Investor Visa vs. Business Partner/Owner Visa in Colombia: Key Differences

In Colombia, one of the major advantages for foreign investors is that, depending on their capital amount, they can qualify for a Migrant (M) Visa to establish legal residence in the country and later become eligible for permanent residence.

There are two main immigration pathways available: the Investor Visa and the Business Partner/Owner Visa. In this article, we examine their key features and differences to help determine which option best fits each investor profile.

Investor Visa

This visa is aimed at foreign nationals who make a qualifying foreign direct investment in the country and maintain that investment throughout the visa's validity, pursuant to Article 79 of Resolution 5477 of 2022.

In general terms, qualifying foreign investment includes, among others, acquiring equity in resident companies (shares, quotas, contributions, or convertible instruments), investing in branches of foreign companies, participating in private equity funds, and economic rights derived from contracts such as concessions, consortiums, or technology transfer agreements when returns depend on the business's profits.

It also includes acquiring real estate in the country, whether directly, through trust structures or securitization processes, as well as purchasing intangible assets intended for economic exploitation in Colombia.

For more information on Foreign Investment in Colombia, read our full article here.

Real Estate Investor Visa

When a foreign national makes a direct foreign investment in real estate exceeding 350 Monthly Legal Minimum Wages (SMMLV), they can apply for the Real Estate Investor Visa.

For 2026, this is equivalent to approximately COP $613,000,000 (between USD 180,000 and 200,000, depending on the exchange rate at the time).

Although this is a considerable amount, real estate is a relatively secure and stable long-term investment, making it an excellent option for investors seeking a traditional asset class that simultaneously satisfies the immigration requirements for this visa.

For more information on this visa category, read our full article here.

General Investor Visa

If the foreign investment is not made in real estate but rather in branches of foreign companies, private equity funds, or economic rights derived from contracts such as concessions, consortiums, or technology transfer agreements dependent on business profits, and the amount exceeds 650 Monthly Legal Minimum Wages (SMMLV), the applicant can apply for the General Investor Visa.

For 2026, this is equivalent to approximately COP $1,138,000,000 (between USD 350,000 and 380,000, depending on the exchange rate at the time).

While this visa category remains legally in effect, it could be said that in practice it has fallen into disuse, since it requires a considerably higher investment than the amounts required if the same capital is instead placed in real estate or Colombian companies (as discussed below).

As a point of interest, previous immigration regulations allowed foreign nationals who invested more than 650 SMMLV as Foreign Direct Investment in Colombia to access the Resident Visa directly, which represented a notable benefit for these investment amounts.

However, with the entry into force of Resolution 5477 of 2022, this category was folded into the Migrant visa category alongside the Real Estate Investor Visa. As a result, in most cases today it is far more practical to make a direct investment in real estate or Colombian companies in order to apply for the Real Estate Investor Visa or the Partner/Owner Visa, respectively.

Business Partner/Owner Visa

Finally, when the investment is made by acquiring equity in a resident company or by incorporating a company in Colombia with foreign capital, the applicant may apply for the Business Partner/Owner Visa, provided under Article 75 of Resolution 5477 of 2022, when that equity contribution exceeds 100 Monthly Legal Minimum Wages (SMMLV).

For 2026, this is equivalent to approximately COP $175,100,000 (between USD 50,000 and 60,000, depending on the exchange rate at the time).

It is important to note that this investment must be made directly into the company, which must issue new shares in favor of the foreign investor. If the shares are instead purchased directly from an existing shareholder, this does not qualify as foreign direct investment and therefore cannot support a visa application.

The investment must also be reflected in the company's share capital through a Certificate of Shareholding Composition issued by a certified public accountant.

To learn more about this visa category, read our full article here.

Differences Between the Investor Visa and the Partner/Owner Visa

While these visa types share certain similarities, their main differences can be summarized as follows:

Investment Amount

As shown, the required investment amounts differ notably: they start at 100 SMMLV for the Partner/Owner Visa, rise to 350 SMMLV for the Real Estate Investor Visa, and reach 650 SMMLV for the General Investor Visa.

Although it may seem obvious, this is the starting point for any investor, since the investment project in Colombia can be structured based on the planned capital and how it aligns with the visa categories available in the country.

Work Permit

Given the nature of each investment type, this directly affects the work authorization granted by the corresponding visa. In this sense, the Investor Visa (whether general or real estate) can be considered a “passive” investment, and therefore does not grant a work permit in Colombia.

Even so, this does not mean the investor cannot earn returns on their investment, as they may still generate income, dividends, and legitimate gains from it. What an investor may not do is work—whether as an independent contractor or an employee—for Colombian companies or individuals.

By contrast, investing in a Colombian company can be considered an “active” investment, since the company is expected to carry out economic activities to generate returns for the investor.

In this context, it is reasonable that, beyond their capital contribution, the investor may want to work at the company to help achieve its goals, which is fully possible under the Partner/Owner Visa, as it grants a work permit exclusive to the company in which the investment was made.

In this way, a Partner/Owner Visa holder can work at their own company in addition to being a shareholder, which can generate a steady income stream and an active role in the company's operations.

Visa Renewal

Finally, it is important to consider, for the medium and long term, the conditions for reapplying for these visa types. For the Investor Visa, in any of its modalities, the main requirement is to demonstrate that the investment was maintained throughout the visa's validity.

However, for the Partner/Owner Visa, simply maintaining the investment throughout the visa's validity may not be sufficient for a second application, since second and subsequent applications require demonstrating that the company remains economically active and solvent. This can make renewal more difficult for foreign investors whose company has no economic activity or is in financial deficit, leaving approval to the discretionary authority of the visa office.

Conclusion

Foreign investment remains an attractive mechanism for foreign nationals seeking a Colombian visa based on their investment. Clearly, different investment amounts and project types exist to fit the goals of different investor profiles.

In this regard, specialized legal counsel can be highly valuable to evaluate the available options and choose an investment project that aligns with the investor's specific goals.

At JG Lawyers, we provide comprehensive guidance on foreign investment and the corresponding visa process in a clear, efficient, and responsible manner, explaining risks, costs, and specific strategies and recommendations for each individual case.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine purchases of several properties to reach the amount required for the Real Estate Investor Visa?

Yes. Regulations allow combining the investment made across several properties, provided the total sum exceeds 350 SMMLV, each purchase is duly registered with the investor as sole owner, and the Foreign Direct Investment is properly registered with the Central Bank.

Can I combine investments in different companies to reach the amount required for the Partner/Owner Visa?

No. For the Partner/Owner Visa, the minimum investment of 100 SMMLV must be made in a single company. That said, if the total investment across different companies reaches 650 SMMLV, you could alternatively apply for the General Investor Visa, since it still qualifies as foreign investment.

Do these visas count toward accumulated time for Colombian residency?

Yes. Both the Investor Visa and the Partner/Owner Visa allow accumulating time toward a subsequent Resident Visa application, requiring five continuous years as the holder of either visa.

Can I switch from an Investor Visa to a Partner/Owner Visa if I later decide to invest in a company?

Yes. Since these are distinct immigration categories within the same investment framework, a foreign national may apply for a new visa based on the type of investment made, regardless of having previously held another investor visa.