5+ years of experience
95% approval
Bilingual Service
Who can apply for this visa
Foreign investors
who want to invest in Colombian companies, with an investment of at least 100 SMMLV (Colombian monthly minimum wages).
Foreign entrepreneurs
who want to set up a company in Colombia to expand their business or start a new one, with an investment of at least 100 SMMLV.
Foreign shareholders
of Colombian companies who want to increase their stake in the company's capital, with an investment of at least 100 SMMLV.
REQUIRED INVESTMENT
100 SMMLV
COP 175,090,500 in 2026
Approx. USD 50,000–60,000, depending on the exchange rate
Mistakes that can affect your investment or your visa
Incorrect foreign investment registration
If the funds are not transferred or registered correctly, Banco de la República (Colombia's central bank) may not recognize the investment as foreign direct investment.
A capital structure that doesn't meet the visa requirements
If the company's capital or the foreign investor's stake doesn't meet the required conditions, the investment may not qualify for the visa application.
Funds that can't be traced
Without documents showing where the funds came from and how they moved, bringing them into Colombia and the later visa process can become harder.
Our service
How we review and handle the points in the process where those mistakes can happen.
Investment and company review
We review the investment, your stake in the company and its capital structure before the process starts, so potential problems surface before you commit capital.
Foreign investment registration
We handle the investment registration and related filings with the competent authorities, so the investment is correctly registered and can be evidenced.
Visa documentation
We review and prepare the documents needed for the application to reduce errors, inconsistencies and avoidable requests for information.
Application filing
We file the visa application with Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so you don't have to handle the submission yourself.
Representation during the process
We represent you before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and respond to any requests for information, so you have legal representation while your application is assessed.
Advice throughout the process
We address legal questions that come up about the investment, the company or the visa, so you can make informed decisions when something could affect the process.
Description
What's included
Our 5-step process
1
Initial assessment
We review your situation, investment and company to define the steps your case requires.
2
Foreign investment guidance
We advise you on the legal aspects of the transfer, the investment and your stake in the company.
3
Foreign investment registration statement
We request the statement that certifies your foreign investment registration.
4
Application and representation
We prepare and file the visa application with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and act as your representatives throughout the process.
5
Follow-up and responses to requests
We track the application and respond to any requests from the Ministry until a decision is issued.
Personalized service
Juan José Galindo Salazar
Business, immigration and foreign investment lawyer in Colombia
We review each case directly and individually, so you can make informed decisions at every stage.
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Law degree, Universidad EAFIT
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Postgraduate specialization in Business Law, Universidad Externado de Colombia
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5+ years of experience
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Languages: Spanish and English
Frequently asked questions
How long does the process take?
Under Resolution 5477 of 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has thirty (30) calendar days from the date the application is filed to decide on the visa.
Can I get my Colombian foreign ID (cédula de extranjería) with the visa?
Yes. Once the visa is approved, you must apply for the cédula de extranjería. This step is included in our service: we handle the documents and book the appointment for you.
What happens if my visa is rejected?
It's important to distinguish between an application that is not admitted (inadmitida) and a visa that is denied (negada). If the application is not admitted, it can be filed again, and that new filing is included in our service. If the visa is denied, you must wait six (6) months before filing a new application.
Do I need to be in Colombia to apply for this visa?
No, you can apply from abroad. What must be done in Colombia is the later cédula de extranjería process, once the visa has been approved.
Can I apply for this visa before making the investment?
No. To apply, the investment must already be made and registered. That's why getting advice before you invest helps: the investment and its registration can be structured to meet the visa requirements from the start.
What if I've already transferred the funds?
Three points need to be reviewed to determine whether the investment qualifies for the visa: how the transfer was made, whether the investment was registered, and whether you acquired capital in the company.