Republic of Colombia · investor · Leads to settlement
Visa M Inversionista / Socio o Propietario
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
The Migrant (M) visa for foreign investors and business owners or partners in a Colombian company.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Cancilleria visa page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - a study fee and an issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Granted for up to three years and renewable while the investment or business is maintained; M time accrues toward the Resident (R) visa. Confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
Within the Migrant (M) type under Resolucion 5477 of 2022, Colombia offers subcategories for foreign investors and for partners or owners of a Colombian commercial company. The investor subcategory is for those who register direct foreign investment or acquire property in their own name and maintain it; the partner/owner subcategory is for those who incorporate, participate in or acquire paid-in capital of a Colombian company above a defined threshold in monthly minimum wages, and demonstrate the company is economically active. Because both sit within the Migrant type, the time held accrues toward a Resident (R) visa. The visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Direct foreign investment is registered, or property is acquired in the applicant's own name, and maintained during the visa validity.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ✓For the partner/owner subcategory, paid-in capital or company participation is at or above the threshold set in monthly minimum wages (SMMLV).Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ✓The commercial company demonstrates ongoing economic activity and solvency through the required records.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ✓A valid passport and the company or investment documentation are presented.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
Common blockers
- !Investment or paid-in capital below the threshold defined for the subcategory.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- !The company cannot evidence ongoing economic activity, tax filings or social-security contributions.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- !A work permit under the partner/owner subcategory is limited to the specific company, so working elsewhere is not authorised.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Foreign-investment registration certificate or property acquisition documents in the applicant's name.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ·Company incorporation documents and proof of paid-in capital or participation.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ·Recent bank statements, tax return and social-security contribution records showing the company is active.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
- ·Valid passport and completed visa application form.Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm whether the investor or the partner/owner subcategory fits and the current SMMLV-based threshold, using the official Cancilleria page.
Build the evidence pack
Register the foreign investment or gather the company documents, paid-in-capital proof and records showing the business is economically active.
Submit through the official channel
Apply through the Cancilleria online visa system following the relevant Migrant subcategory instructions.
After approval
Register the visa and cedula de extranjeria, maintain the investment or business, and accrue time toward a Resident (R) visa.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Visa M Inversionista / Socio o Propietario route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Visa M Inversionista / Socio o Propietario.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum investment for the Colombian investor Visa M?+
Yes - the investor and partner/owner subcategories set thresholds defined relative to monthly minimum wages (SMMLV), and the partner/owner route also requires evidence the company is economically active. Because the threshold tracks the minimum wage, confirm the current figure on the official Cancilleria page.
Does an investor Visa M count toward residence?+
Yes. Both the investor and partner/owner routes sit within the Migrant (M) type, so the time held accrues toward eligibility for a Resident (R) visa while the investment or business is maintained. Confirm the qualifying period on the official Cancilleria page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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