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Pathway

Colombia Residence for South Americans

Colombia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Citizens of eight participating South American countries can apply to live and work in Colombia without a job offer, investment, or family sponsor.

Eligible citizenships
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, or Uruguay
Job offer required?
No
Money to show
No fixed income minimum is published, but you must explain how you will support yourself

Summary

If you are a citizen of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, or Uruguay, Colombia's Mercosur visa may let you live and work there for two years. You do not need a Colombian job offer, investment, pension, or family sponsor.

You still need to apply, provide background records, and explain how you will support yourself. This Migrant visa is issued only once. After two years meeting the residence requirements, you may apply separately for permanent residence.

From a Mercosur visa to possible permanent residence
  1. Before applying Check your citizenship and documents Use an eligible passport and prepare background records and a plan for supporting yourself.
  2. Two-year visa, if approved Live in Colombia on the Migrant visa Keep valid status and follow the visa's travel and reporting rules.
  3. After two qualifying years Apply for a Resident visa Prepare the separate application and check the filing timing before your current visa expires.

The Mercosur visa is issued only once. A Resident visa requires a separate application and approval.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Citizenship and passport

You must be a citizen of one of the eight countries listed above. Living in one of them, marrying one of its citizens, or working for a company there is not enough.

If you have more than one citizenship, you can use your eligible passport even if your other nationality does not qualify. Your passport must have at least six months left before it expires.

Your plans and documents

You need:

There is no published fixed income, savings, or investment minimum. Your explanation and financial documents should show a realistic plan, whether you expect to use earnings, savings, family support, or another lawful source.

Getting documents accepted

Ask the office handling your application how to authenticate and translate your documents. Special arrangements under the agreement may apply: a Colombian consulate in your home country may accept certification under that country's procedures, while an accredited official from your country's consulate in Colombia may be able to certify documents for an application there.

Do not assume either that every document needs an apostille or that every document is exempt. Follow the filing office's instructions.

The authorities may ask for more information or an interview and will check your immigration and background records. Disclose any earlier overstay or immigration penalty accurately.

What This Route Allows

Work and family

You can live in Colombia and work without being tied to a particular employer. You must still follow employment rules, obtain any required professional license, and report changes in your activity or occupation where required.

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.

Applying for permanent residence

After two qualifying years, you may apply for a Resident visa. You will need your previous visas and any temporary stay documents, official entry and exit records, your foreigner identity card, and a letter explaining how you support yourself and continue to meet the conditions.

The authorities review the application separately. Completing the two years does not guarantee approval.

What This Route Is Not

You cannot keep renewing the same two-year Mercosur visa. If you want to stay, prepare a Resident application or another suitable visa application before it expires.

This first visa is not permanent residence. Spending more than 180 days in a row outside Colombia within a consecutive 365-day period automatically ends a Migrant visa.

The two years also do not start the ordinary citizenship residence period. That period begins when a later Resident visa is issued.

Next Steps

  1. Check your eligible passport and its expiration date. Use the same nationality throughout the application.
  2. Get the required background certificate and confirm authentication and translation requirements with the office handling your application.
  3. Write your residence request, explaining your plans, where you expect to live, and how you will pay your expenses.
  4. Keep a copy of your entry stamp. If applying from Colombia, maintain valid immigration permission throughout the review.
  5. Apply through the Foreign Ministry's online visa service and watch for document requests.
  6. If approved, complete registration and foreigner identity-card requirements with Migración Colombia. Keep your visa and travel records and prepare your next application well before this visa expires.

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Discussed in these reports

Similar nationality based pathways in other destinations.

Sources