M Visa (Rentista and Pensionado)

The M visa is the route for people who intend to stay in Colombia rather than pass through. The pensionado category needs a pension of at least three times the minimum wage, roughly USD 1,000 a month; the rentista category needs stable passive income of around ten times the minimum wage. Unlike the V nomad visa, time on an M visa counts toward the five years needed for the R resident visa, and holders can access the EPS health system and open bank accounts easily.

Broadly open, but consulates assess each application case by case.

• Pension of USD 1,000, or passive income of roughly USD 3,400 a monthRequiredThe pensionado category requires a lifetime pension of at least three minimum wages. The rentista category requires stable passive income of around ten minimum wages, from investments, property or a business you do not actively run.
• Health insurance covering ColombiaRequiredHealth cover valid in Colombia for the whole stay is required, and EPS enrolment is available once you hold the cédula.
• Aged 18 or overRequiredApplicants must be at least 18.
• Passport valid for six monthsRequiredSix months of validity and two blank pages.
• Counts toward permanent residencyInfoFive continuous years on an M visa qualifies you for the R resident visa, which is indefinite. Time on the V nomad visa does not count, which is the main reason to prefer this route for a long commitment.
• Do not leave for more than six monthsAdvisoryAn absence of more than six consecutive months can invalidate an M visa, which matters if you intend to keep travelling while holding it.

• Passport with six months validity
• Pension certificate or evidence of passive income
• Six months of bank statements
• Health insurance certificate valid in Colombia
• Motivation letter in Spanish
• Passport photograph

1. Document your income source

   ~21 days

   Pension certificates usually need apostille and official Spanish translation. Rentista income must be demonstrably passive.

   1

2. Apply on the Cancillería portal

   ~1 day

   Submit online with the motivation letter and financial evidence.

   2

3. Register and get the cédula

   ~15 days

   Register with Migración Colombia within 15 days and collect your cédula de extranjería.

   3

Renewable, and after five continuous years leads to the indefinite R resident visa.

• Choose M over V if you might want permanent residency, since only M years count
• Apostilled pension documents take the longest, so start with them
• Do not leave Colombia for more than six consecutive months while holding it
• The rentista income bar is over three times the nomad visa requirement
• Actively earned freelance income does not qualify as rentista income

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia - visasCancillería de Colombia2026-07-27