Invest in Colombia: How to Register Your Investment Money with the Bank of the Republic

If you are bringing money from abroad to buy property, set up a company, or apply for an investor visa in Colombia, you must register your foreign investment with the Bank of the Republic.

This step, while technical, is mandatory: an error or omission can prevent you from recovering your capital or even block immigration or banking procedures. Here we explain how to do it correctly—and how to avoid penalties or account freezes.

Why You Must Register Your Investment money when you invest in Colombia

Every inflow of foreign currency into the country for investment purposes must be registered with the Bank of the Republic under the Colombian exchange regime.
This registration creates an official record of your capital entering Colombia and grants you full legal protection over your funds.

Registering your investment money allows you to:

• Protect your capital under Colombian law.
  
  
• Legally repatriate your funds or profits in the future.
  
  
• Apply for an investor or rentista visa, if applicable.
  
  
• Comply with exchange and tax regulations, avoiding sanctions.
  
  

⚠️ If you don’t register your investment money, the Bank of the Republic and the DIAN (Colombian tax authority) may classify the transfer as an “undeclared foreign exchange transaction,” which can result in account blocks and fines of up to 200% of the unreported amount.

Step-by-Step Guide to Properly Register Your Foreign Investment money

Registering a foreign investment money is not as simple as just making a wire transfer.
Each step must comply with specific foreign exchange regulations to avoid errors that could cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

1️⃣ Step 1: Open an Account and Transfer the Funds

Before sending money, you must open an account with an authorized foreign exchange intermediary (a bank or financial corporation approved by the Bank of the Republic).
From your account abroad, transfer the funds directly to that account in Colombia.

💡 Tip: Never send funds to a personal account or through an unauthorized intermediary. If you do, the money cannot be registered as a foreign investment money.

2️⃣ Step 2: Submit Transaction Information

Once the funds have been transferred, keep the proof of the transaction (SWIFT confirmation, statement, or receipt) and use it to prepare the exchange form corresponding to your investment type (for example, Form No. 4 for direct investments).

The form includes details such as:

• Amount transferred
  
  
• Country of origin of the funds
  
  
• Destination in Colombia (property, company, shares, etc.)
  
  
• Identification of the investor
  
  

3️⃣ Step 3: Foreign Exchange Registration and Fund Availability

With the complete information, you must file the Foreign Investment Declaration before the Bank of the Republic, officially registering your capital inflow.

Once this is done, the funds are legally available for use in Colombia (for example, to buy property or contribute to a company’s capital).

💡 Note: Each foreign currency inflow is treated as a separate registration process. This means that each transfer must be registered individually.

What Happens If You Don’t Register Your Investment money Properly?

The consequences can be serious:

• Loss of the right to repatriate your capital.
  
  
• Banking or tax account freezes.
  
  
• Exchange penalties imposed by the Financial Superintendence.
  
  
• Ineligibility for investor visa applications.
  
  

In addition, without proper registration, you won’t be able to prove the legal origin of your funds, which can affect property purchases, company formation, or your tax residency status.

Costs and Fees to Consider (2025–2026)

• Legal assistance fee: from COP $602,250 (includes one exchange form).
  
  
• Banking fees: between 0.6% and 1% of the transaction value, depending on the intermediary.
  
  
• 4×1000 tax: 0.4% of the amount when transferring funds to another account.
  
  

✅ Our service includes case analysis, form completion, coordination with the bank, and filing before the Bank of the Republic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to register any money entering Colombia?
Yes. Every foreign currency transfer for investment purposes must be formally registered with the Bank of the Republic through the corresponding form.

What happens if I transfer the money to a regular bank account without registration?
The funds will not be considered a foreign investment money, and you won’t be able to withdraw or prove their legal origin later.

Can I register the investment money if I’m already a tax resident?
No. Only non-tax residents can register capital as foreign investment. If you are already a tax resident, you must structure the process differently or plan for temporary non-residency.

Is registration required to apply for an investor visa?
Yes. Foreign investment money registration is a mandatory requirement to apply for an Investor Visa or the M-type Real Estate Investment Visa.

Best Practices to Protect Your Investment

• Use only banks or intermediaries authorized by the Bank of the Republic.
  
  
• Always request transfer receipts and exchange declarations.
  
  
• Do not mix personal and business investments in the same transaction.
  
  
• Keep both digital and physical records of the process for at least five years.
  
  

Conclusion

Properly registering your foreign investment money is not an optional formality—it is your legal guarantee that your money is protected in Colombia.
A single mistake in the exchange form or the transfer could put your investment money—and your peace of mind—at risk.

With expert guidance, you can bring your capital into the country legally, safely, and without complications.

Let’s talk today.

We help you:

• Correctly register your investment money with the Bank of the Republic.
  
  
• Complete the right exchange form according to your case.
  
  
• Comply with exchange regulations and avoid sanctions.
  
  
• Guarantee the legality of your investment money and protect your capital.

👉 Book your personalized advisory session and protect your investment from day one.