Essential Guide to Obtaining a Visa for Retirees in Colombia
Type of Visa: M.
Applicable To: Foreign nationals receiving a pension.
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:
Pension Certification: Certification proving monthly pension payments to the applicant, with an amount not less than three (3) legal minimum monthly wages in Colombia. This certification must be issued by the competent authority or by the diplomatic or consular mission accredited in Colombia from the country where the pension is received. It must be issued no more than 3 months before the visa application and must be apostilled or legalized as necessary. If in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated into Spanish.
Criminal Background Check: A certificate of judicial, criminal, or police background issued by the authority of the country where the applicant has resided for the last three (3) years, with apostille or legalization and official translation.
Medical Certificate: A medical certificate issued by a Colombian authority or by the health authority of the country of origin, confirming the applicant's physical and psychological fitness.
Health Coverage: Proof of health coverage in Colombia, or a health insurance policy covering risks such as accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation, for the duration of the stay in Colombia.
Benefits of this visa: Residing and carrying out any legitimate activity in Colombia (remember that the only restriction is to work).
Allows to Work in Colombia? No, this visa does not allow the holder to work in Colombia.
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, common-law partner or spouse.
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 or €42.25 EUR
Visa Issuance Fee: $195.40 USD or €149.98 EUR
Additional Services you may need:
Apostilles and official translations may be required.
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:
Document Requirements: The documents (criminal background check, medical certificate, and pension certification) must be properly apostilled or legalized. If they are in a language other than Spanish, they must be translated by an official translator.
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 does not allow the holder to work in Colombia.
Regulation Governing this Type of Visa: Resolution 5477 of 2022, Article 77.
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: