Description of the visa, its purpose, conditions, peculiarities of issuance, and guidelines for utilization.
A long-term visa for foreigners intending to settle in Colombia. It opens the path to permanent residency (Resident Visa R) after 2-5 years of legal stay. The visa is issued for a period of up to 3 years, permits work, allows the inclusion of family members, and requires mandatory registration to obtain the Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner's identity card). Key restriction: absence from Colombia for more than 180 consecutive days leads to automatic visa cancellation. Within this category, there are subtypes: work, business, family reunification, pensioner, investment, and others.
Visa validity period
The period during which the visa remains valid and can be used for entry into the country. The validity period or expiration date is indicated directly on the visa itself.
from 1 year to 3 years
Consular fee
A fee levied for the processing and evaluation of an application. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances. In certain instances, the payment of supplementary fees may be required.
$250 – $325
The selected purpose of the visit determines the visa's cost, processing times, and the list of required supporting documents. The purpose of the visit is often specified in the application form alongside the visa type or category and may also be indicated directly on the visa itself.
Eligible individuals
Person who is legally married to a Colombian citizen
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Foreign national who has been in registered de facto marriage with Colombian citizen for at least 1 year
Visa validity period:
1 year
Duration of stay:
1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Parent who has adopted Colombian child; child adopted by a Colombian
Visa validity period:
from 1 year to 3 years
Duration of stay:
from 1 year to 3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Foreign national who is biological father or mother of child who is Colombian by birth
Visa validity period:
from 1 year to 3 years
Duration of stay:
from 1 year to 3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Citizen of Mercosur member country / associate member
Visa validity period:
2 years
Duration of stay:
2 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$325
Eligible individuals
Person who with refugee status
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Employee, highly qualified professional, managerial staff, technical specialist
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$280
Eligible individuals
Entrepreneur, businessperson, company founder, partner, shareholder
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Independent contractor, private practitioner, freelancer
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Pensioner, dependent of a pensioner
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$325
Eligible individuals
Scientist, researcher, innovator, technology specialist, foreign national with an advanced degree (master’s, doctorate, postdoctoral fellow)
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$250
Eligible individuals
Investor, person who makes significant financial investments in country's economy, entrepreneur, business owner
Visa validity period:
3 years
Duration of stay:
3 years
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
$310
Last updated 2026-04-20
Travel purpose:
Work
, business
, investment
, long stay
, other
, residence permit