Visa M Inversionista

Colombia's Visa M Inversionista is the country's primary investment-based residence visa, allowing foreign nationals to live in Colombia on the basis of qualifying capital investments. Established under Article 79 of Resolución 5477 of 2022, it offers two investment pathways: purchasing Colombian real estate worth at least 350 SMLMV (approximately COP 613 million / USD 150,000 for 2026), or making registered foreign direct investment of at least 650 SMLMV (approximately COP 1,138 million / USD 280,000) through the Banco de la República. The minimum thresholds are tied to Colombia's legal monthly minimum wage and increase annually.

• Real estate: The property must be titled exclusively in the foreign investor's name with a registered value of at least 350 SMLMV. Shared ownership with another person does not qualify. Proof is provided through the Certificado de Tradición y Libertad and foreign investment extracts from the Banco de la República.
• Foreign direct investment: Capital invested and registered with the Banco de la República's foreign exchange system must exceed 650 SMLMV. All funds must enter Colombia through legal channels as registered foreign investment.

Investors are advised to invest above minimum thresholds to create a buffer against annual SMLMV increases that could affect compliance at renewal.

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and blank visa pages
• Recent passport-style photograph (3x4 cm, white background, JPG format)
• Proof of qualifying investment (Certificado de Tradición y Libertad for real estate, or Banco de la República investment registration for direct investment)
• Bank statements from the 3 months prior to application demonstrating economic solvency
• Health insurance valid in Colombia covering accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation
• Criminal background certificate may be requested (apostilled and translated to Spanish)

The application is submitted entirely online through the Cancillería's visa portal. After creating an account and uploading documents, the applicant pays a non-refundable study fee of USD 54. The Ministry reviews the application within 30 calendar days and may request additional documentation. If approved, the issuance fee of USD 270 must be paid within 10 days, after which the e-visa is delivered by email.

• Register with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days of entry or visa issuance
• Obtain the cédula de extranjería (foreign ID card), which serves as primary identification for all legal and financial purposes
• Report any changes in address, marital status, or circumstances to Migración Colombia within 15 days

Absence from Colombia exceeding 180 consecutive days results in automatic cancellation of the visa. Short trips abroad are permitted and do not interrupt the accumulation of time toward permanent residency, provided the 180-day threshold is not exceeded.

The visa does not include a general work permit. It authorizes the holder to manage or oversee their investment. Real estate investors are not authorized to work for Colombian companies under this visa alone.

Foreign nationals present in Colombia for 183 or more days within any 365-day period become tax residents and must report worldwide income to DIAN. Real estate owners are subject to annual property tax and must report rental income. Non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income.

After holding the Visa M Inversionista continuously for 5 years, the holder may apply for a Visa R (Residente) under Article 90 of Resolución 5477. The previous framework allowed large investors to obtain residency directly, but this pathway was eliminated in October 2022 — all investors must now start with the Visa M and accumulate 5 years. The Visa R is valid for 5 years and can lead to Colombian citizenship through naturalization.

The 2026 SMLMV was set at COP 1,750,905 — a 23% increase over 2025, significantly above the ~6.5% inflation rate — raising the real estate threshold by approximately COP 115 million and the direct investment threshold by approximately COP 213 million in peso terms compared to 2025. The figure was originally set by Decreto 1469 de 2025 and subsequently confirmed on a transitional basis by Decreto 0159 de 2026 pending resolution of a legal challenge. Article 79 investor visa requirements remain unmodified since the original Resolución 5477 of 2022, though several amendments to other articles have been enacted: Resolución 9316 de 2024 modified visa transfer requirements and extended the deadline for permanent resident visa transfers to October 31, 2026.