Work visas
Colombian Colombia Migrant Visa (Type M)
For foreign nationals who intend to establish themselves in Colombia but do not yet qualify for a Resident (Type R) visa, including spouses, workers, businesspeople, professionals, students, investors, retirees and refugees.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
On this page
- Official name
- Migrant Visa (Type M)
- Route type
- Migrant visa
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
- Maximum stay
- Equal to the visa's validity
- Absence rule
- Automatically cancelled after more than 180 continuous days abroad
- Counted within each 365-day period from the date the visa is issued.
- Path to residence
- Time held can count toward the Resident (Type R) visa
- Where to apply
- Online through the SITAC portal, or at a Colombian consulate
Who can apply
- Spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national
- Workers, businesspeople and independent professionals
- Students in formal, longer-term programmes
- Real-estate investors, retirees and rentiers
- Refugees, religious workers and Mercosur migrants
What you can do
- Reside in Colombia on a non-permanent basis for the purpose your visa was granted
- Carry out the activity (work, study, business, etc.) authorised by your Type M visa
Requirements
The Type M visa is a broad category and the specific requirements depend on the ground you qualify under. Confirm your subcategory's exact requirements on the official Cancillería page.
- Valid passport (or equivalent) with at least 6 months' validity at the time of application
- Documents proving the specific ground you qualify under — for example marriage or partnership registration, an employment contract, enrolment, proof of investment, or a pension certificate
- For the worker subcategory, the employer or contractor commits to the National Government to cover the costs of returning the foreigner and their family on termination of contract, cancellation of the visa, deportation or expulsion
- A recent photograph meeting the official specification
How to apply
Type M visas are 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
- Supporting documents specific to your Type M subcategory — apostilled or legalised and officially translated where issued abroad
- Proof of payment of the visa study fee
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Time held as the principal holder of a Type M visa can count toward eligibility for the Resident (Type R) visa, subject to the accumulation rules.
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.