Colombia's Visa M Socio o Propietario is the country's entrepreneur visa, enabling foreign nationals to reside in Colombia while establishing, owning, or holding a shareholding in a Colombian commercial company. Established under Article 75 of Resolución 5477 of 2022, it requires a minimum capital participation of 100 SMLMV (approximately USD 46,690 for 2026) and grants a work permit restricted exclusively to the company in which the holder is a partner, shareholder, or owner. Unlike the Visa M Inversionista (for passive real estate or financial investment), this visa requires active business involvement.
The visa is granted for up to 3 years. It is renewable before expiration provided the capital participation has been maintained throughout the entire validity period and the company continues to demonstrate economic activity and solvency. The same documentation and fees apply on renewal.
The principal holder may sponsor beneficiary visas for economically dependent family members: a spouse or permanent partner, children under 25 who are economically dependent, and disabled children of any age. Each beneficiary applies separately with proof of the relationship and economic dependency. Beneficiary visas are tied to the principal's visa and do not accumulate time toward the Visa R independently.
Foreign nationals present in Colombia for 183 or more days within any 365-day period become tax residents and must report worldwide income and assets to the DIAN. Business income and dividends from the Colombian company are subject to Colombian taxation. Non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income.
The application is submitted online through the Cancillería's visa portal. After completing the form and uploading documents, the applicant pays a non-refundable study fee of approximately USD 55. The Ministry reviews the application within 30 calendar days and may request additional documentation. If approved, an issuance fee of approximately USD 270 must be paid within 10 calendar days, or the authorization terminates automatically. The e-visa is delivered by email. Approval is discretionary. All documents issued outside Colombia must be apostilled or legalized and officially translated into Spanish.
Within 15 calendar days of entry or visa issuance, the holder must register with Migración Colombia and obtain the cédula de extranjería, which serves as the primary identification document in Colombia. Changes to company information, address, or personal circumstances must be reported within 15 days.
The work permit is strictly limited to the company named in the application. Holders cannot work for other employers or operate a second business under this visa.
The capital participation must be maintained throughout the entire visa validity period. Selling the shareholding, withdrawing from the company, or reducing participation below 100 SMLMV invalidates the visa and prevents renewal. Because the SMLMV threshold rises annually with wage adjustments (it increased 23% for 2026), entrepreneurs should invest above the minimum to provide a buffer. Absence from Colombia exceeding 180 consecutive calendar days results in automatic cancellation of the visa and loss of the cédula de extranjería.
The Socio o Propietario visa has a lower minimum threshold (100 SMLMV vs. 350/650 SMLMV for the Inversionista) but requires active business involvement and limits the work permit to the specific company. The Inversionista visa is for passive investment and does not include a work permit. Both allow accumulation of 5 years toward a Visa R (Residente).
After holding the Visa M continuously for 5 years, the holder may apply for a Visa R (Residente). The Visa R is valid for 5 years and can eventually lead to Colombian citizenship through naturalization.