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M Profesional Independiente: the Colombian visa for self employed professionals

Last verified: 2026-10-27 · Status: Stable

Foreign professionals who want to practise on their own account in Colombia use the Visa M Profesional Independiente: they need their degree recognised (convalidación) and the professional card or licence where the profession is regulated, or exceptionally proof of experience for unregulated activities of interest to the country. They must show average monthly income of at least five minimum wages over six months (COP 8,754,525, about US$2,772 in 2026) and health coverage. The visa lasts up to three years, costs US$260, allows family beneficiaries and counts toward permanent residence after five years; the work permit is limited to that profession.

USD figures use the TRM (tasa representativa del mercado) of COP 3,157.94 per US dollar valid on 27 October 2026, from the official TRM series of the Superintendencia Financiera on the national open data portal (datos.gov.co). Peso thresholds use the 2026 minimum wage of COP 1,750,905 (Decreto 1469 de 2025) and fines use the 2026 UVT of COP 52,374 (DIAN Resolución 000238 de 2025). Visa fees are fixed in US dollars or euros; Cancillería sets its own peso conversion rate every four months, so peso amounts for visa fees are orientation only.

Key facts

M Profesional Independiente: minimum average monthly income (5 minimum wages)	8754525 COPResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 76, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
M Profesional Independiente: maximum validity	3 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 76, as of 2026-10-27 · in force

The rule

1. Requirements. For a foreigner who will practise a regulated profession or, exceptionally, an unregulated activity of interest to the country. The applicant provides a letter on the occupation; a copy of the degree recognition (convalidación) and the professional card, licence or provisional permit from the professional council; a bank certificate in the applicant's name issued within 30 days showing account opening date, products and average balance and monthly movements for the last six months, with average monthly income of at least five minimum wages (for second and later visas, a Colombian bank certificate); health coverage in Colombia or private insurance; and, for experience based activities, evidence of suitability and experience.
Cost to do it: Visa US$260; income test COP 8,754,525 a month (US$2,772.23).
Example: A foreign architect earns an average of COP 12 million a month from clients and has the Colombian professional card. / About US$3,800 a month, above the US$2,772 test.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 76, 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. Scope and term. Valid up to three years with beneficiaries; the work permit covers only the profession or activity for which it was granted. Five continuous years on this visa allow an R visa.
Cost to do it: R visa US$239 after five years.
Example: After five years of practice the architect applies for residence. / US$239.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 76 (vigencia, restricciones) and 90 (text of Res. 10434 de 2023 art. 76), 2023-12-28 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. Change of activity. Holders of visas with an open work permit must notify Migración Colombia of a change of activity within 15 days; holders of restricted permits need Cancillería approval for a different profession or activity before practising it. Practising a different activity than authorised is a light infraction fined 26.31 to 210.50 UVT and can lead to cancellation.
Cost to do it: Fine COP 1,377,960 to COP 11,024,727 (US$436.35 to US$3,491.11).
Example: An engineer on this visa who starts a trading business without approval risks a fine and cancellation. / Up to about US$3,491.Resolución 5477 de 2022 (art. 114 num. 10, 119); Decreto 1067 de 2015 (art. 2.2.1.11.5.6); Resolución 2357 de 2020 (art. 15, infraction 12), Res. 5477 art. 114 and 119; Decreto 1067 art. 2.2.1.11.5.6; Res. 2357 art. 15, 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

A Portuguese physiotherapist moves to Bogotá. Physiotherapy is regulated, so the applicant first obtains degree recognition from the Ministry of Education and the professional registration.
The applicant files six months of bank records showing an average of COP 9 million a month (about US$2,850), above five minimum wages, plus health insurance, and pays US$260 (COP 821,064).
At renewal, income must be shown with a Colombian bank certificate.

Step by step

Check whether the profession is regulated and start convalidación and licensing early.
Build six months of bank history showing five minimum wages of average income.
Obtain health insurance covering Colombia.
File, register with Migración within 15 days, and open a Colombian account for renewals.

Common traps

Degree recognition can take longer than the visa itself; the visa needs the recognition up front for regulated professions.
The income test is checked on statements, not contracts.
Second visas require a Colombian bank certificate (art. 76 num. 3).

Sources

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