How to Obtain a Colombian Retirement Visa

A growing number of Americans are choosing to retire to the South American nation of Colombia, drawn by low cost of living, exotic tropical settings, and affordable health care. The safe, secure country stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. The second most bio-diverse country in the world, Colombia offers climates and environments for all tastes. The country contains hip urban cities, cool villages among the three Andes Mountain ranges, warm seaside communities, lush green coffee plantations, two deserts, and 10% of the Amazon’s rainforest area.

The Colombia government encourages foreigners who have retired in their home countries to take up residence in Colombia through its simplified retirement visa program. You can live in Colombia for at least 180 days per year with the M-11 (Migrant) visa. The program was revamped in 2017 and expanded from a one-year to a three-year renewable visa. (However, the duration has largely been restricted to one year during the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on the applicant’s health insurance.) You can leave and reenter Colombia as many times as you like. However, if you are out of the country for more than 180 consecutive days, the retiree visa will be rescinded.

In 2019, 705,000 tourists came to Colombia from the United States, more than from any other country or origin. Tourism had jumped by 24% the year before pandemic decimated international tourism. The major cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena are only a three-hour flight from Atlanta or Miami, making it easy for Georgia residents to return home as needed.

While many retirees come here to enjoy the warm tropical climates, some might prefer the lower humidity and cooler temperatures of the upper hills and mountains. The vibrant capital city of Bogotá centers on La Candelaria, the historic downtown district with narrow cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. La Candelaria serves as the cultural center of the city, with, hotels, museums, restaurants, hotels, historical churches, and the Plaza de Bolívar, its top attraction. The second largest city, Medellín, is a popular retirement destination. Ride the cable cars connecting “The City of Eternal Spring” to residential areas in the surrounding Andes.

Natural attractions in “The Gateway to South America” range from snow-capped mountains to seaside resorts. Cartagena is known for its historical walled downtown area and its tropical Caribbean climate, where the clear waters and sandy white beaches stay warm year-round. Leticia, the capital of the Amazon Basis, is a great jumping-off point for eco-tours, hikes and wildlife safaris on the Amazon River. The four-day hike to Ciudad Perdida takes you to a “lost” ancient city rediscovered in the 1970s. Tayrona National Natural Park features some of the country’s best beaches, many bordered by the striking mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Colombia has moved beyond its turbulent past of drug smuggling and revolutionary insurrections to become a safe, modern, country, with some of its former danger zones attracting growing numbers of tourists. Possibly the most unique attraction is Hacienda Nápoles, the estate of former drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. While the estate still bears some traces of Colombia’s notorious pass, local governments have converted into an amusement park with hotels, a safari zoo, and a water park. The Caño Cristales, once a stronghold guerrilla fighters, is a remote river canyon where you can hike between waterfalls and swim.

Colombia Retirement Visa Qualifications and Documentation

The minimum income requirement for an M-11 retirement visa was 908,526 pesos in 2021, or approximately $262 dollars per month {based on current exchange rates}. The minimum monthly pension amount is about 2.7 million pesos ($745). Also, Social Security benefits count toward the pension/income requirement. You are not allowed to work in Colombia, so all of your income and/or pensions must come from your home country. The visa fee is $282.

You can apply for the retirement visa online, or through a Colombian consulate located in 11 cities in the United States (including Atlanta).  The online form is available at https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarVisa.xhtml.  Complete requirements are available at https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/tramites_servicios/visas/archivos/visa_to_colombia_-_guideline_to_apply_online_non_official_translation.pdf. 

Basic requirements include:

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 180 days.
  • A completed application.
  • Two passport-style photos.
  • Proof of pension.
  • International health insurance policy certificate with at least $70,000 in medical coverage.
  • A letter assuming responsibility for the applicant’s expenses while staying in Colombia.

You will need to provide a photocopy of the first page of your passport, plus the page showing your most recent trip to/exit from Colombia. Proof of pension can be obtained from the Social Security Administration through its website (https://www.ssa.gov). Federal pension certification is ideal, as there may be delays certifying state and private pensions. All documents should be submitted in PDF format, while the photo should be in the .jpg format.

Spouses, parents, and children of the applicant can also obtain a beneficiary’s visa. You will need to provide legal proof of the family relationship. Beneficiaries also cannot hold a job in Colombia but can be students there.

Americans with questions about obtaining a retirement visa for Colombia -- or who would like us to help them complete the application through the Atlanta consulate -- can schedule a telephone call through our website.