By means of resolution No. 6045 of 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia implemented the following changes to the immigration regimen, which are applicable to all visa applications starting December 15th of 2017:

  1. Temporary visas are now called Migrant visas and their term have been upgraded from 1 to 3 years.

This is quite relevant for holders of Migrant visas (Temporary ones under the prior legislation) such as:

  1. Pension
  2. Rentista
  3. Work
  4. Investment in Colombian company (100 Colombian Minimum Wages)
  5. Investment in Colombian real estate (350 Colombian Minimum Wages)

What this implies is that visa holders are going to save themselves the time and money investment concerning the renewals. This represents savings of between 300 and 900 USD per year, depending on whether applicant retains professional advice or procures visa on his own.

2. Study and Work Permits are now included in all Permanent visas, and in some Migrant ones, like the Investment in Colombian company visa. The Migrant visas that won’t have an embedded work permit are:

a.       Pension
b.       Rentista
c.       Investment in Colombian real estate

For more in depth information on these changes and how they may benefit you, please don´t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation.

JUAN DARÍO GUTIÉRREZ ARBELÁEZ
Legal Advisor
JDG Law Advisors
jdg@jdglawadvisors.com