Colombia offers several immigration pathways for foreigners who want to invest in the country. This guide explains the current requirements and amounts for 2026 for the investor visa, the accepted forms of investment, and the process before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Migración Colombia.
What is the investor visa?
It is an M-type visa that allows a foreigner to reside in Colombia based on a registered foreign direct investment in the country, whether through equity participation in a Colombian company, real estate acquisition, or investment in private equity funds, subject to case-by-case verification.
Minimum investment amount in 2026
The minimum foreign direct investment amount required is 650 SMLMV (Current Legal Monthly Minimum Wages), calculated at the value of the minimum wage for the year of application. With the 2026 minimum wage set at $1.750.905 COP, that threshold is equivalent to approximately $1.138.088.250 COP. Since the SMLMV is updated every January 1st, it is essential to verify the current value at the time of filing the application.
Essential Requirement: Registration with the Banco de la República
The investment must be registered with the Banco de la República through the foreign direct investment certificate. Without this registration, the visa application cannot proceed, regardless of the amount actually invested.
Main required documents
- Online application form completed.
- Valid passport, with at least 6 months of validity.
- Foreign direct investment certificate issued by the Banco de la República.
- Certificate of existence and legal representation of the company (issued no more than 90 days prior).
- Shareholding certification.
- Apostilled criminal background check from the country of origin.
- Proof of payment of the applicable fees.
Process timeline
Under normal conditions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to the application within 3 to 5 business days. Once the visa is approved, the subsequent registration with Migración Colombia must be completed within the following 15 calendar days.
Thinking about investing in Colombia?
At Iniciativa Legal Abogados, we support foreign investors through the entire process: structuring the investment, registration with the Banco de la República, and processing the visa before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Migración Colombia. Contact us to evaluate your case.