A Step-by-Step Guide to Securing a Visa for Business Partners and Owners
Type of Visa: M.
Applicable To: Foreign nationals who are partners or owners of a Colombian company.
Duration: From 1 to 3 years.
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:
Shareholding Certificate: A certificate of shareholding signed by a public accountant, indicating the amount of capital or registered and paid assets owned by the foreign visa applicant. This amount must not be less than one hundred (100) legal minimum monthly wages which is $142,350,000 COP; it is currently around $34.164 USD. The certificate must be issued no more than 3 months before the visa application.
Investment Traceability: Documentation showing the traceability of the investment in the company, including proof of deposits from the applicant’s account to the company, invoices, contributions, and equipment.
Public Accountant Documentation:
Copy of the public accountant’s citizenship card.
Copy of the professional card of the public accountant.
Copy of the public accountant's professional background certificate, issued no more than 3 months before the visa application.
Company Financial Documentation (if applicable):
Bank statements of the company for the last 4 months.
Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation of the company, issued no more than 3 months before the visa application.
Information on the number of employees and proof of payment for health and social security contributions for the last 6 months (including health, pension, labor risks, and base salary).
Financial Information of the Company:
Payroll payments if there are employees.
Payments for income tax, industry and commerce tax, etc.
Lease agreements.
Payments for current public services.
Contracts or payments to suppliers.
Invoices.
Company Formation Document (if applicable):Â Articles of Incorporation.
Benefits of this visa: Residing and exercising any legal activity in the country, as well as working for the company of which you are a partner or owner and joining the Colombian Social Security System. As mentioned, by maintaining this visa continuously and uninterrupted for 5 years, the holder can apply for a Resident visa for accumulation of time in Colombia.
Allows to Work in Colombia? Yes, this visa allows the holder to work in Colombia in the company they are a partner or owner of.
Processing Time: Generally, from 2 to 5 weeks, but it may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each application.
Application Location: Can be applied for from within Colombia or from the applicant's country of residence or nationality.
Allows Beneficiaries? Yes, this visa allows beneficiaries, including children under the age of 25, older adults who are financially dependent, and dependent parents.
Can Reapply for this Visa? Yes, it is possible to reapply for this visa if the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
Government Fees for Visa Application:
Visa Study Fee: $54,92 USD.
Visa Issuance Fee: $195,40 USD.
Additional Services you may need:
You may need assistance to establish and register the company or to make changes to the company's incorporation documents to meet the requirements for applying for this visa.Â
You will also need a Colombian accountant (with a professional license) to help certify the shareholding composition.
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 under this category, the time can be accumulated toward applying for a resident visa. For this type of visa, the accumulation of time is 5 years.
Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:
Investment Requirements: The investment must be verified and documented to ensure it meets the minimum required amount.
Financial Documentation: Adequate financial documentation must be provided to prove the company’s viability and the applicant’s role.
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.
Restrictions when Applying for this Type of Visa:
The visa is tied to the specific role and company; changes in shareholding or ownership could affect visa status.
If the company is not in compliance with legal or financial obligations, this may impact the visa status.
Regulation Governing this Type of Visa: Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 75.
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: