The Retirement visa (M) requires a minimum monthly income of 3 SMMLV, which equals $5.252.715 COP (approximately $1,400 USD).
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The Retirement visa (M) requires a minimum monthly income of 3 SMMLV, which equals $5.252.715 COP (approximately $1,400 USD).
Yes. If you are considered a tax resident in Colombia (i.e., you stay in the country for more than 183 days in a calendar year), you are required to file an income tax return.
As of 2025, foreign pension income is tax-exempt up to 1,000 UVT per month (which equals $47,212,000 COP annually, or approximately $11,800 USD at a rate of 4,000 COP/USD). If your monthly pension exceeds this limit, the excess may be subject to income tax in Colombia.
Even if you do not owe taxes, you must still file a return if you meet other reporting thresholds related to income, assets, or financial transactions.
Not all visas require a criminal background check. However, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increasingly requested it for many visa types—including the Digital Nomad Visa—even when not explicitly listed in the official requirements. Providing this document improves approval chances.
Yes, the Retirement Visa allows for beneficiaries, including a spouse or permanent partner and children up to 25 years of age or those with disabilities.
The Retirement Visa can be issued for a period ranging from one to three years, with the possibility of renewal.
No, holders of the Retirement Visa are not permitted to work in Colombia or join the Colombian EPS health system.
According to Resolution 5477 of 2022, the required documents for the M-type Retirement Visa include:
Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages)
Proof of legal stay in Colombia (if applying within the country)
Recent 3×4 cm color photo with white background
Certificate of income proving a monthly pension of at least 3 minimum wages (official document, apostilled, and translated if not in Spanish)
Criminal background certificate (issued within the last 6 months, apostilled and translated)
International health insurance valid in Colombia for the duration of the visa
Completed online visa application form and payment
Additional documents may be requested by the Ministry on a case-by-case basis.
The average processing time for a Retirement Visa in Colombia is one to two months, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs typically taking around four weeks to review the application.
Colombia offers advantages for those considering retiring in Colombia, such as a diverse environment, easy Pensioner Visa access, low living costs, affordable healthcare, and a friendly, welcoming culture.
The M-type Retirement Visa allows foreigners to live in Colombia, making it a popular choice for retirees, especially American citizens. It is one of the easiest visas to process.