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Colombia retirement visa

Understand Colombia's migrant retirement route, how to prove a foreign pension and what to review before applying.

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Updated: 2026-10-12

The M retirement visa requires a lifetime pension certified by a competent authority of at least three Colombian monthly minimum wages. It also requires police clearance, a medical certificate and health coverage in Colombia. It may be granted for up to three years and does not authorize work in the country.

Who may qualify

  • You receive a formally recognized lifetime pension.
  • The monthly payment reaches at least three current Colombian monthly minimum wages.
  • The paying entity can issue a verifiable certificate.
  • You can provide police clearance, a medical certificate and health coverage in Colombia.

Requirements and documents

  • Lifetime pension certificate showing at least three Colombian monthly minimum wages, issued by a competent authority and apostilled and translated, or issued by the relevant diplomatic or consular mission.
  • Police or criminal record from the country where you stayed during the last three years, with the required legalization and translation.
  • Medical certificate of physical and mental fitness issued by a Colombian authority or a medical authority in the country of origin.
  • Proof of health coverage in Colombia or insurance covering the risks required by the regulation for the planned stay.
  • Statements to reconcile pension payments with the certificate.

Issues to review

  • Treating savings or private income as a lifetime pension.
  • Omitting police clearance, medical certificate or health coverage.
  • Differences between the certified amount and received payments.
  • Assuming this visa permits work or unrestricted enrolment in Colombia's social security system.

How to apply

  1. Check the category

    Confirm your nationality, activity and documents match the visa you plan to request.

  2. Prepare the files

    Gather your passport, photo and category-specific evidence. Check legalization and translation rules where applicable.

  3. Apply online

    Complete the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs form and upload legible, consistent documents.

  4. Pay the review fee

    Review starts after payment. This fee is nonrefundable and does not guarantee approval.

  5. Handle the decision

    Respond to any request for more information. If approved, pay the issuance fee and check the visa details.

Official fee

Review and issuance are paid at different stages.

General 2026 M visa fee: USD 56 for review and USD 204 for issuance if approved (USD 260 total). Exemptions, taxes or euro payment may apply; confirm the amount when paying.

See Ministry fee schedule

Frequently asked questions

Are savings or rental income enough?

Not for the M retirement visa. The regulation requires a certified lifetime pension of at least three Colombian monthly minimum wages. Periodic rental income may need a separate visa category assessment.

Which documents are often missed?

In addition to the pension certificate, the rule requires police clearance from the country where you stayed during the past three years, a medical certificate and health coverage in Colombia, with the applicable document formalities.

Can a retirement visa holder work in Colombia?

No. Article 77 expressly states that this visa does not authorize work in Colombia.

Official sources

Check the official rule and application process before paying. The authority may request further evidence.

Visa types and categories — Ministry of Foreign Affairs Compiled Resolution 5477 How to apply for a visa — Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official 2026 visa fees Foreigner ID — Migración Colombia

Classify the case before paying or filing.

Verify the legal nature and amount of your pension first.

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