How to Get a Colombian Visa?

There are only three (3) types of visas in Colombia: Visitor (“V”), Migrant (“M”), and Resident (“R”). You will be able to apply for citizenship in Colombia only after having an “R” visa. You can get an “R” visa after either making a USD $200k foreign direct investment (FDI) in Colombia or after having an “M” visa. You can get an “M” visa either through an FDI ($100k in real estate or $30k in company stock) or after having your foreign credentials/degrees recognized at the Ministry of Education.

If you make an FDI of $200k in Colombia, you will have the immediate right to obtain an “R” (resident) visa (with an open work permit). After five years (or two (2) if you marry a Colombian national) with your “R” visa, you will have the right to obtain Colombian citizenship. This $200k FDI must come directly from your personal bank account to invest in any type of business activity in Colombia (e.g., to fund the acquisition of real estate, stock in a company domiciled in Colombia, etc.).

A $100k FDI to acquire a piece of real estate will grant you an “M” visa (with no work permit). A $30k investment in company stock will grant you an “M” visa with a restricted work permit (you will only be allowed to work in the company you invested).

After you obtain the recognition of your foreign credentials/degrees at the Ministry of Education in Colombia, you will have the right to obtain an “M” visa (with a restricted work permit only in your medical profession).

After five (5) years, with an “M” visa, you will have the right to apply for an “R” visa. After five (5) years (or two (2) years if you marry a Colombian national) with your “R” visa, you will have the right to apply for Colombian citizenship.

So, this is what we suggest foreign professional to do (e.g., foreign doctors looking to practice in Colombia):

If you really want to be a Colombian citizen fast and have plenty of cash in the bank, then make a $200k foreign direct investment in Colombia and get your “R” visa right away (as opposed to getting an “M” visa first). You will be a Colombian citizen in five years (or two if you marry a Colombian national) after that. Getting the “R” visa after a foreign direct investment is the fastest way to getting citizenship in Colombia.

If you just want to practice medicine in Colombia and don’t have much cash in the bank, just get your foreign credentials/degrees recognized at the Ministry of Education and get an “M” visa with your work permit. You will have the right to be a Colombian citizen in five years (or two if you marry a Colombian national) after that.

Source: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Resolución 6045 de 2017 (https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_6045_2017.htm#21).