Republic of Colombia visas
Colombia issues visas through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), with in-country registration handled by Migración Colombia. Since Resolución 5477 of 2022 the system has three tiers — Visa V (visitor, including a digital-nomad subcategory), Visa M (migrant) and Visa R (resident) — with naturalisation generally available after five years of residence, and sooner for some nationalities.
6 routes · 6 without a sponsor · 4 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Cancillería — Visas e Inmigración ↗ · Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Consejo Superior de la Judicatura (CSJ) — Maintains the national registry of lawyers (Registro Nacional de Abogados) in Colombia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; immigration representation is provided by licensed lawyers.
Visa routes (6)
Visa V (Visitante)
The Visitor (V) visa for temporary stays in Colombia where the holder has no intention of establishing domicile in the country.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visa V Nomadas Digitales
The digital-nomad subcategory of the Visa V, for remote workers and digital entrepreneurs serving foreign companies or clients from Colombia.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visa M (Migrante)
The Migrant (M) visa - the establishment-intent category whose continuous holding accrues toward a Resident (R) visa in Colombia.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visa M Inversionista / Socio o Propietario
The Migrant (M) visa for foreign investors and business owners or partners in a Colombian company.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visa M Conyuge o Companero de Nacional
The Migrant (M) visa for the spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visa R (Residente)
The Resident (R) visa - Colombia's permanent-residence category, granting an open work permit and the right to settle.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Colombia have?+
We cover 6 Republic of Colombia visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, digital nomad, general residence, investor, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Colombia visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
6 of the 6 Republic of Colombia routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 0 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Colombia visas lead to permanent residence?+
4 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Colombia