Colombia Work Visa (Type M): Requirements, Costs & How to Apply (2026)

I'm Margarita Sañudo, a Colombian immigration lawyer, and I work in both English and Spanish.

What is the Type M Worker Visa?

It's a Migrant (Type M) visa for foreigners entering Colombia with an employment contract signed with a company or legal entity domiciled in the country. It's valid for up to 3 years (or less, if the contract is shorter) and — importantly — it counts toward the Resident Visa (Type R) after 5 continuous years.

Working on a tourist visa is not an option: it can lead to fines, deportation and future entry bans.

Employer requirements (the company)

Much of the paperwork falls on the hiring party:

• Official contract summary form, signed by the legal representative and the foreign worker.
• Employer motivation letter: the role's functions, the foreigner's suitability, why a Colombian isn't hired for that task, and how many jobs the company creates.
• Bank statements showing average income of 100 SMMLV per month (about COP $175,090,500/month in 2026). The Cancillería usually asks for the most recent months.
• Certificate of existence and legal representation, current.

Worker requirements (the foreigner)

• Valid passport (at least 6 months) and a regulation photo.
• Professional degree apostilled or legalized and officially translated, or experience certificates proving your suitability.
• CV and work references.
• Health policy covering Colombia (all-risk, including repatriation).

Regulated professions (doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.) also need the degree validation (convalidación) or a temporary permit from the relevant Colombian professional council. This step takes time, so start it early.

What to be clear about

The work visa is tied to the specific employer and role: it only authorizes that job, at that company. If you change jobs, you must apply for a new visa with the new employer. And if your contract ends, the employer must notify the Ministry within 15 days; the visa may be cancelled, though you have options (new job, switch to another category, etc.).

Costs and validity

• Study fee: around USD $55.
• Issuance fee (if approved): around USD $177, payable within 10 days.
• Foreigner ID (cédula): about COP $294,000 in 2026.
• Validity: up to 3 years, renewable by proving the employment relationship continues.

This excludes apostille, translation and degree-validation costs.

Step by step

1. The company and worker gather and digitize all documents (PDF/JPG, legible, apostilled and translated where needed).
2. Go to tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co and complete the Visa Type M – Worker form. Either the employer or the foreigner can file it.
3. Pay the study fee and attach the documents.
4. Wait for the decision (up to 30 calendar days; often sooner). If there's a request to complete documents, respond within the stated deadline.
5. Once approved, pay the issuance fee, register with Migración Colombia within 15 days and get your cédula de extranjería.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change employers with my work visa?

Not directly. The visa is tied to the employer that applied for it; if you change jobs you must apply for a new visa. In the meantime, a salvoconducto can keep you in regular status.

Does the work visa let me bring my family?

Yes. You can apply for beneficiary visas for your spouse or permanent partner and dependent children up to a certain age.

How much time counts toward residency?

The Type M Worker visa accrues time toward the Resident (R) visa after 5 continuous years as the holder.

---

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.