The Investor Visa can be based on real estate or a business investment. We help you choose the right structure for your goals, handle the legal requirements, and file the visa.
Top rated on GoogleOverview
The Investor Visa (formally known as the M-10) is available to foreigners who make a qualifying direct investment in Colombia. There are three qualifying tiers, all anchored to Colombia's monthly minimum wage (SMMLV): 100 SMMLV (~USD $54,000 in 2026) for a business or company investment, 350 SMMLV (~USD $190,000) for a real-estate investment, and 650 SMMLV (~USD $352,000) for applicants combining multiple qualifying investments across property and business. Every path requires registration of the investment as foreign direct investment with Banco de la República, and every path requires a separate visa application through Cancillería. We handle every path and every step.
Who This Visa Is For
We advise foreign investors at both ends of the spectrum — real estate-focused and business-focused. Common clients:
Foreigners applying for the visa for the first time through any of the three qualifying paths — a real-estate purchase at or above 350 SMMLV, a business or company investment at or above 100 SMMLV, or a combined-asset structure at or above 650 SMMLV. We help you pick the right path before capital moves.
Foreigners launching a new Colombian company or investing in an existing operating business at or above 100 SMMLV. Higher documentation burden than real estate, but a faster overall process — and a strong path when commercial interests are real.
Because SMMLV rises every January, an investment that comfortably cleared 350 SMMLV in 2024 can fall short of the new threshold by the 2026 renewal. A common fix: add a second qualifying investment — a second property, or a capital contribution to a Colombian company — so the combined position lands at 650 SMMLV and safely clears the renewal bar. We structure the top-up and re-register the aggregate with Banco de la República.
Investors combining real estate, business equity, and other assets where the aggregate must qualify at 650 SMMLV. We confirm the structure works before capital is committed.
Clients whose investment is the start of a multi-year plan — Investor Visa, then Resident (R) visa, then potentially Colombian citizenship. We advise on the full timeline from day one.
Required Threshold
100 / 350 / 650 SMMLV in 2026
Business or company investment qualifies at 100 SMMLV (~COP 175,090,500 / ~USD $54,000 in 2026). Real-estate investment qualifies at 350 SMMLV (~COP 612,816,750 / ~USD $190,000). Applicants combining multiple qualifying investments across property and business qualify at 650 SMMLV (~COP 1,138,088,250 / ~USD $352,000). For real estate the qualifying value is based on official registry records; for business investment it is the amount of registered foreign capital contributed to the company.
The minimum wage adjusts each January, which nudges every USD figure and every threshold upward. We confirm the current threshold at the start of every engagement — and we watch the trailing threshold at every renewal.
Requirements
Real estate: Certificado de Tradición y Libertad and the escritura pública. Business: Chamber of Commerce certificate, ownership structure, capital contribution documentation.
Required for both real estate and business investment. Separate from the property deed or Chamber of Commerce filing. Without it, the investment does not qualify for the visa.
Capital must enter Colombia through the formal banking system as a documented international wire — cash and informal channels cannot be registered as foreign direct investment.
Valid passport, recent passport-style photos, completed Cancillería application form, and proof of address.
Any foreign-issued document submitted to the Cancillería must be apostilled in the country of origin and accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.
For company investments, the ownership stake must produce a qualifying proportional investment. We verify this calculation before the visa application is filed.
We guide you through preparing and validating every required document to help avoid delays or rejections.
Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and current Colombian immigration regulations.
We review every apostille, translation, and supporting document with you before filing — catching the issues that cause Cancillería to send the case back.
See how the process worksThe Process
We guide you through every step. No surprises, no confusing paperwork, no figuring it out on your own.
Before any capital moves, we advise on which investment path makes sense — real estate or business — and confirm the structure works for the Investor Visa. Tradeoffs are explained clearly.
Real estate: title review, seller verification, promesa review. Business: company registration review, Chamber of Commerce certificate, operating evidence.
Coordination of the property purchase or the capital contribution to the Colombian company. Banking instructions, payment timing, and documentation.
We complete the foreign direct investment registration that the Cancillería requires for the investment visa. Real estate and business follow slightly different documentation paths — we handle either.
We submit the complete visa application through the Cancillería portal. If the government requests additional documentation or clarification, we prepare and submit the response.
Once approved, the Investor Visa is issued electronically. We walk you through the post-arrival steps — Cédula de Extranjería application within 15 days of arrival.
Why Work With Us
Investment for visa purposes is not a transaction — it's a structure that combines a Colombian asset, the Banco de la República registration, and the Cancillería visa application. We handle all three.
Licensed Colombian immigration attorneys — qualified to advise on investment structure, immigration law, and represent you if the Cancillería has questions
Both investment paths under one firm — real estate and business
Banco de la República registration is built into every engagement
Bilingual and fully virtual — all client communication in English, all filings in Spanish
4.9 stars on Google · Trusted by 1,400+ clients
What Our Clients Say
"I had an excellent experience working with Natalia Torres from Colombian Visa Services. Her expertise was clear from the very first consultation, and she guided me through each stage of the visa process with patience and clarity. Natalia was always helpful, responsive, and thorough, and thanks to her support my visa was issued without any complications. Truly exceptional service."
Jeffrey Sutyla
Google Review
"I had an excellent experience with Colombia Visa Services. From the very first information session, they answered questions no one else could. Their process was super organized, with clear steps for uploading documents and helpful reminders to keep things moving. After submitting my visa application, I received weekly updates — something I really appreciated. I highly recommend them if you're applying for any Colombian visa."
Roberta Glaser
Google Review
"As experienced travellers who have to procure a visa for every country we visit, we found the Colombian application the trickiest to deal with by ourselves. We hired Colombian Visa Services for peace of mind and they delivered big time — answering all of our questions, providing specific instructions, and handling the submission for us. The company was efficient, professional, and communicated brilliantly. Highly recommend."
Vaughn
Google Review
"Very efficient and attentive company to help obtain your visa in Colombia. Personal and cordial service at every step in the process. You should not try to manage your own visa process unless you possess the knowledge that these lawyers possess. Highest recommendation!"
Brian Celce
Google Review
"This was the second time in two years that I used CVS for M type visa support. Nothing has changed my original opinions of the firm — I have been completely satisfied in their services and outcomes. Natalia was knowledgeable, professional, supportive, a good communicator and, importantly, always accessible when I had questions. I highly recommend their services."
J F
Google Review
"Colombian Visa Services is a top notch agency! They always stayed in contact and walked me through the process. Very professional and knowledgeable staff."
Donta Henson
Google Review
Take the qualifier or speak with our bilingual legal team before you apply.
Timeline & Costs
Typically 1 to 3 months end-to-end. Business or company investments are often the fastest — the capital contribution and Chamber of Commerce filings move quickly. Real-estate investments run a bit longer because the escritura pública, notary, and registry steps sit inside the timeline.
Cancillería has 30 calendar days to decide a complete application once the Banco de la República registration is in place.
Approximately USD $324 total — a study fee of about $54 paid when the application is filed, plus an issuance fee of about $270 paid to Cancillería upon approval.
The Investor Visa is valid for up to 3 years and is renewable. Time on the visa counts toward the qualifying period for the Resident (R) visa.
The qualifying investment must be maintained while the Investor Visa is active. Selling the property or withdrawing the capital may affect the visa. Because SMMLV rises each January, an investment that qualified at issuance can fall short at renewal — we advise on top-ups (a second property, a Colombian business investment) to reach the 650 SMMLV combined tier and clear the moving threshold.
Path to Residency
Year 0
Investment + Investor Visa
Qualifying real estate or business investment + Investor Visa issuance.
Year 5
Resident (R) Visa
Apply after 5 continuous years on the Investor Visa. You must continue to maintain the qualifying investment through renewal.
Year 10
Colombian Citizenship
Apply after 5 years as a long-term resident. Dual citizenship allowed.
Year 0
You are hereInvestment + Investor Visa
Qualifying real estate or business investment + Investor Visa issuance.
Year 5
Resident (R) Visa
Apply after 5 continuous years on the Investor Visa. You must continue to maintain the qualifying investment through renewal.
Year 10
Colombian Citizenship
Apply after 5 years as a long-term resident. Dual citizenship allowed.
The Investor Visa is a Migrant (M) visa. In Colombia, time spent on an M visa counts toward the qualifying period for the Resident (R) visa.
After continuously holding the Investor Visa for the qualifying period, you can apply for the R visa, which is valid for five years and renewable indefinitely. The R visa removes the need to maintain an active investment for continued residency.
For many clients, the investment is the beginning of a long-term residency plan — not just a transaction. We advise on the full timeline from investment to the Resident (R) visa from the first consultation.
Important to Know
Real estate: purchase property, register the deed, complete the Banco de la República registration. Business investment requires additional documentation — Chamber of Commerce records, evidence of operating activity, capital contribution documentation — and greater Cancillería scrutiny.
It requires the qualifying investment to be traceable to you as an individual — direct property owner or documented investor in a Colombian company. Investments held entirely through foreign holding companies may not support a personal visa application.
If the registration is missing or incorrect, the investment does not qualify — even if its value clearly exceeds the threshold. We treat the registration as a built-in step in every investment engagement.
If Cancillería or Migración Colombia requests additional documentation, your attorney responds directly — no extra charges, no scrambling on your end.
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