Country topic
Visas in Colombia
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all on Colombia's list of countries exempt from a visa for short stays (Resolution 5488 of 2022, article 3, as replaced in 2026). A short stay is under 90 days and can extend to 180 days, as long as the activity does not generate payments, salary or fees in Colombia. Migración Colombia can grant a 90-day entry permit and extend it by another 90 days without leaving, up to 180 days in a calendar year; that comes from its reply to one enquirer, not a general rule, so confirm it with Migración Colombia. [V1] [V2] Ask for an extension at least five working days before the entry permit ends (an older text, Resolution 2061 of 2020). The Cancillería says remote workers from visa-exempt countries may enter without the remote-worker visa on the same 90-day and 180-day limits, provided their stay generates no payments from Colombian companies. Migración Colombia says the free Check-Mig form is not mandatory but shortens the border interview; the Government of Canada says travellers must complete it. Canadians alone pay an entry control fee of COP 270,000 unless they hold a valid Colombian visa, are under 14 or over 79, or are going to San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. [V3] [V4] [V5] [V6] [V7]
What we found
The research, with its sources.
Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.
- The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all on Colombia's list of countries exempt from a visa for short stays (Resolution 5488 of 2022, article 3, as replaced in 2026). A short stay is under 90 days and can extend to 180 days, as long as the activity does not generate payments, salary or fees in Colombia. Migración Colombia can grant a 90-day entry permit and extend it by another 90 days without leaving, up to 180 days in a calendar year; that comes from its reply to one enquirer, not a general rule, so confirm it with Migración Colombia. [V1] [V2]
- Ask for an extension at least five working days before the entry permit ends (an older text, Resolution 2061 of 2020). The Cancillería says remote workers from visa-exempt countries may enter without the remote-worker visa on the same 90-day and 180-day limits, provided their stay generates no payments from Colombian companies. Migración Colombia says the free Check-Mig form is not mandatory but shortens the border interview; the Government of Canada says travellers must complete it. Canadians alone pay an entry control fee of COP 270,000 unless they hold a valid Colombian visa, are under 14 or over 79, or are going to San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. [V3] [V4] [V5] [V6] [V7]
- The remote-worker visa (visa V, nómada digital, Resolution 5477 of 2022, article 46) is for work done remotely from Colombia, as an employee or self-employed, exclusively for foreign companies, or to start a digital-content or IT business. You show bank statements for the last three months with income of at least three monthly legal minimum wages. The 2026 minimum wage is COP 1,750,905, so the test is about COP 5,300,000 a month (to be safe, have more than COP 5,300,000 a month). The wage is reset every year, and a press report says nullity claims against the 2026 decree are still before the Council of State. [V4] [V8] [V9] [V10]
- The remote-worker visa lasts up to two years and does not allow paid work for any person or company based in Colombia. You also need a letter from the foreign company describing your link and pay, a contract or proof that you co-own the foreign business, a health policy valid in Colombia for your whole stay, and a passport valid for at least six months. Family members can be included as beneficiaries. It is not on the Cancillería's list of visas that count towards the resident visa, and we found no official rule on renewal or on a maximum total stay, so both are unknown. [V4] [V8]
- The pensioner visa (visa M, article 77) needs a certified, apostilled lifelong pension of at least three monthly minimum wages: about COP 5,300,000 a month (to be safe, have more than COP 5,300,000 a month). It is granted for up to three years, does not allow work, and does not let the holder join Colombian social security except under bilateral agreements. The Cancillería's text speaks of a pension from a State or a private pension fund; we did not find whether state pensions such as US Social Security or NZ Super qualify, so ask a consulate. The Cancillería's page states no minimum age and no deposit. [V4] [V8] [V9]
- The rentista visa (article 56) is in the visitor group, not the migrant group. It is for periodic income from a lawful source certified by a public body or a company recognised by its government, or from property in Colombia, of at least ten monthly minimum wages: about COP 18,000,000 a month (to be safe, have more than COP 18,000,000 a month). It lasts up to two years, bars work and is not on the list of visas that count towards the resident visa. An investor visa (M) asks for foreign direct investment of more than 650 minimum wages, about COP 1,100,000,000 (to be safe, have more than COP 1,200,000,000), registered at the Banco de la República, or a property in your own name worth at least 350, about COP 610,000,000 (to be safe, have more than COP 620,000,000). [V4] [V8] [V9]
- The resident visa (R) can be reached by accumulated time: five years as holder of the pensioner (M) visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, article 90), and the Cancillería also lists the investor visa as counting after five years. It allows any lawful work, but it lapses after two consecutive years outside Colombia and has to be transferred every five years. Time on the remote-worker (V) visa or the rentista visa is not on the Cancillería's list of time that counts, so those visas do not build towards residence. [V4] [V8]
- You apply online on the Cancillería's platform; it has up to 30 calendar days to decide once everything is filed and the study fee is paid. Fees are in US dollars: visitor-group visas (including the remote-worker and rentista visas) cost US$56 for the study, which is not refundable, plus US$138 to issue (US$194 in all); migrant visas US$56 plus US$204 (US$260); resident visas US$56 plus US$183 (US$239). These fees do not include stamp tax, whose amount is unknown here. A holder of a visa valid for more than three months asks Migración Colombia for the cédula de extranjería, by appointment, within 15 calendar days of arriving or of the visa being issued. [V11] [V8] [V12] [V3]
The Fernshore Index
How the Index grades visas, by passport.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Visa, United States passport
Unknown
Research for US passports is being checked
Visa, Canada passport
Unknown
Research for CA passports is being checked
Visa, Australia passport
Unknown
Research for AU passports is being checked
Visa, New Zealand passport
Unknown
Research for NZ passports is being checked
The country
More on Colombia.
Topics
More about Colombia.
Questions about Visas in Colombia.
How long can I stay in Colombia without a visa?
US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports are on Colombia's visa-exempt list for short stays: under 90 days, extendable to 180 days in a calendar year, if nothing you do there generates pay, salary or fees in Colombia. Confirm the entry permit with Migración Colombia.
Can I work remotely in Colombia on a visitor stay?
The Cancillería says remote workers from visa-exempt countries may enter without the remote-worker visa on the same 90-day and 180-day limits, provided their stay generates no payments from Colombian companies. Ask Migración Colombia how it applies to you.
What does the Colombian remote-worker visa ask for?
Three months of bank statements showing at least three monthly minimum wages in 2026 (to be safe, have more than COP 5,300,000 a month). It lasts up to two years, needs health cover valid in Colombia and bars paid work for anyone based in Colombia. Renewal is not known.
What do the pensioner and rentista visas ask for?
Pensioner (M): a lifelong pension of three minimum wages a month (to be safe, more than COP 5,300,000), up to three years, no work. Rentista: periodic income of ten wages a month (more than COP 18,000,000), up to two years, no work.
Can a Colombian visa lead to residence?
The resident visa (R) counts five years as holder of the pensioner (M) visa, and the investor visa also counts. The remote-worker and rentista visas are not on the Cancillería's list of visas that count. A resident visa lapses after two consecutive years outside Colombia.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [V1] Resolution 5488 of 2022 (visa exemptions), compiled text with later amendments: article 3, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, compilation on the Cancillería website. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V2] Migración Colombia's reply to a public enquiry about entry permits (PQRSDF 173752, 20 April 2026), Migración Colombia (official immigration authority). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V3] Resolution 2061 of 2020 (entry permits, extensions and the foreigner identity card), articles 9 and 18, Migración Colombia, compilation on the Cancillería website. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V4] Visa types: remote worker (nómada digital), rentista, pensionado, investor and resident visas, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Cancillería de Colombia). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V5] Migración Colombia's reply to a public enquiry about the Check-Mig form (PQRSDF 172669, 13 April 2026), Migración Colombia (official immigration authority). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V6] Colombia travel advice and advisories, Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V7] Resolution 0599 of 2026 (Migración Colombia tariffs for 2026): article 1 and the exemptions in article 2, Migración Colombia, compilation on the Cancillería website. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V8] Resolution 5477 of 2022 (visas), compiled text with later amendments: articles 11 to 13, 18 to 21, 46, 56, 77, 101 and 118, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, compilation on the Cancillería website. Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V9] Decree 0159 of 2026: monthly minimum wage for 2026, article 1, Presidency of the Republic and Ministry of Labour (DAPRE publication). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V10] Minimum wage for 2026 stays at COP 1,750,905 after clarification on Council of State cases (10 October 2026), Portafolio (Colombian business newspaper, not official). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V11] Online visa application form (SITAC), Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Cancillería de Colombia). Checked 15 October 2026.
- [V12] Resolution 3969 of 2026 (consular and Foreign Ministry fees), article 4: visa fees, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, compilation on the Cancillería website. Checked 15 October 2026.