Colombia Pensionado visa requirements
Colombia's retirement visa, the Pensionado, is a Migrant (M) visa for anyone with a lifelong pension of at least 3 minimum wages: 5,252,715 pesos a month in 2026.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Colombia's official sources on Oct 7, 2026.
- Minimum income
- COP 5,252,715/mo (about $1,580) A lifelong pension paid monthly by a government or a private pension fund, of at least 3 times the monthly legal minimum wage (1,750,905 pesos in 2026 under Decree 1469 of 2025). Cancillería; Decree 1469 of 2025. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Residency
- Migrant visa, up to 3 years Cancillería; Decree 1469 of 2025. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Government fees
- $335 Study fee and Visa fee. Cancillería fee table. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Cancillería. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Pensionado visa
The Pensionado visa is a Migrant (M) visa for anyone with a lifelong pension from a government or a private pension fund of at least 3 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage: 5,252,715 pesos a month in 2026. It lasts up to 3 years, does not allow work, and after 5 years as a holder you can apply for a Resident visa.
You need COP 5,252,715 (about $1,580) a month: a lifelong pension paid monthly by a government or a private pension fund, of at least 3 times the monthly legal minimum wage (1,750,905 pesos in 2026 under Decree 1469 of 2025).
The threshold is 3 times the monthly minimum wage, so it rises each January when the new wage is set. For 2026 the wage is 1,750,905 pesos, making the minimum pension 5,252,715 pesos a month.
The Pensionado visa does not allow work in Colombia, and it does not let you join the Colombian social security system unless a bilateral or multilateral agreement allows it.
A Migrant visa ends automatically if you are away from Colombia for more than 180 days in a row within any 365 days from the date it was issued.
In Europe and Cuba the fees are charged in euros: €44 for the study and €191 for the visa. Spanish citizens pay neither fee, and Japanese and Korean citizens pay only the study fee.
Visa decisions are discretionary and cannot be appealed. If a visa is refused you must leave within 30 days and wait 6 months before applying again.
Pensionado visa documents
Every residence permit
- Online visa application form on the Cancillería website
- Recent digital colour photo on a white background, JPG, no larger than 300 KB
- Copy of the passport's personal data page, valid at least 6 more months, in good condition with blank pages
- If you apply from inside Colombia, the passport page with your latest entry stamp or equivalent entry permit
- Police or criminal record certificate from each country where you lived in the last 3 years, apostilled or legalized, with an official Spanish translation
- Medical certificate of physical and mental fitness, from a Colombian doctor or the health authority of your home country
Cancillería. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
This visa
- Proof of health cover in Colombia, or a health policy valid in Colombia covering accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospital stays, death and repatriation for the whole stay
- Certificate that you receive a lifelong monthly pension of at least 3 minimum wages, from the paying body (apostilled and translated) or from the consulate of the country that pays it
Cancillería. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalized and officially translated into Spanish, and every document except the passport must be dated no more than 3 months before you apply. Bank statements and certificates in an official language of the Organization of American States, such as English, need no apostille or translation. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Pensionado visa fees
| Study fee, paid when you apply, non-refundable | $56 |
| Visa fee, paid on approval | $279 |
| Foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería), Migración Colombia, 2026 | COP 294,000 (about $90) |
Cancillería fee table; Migración Colombia. Checked Oct 7, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather documents at homeA pension certificate, police records covering the last 3 years, a medical certificate and health insurance valid in Colombia, apostilled and translated, all dated within 3 months of applying.
- Apply onlineFill in the Cancillería form, choose the Colombian consulate nearest to where you live (or the Bogotá office if you are legally in Colombia), and upload the documents as PDFs.
- Pay the study feePay the $56 study fee within 10 calendar days or the application lapses. A decision normally takes up to 30 calendar days.
- Pay for the visaIf approved, pay the $279 visa fee within 10 calendar days. The electronic visa is emailed to you within 10 days of payment.
- Get your foreigner ID cardWithin 15 calendar days of arriving, or of the visa being issued in Colombia, apply to Migración Colombia online, then attend an appointment for fingerprints and pay 294,000 pesos.
- Move to a Resident visaThe visa lasts up to 3 years. After 5 years as a Pensionado holder you can apply for a Resident (R) visa.
Spouses and children
Your spouse or permanent partner, children up to age 25 and children of any age with a disability can apply for beneficiary visas, as long as they depend on you financially.
Cancillería. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Other ways to live in Colombia
Visitor visa (V), Rentista
For a regular income from a lawful source, such as rent, paid by a public body or a recognised private company, or from property you own in Colombia, of at least 10 monthly minimum wages: 17,509,050 pesos a month in 2026. It is a Visitor visa of up to 2 years, does not allow work and gives no resident status. Fees $56 study and $183 visa.
Cancillería; Decree 1469 of 2025; Cancillería fee table. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Visitor visa (V), Digital nomad
For remote work for foreign companies only, by holders of passports from countries that need no visa for short stays. You show bank statements with income of at least 3 monthly minimum wages over the last 3 months and a health policy valid in Colombia. Valid up to 2 years; fees $56 study and $183 visa.
Cancillería; Cancillería fee table. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Resident visa (R) by accumulated time
After 5 years as the holder of a Pensionado visa you can apply for a Resident (R) visa. It gives an open permit to work, is renewed every 5 years and lapses if you are away from Colombia for 2 years in a row. Fees $56 study and $408 visa.
Cancillería; Cancillería fee table. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Pensionado visa questions
What is the Colombia pensionado visa income requirement in 2026?
A lifelong monthly pension of at least 3 times the minimum wage. With the 2026 minimum wage of 1,750,905 pesos, that is 5,252,715 pesos a month. The figure changes every January with the minimum wage.
How soon should I start the residency application if I plan to retire in Colombia?
Cancillería decides within 30 calendar days of the study fee being paid, longer if other agencies are consulted. Every document except the passport must be dated within 3 months of applying, so gather them shortly before you file.
Can I work on the Colombian Pensionado visa?
No. The Pensionado visa does not allow work in Colombia. After 5 years you can apply for a Resident visa, which gives an open work permit.
Does the Pensionado visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After 5 years as a Pensionado holder you can apply for a Resident (R) visa, which is renewed every 5 years.
