Find visa optionsFind visas
Menu

Republic of Colombia · residence general · Leads to settlement

Visa M (Migrante)

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 1 official citation reconfirmed 13 September 2026

The Migrant (M) visa - the establishment-intent category whose continuous holding accrues toward a Resident (R) visa in Colombia.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyGranted for up to three years depending on the subcategory and renewable; continuous holding accrues toward the Resident (R) visa. Confirm current validity on the official page.
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 depending on the subcategory and renewable; continuous holding accrues toward the Resident (R) visa. Confirm current validity on the official page.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) ↗

In short

As of 9 July 2026, the Visa M (Migrante) for Republic of Colombia is an unsponsored Colombia immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Colombia government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/colombia/visa-m-migrant#answer

What is the Visa M (Migrante) in Republic of Colombia?

Visa M (Migrante) is an unsponsored Colombia route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a study fee and an issuance fee apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official Cancilleria visa page; typical duration is Granted for up to three years depending on the subcategory and renewable; continuous holding accrues toward the Resident (R) visa. Confirm current validity on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

Under Resolucion 5477 of 2022, the Visa M (Migrante) is the category for foreign nationals who intend to establish themselves in Colombia. It groups several subcategories - including spouse or partner of a Colombian, business owner or investor, employee, pensioner and others - each with its own requirements. Crucially, the M visa constitutes proof of residence with intent of permanence: holding one or more M visas continuously for the qualifying period accrues toward eligibility for the Resident (R) visa. The Visa M is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Identify which Migrant (M) subcategory under Resolucion 5477 of 2022 you qualify under and confirm M time accrues toward the R visa, using the official Cancilleria page.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Assemble the passport, application form and the qualifying-ground documents (and apostilles or legalisations) for your subcategory.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply through the Cancilleria online visa system following the Migrant subcategory instructions.

  4. After approval

    Register the visa and the cedula de extranjeria as required, and maintain continuous holding to build time toward a Resident (R) visa.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Visa M (Migrante), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Visa M (Migrante) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Colombia

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Visa M (Migrante) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Visa M (Migrante).

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia) · verified

Also explored by

Indian Filipino Nigerian

Compare Republic of Colombia with

Related routes

Frequently asked questions

How does the Visa M lead to permanent residence in Colombia?+

The Migrant (M) visa is the establishment-intent category, and continuously holding one or more M visas for the qualifying period accrues toward eligibility for the Resident (R) visa. Avoiding breaks in your M status protects that accrued time. Confirm the current qualifying period on the official Cancilleria page.

What subcategories fall under the Visa M?+

The Migrant type groups several subcategories, including spouse or partner of a Colombian, business owner or investor, employee and pensioner, each with its own requirements. Check which one fits your situation on the official Cancilleria page.

How long is a Colombian Migrant (M) visa valid and can I renew it?+

The Migrant (M) visa is granted for up to three years depending on the subcategory and is renewable, with continuous holding accruing toward a Resident (R) visa. Confirm the current validity for your subcategory on the official Cancilleria page.

Which Colombian visa do I need to work for a Colombian employer?+

The Migrant (M) visa groups several subcategories, including an employee subcategory, for foreign nationals intending to establish themselves in Colombia. Unlike the Visitor (V) visa, time on a Migrant (M) visa accrues toward a Resident (R) visa. Check which Migrant subcategory fits your employment 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.

Find a regulated advisor in Colombia

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

CompareFind visa options