Guide to Obtaining Residency After Holding M Visas and Meeting Time Requirements
Applicable To: Foreign nationals who have resided in Colombia as holders of valid Migrant (M) visas, accumulating the required time as specified below:
M Spouse of a Colombian national: 3 years.
M Mother or father of a Colombian national by adoption: 2 years.
M Mother or father of a Colombian national by birth: 2 years.
M Mercosur Migrant: 2 years.
M Andean Migrant: 2 years.
M Permanent Partner of a Colombian national: 5 years.
M Refugee: 5 years.
M Worker: 5 years.
M Partner or Owner: 5 years.
M Independent Professional: 5 years.
M Pensioner: 5 years.
M Promotion of Internationalization: 5 years.
M Investor: 5 years.
R Beneficiary: 5 years.
Duration:Â 5 years. The holder of the Permanent Resident (R) visa must apply for a transfer of their visa before it expires. This process should be carried out through the digital platform available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:Â Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Specific Requirements:
Copies of Visas and Safe-conduct Passes:Â Copies of the visas and safe-conduct passes held during the period of stay in the national territory, which must have remained valid throughout their durations.
Migratory Movement Certificate:Â Certificate of migratory movements issued by the Special Administrative Unit of Migration Colombia.
Visa Application Letter:Â A letter requesting the Resident Visa, explaining the source of income for self-support and any dependents, if applicable, and describing how the circumstances or conditions that led to the granting of previous visas subject to time accumulation are maintained.
Copy of Foreigner Identification Card:Â A copy of the foreigner's ID card, used to check judicial records.
For Spouses or Permanent Partners:
A visa application letter signed by the Colombian spouse or permanent partner who supported the Migrant Visa, stating the continuation of the relationship and effective cohabitation, including their physical address, email address, and phone number.
A simple copy of the Colombian ID card.
A special power of attorney granted before a notary allowing the foreigner to apply for this visa.
Verification of Social Security Obligations:Â The Visa and Immigration Authority may verify compliance with social security obligations.
Allows to Work in Colombia? Yes, as a permanent resident, the holder is allowed to work in Colombia.
Processing Time:Â Generally, from 2 to 5 weeks, but it may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each application.
Application Location:Â Can be applied for from within Colombia or from the applicant's country of residence or nationality.
Allows Beneficiaries? Yes, this visa allows beneficiaries according to the definition of Beneficiary Holder established in Article 3 of this Resolution.
Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:
Document Requirements:
Colombian-issued documents (proof of time accumulated, migratory movement certificate, copies of visas, and safe-conduct passes) do not need to be apostilled.
However, the criminal background check must be apostilled or legalized if it is issued outside of Colombia.
All documents in a language other than Spanish must be translated by an official translator.
Continuity of Time:Â For time accumulation purposes, continuity is considered when a visa is granted before the expiration of the previous visa. A safe-conduct pass does not count as a continuity factor for time accumulation.
Reciprocity:Â Under the principle of reciprocity, foreign nationals holding an M visa granted under the Mercosur Residence Agreement or Andean Migration Statute must provide any additional requirements that may be required of Colombian nationals in another member country of that Agreement or Statute.
Accumulated Time Requirement:Â Meeting the time requirement for the residency referred to in this article does not automatically guarantee the granting of the Permanent Resident (R) visa.
Beneficiary to Principal Visa Holder:Â A foreigner who is a beneficiary of a Permanent Resident (R) visa may apply for an R visa as a principal holder if they are over 18 years of age and demonstrate independence and financial solvency.
Government Fees for Visa Application:
Visa Study Fee: $54.92 USD or €42.25 EUR
Visa Issuance Fee: $175.33 USD or €135.19 EUR
Additional Services you may need:
Apostilles and official translations may be required.
Does it Allow You to Accumulate Time for Citizenship? Yes, for foreigners who have stayed in the national territory as holders of a Permanent Resident (R) visa, the time can be accumulated toward applying for citizenship. For this type of visa, the accumulation of time is 5 years.
Relevant Link for More Information:Â