I'm Margarita Sañudo, a Colombian immigration lawyer, and I work in both English and Spanish.
What is the Resident Visa (Type R)?
It's permanent residency. Unlike Type M visas, it's not tied to a purpose (work, investment, marriage): it gives you freedom to pursue any lawful activity, grants an open work permit, and is indefinite — requiring only a "transfer" (traspaso) every 5 years to update your ID card, without a full new application.
How much time do you need? (it depends on your current visa)
The time accrued as a Type M holder determines when you can apply for the R. Broadly:
- Spouse of a Colombian: 2 years.
- Parent of a Colombian by birth: 2 years.
- Mercosur or Andean migrant: 2 years.
- Worker, partner/owner, independent professional, investor, pensioner: 5 years.
- By renouncing Colombian nationality: a special route.
Continuity is crucial: the time must be continuous and uninterrupted. Absences longer than 6 months can break the count, and a salvoconducto does not count as continuity. Apply for the R before your current visa expires (ideally 2 months ahead).
General Type R requirements
- Valid passport and a current foreigner ID (cédula).
- Copies of all your previous visas, showing uninterrupted continuity.
- Certificate of migratory movements from Migración Colombia.
- A letter explaining your source of income and that the circumstances behind your earlier visas still hold, with your tax return and statements.
The Type R visa lapses if you're absent from the country for 2 continuous years.
From residency to citizenship
Residency is the step before Colombian citizenship by adoption. The general rule asks for 5 continuous years of residency, but the period drops to 2 years if:
- You're married to or in a permanent partnership with a Colombian,
- You have Colombian children, or
- You're a national of Spain (and certain Latin American countries by reciprocity).
The naturalization process is done online before the Cancillería, and you'll need to prove, among other things, your economic activity in the country. Good news: Colombia allows dual nationality, so you don't necessarily give up your own.
Type R costs
It typically involves a study fee of around USD $54–55, an issuance fee of around USD $400, and the registration/ID card (about COP $321,000). It's a one-time payment, with no annual renewals. I'll confirm current amounts in your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Does the digital nomad visa count toward residency?
No. It's Type V (Visitor). Only Type M visas accrue time. If you hold a digital nomad visa and want residency, you need to switch to a Type M.
Can I combine time from different visas?
In principle, each route is counted separately. There are exceptional situations where the Cancillería weighs your whole history; we review that for your case.
Do I lose my original nationality by becoming Colombian?
Colombia allows dual nationality, but it also depends on your own country's laws. We confirm this before starting.
This guide is general information and not personalized legal, tax or immigration advice. Colombian rules and amounts change often; confirm current requirements with official sources (Cancillería, Migración Colombia, Banco de la República) or in a consultation. Information current as of 2026.
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