Step-by-step instructions, tools, and up-to-date 2026 requirements — in English. From Check-MIG to permanent residency.
📋 Check-MIG Walkthrough🧭 Interactive Visa Quiz💰 2026 SMMLV Thresholds📚 6 Visa Guides
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Scam Alert: Fake websites charge $50+ USD to fill out Check-MIG. The official form is 100% FREE at apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co. Never pay anyone to complete it.
🧭 Interactive Tool
Which Visa Do You Need?
Answer a few questions and we'll point you to the right visa type for your situation.
Visa Finder Quiz
Takes about 30 seconds
💰 2026 Thresholds
Key Visa Financial Requirements
Colombia's 2026 minimum wage (SMMLV) rose 22.7% to $1,750,905 COP. All visa thresholds are indexed to this number.
2026 SMMLV: $1,750,905 COP/month
All amounts in COP; USD approximations at ~3,660 COP/USD (fluctuates daily)
Digital Nomad Visa
$5,252,715 COP
≈ $1,435 USD/mo
3 SMMLV · each month individually
Pension Visa
$5,252,715 COP
≈ $1,435 USD/mo
3 SMMLV · fixed pension required
Student Visa Solvency
$17,509,050 COP
≈ $4,785 USD/mo
10 SMMLV · economic solvency
Business Owner Visa
$175,090,500 COP
≈ $47,840 USD
100 SMMLV · company investment
Property Investor (R)
$612,816,750 COP
≈ $167,400 USD
350 SMMLV · real estate value
Resident Investor
$1,138,088,250 COP
≈ $311,000 USD
650 SMMLV · registered w/ Banco de la República
⚠️ Income thresholds use a strict no-averaging policy — each month must individually meet the minimum. Exchange rates are approximate.
✈️ Pre-Arrival Requirement
Check-MIG Step-by-Step in English
Mandatory for every traveler entering or exiting Colombia by air. Free. Takes 5 minutes.
Complete Field-by-Field Guide
Follow along while filling out the official form
⚠️ This is NOT the official form — it's a translation guide
You must complete the real form on the official government site.
Create account or log in with existing credentials
Fill out "Solicitud de Prórroga de Permanencia" (extension request)
Upload clear scan/photo of passport photo page
Pay fee online via PSE (bank transfer) or credit card
Receive confirmation — may require in-person visit to Migración office
Receive new stamp for additional 90 days
Required Documents
Valid passport (6+ months validity remaining)
Digital scan of passport photo page
Credit card or Colombian bank account for payment
Email address for confirmation
💰 Cost: ~$106 USD (varies with exchange rate). PSE bank transfer is cheaper than credit card.
⏱️ Timeline: Instant to 24 hours online. May require in-person visit.
Pro Tips
Don't wait until the last day — system can be slow and payment issues happen
You can only extend ONCE per calendar year (max 180 days total as tourist)
Overstay fines: ~$30–100 USD per day, collected at departure
Screenshot your approval email — sometimes confirmation emails don't arrive
Extension does NOT restart the 180-day annual counter
If denied, you must leave Colombia and re-enter or apply for a different visa
⚠️ Important: You cannot exceed 180 days total per calendar year as a tourist. To stay longer, you must apply for a visa (Digital Nomad, Marriage, etc.).
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Digital Nomad Visa (Tipo V)
Working remotely for foreign employers or clients while living in Colombia
View Complete Guide ▼
Step-by-Step Process
Confirm you meet the 2026 income requirement: 3 SMMLV = $5,252,715 COP/month (~$1,435 USD)
Each month must individually meet this threshold — no averaging allowed
Gather proof of remote employment or freelance contracts
Obtain bank statements showing consistent income (last 3–6 months)
Get employment letter from company (confirming remote work authorization and salary)
Get FBI background check (US citizens) or equivalent — apostilled + translated to Spanish
Secure all-risk health insurance matching your full requested visa duration
No averaging — if one month dips below $5,252,715 COP, your application can be denied
You CANNOT work for Colombian companies on this visa — foreign income only
Can bring spouse and dependent children on same visa application
Cédula de Extranjería now required for any legal stay over 3 months
Health insurance duration directly affects how long your visa is granted
English employment letters may be accepted, but apostille + translation is strongly recommended
Freelancers need multiple client contracts showing income stability
Many people apply while on tourist visa and wait in Colombia for approval
After 2 years, can transition toward residency
⚠️ Important: Digital nomad visa does NOT allow Colombian-sourced income. All income must come from foreign employers or clients. Violations can result in visa cancellation.
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Work Visa (Tipo V / M)
Working for a Colombian employer with a formal contract
View Complete Guide ▼
Step-by-Step Process
Secure job offer from a registered Colombian employer
Employer must show company income exceeding 100 SMMLV (~$175M COP / ~$47,800 USD) in last 6 months
Employer initiates visa process through Cancillería website
Get background check apostilled from your home country
Translate all documents to Spanish (official translator)
Wait for Ministry approval (2–4 weeks typically)
Pay visa fee once approved
Receive visa valid for up to 3 years (contract duration)
Enter Colombia and register at Migración within 15 days
Obtain Cédula de Extranjería
Required Documents
Valid passport (6+ months validity)
Employment contract signed by both parties
Employer's business registration (Cámara de Comercio) + certificate of legal existence
Employer's tax documents (RUT) + bank statements showing 100 SMMLV income
Background check (apostilled + translated)
Proof of qualifications (degree, certifications — apostilled + translated)
⏱️ Timeline: 2–8 weeks total. Background check: 1–2 weeks. FBI checks can take 6+ weeks — start early.
Pro Tips
Start FBI background check early — it's the slowest part
Employer must be in good tax standing — rejected apps are common if they're not
You CAN be in Colombia on tourist visa while waiting for work visa approval
Changing jobs requires a new visa application — cannot transfer
After 5 years continuous, can apply for Tipo R (residency)
Some professions require additional Colombian licensing
You may only work for the employer and role listed on the visa
⚠️ Critical: If your employer terminates your contract or goes out of business, your visa becomes invalid within 30 days. You must find a new employer and reapply, or leave Colombia.
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Marriage / Partner Visa (Tipo M)
Living in Colombia with your Colombian spouse or long-term partner
View Complete Guide ▼
Step-by-Step Process
Get married (civil marriage) in Colombia or your home country
OR prove 2+ years of cohabitation (unión marital de hecho / common-law)
Get marriage certificate apostilled in issuing country
⏱️ Timeline: 4–8 weeks total. Marriage visa is the fastest path to permanent residency (3 years vs. 5 for most others).
Pro Tips
Common-law unions accepted — need notarized declaration and 2+ years proof of cohabitation
Collect photos, social media posts, travel itineraries together over time — crucial evidence
Getting married in Colombia is often faster/easier than abroad
Same-sex marriages and civil unions are legally recognized
Spouse interviews may be required — be ready for relationship questions
After holding M visa for 3 years, can apply for R visa (permanent residency)
⚠️ Be Aware: Marriage fraud is taken seriously. Migración may investigate suspicious relationships. You need genuine proof of an ongoing relationship — not just a marriage certificate.
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Residency Visa (Tipo R)
Permanent residence in Colombia — the final step before citizenship
View Complete Guide ▼
Pathways to Tipo R
Via Marriage: Hold Tipo M for 3 continuous years
Via Parent of Colombian: Hold parent visa for 2 continuous years (fastest route)
Via Work/Other M visas: Hold qualifying visa for 5 continuous years
Via Property Investment: Invest 350 SMMLV (~$612M COP / ~$167,400 USD) in real estate
Via Direct Investment: Invest 650 SMMLV (~$1.14B COP / ~$311,000 USD) registered w/ Banco de la República
Via Renounced Nationality: If you renounced Colombian nationality, can apply directly
Investment Route — Step by Step
Purchase property worth 350 SMMLV+ ($612,816,750 COP in 2026)
Register with notary (escritura pública)
Obtain certificado de libertad y tradición (title certificate)
Immigration evaluates the registered value on formal documentation — not market value
Apply at Cancillería with proof of investment, passport, background check
Pay visa fee ($400–800 USD)
Wait 4–8 weeks for approval
Tipo R visa has no expiration date
Must visit Colombia at least once every 2 years to maintain it
Required Documents (Investment)
Valid passport (6+ months validity)
Property deed (escritura pública)
Certificado de libertad y tradición (title certificate)
Property tax receipts (impuesto predial)
Independent appraisal showing threshold value
Background check (apostilled + translated)
Proof of legal funds (bank statements showing origin of purchase money)
Multiple properties can be combined to reach the threshold — all must be in your name
Tipo R never expires but you lose it if absent 2+ consecutive years
After 5 years of R visa, eligible for Colombian citizenship
R visa holders can work without restrictions
Your cédula de extranjería will display "RESIDENTE"
Pension route requires guaranteed monthly income (3 SMMLV = ~$1,435/mo) — not savings
October 31, 2026 is the resident visa transfer deadline — plan accordingly
⚠️ Critical: Tipo R can be revoked for serious crimes or fraud. The 2026 minimum wage hike raised the property threshold significantly — verify your investment meets current SMMLV calculations.
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Asylum & Refugee Status
Seeking humanitarian protection and legal status in Colombia
View Complete Guide ▼
Step-by-Step Process
Enter Colombia (legally or otherwise — asylum seekers are not penalized for irregular entry)
Apply within 2 months of arrival
Contact UNHCR Colombia or a legal aid organization
Schedule appointment with Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prepare written statement explaining persecution/danger in home country
Gather evidence: threats, police reports, news articles, medical records
Attend interview at Cancillería with legal representative
Submit "Solicitud de Reconocimiento de la Condición de Refugiado"
Receive Salvoconducto (temporary permit) while application is reviewed
Wait 3–12 months for decision
If approved, receive refugee status + work authorization
Required Documents
Passport or any identity document from home country
Written testimony (can be handwritten)
Evidence of persecution: threats, police reports, hospital records
Any travel documents available
Contact information in Colombia
💰 Cost: Application: FREE. Legal representation: FREE through UNHCR partners.
⏱️ Timeline: 3–12 months for decision. Temporary permit issued within days. Interview within 1–2 months.
Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ): Legal aid for refugees
Caritas Colombia: Humanitarian assistance
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS): Support and integration programs
Key Information
Valid grounds: political persecution, violence, war, discrimination (race/religion/nationality/political opinion)
Economic hardship alone does NOT qualify
Salvoconducto allows legal stay + work while waiting
Can bring family members under refugee protection
Eventually eligible for residency and citizenship
⚠️ Critical: Asylum is humanitarian protection for people fleeing genuine danger. False claims can result in deportation and a ban from Colombia.
❓ Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common immigration questions.
Can I work in Colombia on a tourist permit? ▼
No. The tourist entry permit (PIP) does not allow any form of employment — including remote work for Colombian companies. You can work remotely for foreign employers on a tourist permit in practice, but for stays over 180 days or to be fully legal, you need a Digital Nomad Visa (Tipo V). Working for Colombian companies requires a Work Visa.
What happens if I overstay my tourist permit? ▼
You'll face fines of approximately $30–100 USD per day of overstay, collected when you try to leave. You may be detained at the airport until you pay. Repeated overstays can result in entry bans. If you realize you've overstayed, visit a Migración Colombia office immediately to resolve it — the fine is typically lower if you self-report.
Do I need a return ticket to enter Colombia? ▼
Yes. Airlines and immigration officers can ask for proof you plan to leave within your authorized stay. This can be a return flight to your home country or an onward ticket to another country. Some travelers use refundable tickets or services that provide temporary booking confirmations.
Is health insurance required? ▼
For visa applications, yes — all-risk health insurance is now mandatory for most visa types in 2026. The policy must cover accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation for the full duration of your visa. For tourist entry on a PIP, it's strongly recommended but not technically required. Colombia ranks #1 in the Western Hemisphere for healthcare quality by the WHO.
What is the SMMLV and why does it matter? ▼
SMMLV stands for Salario Mínimo Mensual Legal Vigente — Colombia's legal monthly minimum wage. In 2026, it's $1,750,905 COP. Nearly all visa financial requirements are expressed as multiples of this number (3x, 10x, 100x, 350x, etc.). When the minimum wage changes each January, every visa threshold changes with it. The 2026 increase of 22.7% was historic and caught many applicants off guard with significantly higher requirements.
Do I need to register my visa at Migración after arriving? ▼
Yes. If your visa is valid for more than 3 months, you must register it at a Migración Colombia office or online within 15 days of arrival. Failing to register can result in fines. You'll also need to obtain your Cédula de Extranjería (foreign ID card), which is now required for any legal stay exceeding 3 months.
What is Angel Watch screening at airports? ▼
In 2026, Colombia has implemented strict border controls to combat sexual exploitation and sex tourism. Migración officers actively cross-reference incoming US passengers against international databases including the US Angel Watch program and registered sex offender lists. Individuals flagged in these systems may be denied entry. This is part of Colombia's broader effort to protect communities.
Can I apply for a visa while on a tourist permit inside Colombia? ▼
Yes. Many people enter on a tourist PIP and apply for their visa (Digital Nomad, Marriage, etc.) while in Colombia. You can remain legally while your application is being processed, as long as your tourist permit hasn't expired. If your permit expires before the visa is issued, you may need to extend it or consult with an immigration lawyer.
⚡ Laws Change Frequently
Immigration requirements, fees, and SMMLV thresholds are updated annually. Always verify current information on official government websites before applying. For complex situations, consult a licensed Colombian immigration attorney.