The Complete 2026 Colombia Visa Guide
Reviewed by: Laura Morales, licensed bilingual Colombian attorney (real estate and civil law) · Written by: Andrés Contreras, co-founder of Expat Expert
Last updated: October 2026 · Figures checked against Cancillería and the 2026 minimum wage
Wondering how to get a visa in Colombia? This complete Colombia visa guide for 2026 covers every major option for Americans, Canadians, Europeans and other foreigners: the Digital Nomad visa, retirement (Pensionado) visa, marriage visa, investor and real estate visa, business owner visa and the path to permanent residency. You’ll find current requirements, real costs, processing times, a step-by-step application process, the most common reasons visas get denied and answers to the questions expats ask most.
Colombia visa key facts (2026)
- Most popular visas: Digital Nomad (V), Retirement/Pensionado (M), Marriage/Spouse (M) and Investor/Real Estate (M).
- Income for Digital Nomad and Pensionado visas: 3 times the minimum wage, COP 5,252,715 per month (about USD 1,640).
- Real estate investor visa: property worth at least COP 612,816,750 (about USD 190,000).
- Typical total cost: about USD 700 to 1,800 for most visas including documents; business visas cost more.
- Processing time: about 15 to 40 days in our experience.
- How to apply: online through Cancillería, then register for your cédula de extranjería within 15 calendar days.
- Tourist stay without a visa: up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year.
- Permanent residency: after 2, 3 or 5 continuous years on an M visa, depending on the category.
How to Choose the Right Colombia Visa (Fast)
If you want the fastest way to understand which Colombia visa is right for you in 2026:
If you earn remote income → Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
If you receive a pension → Colombia Pensionado Visa
If you plan to invest in property → Colombia Investor Visa
If you are married to a Colombian → Colombia Marriage Visa
This Colombia visa guide explains the requirements, costs, processing times, and real-world approval expectations for each visa type in Colombia.
Colombia Visa Guide 2026 – Quick Overview
This Colombia visa guide explains everything expats need to know about Colombia visa requirements, visa costs, processing times, and how to apply for a Colombia investor visa in 2026.
Colombia investor visa minimum investment: 350 minimum wages (COP 612,816,750 in 2026, about USD 190,000 at October 2026 exchange rates)
Colombia visa processing time: 15–40 days
Colombia visa duration: Most approvals are 1 year
Colombia visa cost: about $700–$1,800 for most visas including documents; $2,000–$5,000 for business visas (investment not included)
If you've spent time researching Colombia visas online, you've probably noticed something strange. Every website says something slightly different. One page says a visa costs $390. Another says $1,000. Some say approval is “easy.” Others say you need stacks of documents. So which one is actually true? The reality is that most visa guides only tell part of the story.
This guide is built to show realistic costs, likely documentation, investor visa thresholds, and what expats commonly experience in the real world — not just the most optimistic version on paper.
What this guide covers:
Typical total costs
Processing timelines
How long each visa usually lasts
Whether the visa leads to residency
Whether it usually allows enrollment in EPS
The real-world investor visa threshold problem: it rises with minimum wage changes each year
| Visa Type | Category | Typical Total Cost | Visa Duration | Processing Time | Leads to Residency | EPS Eligibility | Guaranteed Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Visitor (V) | $900–$1,800 (prices may vary) | Up to 2 years | 15–40 days | No | No | No |
| Marriage / Partner Visa | Migrant (M) | $800–$1,500 | Up to 3 years | 15–40 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pensionado (Retirement) Visa | Migrant (M) | $900–$1,800 | Up to 3 years | 15–40 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Parent of a Colombian Child | Migrant (M) | $700–$1,400 | Up to 3 years | 15–40 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Business Owner Visa | Migrant (M) | $2,000–$5,000 | Up to 3 years | 15–40 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Investor Visa (Real Estate) | Migrant (M) | Minimum investment of 350 minimum wages (COP 612,816,750 in 2026, about USD 190,000 at October 2026 exchange rates) + visa fees (~$1,000–$2,000) | Up to 3 years (on paper) | 15–40 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Resident Visa | Resident (R) | $600–$1,200 | Indefinite | 15–40 days | Already resident | Yes | No |
Important note: Investor visa thresholds are tied to Colombia's legal monthly minimum wage, so the COP threshold can change every year. Costs are typical totals including government fees and documents. The Colombian government reviews and approves every visa, so no visa is ever guaranteed.
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements at a Glance (2026)
The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V) is for remote employees and online business owners who earn income from outside Colombia. It can be granted for up to 2 years, and the application is filed online with Cancillería.
- Income: at least 3 times Colombia’s monthly minimum wage, which is COP 5,252,715 per month in 2026 (roughly USD 1,640 at October 2026 exchange rates). Exchange rates move, so plan for a margin above the minimum.
- Proof of remote work: an employment letter or contracts with a company or clients outside Colombia.
- Bank statements: recent statements showing the required income.
- Health insurance: coverage valid in Colombia for the visa period.
- Documents: valid passport, passport photo, and apostilled and translated documents when they are not in Spanish.
- Government fees: a visa study fee and a visa issuance fee (only if approved) are paid directly to Colombian authorities and are separate from any service fee.
Want to apply yourself? Expat Expert offers attorney-designed DIY visa packages: a step-by-step PDF system, with optional 30-minute attorney consultations and a full pre-submission document review. Prefer that we handle everything? Our attorney-led full-service package is available too. Contact us to choose the right option.
Colombia Visa Requirements by Type (2026)
Here are the main requirements for the visas foreigners ask about most. Income and investment minimums are tied to Colombia’s 2026 monthly minimum wage (SMMLV) of COP 1,750,905, so they change every January.
Colombia Retirement Visa (Pensionado, M)
- Who it’s for: retirees receiving a lifetime pension, such as US Social Security, a government pension or a private pension.
- Income: a pension of at least 3 times the minimum wage, which is COP 5,252,715 per month in 2026 (roughly USD 1,640 at October 2026 rates).
- Key documents: an apostilled pension certificate or award letter, translated into Spanish, plus health insurance.
- Duration: up to 3 years, renewable. Counts toward permanent residency after 5 continuous years.
Colombia Marriage Visa (Spouse or Permanent Partner, M)
- Who it’s for: foreigners married to a Colombian, or in a registered permanent partnership (unión marital de hecho).
- Income: no fixed income minimum.
- Key documents: the marriage certificate registered in Colombia (or the partnership declaration), the Colombian partner’s cédula and a letter from the Colombian partner requesting the visa.
- Duration: up to 3 years, renewable. Spouses can apply for residency after 3 continuous years; permanent partners after 5.
Parent of a Colombian Child Visa (M)
- Who it’s for: foreign parents of a Colombian child by birth or adoption.
- Key documents: the child’s Colombian civil birth registration (registro civil) showing you as a parent.
- Why it matters: it has one of the fastest paths to permanent residency, after 2 continuous years.
Colombia Investor Visa and Real Estate Visa (M)
- Real estate route: buy property in Colombia worth at least 350 times the minimum wage: COP 612,816,750 in 2026, about USD 190,000.
- Key requirement: the money must enter Colombia through official channels and be registered with Banco de la República as foreign investment. Skipping this step is a common and costly mistake.
- Duration: up to 3 years. Counts toward permanent residency after 5 continuous years.
Business Owner Visa (Company Partner or Owner, M)
- Who it’s for: foreigners who own or co-own a Colombian company.
- Investment: a capital contribution of at least 100 times the minimum wage, about COP 175 million in 2026, registered as foreign investment.
- Duration: up to 3 years. Counts toward permanent residency after 5 continuous years.
Rentista Visa (Passive Income, V)
- Who it’s for: people living on passive income, such as rental income or dividends, who are not retired.
- Income: at least 10 times the minimum wage, about COP 17.5 million per month in 2026.
- Note: it is a Visitor (V) visa, so it does not count toward permanent residency.
Work Visa (Worker, M)
- Who it’s for: foreigners hired by a company or employer in Colombia.
- Key documents: a signed employment contract with the Colombian employer and the employer’s company documents. Regulated professions may also need a Colombian professional license.
- Duration: tied to the contract, up to 3 years. Counts toward permanent residency after 5 continuous years.
Not sure which visa fits you? Our DIY visa packages and consultations help you choose the right category before you spend money on documents.
Choosing the right Colombia visa depends on your income source, investment plans, or family situation.
For example:
The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa is best for expats earning remote income from abroad
The Colombia Pensionado Visa is ideal for retirees with a stable monthly pension
The Colombia Investor Visa requires a qualifying investment, usually through real estate
The Colombia Marriage Visa is based on a legal relationship with a Colombian citizen
Each Colombia visa type has different requirements, costs, and approval timelines, which are explained in detail below.
The Hidden Costs Most Visa Guides Don’t Explain
Many foreigners budget only for the visa fee itself. In practice, the total cost often includes several additional items that can materially change the final number.
| Requirement | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Background Check | $18–$250 | Cost varies depending on provider and processing speed |
| Apostille Certification | $20–$150+ | Price varies depending on state and service used |
| Certified Spanish Translation | $15–$25 per page | Required for many foreign documents |
| Passport Photos | ~$10 | Usually taken locally |
| Health Insurance | $495–$1,200+ per year | Often required for visa approval |
| Interpreter / Translator | ~$50 per hour | Sometimes needed at notaries or legal appointments |
| International Shipping | $75–$130 | DHL and FedEx commonly used |
| Cédula de Extranjería (Foreigner ID) | ~$79 USD | Paid to Migración Colombia |
| Migración Colombia Registration | Included with cédula process | Usually completed during cédula issuance |
Common Documentation Requirements by Visa Type
| Requirement | Digital Nomad | Marriage | Pensionado | Parent of Colombian Child | Business | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visa Application Form | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Passport Photos | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Health Insurance | Yes | Often required | Often required | Often required | Often required | Often required |
| Bank Statements | Yes | Sometimes | Yes | Sometimes | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage Certificate | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Birth Certificate (Child) | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Pension Certification | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Business Documents | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Investment Proof | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| FBI Background Check + Apostille | Sometimes | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often |
| Certified Spanish Translations | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often |
The Investor Visa Reality Check
On paper, the Colombian M Investor Visa can be approved for up to three years. But many investors are surprised to discover that the real-world outcome is often very different. Based on observed application outcomes, the majority of investor visas are issued for one year at a time. A realistic expectation looks something like this: 80–85% of approvals for 1 year, about 10% for 2 years, and only a small minority for the full 3 years. For investors, this can be a rude awakening. Each time the visa expires, a new application must be submitted, and the application and issuance fees are paid again. At the same time, the investment threshold itself is tied to Colombia’s legal monthly minimum wage, which is adjusted every year. That means the minimum qualifying investment can rise with each new calendar year.
Practical takeaway: foreigners should not assume today’s investor visa threshold will stay the same next year, and they should not budget as if a 3-year approval is guaranteed.
| Year | Minimum Wage (COP) | Investor Visa Threshold (COP) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $689,455 | $241,309,250 |
| 2017 | $737,717 | $258,200,950 |
| 2018 | $781,242 | $273,434,700 |
| 2019 | $828,116 | $289,840,600 |
| 2020 | $877,803 | $307,231,050 |
| 2021 | $908,526 | $317,984,100 |
| 2022 | $1,000,000 | $350,000,000 |
| 2023 | $1,160,000 | $406,000,000 |
| 2024 | $1,300,000 | $455,000,000 |
| 2025 | $1,423,500 | $498,225,000 |
| 2026 | $1,750,905 | $612,816,750 |
What the table shows: in roughly ten years, the threshold rose from about COP 241 million to more than COP 612 million. The 2026 jump alone was about 23%. In US dollars the threshold also moves with the exchange rate: at about COP 3,210 per dollar (October 2026), COP 612.8 million is roughly USD 190,000, much more than when the peso was near 4,000 per dollar.
The Projection Reality Most Expats Miss
At first glance, the numbers in these projection tables might look like guesses. They’re not.
They’re a strategic look at where Colombia’s investor visa threshold is likely heading — based on how the minimum wage has actually moved over time.
The 10% projection used here is not a promise. It’s a planning model.
In reality, future increases could come in lower… or significantly higher. But if you’re an expat thinking about buying property for a visa, this gives you something far more valuable than a guess — it gives you a decision framework.
Because here’s the part most people don’t realize:
The investor visa threshold is not fixed. It moves every year.
And that means the amount required to qualify today may not be enough tomorrow.
Now layer in another reality:
While the investor visa is technically issued for up to three years, most approvals in practice are for one year at a time.
Not three.
Not even two, in most cases.
One.
Which means every year, you may need to reapply… and every time you reapply, you are stepping into a new threshold environment.
That’s where this chart becomes critical.
If your long-term goal is residency, this isn’t just about getting approved once — it’s about staying qualified over time.
Buying right at the minimum might work today.
But if the threshold rises next year, you could find yourself below the requirement when it matters most.
That’s why this 10% projection isn’t just informative — it’s practical.
It helps you see forward.
It helps you plan.
And most importantly, it helps you avoid being caught off guard in a system where the rules don’t stay still.
These are not predictions.
They are planning tools — built to help you make smarter investment decisions before you commit.
| Year | Estimated Minimum Wage (COP) | Estimated Investor Visa Threshold (COP) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $1,925,996 | $674,098,600 |
| 2028 | $2,118,595 | $741,508,250 |
| 2029 | $2,330,455 | $815,659,250 |
| 2030 | $2,563,500 | $897,225,000 |
| 2031 | $2,819,850 | $986,947,500 |
| 2032 | $3,101,835 | $1,085,642,250 |
| 2033 | $3,412,019 | $1,194,206,650 |
| 2034 | $3,753,220 | $1,313,627,000 |
| 2035 | $4,128,542 | $1,444,989,700 |
| 2036 | $4,541,397 | $1,589,488,950 |
These are planning scenarios only, not official government figures. Real thresholds depend on the minimum wage officially declared each year. Budgeting lesson: if minimum wage growth stays high, foreigners who buy near the minimum threshold can fall short later when they renew or reapply.
Will You Have Direct Access to the Attorney Handling Your Visa?
At this point, you have seen the visa options available in Colombia, the documents that may be required, and the realistic costs involved in completing the process. But there is one question many applicants never think to ask: who is actually handling your visa application? When you apply for a visa, you are sharing highly sensitive information — passport copies, financial records, background checks, certificates, legal documents, and supporting evidence from your home country. The way those documents are reviewed and prepared can directly affect the outcome of the process. That is why many foreigners prefer to work with a bilingual attorney they can actually reach, instead of being routed through layers of administrative staff. Taking time to understand who will review your file, how communication works, and whether you will have direct access to the person responsible for the legal review can make the entire process more transparent and far less stressful.
How to Apply for a Colombian Visa: Step by Step (2026)
Every Colombian visa is filed online with Cancillería, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is no embassy interview in most cases. This is the process from start to finish:
- Choose the right visa. Match your situation (remote work, retirement, marriage, investment, business) to the correct category. Choosing wrong is the most expensive mistake.
- Gather your documents. Use the checklist above. Supporting documents must be issued no more than 3 months before you apply, so time them carefully.
- Apostille and translate. Documents from your home country need an apostille (or legalization) and a certified Spanish translation.
- Apply online. Complete the form on the Cancillería visa portal, upload your documents as PDFs and a JPG photo with a white background.
- Pay the visa study fee. This processing fee is paid when you apply and is not refunded if the visa is denied.
- Answer any requests. If Cancillería asks for more information, you usually have 10 calendar days to respond.
- Pay the issuance fee after approval. You have 10 calendar days after approval to pay. Your electronic visa (e-visa) is then sent by email.
- Register with Migración Colombia and get your cédula de extranjería. For visas longer than 3 months, do this within 15 calendar days to avoid fines. The cédula is your Colombian foreigner ID for banking, EPS health insurance, leases and more.
Timing tip: if you are applying from inside Colombia, make sure your tourist stay has enough days left to cover processing. Submitting an application does not extend your legal stay.
How Long Can You Stay in Colombia Without a Visa?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and many other countries can visit Colombia without a visa.
- Up to 90 days on arrival with a tourist entry permit stamped at immigration.
- Extend for up to 90 more days online with Migración Colombia before your first 90 days end.
- Maximum of 180 days per calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Leaving and re-entering does not reset the count.
- Overstaying leads to fines that must be paid before you can leave, and it can complicate future visa applications.
If you want to stay longer than 180 days a year, work remotely long term, open bank accounts or join the EPS health system, you need a visa.
How to Choose a Colombia Visa Lawyer or Visa Agency
Searching for the best company to help with a Colombian visa? You have three main options:
- Do it yourself: lowest cost, but you carry the risk of mistakes, denials and wasted fees.
- Visa agencies and facilitators: they help with paperwork, but many are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice.
- A licensed Colombian immigration attorney: legal review of your case and documents, and accountability if something goes wrong.
Questions to ask before you hire anyone:
- Is a licensed Colombian attorney reviewing my file, and can I speak with them directly?
- Are government fees included in the quote, or separate?
- Do you guarantee approval? (No honest provider can. Only Cancillería decides.)
- Do you work in English, and how fast do you reply?
- What happens if my application is inadmitted or denied?
Expat Expert is based in Medellín and works with a bilingual Colombian attorney you can reach directly. Choose a full-service package or a lower-cost DIY visa package with optional consultation and document review. Contact us for a visa quote.
Path to Permanent Residency in Colombia (Visa R)
Most expats start with a Migrant (M) visa and later apply for the Resident (R) visa, Colombia’s permanent residency. The R visa lets you live in Colombia indefinitely, without renewing every one to three years. The key requirement is continuous time holding M visas.
| Your M Visa Basis | Minimum Continuous Time |
|---|---|
| Parent of a Colombian child (by birth or adoption) | 2 years |
| Mercosur or Andean Community national | 2 years |
| Spouse (married) of a Colombian | 3 years |
| Permanent partner (unión marital de hecho) of a Colombian | 5 years |
| Pensionado (retirement) | 5 years |
| Investor, business owner, worker or independent professional | 5 years |
What expats need to know about the path to residency:
- The time must be continuous. Each new M visa must be approved before the previous one expires. A gap can restart the clock.
- Not all time counts. Time spent waiting on a pending application, or on a salvoconducto (temporary safe-conduct permit), does not count toward the total.
- Visitor (V) visas do not count. Time on a Digital Nomad, tourist or other V visa does not lead to residency. If residency is your goal, choose the right M visa early.
- Meeting the minimum is not a guarantee. Cancillería still reviews each R application.
- The R visa is indefinite, but the document is not. The electronic visa must be updated (traspaso) every 5 years, which is needed to renew your cédula de extranjería.
Common Reasons Colombian Visas Get Denied
Most refusals are not about the applicant’s eligibility. They come from paperwork problems that could have been caught before submitting. These are the issues we see most often:
- Expired documents. Cancillería requires supporting documents to be issued no more than 3 months before you apply. An older background check, bank letter or certificate is a common reason for rejection.
- Missing apostille or translation. Foreign documents must be apostilled (or legalized) and translated into Spanish by a certified translator when they are not in Spanish.
- Income that does not meet the minimum. Income requirements are tied to Colombia’s minimum wage, which changes every January. Income that qualified last year may fall short this year, and exchange rate moves can push USD income below the COP minimum.
- Weak or inconsistent bank statements. Statements that do not clearly show the required income, or that do not match the employment letter or pension certificate, raise doubts.
- Errors in the online form. Cancillería warns that inaccurate information in the application can lead to inadmission or denial. Names, passport numbers and dates must match your documents exactly.
- Not answering a request for information on time. If Cancillería asks for more documents, you usually have 10 calendar days to respond. Missing that window can end the application.
- Applying while out of status. If you apply from inside Colombia, you must be in regular migratory status. Submitting an application does not by itself make your stay legal.
- Passport problems. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months, in good condition and have blank pages.
- Photo that does not meet the specs. The photo must be recent, in color, with a white background, in JPG format and no larger than 300 KB.
- Choosing the wrong visa category. Applying under a category that does not fit your situation is one of the most expensive mistakes, because a denial has consequences.
Inadmitted vs. denied: an inadmitted application simply ends, and you can file a new one. A denied (negada) application is more serious: you must leave Colombia within 30 calendar days and wait six months before applying again, from your country of nationality or legal residence.
Want a second set of eyes before you submit? Our Premium DIY package includes a pre-submission review of your documents, and our full-service package handles the entire process for you. Contact Expat Expert to find the right option.
Colombia Visa FAQ (2026)
Can I apply for a Colombian visa from inside Colombia?
Yes. You can apply online while in Colombia as long as you are in regular migratory status, for example within your authorized tourist stay. The application alone does not extend your legal stay, so apply with enough time left.
How long does a Colombian visa take to process?
In our experience, most decisions arrive in about 15 to 40 days. Cancillería may ask for more documents, which adds time. After approval, you have 10 calendar days to pay the issuance fee, and the electronic visa is sent by email.
Are government fees included in visa service packages?
Not at Expat Expert. Government fees, such as the Cancillería visa study fee, the visa issuance fee and the cédula fee, are always paid separately and directly to the government. Our professional fees cover our services only.
Can my spouse or children come with me?
Often, yes. Many visas allow beneficiaries: a spouse or permanent partner, and children up to age 25 (or children with a disability) who depend on you financially. The Digital Nomad visa allows beneficiaries. Tourist and business visitor visas do not.
Can I work for a Colombian company on a Digital Nomad visa?
No. The Digital Nomad visa is for remote work for employers or clients outside Colombia. It does not allow paid work for a company based in Colombia.
Do I need to get a cédula de extranjería?
If your visa is valid for more than 3 months, you register with Migración Colombia and request your cédula de extranjería (foreigner ID). Do it within 15 calendar days of receiving the visa or entering Colombia with it to avoid fines.
What happens if my visa is denied?
You must leave Colombia within 30 calendar days, and you cannot apply again for six months. The new application must be filed from your country of nationality or legal residence. This is why a careful review before submitting matters so much.
Which visa leads to permanent residency?
Migrant (M) visas such as marriage, pensionado, investor and parent of a Colombian child count toward the Resident (R) visa. Visitor (V) visas, including the Digital Nomad visa, do not. See the path to residency section above for the time required.
Can I apply on my own without a lawyer?
Yes. Colombian visas are filed online, and many people apply on their own. Our DIY visa packages give you step-by-step instructions, and the Guided and Premium options add a consultation and a document review. For complex cases, our full-service package with a bilingual attorney handles everything.
How much does a Colombian visa cost?
Government fees are a visa study fee paid when you apply plus an issuance fee after approval, which varies by visa type and nationality. Add documents (background check, apostilles, translations, health insurance) and the cédula, and most people spend roughly USD 700 to 1,800 in total for most visas before any professional fees (business visas cost more). See the cost tables above for each visa.
How long can I stay in Colombia as a tourist?
Most visitors get up to 90 days on arrival and can extend online for up to 90 more, for a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
What is the easiest visa to get in Colombia?
It depends on your situation. Remote workers usually choose the Digital Nomad visa, retirees with a pension the Pensionado visa, and people married to a Colombian the spouse visa. Each has clear requirements, so the “easiest” visa is the one your documents already support.
Who can help me get a visa in Colombia?
You can apply on your own, use a visa agency, or hire a Colombian immigration attorney. Expat Expert offers both: full-service help with a bilingual attorney in Medellín, and DIY visa packages for people who want to file themselves with expert support.
Why Expats Choose Expat Expert for Their Colombian Visa
We built Expat Expert around one promise: the best customer service in Colombian immigration. Many visa firms and law offices are slow to reply or hand you off to assistants. With us, you talk directly with the co-founder and the attorney handling your case, and we respond right away, in English or Spanish.
- Direct access to your attorney. Laura Morales, a licensed bilingual Colombian attorney, reviews your case personally.
- Fast replies on WhatsApp. Tap the “Chat with us” button on any page and message the team directly.
- Real expat experience. Co-founder Andrés Contreras, originally from Los Angeles, has gone through several Colombian visa processes and bought property in Medellín himself.
- Clear, honest pricing. Government fees are always separate, and we never promise guaranteed approval.
- Options for every budget. Full-service help, or DIY visa packages with optional consultation and document review.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 18 Google reviews. Here is what clients say:
“I had gone with another legal service firm that specialized on visas. However they never returned my messages…” — Donovan B., Google review
“Laura is super awesome. She speaks Spanish and English. She is very thorough in her job.” — Anthony S., Google review
“I almost can’t describe how helpful and informative Andres was, told me everything I needed to know and then some.” — Antonio S., Google review
“Expat Expert was great they helped me get my Student Visa in Medellin.” — Google review
“Laura and Andres are a very good and trustworthy team!” — Lukas W., Google review
Sources
- Investor visa (350 minimum wages, up to 3 years): Cancillería – Visa M Inversionista
- Apply online for Colombian visas: Cancillería online visa application portal
- 2026 minimum wage of COP 1,750,905 (Decreto 159 de 2026): Portafolio
- Official peso–dollar exchange rate (TRM): Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia and Banco de la República
- Visa application rules, deadlines and what happens after a denial: Cancillería – ABC de Visas
- Visa categories, beneficiaries and Resident (R) visa rules: Resolución 5477 de 2022
This educational guide uses the official Colombian Foreign Ministry investor visa page for the 350-minimum-wage benchmark and published minimum wage history for the historical table. Projection tables are planning scenarios created by Expat Expert Guides and are not official future government thresholds. Visa requirements and fees can change; always confirm with Cancillería before applying.
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