Changes coming to Colombian Visa Regulations - including Digital Nomad Visa, Retirement Visa, & Residency limits
On July 22, 2022, the Cancillería (Colombian foreign ministry) announced drastic changes to current Colombian Visa regulations scheduled to take effect 90 days after publication. Overall, the changes impose much stricter requirements on the majority of Colombian Visa applicants, eliminate several Visa categories, and have made gaining and keeping a Colombian Residency Visa much more difficult. The only noticeable bright spot was the creation of the much anticipated Digital Nomad Visa.
The full list of changes can be found in Spanish on the Cancilleria website.
We have detailed some of the more prominent changes to the Colombian Visa regulations below:
Retirement Visa
The Colombian authorities have made it more difficult to receive a Retirement Visa. On top of the previous requirements, an applicant must now also provide:
An apostilled and translated police background check from the country of your previous residence
A medical certificate proving you are “physically and psychologically apt.”
A private health insurance plan
No longer can enroll in an EPS (Colombian public health care system) - this will come as a relief for some retirees as many are now forced to pay in but never use it as they purchase private insurance.
Digital Nomad Visa
Colombia has finally delivered on its promise of creating a Digital Nomad Visa. Find out the details here.
Marriage Visa
The changes to the Marriage Visa are:
Time to obtain an Residency Visa has been lengthened from 2 years to 3 years
The Colombian spouse has a legal obligation to report a change in relationship status to the Cancillería
Union Libre / Common Law Marriage Visa
The rules have been tightened around all aspects of the Union Libre Visa:
You can only apply for this visa at least one year after declaring your “union marital de hecho” before a notary or the centro de conciliación - Keep in mind not all notary documents are created equal for visa purposes
Time before you can obtain an Residency Visa has been lengthened from 2 to 5 years
Colombian partner has legal obligation to report a change in relationship status to the Cancillería
Visa through a Colombian Child
The changes:
Having a Colombian child no longer grants you access to an automatic Residency Visa
Foreign parent of Colombian child will now obtain an M Visa, which lasts from 1 to 3 years depending on Colombian immigration’s discretion
Foreign parent may obtain an Residency Visa after keeping M Visa in good standing for 5 years
Real Estate Investment Visa
Direct access to a Residency Visa through a 650 salarios minimos investment - currently 650M COP - has been eliminated, but it will still give you access to an M Visa.
All real estate investments above 350 salarios minimos - currently 350M COP - still receive an M Visa
Foreigner is under obligation to inform immigration authorities if circumstances of your investment changes
Residency Visas
Elimination of the limitless nature of the current Residency Visa
Residency Visas must be renewed every 5 years
Foreigner must prove that the circumstances underlying their Residency Visa (Marriage, Investment..) are still applicable when renewing their Residency Visa
