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Residence & citizenship

Colombian Colombia Resident Visa (Type R)

Colombia's permanent-residency route, open to former Colombian nationals, the parent of a Colombian by birth, applicants who have accumulated the required time of permanence, and qualifying foreign direct investors.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

Fee amounts and the exact accumulated-time and investment thresholds are not stated — confirm on the official Cancillería page.

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.
On this page
Official name
Resident Visa (Type R)
Route type
Resident visa
Validity
Indefinite
The physical visa/label is issued for 5 years and can be renewed on the holder's request.
Maximum stay
Indefinite — equal to the visa's validity
Work
Open work permission — the holder may carry out any lawful activity
Absence rule
Automatically lost after 2 continuous years absent from Colombia
Where to apply
Online through the SITAC portal, or at a Colombian consulate

Who can apply

  • Former Colombian nationals
  • Parents of a Colombian national by birth
  • Applicants who have accumulated the required time of permanence
  • Qualifying foreign direct investors

What you can do

  • Reside in Colombia on a permanent basis
  • Work without the restrictions attached to the temporary visa categories

Requirements

  • Valid passport (or equivalent) with at least 6 months' validity at the time of application
  • Evidence of the qualifying ground — for example proof of having renounced Colombian nationality, being the parent of a Colombian national by birth, the required accumulated time of permanence, or a qualifying direct foreign investment
  • A recent photograph meeting the official specification

How to apply

The Type R visa is applied for online through the Cancillería's SITAC portal (or in person at a Colombian consulate).

  • Open the 'Solicitar Visa en Línea' form, read the requirements and confirm you have read them to start your application
  • Complete your document and personal-data sections and upload the required files
  • Pay the visa study fee online in SITAC or at the consulate
  • If approved, pay the issuance fee within 10 calendar days — failure to pay is treated as withdrawing the application
  • The electronic visa is issued and emailed within 10 calendar days of payment

Documents you may need

  • Main page of your passport, valid for at least 6 months, uploaded as a PDF
  • Photograph in JPG format, maximum 300kb, face forward with a neutral expression
  • Evidence of your qualifying ground — apostilled or legalised and officially translated where issued abroad
  • Proof of payment of the visa study fee

Frequently asked questions

  • The visa itself has indefinite validity, but the physical visa/label is issued for 5 years and must be renewed on request. It is automatically lost if the holder is absent from Colombia for two continuous, uninterrupted years.

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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