Colombia

Visa M Socio o Propietario

Colombia's Visa M Socio o Propietario is the country's entrepreneur visa, enabling foreign nationals to reside in Colombia while establishing, owning, or holding a shareholding in a Colombian commercial company. Established under Article 75 of Resolución 5477 of 2022, it requires a minimum capital participation of 100 SMLMV (approximately USD 46,690 for 2026) and grants a work permit restricted exclusively to the company in which the holder is a partner, shareholder, or owner. Unlike the Visa M Inversionista (for passive real estate or financial investment), this visa requires active business involvement.

• Must have constituted a company in Colombia, acquired participation in an operating Colombian commercial company, or registered foreign investment in a Colombian company
• Minimum capital participation of 100 SMLMV at the date of application
• No formal education or professional qualifications required
• The company must be legally constituted and registered before the visa can be applied for

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and blank visa pages
• Recent passport-style photograph (3x4 cm, white background, JPG format)
• Letter stating the company's business name, address, NIT (tax ID), main activity, and number of direct jobs generated
• Proof of constitution, participation, or acquisition of paid capital in a commercial company (minimum 100 SMLMV), with bank statements
• For stock companies: certificate of shareholder composition signed by a certified public accountant showing the applicant holds at least 100 SMLMV
• Evidence of the company's economic activity and solvency: bank statements from the 3 months prior, tax returns, social security contribution records, lease agreements, and/or industry and commerce tax payments
• Health insurance valid in Colombia covering accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation

The application is submitted online through the Cancillería's visa portal. After completing the form 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 calendar days. The e-visa is delivered by email. All documents from outside Colombia must be apostilled or legalized and translated to Spanish.

• Register with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days and obtain the cédula de extranjería
• Report any changes in company information, address, or circumstances to Migración Colombia within 15 days
• Comply with Colombian commercial and corporate law, including financial reporting, tax filings, and employee social security contributions

The work permit is strictly limited to the company named in the application. Holders cannot work for other employers or operate a second business under this visa.

The capital participation must be maintained throughout the entire visa validity period. Selling the shareholding, withdrawing from the company, or reducing participation below 100 SMLMV invalidates the visa and prevents renewal. Since the SMLMV threshold increases annually with wage adjustments, entrepreneurs should invest above the minimum to provide a buffer.

Absence from Colombia exceeding 180 consecutive calendar days results in automatic cancellation of the visa. A holder who remains outside Colombia beyond this threshold also loses the right to maintain the cédula de extranjería.

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. Business income and dividends from the Colombian company are subject to Colombian taxation. Non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income.

The Socio o Propietario visa has a lower minimum threshold (100 SMLMV vs. 350/650 SMLMV for the Inversionista) but requires active business involvement and limits the work permit to the specific company. The Inversionista visa is for passive investment and does not include a work permit.

After holding the Visa M continuously for 5 years, the holder may apply for a Visa R (Residente). The Visa R is valid for 5 years and can lead to Colombian citizenship through naturalization.

Links

• https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/v/socioopropietario
• https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarVisa.xhtml
• https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visa/costs-means-payment-service-offices
• https://www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/cedula-de-extranjeria

Other Digital Nomad Visas in South America