Countries › Colombia › Guide › 8. Immigration › Permanent residence in Colombia: the R visa by accumulated time

Permanent residence in Colombia: the R visa by accumulated time

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

Foreigners become permanent residents through the Visa R por tiempo acumulado after holding M visas continuously: two years for Mercosur, Andean and parents of Colombians, three for spouses of Colombians, five for workers, owners, investors, professionals, pensioners and partners. The R visa (US$239) gives an open work permit except for pensioners, must be transferred every five years (US$112) and lapses after two consecutive years abroad. Continuity is strict: each M visa must be issued before the previous one expires, and safe conducts or pending applications do not count.

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

Years on most M visas (worker, owner, investor) before an R visa	5 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 90, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Years as spouse of a Colombian before an R visa	3 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 90, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Resident (R) visa fee, total	239 USDResolución 3969 de 2026 art. 4, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
R visa transfer interval	5 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 86, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Consecutive years abroad that end an R visa	2 yearsResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 88, as of 2026-10-27 · in force
Continuous days abroad (per 365) that end an M visa (more than)	180 daysResolución 5477 de 2022 art. 65, as of 2026-10-27 · in force

The rule

1. Time required. The R visa by accumulated time is for foreigners who have stayed in Colombia as holders of valid M visas for the minimum period: M spouse of Colombian 3 years; M parent or child of Colombian by adoption 2; M parent of Colombian by birth 2; M Mercosur 2; M Andino 2; M permanent partner 5; M refugee 5; M worker 5; M partner or owner 5; M independent professional 5; M pensioner 5; M internationalisation 5; M investor 5; R beneficiary 5. Requirements: copies of all visas and safe conducts held; immigration movement certificate; a letter on the source of income and how the original conditions continue; the cédula de extranjería; for spouses and partners, a letter and power of attorney from the Colombian partner. The authority may check social security compliance. Meeting the time does not guarantee the visa.
Cost to do it: R visa US$239 (about COP 754,748); immigration movement certificate COP 89,000 (US$28.18).
Example: A worker who entered with an M Trabajador visa on 1 November 2022 and renewed on time can apply from 1 November 2027. / US$239 plus US$28.18.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, art. 90 as amended by Resolución 10434 de 2023, Art. 90 (text of Res. 10434 de 2023 art. 76) and par. 3, 2023-12-28 official text · verified 2026-10-27

2. Continuity and how time is counted. Time is continuous only if each visa was granted before the previous one expired; a safe conduct does not create continuity. Time counts from the date the holder entered Colombia using the visa (or the issue date if issued in Colombia); time spent while an application is pending does not count. For visas granted under earlier rules, accumulated time counts if at least two years of effective stay had been accumulated when applying.
Cost to do it: No cost; a gap restarts the count.
Example: A visa that expired on 1 May and a new one issued on 10 May break continuity. / Same.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 8 par. 3, 9 par., 17 par., 90 par. 2 and 123, 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

3. Rights and duties as resident. Except for pensioners, the R visa gives an open work permit for any lawful activity (regulated professions still need licensing). The holder must request a transfer of the R visa every five years, at least one month before expiry, and obtain a five year cédula de extranjería. The R visa lapses after two consecutive years outside Colombia. Holders of M visas for three continuous years, and R holders, are domiciled in Colombia for nationality purposes.
Cost to do it: Transfer every five years US$112 (about COP 353,689); new cédula COP 294,000 (US$93.10).
Example: Every five years a resident pays about US$205 for transfer and cédula. / About US$205 every five years.Resolución 5477 de 2022 (art. 23, 86, 87, 88, 105 num. 6); Decreto 1067 de 2015 (art. 2.2.1.11.4.5 par. 2), Res. 5477 art. 23, 86 to 88 and 105; Decreto 1067 art. 2.2.1.11.4.5, 2022-07-22 official text · verified 2026-10-27

4. Beneficiaries. R holders can request beneficiary visas; a beneficiary over 18 who shows financial independence may apply for an R as principal holder.
Cost to do it: US$239 per R visa.
Example: An adult child who was an R beneficiary and now works can apply as principal holder. / US$239.Resolución 5477 de 2022, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Art. 90 par. 4 and 93, 2023-12-28 official text · verified 2026-10-27

M visa held	Years
Spouse of Colombian	3
Parent or child of Colombian by adoption	2
Parent of Colombian by birth	2
Mercosur	2
Andean	2
Permanent partner of Colombian	5
Refugee	5
Worker	5
Partner or owner	5
Independent professional	5
Pensioner	5
Internationalisation	5
Investor	5
R beneficiary	5

Minimum time on M visas for an R visa (Resolución 5477 de 2022 art. 90 as amended by Resolución 10434 de 2023)

Worked example

A Mexican engineer enters on an M Trabajador visa on 1 November 2022 (three years) and renews on 15 October 2025 for another three years, before expiry.
On 1 November 2027 five continuous years are met. The engineer files for an R visa with all visas, the movement certificate (COP 89,000 in 2026) and a letter, pays the R fee (US$239 in 2026), and obtains a five year cédula (COP 294,000 in 2026).
The engineer then needs no employer sponsorship and can change jobs freely, but must transfer the visa every five years (US$112 in 2026) and not stay abroad two consecutive years.

Step by step

Keep a file of all visas, cédulas and entries.
Renew each M visa before it expires; never rely on a safe conduct.
Count years from entry with the first visa; check social security contributions are up to date.
Apply for the R visa, then obtain the five year cédula.
Calendar the five yearly transfer at least one month before expiry.

Common traps

A gap between visas restarts the count (art. 90 par. 2).
Absences over 180 continuous days end an M visa and break the count (art. 65).
V visa time (nomad, services, business) never counts.
Pensioners with R visas still cannot work (art. 87).

Sources

← Mercosur and Andean nationals in Colombia: fast track two year visasRegistration, cédula de extranjería and SIRE reporting: post arrival duties for foreigners and employers →