Guides · Colombia
The stakes: Moving to Colombia without a plan can stall your residency. The visa you choose decides your path to permanent residence.
The facts: Colombia uses three visa types: V (Visitor), M (Migrant), and R (Resident). Only time on M visas counts toward residency.
The context: This guide walks through each step, from visa to cédula, bank, EPS, rental, school, and pet import, with a 90-day checklist.
Choose Your Visa: V, M, or R
As of 2026, Colombia uses three main visa categories: Type V (Visitor), Type M (Migrant), and Type R (Resident). They are defined under Resolution 5477 of 2022, according to Migration Protect in June 2026.
Type V visas are for short stays like tourism or business. Time on them does not count toward residence, as Migration Protect explains.
Type M visas are for medium- to long-term residence based on work, marriage, investment, study, or retirement. Time on them accumulates toward a future resident visa.
Type R visas are for long-term residency. They are issued after qualifying periods on M visas or other criteria, according to Migraciones in January 2026.
For residency, most foreigners choose a Type M visa first, such as work, marriage, student, investment, or retirement, as Migration Protect advises.
The retirement visa requires a monthly income of at least 3 times the legal minimum wage. In 2026, that is COP 5,252,715 (US$1,375), per Colombia Move in March 2026.
Get Your Cédula de Extranjería
If you hold a Type M or R visa valid for more than three months and are aged 7 or older, you must get a cédula de extranjería. This is according to Migraciones in January 2026.
Type V visa holders generally do not need a cédula, except for limited sub-types, as Migraciones notes.
You must register and apply within 15 calendar days of visa issuance or entry into Colombia, according to Capitaleme in September 2025.
The application is done online through Migración Colombia’s portal, then you attend an in-person appointment for biometrics, as Migraciones explains.
Required documents include your original passport, a copy of the bio page, your valid visa, entry stamp, completed online form, payment proof, and biometric data. This is per Migraciones.
The official fee for the cédula in 2026 is COP 294,000 (about US$60), according to Migración Colombia in February 2026.
Bring your passport, visa copy, entry stamp, and payment receipt to the appointment, as Colombia Move advises.
The office does not accept cash for the fee, so pay online or by bank transfer, as ColombiaOne notes.
Open a Bank Account
To open a bank account in Colombia, you typically need your cédula de extranjería, proof of income, tax ID (RUT), and local address. This is according to Migaku in May 2026.
No official figure has been published for minimum deposit or income requirements, as these vary by bank.
Find a Rental and Solve the Fiador Problem
Colombian landlords often require a fiador, a Colombian resident who owns property, to guarantee rent, as Colombia Move explains.
No official figure has been published on the percentage of landlords requiring a fiador.
Alternatives include higher security deposits, rental insurance, or prepaying 6 to 12 months of rent, according to Colombia Move.
Standard rental contracts are typically 12 months, renewable. They must specify rent in COP, payment terms, utilities, and termination conditions, per Colombia Move.
No official figure has been published for a maximum security deposit amount.
Enroll in EPS Health Insurance
To enroll in a Colombian EPS, you generally need a valid cédula de extranjería as your primary ID. This is according to Colombia Move in August 2026.
You must present your cédula, passport with current visa, proof of address, employer letter or work contract, and RUT if self-employed. This is as Migaku details.
However, holders of the Type M retirement visa and Type V business visa are barred from affiliating with the EPS system. This is under Resolution 5477 of 2022, per Migaku.
No official figure has been published for EPS contribution rates for foreign residents in 2026.
Convert Your Driving Licence
To convert your foreign driving licence in Colombia, you must present your passport, cédula de extranjería, and your original licence. A certified translation may be needed if required.
The process is handled by the relevant transit authority, but no official fee has been published in the consulted sources.
Ship Your Goods and Clear Customs
When shipping household goods to Colombia, you must comply with customs allowances and provide an inventory of items.
No official figure has been published for duty-free allowances or customs fees in the consulted sources.
Enroll Your Children in School
To enroll children in Colombian schools, provide their passport or cédula de extranjería, vaccination records, previous transcripts, and proof of residence. This is as Colombia Move advises.
Private and bilingual schools may require additional documents.
No official figure has been published for average tuition fees at international schools.
Bring Your Pets
Colombia requires pets to have an up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate and a general health certificate. The health certificate must be issued shortly before travel, according to Colombia Move.
Certain species may need additional permits.
No official figure has been published for pet import inspection fees.
Your First 90 Days: A Checklist
Within 15 days of arrival, apply for your cédula de extranjería if you hold an M or R visa.
Open a bank account once you have your cédula.
Search for a rental and arrange a fiador or alternative guarantee.
Enroll in an EPS if you are eligible, and register your children for school.
Convert your driving licence and arrange pet import if needed.
Keep copies of all documents and payment receipts.
Exact Fees and Who Charges Them
Migración Colombia updated its service tariffs on 10 February 2026, under Resolution 0599 of 2026. The new fees took effect that day and were published on 20 February 2026.
The official fee for a first-time cédula de extranjería is COP 294,000 (about USD 70). A duplicate cédula costs COP 293,000 (about USD 70).
A prórroga or Permiso Temporal de Permanencia (PTP) costs COP 150,000 (about USD 36). A salvoconducto costs COP 88,000 (about USD 21).
A Certificado de Movimientos Migratorios costs COP 89,000 (about USD 21). Registro Migración Automática costs COP 421,000 (about USD 100).
A duplicate PPT costs COP 20,000 (about USD 5). PEP Tutor costs COP 68,000 (about USD 16).
Permiso para Desarrollar otras Actividades costs COP 151,884 (about USD 36).
Special fees apply for Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian citizens. For Nicaraguans, a first-time cédula costs USD 10.
For Ecuadorians, a first-time cédula costs USD 5, and renewal or duplicate costs USD 16.
Visa fees follow a two-step structure: a study fee when filing and an issuance fee if approved. The study fee is about USD 52–55.
Issuance fees are about USD 177 for V visas, USD 230–270 for M visas, and USD 400 for R visas.
These fees are set by Migración Colombia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Always check the official portals for the latest amounts.
Step-by-Step Timeline for Your First 90 Days
Within 15 calendar days of visa issuance or entry, you must register your visa and apply for your cédula de extranjería. This applies to holders of Type M or R visas valid for more than three months.
First, complete the online application through the Migración Colombia portal. Then pay the cédula fee electronically.
Next, schedule an in-person appointment for biometrics.
At the appointment, bring your passport, visa copy, entry stamp, and payment receipt. The office does not accept cash.
After biometrics, you will receive your cédula at a later date.
Once you have your cédula, you can open a bank account, enroll in EPS health insurance, and sign a rental contract. These steps often require your cédula as primary ID.
Plan to complete these tasks within your first 90 days. The cédula process alone may take several weeks, so start early.
Documents and How They Are Legalised
For most procedures, you need your passport, visa, and cédula de extranjería. For school enrolment, you also need vaccination records and previous transcripts.
For EPS enrolment, you need proof of address, employer letter or work contract, and RUT if self-employed. For bank accounts, you may need proof of income and local address.
Documents issued abroad often require legalisation, such as an apostille. The Hague Apostille Convention is in force in Colombia, so documents from member countries need an apostille.
Translations into Spanish may be required for documents not in Spanish. Certified translators are available in major cities.
Always check with the specific institution for their document requirements. Requirements can change, so verify with official sources.
What Changed in the Last 18 Months
In February 2026, Migración Colombia updated its service fees. The cédula de extranjería fee increased to COP 294,000 (about USD 70).
The visa system under Resolution 5477 of 2022 remains in place. Type V visas do not count toward residence, while Type M visas do.
New fee schedules were published for various immigration procedures. These changes affect both new applicants and those renewing documents.
The digital nomad visa, a Type V visa, still does not accumulate time for residence. This policy has not changed in the last 18 months.
Always check the latest official announcements for any further changes.
Mistakes Foreigners Most Often Make
Many foreigners assume that time on a Type V visa counts toward residence. It does not.
Only Type M visas accumulate qualifying time.
Some foreigners with Type V visas think they need a cédula de extranjería. Most Type V holders are exempt, except for limited sub-types.
Others miss the 15-day deadline to apply for the cédula. This can lead to fines or complications.
Some try to open a bank account or enroll in EPS without a cédula. These institutions generally require it.
Another mistake is not legalising documents properly. Apostilles and translations are often required but overlooked.
| Procedure | Fee (COP) | Fee (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cédula de extranjería (first-time) | 294,000 | 60 |
| Cédula de extranjería (duplicate) | 293,000 | 60 |
| Prórroga or PTP | 150,000 | 30 |
| Salvoconducto | 88,000 | 18 |
| Certificado de Movimientos Migratorios | 89,000 | 18 |
Sources: Migration Protect, Migraciones, Raquel Mejía Abogada, Colombia Move, Capitaleme, Migaku, Migración Colombia, ColombiaOne, Colombian Visa Services
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