Resident visa (R) by accumulated time
Colombia grants the resident (R) visa to foreigners who have held M visas continuously for a minimum period, which depends on the M category (for example 2 years for Mercosur and Andean migrants and parents of Colombians, 3 years for spouses of Colombians, 5 years for workers, partners, investors and most others). The R visa gives an open work permit (except pensioners) and must be renewed (transferred) every five years.
1 entry rule for Colombia based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in Angola, Brazil, DR Congo, Uganda
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from Angola, Brazil, DR Congo or Uganda (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit there) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Colombia
Money
3
Currency
Colombian Peso
COP
Colombian Peso
Cost of living
41
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
19–39%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 19% · social security 8%
Bands set in UVT: exempt up to 1,090 UVT; 39% above 31,000 UVT.
Living
1
Happiness
#65 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreigners living in Colombia on M visas who have built up the required continuous time, plus former Colombians who renounced nationality.
Eligibility
Accumulated time on M visas
- Spouse of a Colombian: 3 years.
- Parent of a Colombian (by adoption or birth), Mercosur migrant, Andean migrant: 2 years.
- Permanent partner of a Colombian, refugee, worker, partner/owner, independent professional, pensioner, internationalisation, investor, R beneficiary: 5 years.
Continuity
Each visa must have been granted before the previous one expired; a safe-conduct (salvoconducto) does not count for continuity.
Means of support
A request letter explaining the source of income for the applicant and dependants and how the conditions of the earlier visas continue.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 more requirement
- 7 documents
- 3 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Colombia
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