Colombia

Colombia M-11 Rentista Visa — guide for passive investors

Colombian residency visa for people with passive income of 10× the Colombian minimum wage (≈ US$4,889/month as of June 2026). Process via US consulate, requirements, costs, and path to permanent residency and citizenship.

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The historic walled city of Cartagena, Colombia.

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Colombia M-11 Rentista Visa

The M-11 Visa (Migrant - Rentista) is for people with stable passive income not derived from Colombian employment. Ideal for US expats with rentals, dividends, interest, or royalties.

Economic requirements

Minimum passive income: 10× SMMLV (the Colombian monthly minimum wage). With the 2026 SMMLV of COP 1,750,905 (transitional Decreto 0159/2026, currently under court review), that is COP 17,509,050/month ≈ US$4,889 as of June 2026 — the USD figure floats with the exchange rate (TRM ~3,581) and is recomputed as the peso moves
Show continuity: bank statements last 6-12 months
Valid sources: rentals, dividends, bank interest, royalties, annuities

Required documents

☐ Current US passport
☐ Visa application online (via MIVIPRO system)
☐ Explanatory letter of activity (Spanish)
☐ Passive income proof (notarized/apostilled)
☐ FBI background check apostilled + translated
☐ Recent photo
☐ Consular fees (US$230-270 issuance + US$52-55 study fee, varies by nationality — verify current amounts on cancilleria.gov.co)

The process

Online application at migracioncolombia.gov.co
Pay + consulate visit for in-person interview (US$230-270 issuance + US$52-55 study fee, varies by nationality)
Visa stamped in passport — valid 3 years
180 days to travel to Colombia and register
Cédula de Extranjería within 15 days of arrival — COP 294,000 (≈ US$82); the fee is reset each February (Resolución 0599/2026)

Renewals

M-11 visa: 3 years, renewable
After 5 continuous years: apply for Visa R (Resident) = permanent residency
After 5 more years as Resident: apply for Colombian citizenship

Required time in Colombia

To maintain M-11: must NOT be absent from Colombia for more than 180 consecutive days

Total approximate costs

Visa: US$230-270 issuance + US$52-55 study fee (varies by nationality — verify current on cancilleria.gov.co)
Apostilles + translations: $300-$500 USD
Cédula de Extranjería: COP 294,000 (≈ US$82), set each February (Resolución 0599/2026)
Immigration attorney (recommended): $1,000-$2,000 USD
Total: ~$1,650-$2,900 USD

Official source: Cancillería de Colombia

Last verified: 2026-06-11.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

USCIS Form I-407 — abandonment of LPR status — formal renunciation procedure
IRS tax obligations as a US citizen abroad — citizens file regardless of residence
Social Security totalization agreements — avoiding double SS coverage
Find an international tax attorney — for renunciation and exit-tax cases
Consulate of your destination country — pre-departure documentation

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.