Colombia Business Visa

The country will always attract entrepreneurs, investors and businessmen from all over the world if it has history, culture, diverse market, environment to grow business, and Colombia is one of those countries that welcome business. To tap into this potential you will require a Colombian business visa and this guide will simplify that process for you by dividing different steps to make you understand better. From start of the process, validity, application procedure and required documents to your departure.

Do You Need a Colombian Business Visa?

Not everyone who wants to conduct business activities in Colombia requires a business visa, there are countries who are exempted from the visa can enter for business purposes under a tourist visa but with certain conditions. If you are not from those nations which are exempted from the visa requirement, getting a Colombian business visa is important to conduct business activities like attending meetings, conferences, or exploring investment opportunities.

Understanding Colombian Visa and its Categories

Colombia offers a tiered business visa system catering to different investment levels and durations of stay. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Business Owners Visa (1-3 Years)
Investment Visa
Migrant Business Visa (Over 100 Million Pesos):
Permanent Residency Visa (Over 600 Million Pesos)

Business Owners Visa (1-3 Years)

this visa type is best for those applicants who have short term ventures or want to establish a business presence in Colombia. This visa is valid upto three years with multiple entries allowed overall.

Investment Visa

This visa helps the foreign investors who are willing to invest significantly in Colombian economy. This minimum investment amount is not specified but it is generally a substantial total

Migrant Business Visa (Over 100 Million Pesos):

Those foreigners who are investing over 100 million pesos can apply for this visa type that have many benefits and perks and also it has multiple entries. This visa also allows residence in Colombia.

Permanent Residency Visa (Over 600 Million Pesos)

Those business tycoons who got higher net worth and willing to invest over 600 million pesos, this visa is ideal for those that offers permanent residency with unrestricted entries and exit privileges in Colombia. The better the investment, better the perks.

It is important to note that apart from permanent residency visa, all other visa types are temporary legal representative category.

Validity of a Colombia Business Visa

The validity period of the Colombian business visa depends upon the category you are applying for. The temporary visas are basically valid for almost three years with the duration starting from the day these visas are issued not on your entry to Colombia. However if you stay out of Colombia for six 06 months during this time period, the visa will be considered invalid.

On the other hand the permanent residency visa offers more flexibility to its holder, it allows multiple entries and exits without any interruption but to maintain the permanent residency you cannot remain outside Colombia for more than two consecutive years, you must return in order to keep the visa alive. All the business visas are renewable a month before their expiration.

Required Documents for a Colombia Business Visa

Valid Passport: A scanned copy of the front page of your passport that contains your basic bio data along with passport and other numbers (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay) is required.
Previous Colombian Visas (if applicable): If you’ve visited Colombia before, provide scanned copies of any prior visas and the corresponding passport pages with entry/exit stamps.
Recent Passport-Sized Photographs: Two clear, recent photographs are mandatory.
Proof of Funds: this shows that you got enough finance to manage your stay in Colombia.
Business Invitation Letter: A formal letter from your Colombian business partner or counterpart inviting you for specific business activities. The letter should mention your company details, purpose of visit, and duration of stay.
Company Documents: Depending on the visa category, you may need documents like a certificate of incorporation, tax identification number, and proof of business address.
Foreign Exchange Declaration Form (if applicable): for some visa categories you might require this document.