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For some past months, there has been discussion about possible changes regarding Colombian visas, and precisely, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just issued a new resolution that will become effective as of October 20.
Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022, will replace the 2017 resolution, bringing as a consequence the implementation of new visa categories, new mandatory requirements, and some changes of major impact.
If you want to know the main updates of the new resolution, continue reading. We also invite you to subscribe to our Newsletter to be among the first to receive our next articles. We are working on all the explanatory material about the new Colombian regulations for the application and granting of visas in accordance with resolution 5477 of 2022. You won’t want to miss it!
When will the new resolution 5477 be implemented?
⚠️ IMPORTANT! Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022, will start to be fully implemented as of October 20, 2022. However, the Colombian government may begin the transition as early as now by requesting some of the new requirements. So, if you are in the process of applying for a visa or wish to start a visa process soon, we recommend you read this article carefully and ask for specialized advice.
Will the visa types change?
No. The new resolution keeps the same types of visas as the current V (Visitor), M (Migrant), and R (Resident), but with some changes in the granting times, requirements, and permits, among others. In addition, the new visa resolution comes with the update that some visa categories are modified (change from type V, M, or R) and also introduces new options for the development of certain specific activities.
How does the new Resolution 5477 affect foreigners already holders or beneficiaries of a current visa?
Visas issued before the entry into force of Resolution 5477 of 2022 will remain valid.
The visas that allowed accumulating time for residency under the previous regulation will be added for counting time under the new regulation as long as, at the time of the resident visa application, they have accumulated at least 2 years of effective permanence in Colombia under the previous visas.
IMPORTANT: Resident visa holders must make the transfer within 2 years of the new resolution’s entry into force.
What are the changes brought by the new visa resolution 5477?
Below is the complete list of visa categories. We will soon publish articles dedicated to the development of each category. So, if you are interested in understanding and applying to any of them in particular, leave your opinion in the comments at the end of this article, and we will prioritize it!
| Type | Nº | Visa Category | Maximum grant time | Minimum length of stay as a visa holder required to apply for residence for accumulated time. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <b>Visitor Visa (V)</b> | 1 | Airport Transit | 30 days | Do not accumulate time to become a resident |
| 2 | Tourist | 1 year | ||
| 3 | Business | 2 years | ||
| 4 | Student | 2 years | ||
| 5 | Medical treatment | 1 year | ||
| 6 | Administrative Proceedings | 1 year | ||
| 7 | Ship's crew member | 1 year | ||
| 8 | Agricultural Worker | 180 days | ||
| 9 | Event Participant | 1 year | ||
| 10 | Religious | 2 years | ||
| 11 | Religious Student/Volunteer | 1 years | ||
| 12 | Volunteer | 2 years | ||
| 13 | Audiovisual Production | 1 year | ||
| 14 | Digital Nomad | 2 years | ||
| 15 | Journalistic Coverage | 1 year | ||
| 16 | Permanent Journalist | 2 years | ||
| 17 | Technical Assistant | 2 years | ||
| 18 | TLC business visa | 2 years | ||
| 19 | Non-accredited officials | 2 years | ||
| 20 | Holidays and work | 1 year | ||
| 21 | Work internships | 1 year | ||
| 22 | Temporary Services Provider | 2 years | ||
| 23 | Promotion of internationalization | 2 years | ||
| 24 | Rentista / Annuity | 2 years | ||
| 25 | Unforeseen cases | |||
| <b>Type V Courtesy Visa</b> | 1 | Foreign government official | 2 years | Do not accumulate time to become a resident |
| 2 | ICETEX Program | 2 years | ||
| 3 | International agreements | 2 years | ||
| 4 | Video producers | 2 years | ||
| 5 | Supplementary measure | 1 year | ||
| 6 | Unforeseen cases | |||
| <b>Visa de Migrante (M)</b> | 1 | Marriage | 3 years | 3 years |
| 2 | Mother or father of Colombian national by adoption | 3 years | 2 years | |
| 3 | Mother or father of Colombian national by birth | 3 years | 2 years | |
| 4 | Mercosur | 2 years | 2 years | |
| 5 | Andino | 2 years | 2 years | |
| 6 | Stateless person | 3 years | 2 years | |
| 7 | Permanent partner of a Colombian national (Domestic Partnership) | 1 year | 5 years | |
| 8 | Refugee | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 9 | Work | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 10 | Business | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 11 | Freelancer | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 12 | Retirement | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 13 | Promotion of internationalization | 3 years | 5 years | |
| 14 | Investment (Category Change) | 3 years | 5 years | |
| Visa de Residente Permanente (R) | 1 | By renunciation of nationality | 5 years | N/A |
| 2 | Accumulated time in Colombia | 5 years | ||
| 3 | For application of the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants | 5 years | ||
| 4 | Peace process resident | 5 years |
PLEASE NOTE!
The safe conduct (Salvoconductos) does not constitute visa continuity and will not contribute to calculating the continuity of the accumulated time when applying for residence.
The visas granting time is decided by the Colombian government, the maximum times of granting indicated in resolution 5477 and described in the previous table, do not constitute obligatory for all the cases. The government may issue the visa with a shorter duration.
About types of visas
Type V – Digital Nomad
This category will be part of visa type V (Visitor) and will allow the legal stay in Colombia for many foreigners who wish to enjoy our country, although their activities are performed remotely for people or companies abroad.
Type M – Domestic Partnership (spouse or permanent partner)
It will be differentiated between those couples who have a civil marriage, and those couples who have their bond declared through a Domestic Partnership Union. This means that a new category of visa M – Permanent partner of a Colombian national is created, for which the couple must have formalized the bond through a Domestic Partnership for at least 1 year.
Type M – Father or mother of a Colombian national by birth
Will no longer be eligible directly for a permanent residence visa but will have to apply first for a type M visa for COLOMBIAN CHILD. Changed from type R (Resident) to type M (Migrant).
Type V – Rentista ‘Annuity’
Demonstrate that you own property in Colombia from which you receive an income equal to or greater than 10 SMMLV. This will allow you to obtain a visa as a RENTISTA.
Type V – Student
The student visa M for primary and undergraduate studies disappears, and all studies, whether short or long, will be categorized within the visa type V STUDENT. In addition, virtual or distance studies will be valid in addition to in-person studies.
Type V – Temporary services provider, Type V – Religious, and Type V – Voluntary
For applying Type V visas for TEMPORARY SERVICES PROVIDER, RELIGIOUS, and VOLUNTEER, supporting entities must prove economic solvency through bank statements reflecting an average of 100 SMMLV corresponding to the last 6 months.
Visa Transfer
The obligatory nature of foreigners who are holders of residence to carry out the process of TRANSFER of visa every 5 years, before the expiration of the visa, returns.
About requirements
Medical Insurance
Having a medical insurance or health policy with coverage against all risks in Colombia, becomes one of the most recurrent requirements, and in fact, it will be mandatory for almost all types V (Visitor) visa categories.
Passport Validity
The passport again must have a minimum validity of 6 months at the time of visa application.
Criminal Records
For some visas, it will be mandatory to present a criminal record from the country of origin or residence. For example, for the pensioner visa.
About the application process
New restrictions
Visa change from Colombia
Foreigners whose nationalities have restrictions on entering Colombia first must apply for a visa through the consulate, when entering the country being holders of a TOURIST visa or any other type V category, will not be able to make the change of visa type/category from Colombia, but must return to their country of origin or residence and apply through consulate again.
Final notes
The new immigration regulations through Resolution 5477 of 2022, although it represents the loss of category for several typical visas and greater severity in the requirements, also open the way to new categories that could increase the possibilities of many foreigners who have projects in Colombia, and until now, their profiles did not fit in the list enabled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It is clear that the Colombian government is increasingly adjusting its immigration policies. We continue to be a very attractive country for foreigners, with requirements for obtaining long-stay visas that are increasingly more demanding but strategically still accessible.
Therefore, the recommendation is to leave the interpretation of the rule and its correct application to increase the chances of success of the visa process in the hands of professionals and experts in the field. In expatgroup.co, we offer our team of specialists and personalized advisory services to our clients and the foreign community in general.
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