Residence & citizenship
Colombian Resident Visa by Direct Foreign Investment (Visa R por Inversión)
The Resident visa route for foreigners who register a large direct foreign investment in Colombia, granting permanent residence and an open work permit.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
The 650-SMLMV minimum investment is expressed as a multiple of the minimum monthly wage; the exact peso/USD amount, the 5-year transfer interval and any fees should be confirmed on the official Cancillería page before publishing.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Colombia government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Visa R - por Inversión Extranjera Directa
- Route type
- Resident (R) visa pathway
- Minimum investment
- Direct foreign investment exceeding 650 SMLMV
- Stated as a multiple of the minimum monthly wage, evidenced via the Central Bank's SECI foreign-exchange information system; confirm the exact figure on the official page.
- Work permission
- Open work permit - any lawful activity
- Renewal
- The Resident (R) visa must be transferred/renewed every 5 years
- Confirm the transfer interval on the official page.
Who it is for
- Foreigners making a substantial direct foreign investment in Colombia
- Investors seeking permanent residence with an open work permit
- Those wishing to bypass the multi-year Migrant-visa accumulation route
Requirements
- Valid passport with adequate remaining validity
- Registration of a direct foreign investment in the applicant's name exceeding 650 SMLMV, evidenced through the Central Bank's SECI system
- Supporting financial documentation for the investment
- Documents apostilled/legalised and translated into Spanish where required
What you can do
- Reside permanently in Colombia
- Work or carry out any lawful activity under the open work permit
- Progress toward eligibility for Colombian nationality
How to apply
- Create an account on the online visa platform at tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co
- Complete the Resident (R) - Direct Foreign Investment application form
- Upload the SECI investment registration and supporting documents
- Pay the applicable study and issuance fees
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
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