaining the M - Business owner / shareholder Visa?
Virtual and/or in-person planning meetings: Comprehensive visa application guidance and Q&A session to address any concerns you may have
Pre-study of the documents provided by you, highlighting the important information that must be on them in order to build and write the documents required
Submit the visa application
Give response on time to any additional requirements that could be requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
If your visa is approved, we'll check the information contained in it. In case of an error in the visa, we'll request the respective correction
CĂ©dula de extranjerĂa renewal appointment schedule
Form filling
Preparation of the documents you have to bring to the appointment (if you are in MedellĂn, we'll go to the appointment with you)
CĂ©dula pick-up appointment scheduling
Do you have questions about the M- Business owner / shareholder Visa? We have answers
We know that the migration process can be complex and that many doubts arise. At Nexo, we understand your concerns and are here to resolve all your questions, giving you the confidence that your M – Business owner / shareholder Visa is being handled by a team of experts.
You can apply for a Colombian visa from the country where you have citizenship or legal residence, or you can apply from Colombia.
No, when applying for a Colombian visa, it is required to remain in the country where you submitted your application until the visa process is complete. Leaving that country while your visa is being processed could result in your application being denied or requiring resubmission.
Once we have all the required documentation ready for submission, the visa process usually takes between 15 and 30 days. However, the processing time may be extended if the ministry requests additional information. Plan ahead and apply for your visa early to avoid delays.
The visa is valid for up to three years.
Yes, but the work permit is exclusively limited to the company where the applicant is a shareholder, partner, or owner.
Yes. After five continuous years as a holder of the M – Business owner shareholder Visa, you may apply for a Resident Visa in Colombia.
Any changes in the investment or the operation of the company must be immediately reported to the Visa and Immigration Authority, as they could affect the validity of the visa.
It is not strictly required by regulations, but bank statements from the last three months must be submitted as part of the process.
If the company is newly established, you will need to justify its recent creation and provide the necessary documentation to support its economic activity. Submitting these bank statements helps assess the financial viability of the business and ensures compliance with the visa requirements.
To qualify for the M Visa – Business owner / shareholder, you must make a minimum investment of $142,350,000 COP. This amount represents the required capital in a Colombian company and is based on 100 times the legal monthly minimum wage (SMLMV).
It is important to note that this amount is updated every year according to the increase in the Colombian minimum wage. Therefore, we recommend regularly checking the requirement to ensure you meet the minimum investment amount at the time of your application.
If you wish to reapply for the M Visa – Partner or Owner, you must ensure that your business and personal situation comply with Colombian legal requirements. Key aspects to consider:
âś… Up-to-date accounting records
âś… Tax compliance (filing and payment of taxes)
âś… Valid commercial registration
âś… Payment of employee social security contributions
âś… Subscribed capital, reflected in shares and aligned with the minimum requirement, considering it is updated annually
âś… Criminal record certificate
Since the required investment amount is adjusted annually based on the Colombian minimum wage, it is essential to verify that your capital meets the updated requirement at the time of renewal.
What our clients say
Start with a free case assessment
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After submitting the form, your case will undergo a thorough review by our team of specialists to assess its viability. Providing clear and concise information about your objectives will expedite this process.
Subsequently, a specialist will be assigned to your case, who will contact you within one day to clarify the details of your case and define the next steps to help you achieve your goals.
Start with a free case assessment
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