Colombia

Visa V Rentista

Colombia's Visa V Rentista is a Visitor-type visa for foreign nationals who receive periodic passive income from lawful, verifiable sources. Established under Article 56 of Resolución 5477 of 2022, it accepts a broad range of passive income types including annuity payments, rental income (including from Colombian properties), investment dividends, and other regular payments. Unlike the Visa M Pensionado, the income does not need to be a lifelong pension. A critical change introduced in October 2022 was the reclassification of this visa from the Migrant (M) to the Visitor (V) category, meaning time spent under it no longer counts toward permanent residency.

• Must receive periodic passive income of at least 10 SMMLV per month (approximately USD 4,250 for 2026)
• Income must come from a lawful and verifiable source
• No specific education, professional experience, or age requirements
• No nationality restrictions

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Recent passport-style photograph (white background, max 300 KB, JPG format)
• Written visa request declaring the origin of income
• Certification from the entity paying the income, specifying the amount (at least 10 SMMLV), or proof of ownership of Colombian property generating income of at least 10 SMMLV
• Bank statements from the 6 months prior to application showing regular income deposits
• Criminal background certificate from country of residence during the last 3 years (apostilled/legalized, translated to Spanish)
• 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. Applicants complete the form including a declaration of the origin of passive income, upload documents, and pay a non-refundable study fee of USD 54. The Ministry reviews the application within 30 calendar days. If approved, the issuance fee of USD 177 must be paid within 10 calendar days. The e-visa is delivered to the applicant's email.

• Register with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days of entry or visa issuance
• Obtain the cédula de extranjería; failure to register within 15 days can result in fines up to 7 SMMLV
• Report any changes in address or circumstances to Migración Colombia within 15 days

The visa does not permit the holder to work in Colombian territory. Holders may not engage in employment or provide services to Colombian companies. Holders may study in Colombia if the visa validity is 90 days or more.

Absence from Colombia exceeding 180 consecutive calendar days results in automatic termination of the visa. Short trips abroad are permitted.

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. Passive income from any source becomes taxable once fiscal residency is established. Rental income from Colombian properties is taxable regardless of residency status.

As a Visitor (V) category visa, the Rentista does not count toward the 5-year requirement for permanent residency. This is a significant change from the previous framework (Resolución 6045 of 2017), when the Rentista was classified as M-type and did lead to residency. Foreign nationals seeking a passive income pathway to permanent residency should consider the Visa M Pensionado if they hold a lifelong pension.

The Rentista requires 10 SMMLV in passive income versus only 3 SMMLV for the Pensionado. The Pensionado is valid for up to 3 years versus 2 years for the Rentista. Most critically, the Pensionado (M-type) counts toward permanent residency while the Rentista (V-type) does not. The Rentista visa does not require income to be lifelong, however, making it suitable for income from fixed-term annuities, rental agreements, or investment portfolios.

Links

• https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa/normativa
• 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