The Colombia investor or investment visa is intended for foreigners who make an investment in real estate such as buying a property in Colombia. The investment visa is easy to obtain provided that you fulfill all the visa requirements.
Some Visas As of this Saturday, September 17th, new Colombian Online visa applications will not be accepted for many Colombian visa types until October 21. A new rule on visas will become active (Ministry of Foreign Relations Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022). This rule will imply changes in the category of various types of visas and will require adjustments in Colombian Visa Application System.
In other words, the ministry of foreign relations and consulates of Colombia will freeze applications for many visas!
Many visas will have new requirements and many will be downgraded to visitor or migrant visa categories. Due to these changes, the government decided to not accept applications for the affected visas.
Technically some visas will continue to move forward with the application process. Applications in the system will continue to be processed.
Visas affected by the freeze for the 17th of September are:
1. Retirement / Pension Visa
Adding new Requirements:
Please note that pension letters such as social security letters don’t come from Embassy anymore. These letters are now accepted only if they are notarized and have an apostille.
2. Annuity Visa (Rentista Downgrading to Visitor)
The Rentista Visa or Annuity visa has been downgraded from the Migrant M category to the Visitor V category.
New requirements:
3. Parent Visa RE (Resident – Downgrading to Migrant)
The parent visa is being downgraded from a Resident R visa to a Migrant M visa. Here are the new rules:
4. Partner Visa M (Civil Union Downgrading)
The new rules change the duration of civil marriage visas and common law marriage visas. Here are the new changes.
Civil Marriage Visa
Common Law Marriage Visa
5. Student M Visa
The new set of rules eliminates the Student M visa and replaces it with a Visitor V visa. (Spanish Class Visas should not be affected)
6. Religious M (Downgrading to Visitor Visa)
Requirements:
Validity: Up to two (2) years. Beneficiaries: This visa allows its main holder to request a visa for beneficiaries.
Restrictions: The work permit granted in this capacity will be governed by article 16 of this resolution and is restricted to the activity registered and authorized in the visa.
7. Investor RE (Downgrading to Migrant Visa)
Previously, an applicant could obtain a resident visa for foreign direct investment over 650 times the local minimum wage. Not anymore.
New rules:
Eliminate this visa type of resident visa. Foreign applicants can still apply for a property owner Migrant M visa which will eventually allow them to apply for a resident visa after 5 years. This migrant M visa can now be obtained after you make an investment that is 350 times the local minimum wage.
To Obtain a Colombian Investor or Investment Visa as a Migrant
Under the 2022 min salary rate, you can purchase a property at 350 * Min salary = 350,000,000 Pesos (about $87,500 USD) Qualifies for a 1 – 3 years temporary residency Visa M – Property Owners Visa
The Colombian property investment visa (M-10) is valid for three years. Even though this visa allows multiple entries into Colombia, it loses its validity if you stay out of Colombia for more than six months consecutively. The government visa cost of applying for an M-10 visa is $282.
After 5 years, you can apply for a (Permanent) Residency
Permanent Resident
1) By Renunciation of Nationality
2) By Accumulated Time of Permanence in Colombia
3) By Application of the Temporary Statute of Protection for Venezuelan Migrants
4) Peace Special Resident
(Permanent) Residency is typically granted for 5 years. You must show up at least once every 2 years in Colombia to keep the visa active. After 5 years of residency, if you established enough links in Colombia, you can apply for citizenship.
Citizenship
To have resided continuously in Colombia for five (5) years prior to the date of filing of the application, or for two (2) years if the foreigner is married to a Colombian national, or if he/she is the permanent partner of a Colombian national, or if he/she has Colombian children.
The documents required for a Colombia investor or investment visa depend on the type of investment and the amount of investment. Here is a general list of documents needed for all types of investor visas:
Passport Photocopy – A photocopy of the first page of your valid passport showing your biographical data. The photocopy can be either in color or black and white.
Proof of Legal Entry – A photocopy of the page of your passport showing the last stamp of entry or departure from Colombia.
Photocopy of Previous Issued Visa – If you’ve had a previous Colombian visa such as a student or retirement visa, then a photocopy of this visa.
Passport Photo – Passport-style face photo with a white background, sized at 3 cm width x 4 cm height, the maximum size of 300 kb jpg file for online application.
Certificate de liberated y tradición – Certificado de libertad y tradición of the real estate property that proves ownership.
Communication issued by the Department of International Exchange – of the Banco de la Republica, which records the direct foreign investment for the purchase of a real estate in the name of the foreigner applying for the visa.
Foreign exchange declaration Form F4
Certificate of foreign investment issued by the Banco de la Republica
You have to submit your application for the Colombian visa through the online application service available at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (here). Enter your name, nationality and passport number to start the application process. Make sure you finish the application in 30 minutes or the session will expire. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Complete the online Colombia visa application form – Answer the questions carefully and truthfully. Questions include your nationality, purpose of visit, address in your home country, and whether you have had any previous visas issued or rejected for Colombia.
Step 2: Select the type of visa you are applying for.
Step 3: Attach an electronic copy of the visa photo.
Step 4: Attach PDF files of all the required documents.
Step 5: Select the Colombian Consulate where you want to submit your application – Note: if you applying from within Colombia, you have to select the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Bogotá as the location for visa application.
Step 6: Select the method of payment for the Colombia visa fee.
Step 7: You will be notified via email about the status of your visa application – If your application was approved.
Step 8: Go to the Colombian Consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Bogotá to receive your visa.
It is common for the Colombian government to take more than 30 days to process the application. Make sure to apply sufficiently in advance of the time you intend to travel.
Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:
Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Colombia, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.
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