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Retiree and passive income visas in Colombia: M Pensionado and V Rentista

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

Retired executives and investors living on passive income have two routes: the Visa M Pensionado for a lifetime pension of at least three minimum wages a month (COP 5,252,715, about US$1,663 in 2026), and the V Rentista for regular income of at least 10 minimum wages (COP 17,509,050, about US$5,544). Neither allows work in Colombia; the pensioner visa lasts up to three years, costs US$260 and counts toward permanent residence after five years, while the rentista visa lasts up to two years, costs US$194 and does not count. Both require a criminal record certificate and health coverage.

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 Pensionado: minimum monthly pension (3 minimum wages)	5252715 COPResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 77, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
V Rentista: minimum monthly income (10 minimum wages)	17509050 COPResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 56, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
M Pensionado: maximum validity	3 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 77, as of 2026-10-27 · in force

The rule

1. M Pensionado. For foreigners with constant monthly income from a pension paid by a state or private pension fund. Requirements: certificate of a lifetime monthly pension of at least three minimum wages, apostilled and translated or issued by the foreign mission; criminal record certificate from the countries of residence in the last three years; medical certificate of fitness; health coverage in Colombia or private insurance. Valid up to three years with beneficiaries; no work in Colombia and no affiliation to Colombian social security except under international agreements. Five continuous years allow an R visa, which for pensioners still carries no open work permit.
Cost to do it: Visa US$260 (about COP 821,064); pension test COP 5,252,715 a month (US$1,663.34).
Example: A retired Argentine manager with a pension equal to COP 6 million a month qualifies. / About US$1,900 a month, above the US$1,663 test.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 77, 87 and 90 (text of Res. 10434 de 2023 art. 76), 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. V Rentista. For foreigners receiving periodic income from a verifiable lawful source. Requirements: request letter stating the source; criminal record certificate for the last three years; certificate from a public entity or recognised private company of the income paid to the applicant, or proof of Colombian assets producing income, of at least 10 minimum wages; health insurance. Valid up to two years with beneficiaries; work is not allowed.
Cost to do it: Visa US$194 (about COP 612,640); income test COP 17,509,050 a month (US$5,544.45).
Example: An investor with rental and dividend income of COP 20 million a month qualifies. / About US$6,333 a month.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 56, 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. Residence count and absences. Only M visa time counts toward the R visa, so the rentista visa (a V visa) gives no credit. An M visa lapses after more than 180 continuous days abroad in each 365 days; an R visa lapses after two consecutive years abroad.
Cost to do it: No cost.
Example: A pensioner who spends seven continuous months abroad loses the M visa. / Same.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 65, 88 and 90, 2023-12-28 official text · verified 2026-10-27

Worked example

A retired US executive with a US pension of US$3,000 a month (about COP 9.5 million) moves to Bogotá with a spouse.
The pension exceeds three minimum wages (COP 5,252,715). The couple files apostilled pension certificates, FBI record checks, a medical certificate and insurance, and pays US$520 for two M visas.
The executive keeps a board seat in the US but takes no paid role in Colombia; after five years they can apply for an R visa, which for pensioners still does not grant an open work permit.

Step by step

Obtain the pension certificate (apostilled and translated) and recent criminal record certificates.
Get a medical fitness certificate and health insurance.
File and pay; register with Migración within 15 days.
Avoid paid activity in Colombia; track absences.

Common traps

Lump sum or temporary pensions may fail the lifetime pension test (art. 77).
Pensioners cannot join Colombian social security unless a treaty allows it: budget private health cover.
A rentista visa never leads to permanent residence.

Sources

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