COLOMBIAN VISAS
According to Resolution No. 6045 of August 2, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, which sets forth provisions on visas and repeals Resolution 5512 of September 4, 2015, within Colombian jurisdiction, it is necessary for a foreigner to hold a visa to enter the country, whether for tourism, business, or to settle in the country. For this reason, the Colombian Chancellery has created the following visa categories:
Visitor Visa (Type V): intended for foreigners who wish to visit Colombia once or several times or remain temporarily in the country without establishing permanent residence.
Resident Visa (Type R): for those who aspire to settle or establish their permanent domicile in Colombia.
Migrant Visa (Type M): for foreigners who wish to enter or remain in the national territory with the intention of settling, but do not meet the conditions to apply for a Type "R" visa.
Now, for the case at hand, which is working in the country, it is considered that a Migrant Visa (Type M) or a Visitor Visa (Type V) should be requested, depending on the duration of the employment contract and the stay in the country. The former is for a long-term employment contract.
There are two types of Migrant Visas (Type M), which differ according to the type of work to be performed in the country, either as a Worker (for a company) or to work as an independent professional or activity.
TYPE M VISA (WORKER)
For this type of visa, a foreigner hired by a company or to hold a position that we call fixed or long-term may apply, since this visa provides for the continuous hiring of personnel.
The Type M visa (WORKER) is usually for an indefinite term or, failing that, for a fixed period of no less than one year, with the possibility of renewal for equal periods. This visa will be valid for three years. When the duration of the contract is less than three years, the Type M visa may have a shorter validity.
REQUIREMENTS
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATIONS
• Provide a copy of the main page (biographical data) of the passport or travel document.
• If applying for the visa in Colombia, you must demonstrate that you are in regular migratory status and present the last entry or exit stamp or safe-conduct, as applicable.
• If applying for the visa at a Colombian consulate abroad, you must present a copy of the document demonstrating your regular stay in that country.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE M VISA (WORKER)
• Submit the completed contract summary form.
Note: The visa authority may require the presentation of the original contract when the information recorded in the contract summary form is insufficient, inconsistent, or requires clarification.
• Letter of motivation from the employer.
• Bank statements from the employer for the six months prior to the application. When the employer is a legal entity, it must demonstrate average monthly income of one hundred (100) current legal monthly minimum wages. In the case of a natural person, they must demonstrate average monthly income of 10 current legal monthly minimum wages.
TYPE M VISA (TO EXERCISE A PROFESSION OR INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY)
This visa may be applied for by a foreigner interested in practicing their profession or developing professional activities independently in Colombian territory. This type of visa will have a validity of 3 (three) years. Professionals in regulated professions may apply for this type of visa, who must accredit the corresponding permit, license, or provisional permit to practice the respective profession in Colombia, granted by the competent authority. Professionals in non-regulated professions may also apply for this type of visa, who must provide their professional degree duly validated by the Ministry of Education.
REQUIREMENTS
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATIONS
• Provide a copy of the main page (biographical data) of the passport or travel document.
• If applying for the visa in Colombia, you must demonstrate that you are in regular migratory status and present the last entry or exit stamp or safe-conduct, as applicable.
• If applying for the visa at a Colombian consulate abroad, you must present a copy of the document demonstrating your regular stay in that country.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE M VISA (TO EXERCISE A PROFESSION OR INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY)
• Letter of request.
• At least three certificates of experience in the relevant trade or profession.
• Personal bank statements for the six (6) months prior to the application. You must prove average income of at least ten (10) current legal monthly minimum wages.
• For regulated professions: license or provisional permit to practice the respective profession in Colombia.
• For non-regulated professions: professional degree duly validated by the Ministry of Education.
TYPE V VISA (TEMPORARY SERVICE PROVIDER)
This type of visa may be chosen by workers with temporary, occasional, or short-term contracts who are hired or contracted by a natural or legal person domiciled in Colombia, and those who, without having a contractual relationship in Colombia, are necessary to provide specialized technical assistance. This visa may be granted for up to 2 years, taking into account the activity the foreigner proposes to carry out in Colombia.
REQUIREMENTS
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATIONS
• Provide a copy of the main page (biographical data) of the passport or travel document.
• If applying for the visa in Colombia, you must demonstrate that you are in regular migratory status and present the last entry or exit stamp or safe-conduct, as applicable.
• If applying for the visa at a Colombian consulate abroad, you must present a copy of the document demonstrating your regular stay in that country.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE V VISA (TEMPORARY SERVICE PROVIDER)
• Submit the completed contract summary form, or the original contract when required by the Chancellery or the specific consulate.
AND IN ALL THIS, WHAT IS THE FOREIGNER ID CARD (CÉDULA DE EXTRANJERÍA)?
According to Article 33 of Decree 834 of April 24, 2013, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, which establishes provisions on migratory matters for the Republic of Colombia, the Foreigner ID Card (Cédula de Extranjería) serves solely and exclusively for the identification of foreigners within the national territory, and its use must be consistent with the visa granted to the foreigner.
To apply for a Foreigner ID Card in Colombia, it is necessary and mandatory to first obtain a Temporary or Permanent Colombian Visa with a validity exceeding three (3) months. Additionally, the foreigner intending to apply for the ID card must register or update their information in the Foreigners Registry within 15 calendar days following their entry into the country or the date of visa issuance if obtained within the national territory, and must process the ID card at the time of such registration.
REQUIREMENTS
• Original passport
• Temporary or permanent Colombian visa valid for more than three months