With the entry of Resolution 5477 on October 21, 2022, the countdown of the transition regime began, which implies the mandatory processing of the visa transfer by any foreigner holding a resident visa in Colombia in force and whose issuance has been effective under previous regulations.
Consequently, in 2022, the Colombian Government determined that the process must be carried out within a grace period of two (2) years from the effective date of the aforementioned resolution. Within that time, all permanent residences that applied to this case must had to be reissued to prevent possible sanctions that may affect their validity.
On September 27, 2024, the Colombian government issued a new Resolution (Resolution 9316 of 2024) extending the deadline for residents who still need to complete the Visa Transfer process. In this sense, the new deadline to complete the process and transfer the visa is October 31, 2026. This extension provides Colombian residents with an additional opportunity to comply with the visa transfer requirements.
At expatgroup.co, we have provided support to more than 3.100 clients regarding the various modifications introduced by the new resolution. However, we are concerned about the lack of awareness of the foreign community regarding this process.
In this blog, we will examine the crucial aspects of visa transfer introduced by the new resolution, so that you can comply with all regulations on time and ensure your stay in Colombia without inconveniences.
What is a visa transfer in Colombia?
For immigration purposes, visa transfer means a modification in the data contained in a stay permit through the issuance of a previously issued visa.
This process can be performed with any type of visa, depending on each particular case, and constitutes an essential process to ensure that the information contained in it is real and reliable.
Article 105 of Resolution 5477 of 2022 introduces several cases in which you can carry out the visa transfer process:
If you lost the document with which you applied for the visa, you must start the process immediately after obtaining the new passport.
If you obtain a new passport, you can transfer your visa to this new document. This option is recommended and only applies to passports issued by the same country. If you wish to use another nationality, you will need to apply for a new visa with that citizenship, which will cancel the previous visa.
If the visa was issued with errors and you did not request the correction within fifteen (15) days after its issuance, you will have to process the transfer.
If you are the holder of a visa that requires an employment contract or a document linked to a company, and your employer changes the name of the company without changing the identification number, you will need to transfer your visa.
If you are a holder of a visa that requires an employment contract and you wish to add a new authorized employer, it is necessary to perform the process. Please note that the activity of the new employer must be the same as the one related to your current visa.
All Resident visa holders must carry out a visa transfer every five (5) years, one month prior to the expiration date.
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Can my residency in Colombia expire if I do not transfer my visa?
Failure to comply with the process every five (5) years may result in the termination of the visa under Article 108, which states that the expiration date marks the end of the visa.
Furthermore, there is an additional case contemplated in Article 123 of Resolution 5477, that was modify in 2024 by Resolution 9316, which deals with the transition regime of the present Resolution and stipulates that, although residence visas issued under previous Resolutions will remain in force, all holders must complete the visa transfer before October 2026.
In other words, the new deadline to carry out the visa transfer is October 31, 2026.
Remember that if the transition regime applies to your case and you do not complete the process before the deadline, the validity of the visa could be terminated in the same way as with the failure to transfer every five (5) years.
In both cases, Article 106 will be applied, which obliges the holder of a residency visa to present a Salvoconducto to advance the extemporaneous visa transfer after the deadline of the transition regime or the expiration date of the residency visa.
If the transfer process is not initiated, Article 111 states that, after the termination of the validity of a visa, you will have thirty (30) days in a regular migratory situation during which you must leave the country or apply for a new visa. If you extend your stay beyond the term of the self-cancellation of a visa, you will be imposed an economic penalty based on Article 13 of Decree 1067 of 2015, which demarcates this particular fact as a cause of moderate infraction.
Economic sanctions for immigration irregularities
| Irregularity time | Approximate cost in COP |
|---|---|
| 0 days | $1.300.000 |
| 1 - 30 days | $1.820.000 |
| 31 - 60 days | $2.600.000 |
| 61 - 90 days | $3.900.000 |
| 91 - 120 days | $5.200.000 |
| > 121 days | $6.500.000 |
Remember that you must prove that you have not been out of the country for more than two (2) continuous years through a Certificate of Migratory Movements that shows immigration information since the foreigner obtained the first Resident Visa.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under its discretionary power, may request additional documentation.
Don't miss the opportunity! Time is running out and you must start the process before the price increases in the rates of migratory processes in Colombia for 2025.
Visa transfer service of expatgroup.co
- Includes Migratory Movements Certificate of the last 10 years.
- Immigration consulting.
- Document preparation and visa application.
- Visa registration / Application for "Foreign ID Card". (Appointment)
How is the visa transfer process?
Step 1: Verify that you meet the requirements and gather documentation
The first step is to make sure that you meet the requirements and are a holder of a residence visa in Colombia. In addition, your current visa must be valid at the time of initiating the process, and you must gather all the necessary documents for your application, which have been indicated by the Resolution in Article 106:
Copy of the visa you wish to transfer.
Copy of the foreigner's identity card related to the visa.
Certificate of Migratory Movements that shows immigration information since the foreigner obtained the first Resident Visa.
Provide a document accrediting the foreigner's activity in the country.
Letter of justification stating the reason for the transfer.
It is important to note that, even though the Resolution has indicated these requirements, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its discretionary power, could request additional documentation to proceed.
Before initiating any procedure, we recommend that you seek advice from professionals specialized in immigration matters so that your application does not suffer any setbacks.
Step 2: Complete the online application and make the corresponding payments
The next step involves completing the online application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web portal. Be sure to provide accurate and complete information.
The visa transfer process involves an initial payment of the study fee, which must be paid at the time of application. Once the visa has been approved, you will be asked to pay the second visa issuance fee.
Visa Study Fee
55 USD
Visa Transfer Fee
55 USD
Step 3: Apply for a new Cédula de Extranjería (Foreign ID Card)
After completing the process, it is essential to apply for a new cédula de extranjería.
Cédula de Extranjería (Foreign ID Card)
61 USD aprox
FAQs about visa transfer process
It involves changing or updating a visa by reissuing it to modify or add substantial data to it. In Colombia today, a visa transfer is also used to update residency visas issued under previous regulations to bring them up to date with the new Resolution 5477. This is necessary to maintain the legality and benefits of residency in the country.
The deadline for the process is October 31, 2026.
All foreigners holding a residence visa that has been issued in previous Resolutions must carry out the transfer within two (2) years after the new Resolution becomes effective. Also, it is mandatory to carry out the process every five (5) years for all residence visas.
The Resolution in Article 123 clarifies that all visas issued under the previous Resolution will maintain their original validity. Basically, there is nothing expressed that indicates that the time of validity of the same will be modified at the moment of the transfer by the transition regime.
Yes, since according to point 4 of Article 106 of Resolution 5477 of 2022, it is not necessary to provide documents proving the validity of the conditions that gave rise to the granting of the previous visa.
Please note that the main mandatory requirement is not to have remained outside Colombia for more than two (2) continuous years. In addition, the government may request information related to your health contributions in Colombia (EPS), and proof of your source of income, as well as any other document it deems pertinent under discretionary power.
Yes, because the resolution states that it is not necessary to demonstrate the conditions that gave rise to the previous visa, to apply for the transfer of a resident visa.
However, remember that you must prove that you have not been out of the country for more than two (2) continuous years through a Certificate of Migratory Movements. Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under its discretionary power, may request additional documentation.
Contact us
As part of the Article 106 transfers, are Pensioner Visa holders being excluded from participation in the EPS system? The Gran Colombia YouTube Channel is spreading that rumor.
Hello Michael. I hope you’re doing well.
Individuals holding a M-type pensioner/retirement visa are not eligible to enroll in the EPS system according to Article 77 of Resolution 5477. If you hold an M-type pensioner visa and have already accumulated the required residency time, the Resolution does not explicitly require EPS affiliation, but we recommend it as it is typically requested during the R visa application process. If you need a visa transfer, EPS affiliation is necessary. Write to us, and leave your process in the hands of experts https://wa.me/19547993692?text=transfer%20
Can this process be done online? I will be in Texas in 10 days, and not returning until after the visa deadline. How quickly can this be done, and will I need to visit the immigration building in Bogota?
Hello Diane
You can do the Visa Transfer process totally online and the process is simple. Please, contact us today to help you with the visa transfer from abroad.
https://expatgroup.co/english/visas-and-migration/visa-transfer-colombia/