The End Goal: Permanent Residency
Colombia's R-Type visa is the permanent residency classification — no renewal cycles, no income re-verification, and a path to Colombian citizenship if desired. For expats who've built a life in Medellín, this is the final step in the immigration journey.
Eligibility Pathways
| Pathway | Requirement | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulated time on M-type visas | 5 years of continuous legal accumulation | After 5+ years |
| Accumulated time on V-type visas | 2 consecutive years (same visa category) | After 2+ years |
| Direct investment | 650 SMMLV (~$307,600 USD) registered with Banco de la República | Immediate |
| Marriage/partnership to Colombian | Legal marriage or unión marital de hecho + M-type visa | After 3 years |
| Parent of Colombian child | Colombian-born child + M-type visa | After 2 years |
2026 Traspaso Deadline
What Permanent Residency Gets You
- No renewal: The R-type visa does not expire (though the cédula de extranjería linked to it does need periodic renewal)
- No income re-verification: Unlike M-type visas, you don't need to re-prove income or pension at renewal
- Work authorization: R-type holders can work locally without a separate work permit
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years of R-type residency, you can apply for Colombian nationality (Colombia allows dual citizenship)
- Property rights: Unchanged — foreigners already have full property rights, but R-type status simplifies banking and legal transactions
The Realistic Timeline for Most Expats
The most common path for expats in Medellín:
- Year 1: Arrive on tourist stamp, explore neighborhoods, test the city
- Year 1–2: Apply for DN visa or retirement visa (M-type). Get cédula, open bank accounts, sign first 12-month lease.
- Years 2–5: Renew M-type visa. Build credit, deepen Colombian integration, potentially buy property.
- Year 5+: Apply for R-type permanent residency. Continue accumulating time toward optional citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common path is 5 years of accumulated time on M-type visas (retirement, investment, or work). Alternatively, 2 consecutive years on the same V-type visa category, or an immediate investment of 650 SMMLV (~$307,600 USD).
Yes. Colombia allows dual citizenship, and obtaining Colombian nationality does not require renouncing your original citizenship. However, check your home country's rules — some countries do not allow dual citizenship.
R-type visa holders with visas issued under prior frameworks must complete a mandatory transfer (traspaso) by October 31, 2026, per Resolution 9316 of 2024. This aligns old visa formats with the current system. Contact Migración Colombia for the process.
Extended absence from Colombia (generally 2+ years without entry) can jeopardize R-type status. The specific rules depend on when your visa was issued and which framework it falls under. Maintain regular entries to Colombia to protect your status.