Move to Medellín, Colombia. The routes, mapped.
13 visa routes into Colombia, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to Colombia: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to Colombia
13 visa routes into Colombia, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa M Inversionista (Investor Visa) | Varies | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 3-year renewable investor residence permit for foreigners who make a qualifying investment of around 350x SMLMV in Colombian real estate or company shares. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Banco Republica FDI Registration, Investment Proof Property Or Company, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| Visa M-11 Religioso (Religious Activities Visa) | Varies | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Family ok | A residence visa valid up to 3 years for foreign religious workers, such as missionaries, clergy, and ministers, sponsored by a Colombian government-recognized religious entity. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Religious Entity Sponsorship Letter, Ministerio Interior Religious Recognition, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| Visa M-3 Refugiado (Refugee / Asylum Visa) | Varies | 3 years~52 wks processing · Renewable | Varies | Remote work ok, Family ok | A renewable 3-year residence visa for foreign nationals recognized as refugees by Colombia's CONARE body, with a path to permanent residence after 5 years. Documents: Passport Or Identity Document, CONARE Recognition Resolution, Asylum Application Form, Statement Of Persecution, Country Of Origin Documentation Official source |
| Visa M-5 Pensionado (Migrant Retirement Visa) | $1,400/mo | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Family ok | A renewable 3-year residency visa for foreign retirees who receive a lifetime pension of at least $1,400 USD per month, with a path to permanent residency after 5 years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Pension Award Letter Apostilled, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| Visa M-6 Rentista (Migrant Income Visa) | $4,670/mo | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Family ok | A 3-year renewable Colombian residence visa for foreigners with at least $4,670 USD per month in passive income such as rental, dividends, or annuities, counting toward permanent residency. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Income Certification Rentista, Bank Statements 6mo, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| Visa V Trabajador (Work Permit Visa) | Varies | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Family ok | A work permit visa for foreigners hired by a Colombian employer, valid for up to 3 years, renewable, and counting toward permanent residency after 5 years. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Work Contract Cancilleria Format, Employer Motivation Letter, Apostilled Academic Credentials, Employer Bank Statements, +2 more Official source |
| Visa V (Visitor) | Varies | 2 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A broad visitor visa covering 25 activity subcategories, including tourism, study, and remote work, valid for up to 24 months for foreign nationals needing to stay beyond Colombia's 90-day exemption. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| Visa V Nómadas Digitales (M-9 Digital Nomad Visa) | $1,400/mo | 2 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A two-year renewable remote-work permit for digital nomads earning at least $1,400 USD per month from foreign employers or clients, with dependents allowed. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Employer Letter Foreign Remote Work, Bank Statements (3 months, certified) ·a, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, Criminal Background Check Apostilled Official source |
| PEP / PPT (Permiso Especial de Permanencia / Permiso por Protección Temporal) | Varies | 10 years~24 wks processing | Varies | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 10-year protection permit granted exclusively to Venezuelan nationals physically present in Colombia before the eligibility cutoff, with full work authorization and a path to residency after 5 years. Documents: Venezuelan Passport Or Identity Document, RUMV Registration, Biometric Enrollment Record, Proof Of Presence Colombia Before Cutoff Official source |
| Tourist Entry (Visa Exemption, Permanencia Temporal) | Varies | 3 monthsRenewable | Varies | Remote work ok, Family ok | A visa-free tourist entry for US, UK, Canadian, EU, Australian, and most other OECD passport holders, granting 90 days in Colombia extendable once to 180 days per calendar year. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Onward Return Ticket, Check Mig Form Online Official source |
| Visa R (Resident Visa) | Varies | Varies~6 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | Colombia's permanent residency permit, granted to those who have held an M visa for five continuous years and offering indefinite stay with full work rights and a path to citizenship. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Prior M Visa Proof, Migratory Movement Certificate, Income Verification Ongoing, Health Insurance Proof Colombia, +1 more Official source |
| Visa M-1 Cónyuge / Compañero(a) Permanente (Marriage / Permanent Partner) | Varies | 3 years~4 wks processing · Renewable | $65 fee | Remote work ok, Family ok | A residence visa for foreign spouses or registered common-law partners of Colombian citizens, granting up to 3 years of stay, work rights, and a path to permanent residency. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Colombia Visa Application Form Online, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, Marriage Certificate Apostilled, Colombian Spouse Cedula Copy, Notarized Power Of Attorney Spouse, Migratory Movement Certificate, +2 more Official source |
| Colombian Naturalization (Citizenship by Residence) | Varies | Varies~52 wks processing | Varies | Remote work ok | A citizenship path for R Resident visa holders, requiring 5 years of residence (reduced to 2 or 1 year for eligible nationals), language and civics exams, and granting a Colombian passport with dual citizenship permitted. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Naturalization Application Form, Passport Photo Colombia Visa, R Resident Visa Proof, Cedula Extranjeria Copy, Migratory Movement Certificate, Birth Certificate Apostilled, +4 more Official source |
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Which route is right for you?
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