How to Obtain a Resident Visa in Colombia

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• Good info.

• Thank you for your help on the Resident visa. There is one point that I need to bring up concerning the investment of $136.214. I have invested at least that in buying land and building a house on that land. All that money is either now in the land and house or in a Colombian bank. However, the usual horrendous colombian bureaucracy requires that you bring that money into the country in the first six months of your stay here(I am here now for three years). I was horrified to find out this little snag. Do you understand this issue? Apparently the Banco del la Republica has to ascertain that you did bring it in in the first six months. To be truthful I am up to my limit with this colombian bureaucracy that does everything it can to confuse and not allow whats good for the country itself. Ie Why require this be done in the first 6 months.....isnt first two years good enough? Any help on this would be most appreciated.

• I am pretty sure no country allows gradual investment for residency. For example, Canada wants all the $1.6M before even coming into the country.

• Excellent information, Jeff. Thank you for posting. Slowly but surely I'm putting together my plan, and you are contributing a lot towards understanding the process.

• Thank you for the all the excellent information.
  I have asked you in the past about tourist visas and now I have become aware, thanks to you, of the TP7 retirement visa.
  Is this a relatively easy visa to obtain?
  I am 61 years old, a US citizen and I collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Do you know if somehow the SSDI income could be used to obtain this type of visa? I am permanently disabled if that matters.
  Any additional insights would be appreciated.

• Yes the TP-7 retirement visa is easy to get. I have met many expats with this visa. You just need a SSA Benefit Verification letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA), an Apostille from the U.S Department of State for this letter, a translation by an official Colombian translator, your passport, copy of the data page in your passport and copy of passport page with last entry stamp for Colombia.

  If you can get a benefit verification letter from SSA for SSDI that may work as that is what is needed for proof of Social Security benefits in Colombia. But I would recommend contacting a visa agency in Colombia to be sure like Visas y Tramites Internacionales.

• Hello:

  I am currently working through this process. You need proof of bank deposit of your SS check into your account. Once you have proof of deposit, you need to send a copy of the deposit and the form letter required from the U.S. Embassy's site in Bogota. They need to process a "Certification Letter" which needs to be submitted with your Visa paperwork. This takes (5) business days for them to process.

  It is Form DS-5505 Authorization Letter. Go onto the U.S. Embassy website in Bogota, and it is all explained. They are also very good at returning emails.

• does the SS deposit need to be deposited in a Colombian bank? If so, were you able to open an account without T-7 visa already issued?

• No, according to SSA only 14 in Colombia are getting SS direct deposited into a Colombian bank - see: https://www.ssa.gov/deposit/foreign.htm. Most are getting SS direct deposited into a US bank.

• Thanks so much!

• Hi Steve,my name is Rob and i live in the USA and want to live in Bogota Colombia.I am collecting SSDI and want to know if i can still collect my social security disability in Colombia

• Hi Rob,
  My SSDI monies are direct deposited into my Bank of America account in the US.
  As far as I know, there is no problem living in Colombia while collecting SSDI
  (I could be wrong but, I have not run into any problems yet and I have been in Bogotá since April of 2016).
  I am not sure how to direct deposit those monies into a Colombian bank if that is your question.
  Good luck!

• There are very few receiving Social Security living in Colombia with direct deposits to a Colombian bank - only 14 according to Social Security Administration - see: https://www.ssa.gov/deposit/foreign.htm. I understand that Bancolombia is the only bank in Colombia with the ability for direct deposit of Social Security from the US. The US embassy in Bogotá can provide information about this.

• I am presently trying to renew my TP7 (for the first renewal). I have a bilingual friend who volunteered to help my do it via the Cancelleria website (online). Prior to that I almost let the guy at DAS do it who did it last year but he wanted too much money to do it and since I had been told it was possible to do online I thought I'd let my friend try to help me.

  He's been through several steps, presumably with the Cancelleria people online from Bogota and now we are at a position where they told 'us' that I now owe another 630K COP and then have to go to the "BTA", apparently a part of the US consulate here in Barranquilla, to get something else.

  Some kind of stamp or 'seal' or something.

  Does anybody know what the US consulate could possibly have to do with renewing my TP7...... and what is the "BTA" office?

  Regards,
  Art

• Hi Art,

  There is no more DAS, they were disbanded years ago - it's now known as Migracion Colombia.

  For your questions, I recommend contacting a visa agency like http://www.colombiavisas.com/ that has experience getting Colombian visas for many foreigners.

• In Ecuador the Retirement visa requires that you may only be out of EC for 90 days per year.
  What are the rules in Colombia?
  Thanks!

• (During the 1st 2 years only)

• I just completed my first year on a TP-7 and was told by my contact at D.A.S. here in Barranquilla that I could be out of the country no more than 6 months without having to reapply for my TP-7.

  Also of note, I think the people/agencies who 'do' TP-7 for us Gringo...they're making a killing. I was quoted 1.6 - 1.9 Million COP. Even at the lower figure, that comes out to approx. 53$!!

  Ridiculous. I sorta expected it would be cheaper the second year, but I guess not. Next year, iif I'm not married by then, I guess I'll have to learn how to do it myself.

  Art

• Glad to help out with visa consultations. if your in a jam let me know. Were publishing updates on new visa values based on the minimum wage for 2017 during the last week of the year. About half of the visas depend on values derived from the Colombian minimum wage, like the pension, property owner and business owner visas. Minimum wage will likely go up another 6-7% this year. It just depends on how the government will calculate inflation in Colombia this year.

  ColombiaVisas.com or the expat legal website MedellinLawyer.com are loaded with info on immigration.

• I read about Colombia and feel it is the place for me to retire to.So I searched the web and found a site offering to facilitate the process, backed by a firm of Medellin lawyers. I have so far written two e-mails, giving full details of everything they would need to know (one to the lawyers and one to the Immigration Company) …. this was 4 weeks ago BUT I have not even received an acknowledgement from either of them!

  Do you know of a SERIOUS lawyer or other SERIOUS immigration service based in Colombia which actually WANTS customers?

• Buenas tardes Steve.

  Somos Extranjeria y Migracion y apoyamos la gestion en todo el proceso visado para extranjeros que deseen venir a Medellin, contamos con 15 años de experiencia, tenemos un amplio portafolio de servicios y testimonio de nuestros clientes.

  Comuniquese para brindamrle informacion sin compromiso.

  Cordial Saludo.

• Hey Jeff I just wanted to ask you some info i have just got back from a trip in columbia . I love the country a lot. I have a finance in columbia since I live in Canada I want to move there how do I go about by getting the proper chanel to become legal in columbia any help would be appreciated.

• Thank you for this article. Can i get visa for every school i will study, lets say for five years?

• Not for every school, the school has to be accredited/certified school in Colombia. Look at the TP-3 visa requirements on the Cancilleria website.. For example for Spanish classes, typically only the University programs are certified.

• Hi Jeff,

  Thanks for this post, as well. Very informative and to the point.

  I was looking for a list of accredited/certified schools in Medellín in the TP-3 page (http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visas/categorias/temporal/tp3) but could not fins any.

  I was also googling but, still, no success.

  Any idea?

  Thanks,
  Amir

• Hi Amir,

  Most of the universities are accredited. I took Spanish classes for two years at Universidad EAFIT in Medellín and didn't have problems getting TP-3 visas.

• Thanks Jeff. I was not clear enough - I meant institutions that are not universities, but I guess it may be checked with Migración by each case.

  Thanks again.

• I read someplace here that the educational programs for studying Spanish are a bit expensive but I still think it would be fun be around the university campus environment again. Especially for a single guy. I think I could learn Spanish pretty quick there.

  Art

• I have had TP3 visas approved for very small schools in addition to the big universities. What is important is that you verify with the school that they are registered with either the secretary of education in the state where the school is, or the national ministry of education. With that confirmation and a current business license the school can issue supporting documents for an education visa.

• I had a Pensionary Visa for two years until I got married when I got a TP10. Combos ok for RE Visa?

• It would be 5 years with the pensioner visa until you would be able to get the RE visa. I'm pretty sure you will just have to wait for 3 years with your TP-10 visa until you could get the RE visa.

• Hello Jeff, Could you comment on the issue of Resident Visa and the issue of investing in the first six months of ones stay. I would appreciate if anyone has any experience with this issue. Since I have invested in land and home here in Colombia of at least the 650 times the minimum wage am I not eligible?

  Many thanks
  david pollitt

• According to the requirements for the resident visa listed on the Cancileria website you are required to have "registered Foreign Direct Investment before the Bank of the Republic in an amount of more than 650 current legal monthly minimum salaries."

  I am not sure on the timing of this registration with the Bank of the Republic or timing of the investment. I recommend checking with a visa agency like Visas y Tramites Internacionales as they may have experience with this.

• Thanks a lot, Jeff

• Unfortunately, I found out the same news from a highly regarded attorney here. I also read it on the government website. Decree 1735 of 1993.
  From my understanding If you are here for more than 6 months out of the year, they consider you a "resident" which no longer means you qualify for the foreign direct investment title. You need this title in order to qualify for that type of visa. I was informed that if they audit you and find you made the purchase after 6 months, you will have the title revoked as well as any associated visa that was granted. To me, doesn't seem to make to much sense. When one is a foreignor, they obviously need to spend time here to see if such a commitment makes sense for them. 6 months months is a very short time. It seems like they might want to think about changing that law if trying to encourage more investment. After I found that out, I retracted from being so ancy to purchase anywhere. Frustrating I know, I hear ya. Been there. Let me know if you find a work around. Best, Charles

• Hello Charles,
  Thanks for taking the time to discuss this issue. Yes, the colombian government implores us to visit, to invest, to live in their country and then makes it nearly impossible to do so. Its always the governments that are so bad....the people are wonderful. You did clear up one issue and that is the '6 month' issue. Now I understand that one a bit better. Will give you another example of how a--backwards this system is....if you have a pension visa you are not allowed to work, invest, own a SAS. In so doing they cut off just the group that perhaps is the richest and with the most disposable income or potentially disposable income(if their investment works out). Idid contact the company that Jeff suggested and they mentioned a possibility of another type(I think) of visa....'purchasing a home'. I will let you know what happens on that front.

  Once again, many thanks.....david

• What happens if you overstay the 6 month tourist visa?

• Overstaying the 180 day period for a tourist visa is not advised as Colombian immigration authorities are become more strict about such infringements.

  Digitization of migration systems means that the officials in Colombia are now more likely to notice where tourists have stayed longer than the allowed period. Where this occurs, I have heard you can face a fine of between 325,000 COP and 4,500,000 COP, which I understand is up to the discretion of the immigration official involved. You will need to pay this at the point of departure from the country.

  Another consequence is that it may become more difficult for you to enter the country on a subsequent occasion.

  A better option for those looking to stay longer than six months in the country is to apply for one of the TP visas.

• Good info

  I am trying to locate a busines in Medellin that can assist me with a permanent visa.
  I am 69 years old and have had 5 consecutive years of having a 1 year visa- with proof of retirement income
  I understand I can now apply for a permanent? visa . I have used a service - Visas and Tramites in the past but they don't seem to be responsive Any other resources available?

  many thanks
  duane pitts

• Hi Duane, I have a question for you.
  I know you wanted an answer to your question. sorry.

  With the retirement visa, do you have to submit the same documentation each year? Like in my case, a NEW social security benefit verification letter each year, an apostille for that letter, both translated and legalized each year? (Or using whatever is the source of your retirement income? (Maybe yours is not social security)) Do you have to obtain a new letter verifying your income each year?
  One more question. Did you have to leave Colombia for a short time at all (between visas) or have you remained in the country the entire five years?
  Thanks in advance,
  Steve

• I think I can give you some input into that as I am in the process of renewing my TP7 visa right now. I live in Barranquilla and my income is Social Security. I thought I was getting a good, fair deal last year when I was referred to somebody who works at Immigration here in town who did the paperwork for me. I was aware of the fact that it might have been a bit 'unofficial' but... who was I to question what they were doing. I wanted a visa, he told me what it would cost, I gave them the money, and a few weeks later I got the visa. I also paid a fine at the time, about 600K as I recall. But I considered it cheaper than leaving the country. I know I paid over 1 Mill COP for the TP7 which the guy got me.

  Now, recently, in going in to renew, I never expected to pay the same money (minus the fine of course) but I'm almost stuck with what I think is a raw deal. The guy just told me that a Salvo de Conducto will cost me 565K, which I just gave him the money for.

  But in addition to that he told me the actual TP7, for the next year, will cost me an addiitional 1.6Million COP...meaning that to stay here for another year it's costing me almost 2.2 million COP which frankly I do not consider a good deal.

  The guy is already working on my Salvo de Conducto but I/we have postponed the other component of the process, the TP7 until later. I'm actually going to have to do that anyway because I won't have that additional money until the first of January anyway.

  In the meantime, I am investigating other means of getting that Visa. I found a website online, this one:
  http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visas/categories/temporary/tp7
  .... which would seem to imply that the TP7 can be had for $205US. I'm having a Spanish speaking ladyfriend of mine (she's an attorney) call that phone number on the site to see what kind of info she can discover regarding my options. I really don't want to have to go to Bogota....espcially since there is a D.A.S. office here....OR maybe I can submit the paperwork myself via mail OR though an agent here.

  But to address your original question..... I had to get that DS 5505 form (the US consulate gave it to me to fill out), send it to the US Embassy in Bogota. They got it back to me with reasonable haste. I was surprised I had to do it again.

  Also, at this point I'm very open minded to any advice about getting my TP7 done at a better price. $60 @ month seems a bit over-priced.

  Regards,
  Art

• I received a salvo conducto three years ago, and they only charged me like 70,000. I had the process done through a friend though As a favor. Seems like the services have a pretty good markup. I needed the thirty day salvo to finish my visa process

• Duane,
  I was listening to the Borderless Podcast (which I highly recommend BTW) and they were interviewing a young lady named Gloria Zuluaga who has a company in Medellin which provides a concierge service that sounds like it might be able to help. I haven't had any dealings with her or her company but it might be worth checking out.
  http://medexrelocation.com/
  Best of luck

• I just checked out that website. I'm always interested in info like that. To my surprise, it's all in Spanish. Does that make sense?!

  art

• Has anyone experienced trying to get a real estate visa when the wrong purchase price of your house was recorded? In my case, the recorded value is 1MM below threshold actual price well above. I requested to have actual value recorded but was told it was too late. Will they accept this can i change it?

  Can you pair together real estate and stock?

  I tried to upload docs online but the system doesn't work, I don' want to fly to bogota to complete in person without being sure ill be approved.