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Mercosur and Andean nationals in Colombia: fast track two year visas

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

Nationals of the states party to the Mercosur residence agreement (including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Peru) and of the Andean Community can obtain a two year M visa with an open work permit by showing a clean criminal record, without employer sponsorship or income thresholds. Two years on either visa then open the door to an R (permanent) visa, against five years on worker or investor visas. Each visa is granted only once and costs US$260; Ecuadorians pay a reduced fee and are exempt from overstay fines under a bilateral statute.

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 Mercosur visa validity	2 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 71, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
M Andino visa: maximum validity	2 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 72, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Years on M Mercosur or Andino before an R visa	2 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 90, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Window for an irregular Mercosur national to obtain the visa and have the fine waived	90 daysResolución 2357 de 2020 art. 24, as of 2026-10-27 · in force

The rule

1. M Migrante Mercosur. For nationals of the states party to the Agreement on Residence for Nationals of Mercosur States, Bolivia and Chile, on a reciprocity basis; equivalent to the temporary residence in that agreement. Requirements: request letter explaining the activity and means of support; passport valid at least six months; criminal record certificate from the countries of residence in the last three years; image of the entry stamp. Valid two years, granted once, with an open work permit (regulated professions excepted) and beneficiaries. Documents filed at a consulate in the home country can use the home country certification procedure.
Cost to do it: US$260 (about COP 821,064).
Example: An Argentine engineer moves to Bogotá and gets an M Mercosur visa without a job offer, then joins any employer. / US$260.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 71 and par., 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. M Migrante Andino. For nationals of Andean Community member states under the Andean Migration Statute (Decisión 878, in force since 11 August 2021). Requirements: passport valid six months; entry stamp or migration card if in Colombia; criminal record certificates from the countries of nationality or residence in the last five years; written statement of intent and means of support. Valid up to two years, granted once, open work permit, beneficiaries allowed. Documents must be apostilled or certified by the consulate of the country of origin.
Cost to do it: US$260; Ecuadorians pay US$31 study and free issuance (Res. 3969 art. 4.1 lit. c).
Example: A Peruvian sales manager obtains an M Andino visa and changes employers freely. / US$260, or US$31 for an Ecuadorian.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores; Decisión 878 de la Comunidad Andina, Res. 5477 art. 72 and par., 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. Two years to permanent residence. An R visa by accumulated time requires only two years as M Mercosur or M Andino holder, provided each visa is issued before the previous one expires; holders must meet any additional requirements that the other member state imposes on Colombians, by reciprocity.
Cost to do it: R visa US$239.
Example: The Argentine engineer applies for an R visa after two years. / US$239.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 90 and par. 1 and 2 (text of Res. 10434 de 2023 art. 76), 2023-12-28 official text · verified 2026-10-27

4. Overstays by Mercosur and Ecuadorian nationals. Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Peru found in irregular stay who state their intention to obtain residence sign a verification and commitment act and have up to 90 days to obtain the Mercosur visa; on presenting it, the case is closed and the fine is waived (the sanction record remains). Ecuadorians have been exempt from fines for overstaying since 4 February 2013 under the Colombia Ecuador permanent migration statute, without prejudice to deportation or expulsion.
Cost to do it: Fine waived on obtaining the visa; the visa still costs US$260.
Example: An Argentine who overstayed 20 days obtains the Mercosur visa within 90 days and the fine is revoked. / US$260.Resolución 2357 de 2020, Migración Colombia, Art. 24 and 25, 2020-09-29 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

A Brazilian company transfers a Brazilian analyst to its Colombian branch.
Instead of the M Trabajador route (which needs the employer to prove 100 minimum wages of income), the analyst files for an M Mercosur visa with a criminal record certificate and a letter on means of support, for US$260.
The open work permit lets the analyst work for the branch; after two years the analyst applies for an R visa (US$239). Employers still report the hire in SIRE within 15 days.

Step by step

Confirm nationality is covered (Mercosur residence agreement states or Andean Community members).
Obtain criminal record certificates (three years for Mercosur, five years for Andean) with apostille.
File the M Mercosur or M Andino visa; register with Migración within 15 days.
Renew into an R visa before the two year visa expires, since it is granted only once.

Common traps

Each visa is granted only once: plan the R application before expiry (art. 71 and 72).
By reciprocity, extra requirements imposed on Colombians in the applicant's country can be required for the R visa (art. 90 par. 1).
The open permit does not cover regulated professions without licensing.

Sources

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