Most common Residency options in Colombia Medellin May 2015
General Notions Colombia offers 17 different type of visas. Granting a visa is a sovereign act and depends on the Government s discretionary authority. Visas are renewable as long as their fundaments maintain.
SOME NATIONALITES DO NOT REQUIRE VISAS TO VISIT COLOMBIA EUROPE AMERICAS REST OF THE WORLD Germany Argentina Australia England Bolivia South Korea Denmark Brazil UAE Spain Canada Japan France Chile New Zealand Ireland Ecuador Italy USA Norway Mexico Netherland Peru Rusia Uruguay Note: Chinese and Indian citizens require visas to visit
If you are not required a visa: You will be allowed to visit as a tourist for as long as 180 days per calendar year, continuously or discontinuously. An immigration of[icer will stamp your passport with the number of days that you ll be allowed in the country. Average: 90 days. If you wish to stay more than 180 days you need a visa
Change of Law Colombia s immigration law changed in June 24 of 2013 Reasons for change: MODERNIZATION
Types and Categories Colombia offers 3 types and several categories of visas VISA TYPE BUSINESS (NE) TEMPORAL (TP) RESIDENT (RE) CATEGORY BUSINESS ANALYSIS BUSINESS UNDER TREATY CEO PUBLIC ENTITY CEO PRIVATE ENTITY TOURISM TRAINING WORK SPOUSE RELIGIOUS STUDENT SPECIAL (7 sub- categories) REFUGEE FAMILY OF COLOMBIAN NATIONAL QUALIFIED INVESTMENT
Business Visa Term: Up to 4 years, multiple entrances. Directors or executives of foreign companies sharing an economic bond with a local company Entrepreneurs that want to establish business in the country.
Temporary Work Visa Term: Up to 3 years, multiple entrances. Foreigners engaged via labor or professional services by a company or individual domiciled in Colombia. Requirement of average of funds at bank
Temporary Spouse Visa Term: 3 years, multiple entrances. Foreigners validly married to Colombian nationals Foreigners eligible as permanent partners of Colombian nationals
Temporary Pensioner / Investor Visa Term: 1year, multiple entrances Pension abroad for at least 3 CMW (USD 900) Dividend yielding investment abroad for at least 15 CMW (USD 4.000) Capital contribution to a Colombian company for 100 CMW (USD 27.000) Real estate investment of 350 CMW (USD 90.000)
VALIDITY Temporary visas lose their validity if the visa holder remains more than 180 consecutive days without entering Colombia
Resident Visas Term: 5 years to inde[inite, multiple entrances Investors Holder of temporary visa Family related
Resident Visa for Investors Term: 5 years, multiple entrances Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Colombia for at least 650 CMW (USD 180.000) FDI comprehends real estate, corporations, escrows
Resident Visa for Temporary Visas holders Term: 5 years, multiple entrances Having held a temporary visa for at least 5 continuous and uninterrupted years Having held a spouse visa for at least 3 continuous and uninterrupted years
Resident Visa for Family Related Term: 5 years, multiple entrances Being a parent of a Colombian national Foreigner legally of age that has been a bene[iciary of a resident visa for at least 5 continuous and uninterrupted years
VALIDITY Resident visas lose their validity if the visa holder remains more than 2 consecutive years without entering Colombia
IMMIGRATION Am I eligible for citizenship?
CITIZENSHIP Hold a Resident Visa and complete 5 years of continuous domicile in Colombia If married to Colombian citizen or holder has Colombian children, term is reduced to 2 years
DOMICILE? A foreigner is considered to be domiciled in Colombia from the moment a Resident Visa is granted Domicile is interrupted if foreigner remains outside of Colombia for more than 1 continuous year
BeneMiciaries Except for a few visa types, a visa holder can request bene[iciary visas for these individuals, provided that they economically depend on visa holder Spouse Children under 25 Parents
BeneMiciaries Not allowed to engage in activities others than home or study Term = visa holder s term
Registration Visa holders and bene[iciaries must register their visas within 15 days after: Visa is issued Their entrance to Colombia If visa was issued in Colombia If visa was issued abroad
Registration and Colombian ID Registration is done upon any local migratory authority s of[ice (Migración Colombia) Registration triggers the delivery of a Colombian ID card (Cedula) with a term equal to the visa s term.
Embassies and Consulates KEEP IN MIND THAT: To consult the list of Colombian Embassies and Consulates around the world: https://tramites.cancilleria.gov.co/ ciudadano/directorio/misiones/ enexterior.aspx
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Contact Us jundgutierrez@gutierrezmarquez.com Follow us on twitter: @GMA_Asesores Facebook and LinkedIn: Gutierrez Marquez Asesores Calle 7 Sur No 42 70. Of[ice 1601. Medellin, Colombia +57 (4) 444 5044