Everything You Need to Know About Obtaining and Benefiting from the Mercosur Migrant Visa
Type of Visa: M.
Applicable To: Foreigners from Mercosur member countries and associated states who intend to live and work in Colombia.
Duration: Two (2) years. This visa is granted only once.
General Requirements:
Copy of the main page of the passport where all the holder's information appears, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Digital color photo with a white background measuring 4 centimeters high by 3 centimeters wide. You should be facing the camera and your head should be centered and complete. Both eyes should be open and the ears should be visible. There should be no glare in the photo, hair or other accessories should not be allowed to cover the face. The image format is JPG and must have a maximum size of 300 KB. NOTE: The photo must be current, different from that of the passport, previous visas and applications.
If the applicant is in Colombia at the time of applying for the visa, copy of the last stamp of entry or exit from Colombia or extension of stay or safe passage for visa application (whichever applies).
In the event that the applicant begins the visa process while in their country of residence (different from their country of nationality), they must present an identification document from their country of residence, for example: NIE, Visa, Driving License, etc.
Specific Requirements:
Visa Application Letter: A letter explaining the activities the applicant will undertake in Colombia and the means of subsistence for their stay. The letter should be in the Colombian Passport format and signed by the applicant.
Certificate of Criminal Record: A certificate of judicial, criminal, or police records issued by the authority of the country where the applicant has resided for the last three (3) years. This certificate must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by an official translator.
Allows to Work in Colombia?: Yes, this visa allows you to work in Colombia.
Benefits of this visa:Â Reside and exercise any lawful activity in Colombia, including working and joining the Social Security System in Colombia. Another great advantage is being able to apply for the Resident visa by accumulation of time after 2 years of being the holder of this visa.
Processing Time: Generally, from 2 to 5 weeks, but it may vary.
Application Location: Can be applied for from within Colombia or from your country of residence or nationality.
Allows Beneficiaries? Yes, this visa allows beneficiaries, including children under the age of 25 and older adults who are financially dependent.
Can Reapply for this Visa? No, this visa is granted only once. For a new application, you would need to apply for a different type of visa. However, you may apply for a resident visa if you can prove accumulation of 2 years with this visa.
Government Fees for Visa Application. These fees are charged directly through a specific link provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and can be paid using a credit or debit card:
Visa Study Fee: $54,92 USD.
Visa Issuance Fee: $195,40 USD.
Our Fees for Managing the Process from Start to Finish: For detailed information on the application process, including government fees, our service costs, and what’s included, visit our dedicated landing page for this visa.
Additional Services you may need:
Apostilles and official translations may be required.
Registration or other documents as required by Colombian authorities.
Does it allow you to accumulate time for residency? Yes, for foreigners who have stayed in the national territory as holders of a Migrant (M) visa, the accumulation time for this visa is 2 years.
Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:
Application Requirements: The applicant must provide a letter detailing their planned activities and means of subsistence in Colombia, and a criminal record certificate from the past three years, properly apostilled or legalized and translated.
Place of Application: Although the visa application is online (there is no way to do it in person), it is recommended that you be in the place from where you will present the visa in person. You can apply while in Colombia, as long as you are in a regular situation in the country (if you have been in Colombia for less than 3 months on a tourist permit or if you have requested an extension of your tourist permit and have been in the country for less than 6 months, or if you have been on a tourist permit for more than 5 months but want to apply for a special permit). You can also apply from your country of nationality or residence, as long as you have a valid identification document in that country.
Criminal Record Certificate: Ensure it is apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish. Obtain this certificate from the country where you have resided for the last three years.
Visa Application Letter: The letter should be detailed and include information about the applicant’s planned activities and means of financial support in Colombia.
Restrictions when applying for this type of visa: The visa is intended for individuals who meet the specific criteria set by the Mercosur agreements and who have provided the necessary documentation.
Regulation governing this type of visa: Resolution 5477 of 2022, Section 3, Article 71.
Representation: Although the law does not require you to be represented by a lawyer for this type of process, a lawyer with a valid Colombian professional license can represent you through a power of attorney, duly authenticated.
Relevant link for more information: