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Pathway

Colombia Investor Residence Visa

Colombia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Qualifying company ownership, property, or direct foreign investment may let you live in Colombia. Each option has its own minimum amount, documents, and work rules.

Company ownership minimum
100 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage: COP 175,090,500 in 2026
Property minimum
350 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage: COP 612,816,750 in 2026
Direct foreign investment
More than 650 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage: more than COP 1,138,088,250 in 2026

Summary

You may be able to live in Colombia by investing in a Colombian company, buying property in your own name, or making a qualifying direct foreign investment. Each option has its own minimum amount and paperwork.

These Migrant visas can last up to three years. You must keep the qualifying investment in place. After five years meeting the residence requirements, you may apply separately for permanent residence.

Choose the investment that fits your plans
  1. Choose one option Company ownership, property in your own name, and direct foreign investment have different requirements.
  2. Complete and document the investment Meet that option's minimum and arrange the correct ownership and registration.
  3. Apply for the visa If approved, keep the qualifying investment in place and report changes.

You cannot simply combine different assets to reach one minimum. Permanent residence is a later, separate application.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Owning a Colombian company

You must start or buy an ownership share in an operating Colombian commercial company. Your qualifying paid investment or ownership must be worth at least COP 175,090,500 in 2026, equal to 100 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage.

The application needs the company's tax number, business activity, number of direct jobs, bank records, and proof of your paid ownership or the corresponding foreign-investment registration. For a company with shares, an accountant must certify the amount registered and paid that belongs to you. Buying shares on the secondary market does not qualify.

For a second or later visa, you also need proof that the business is still operating and can meet its financial obligations. This may include bank statements, tax returns, social-security contributions, a lease, or business-tax payments.

Buying property in your own name

The property must be titled exclusively in your name and worth at least COP 612,816,750 in 2026, equal to 350 times the monthly minimum wage.

You need a current property certificate showing ownership and any registered debts or claims, plus a record from Banco de la República, Colombia's central bank, showing the foreign investment in your name.

Property owned through a company does not meet this personal-ownership requirement. That arrangement needs to be considered under the company-owner rules.

Making a direct foreign investment

The investment must be registered in your name and worth more than COP 1,138,088,250 in 2026, or more than 650 times the monthly minimum wage. Exactly 650 times is not enough.

You need the central bank's investment record or official confirmation used for visa applications.

Planning the money transfer and documents

The minimums change with Colombia's minimum wage. Use the amount in force when you apply.

For the property and direct-investment options, you also need three months of personal bank statements showing that you can support yourself, plus Colombian health coverage or comprehensive insurance for the stay. Later applications require proof that you kept the investment or property throughout the previous visa.

Speak with the receiving bank and a qualified advisor before transferring money or completing a purchase. Some investments are registered through the foreign-exchange transaction; others need a separate registration. The transfer, ownership, and registration must all match the option you choose.

What This Route Allows

Living and working in Colombia

If approved, you can live in Colombia for the period granted, up to three years. Company owners receive permission to work for the company they own, subject to any professional licensing rules. Property and other investors should check their visa's work conditions before taking a job; the rules do not give them the same company-specific permission.

Family and permanent residence

Your financially dependent spouse or recognized permanent partner, children up to age 25, and children with a qualifying disability regardless of age may apply for separate family visas. These beneficiary visas do not allow work.

After five qualifying years, you may apply for a Resident visa. You must keep valid Migrant visas without breaking the required continuity, maintain the investment, and follow the travel limits. More than 180 days in a row outside Colombia within a consecutive 365-day period automatically ends a Migrant visa. Permanent residence requires a separate review and is not guaranteed.

What This Route Is Not

You cannot simply add together different assets to reach a general investment minimum. At least one option must meet all its own requirements. A bank transfer or signed purchase agreement alone is not enough: the investment must be completed and documented in the required name.

Visa approval does not confirm that an investment is safe, a property has no ownership problems, or the purchase price is fair. Check the business or property, taxes, source of funds, and rules for taking money out of Colombia separately.

Selling the asset, reducing your share, or canceling the investment registration can affect your visa. Report relevant changes to the visa authority immediately.

Next Steps

  1. Choose the investment option and confirm whose name must appear on the ownership records.
  2. Check the current minimum in pesos and allow for currency changes.
  3. Agree on the transfer and registration process with your bank and advisor before paying.
  4. Investigate the investment and prepare the company, property, or central-bank documents.
  5. Gather any required personal bank statements and health coverage, then apply through the Foreign Ministry's online visa service.
  6. If approved, complete immigration registration, maintain the investment, and keep records for future applications.

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Sources