Retiree visa
For foreigners with a lifetime monthly pension. Accrues time toward Resident. Work and public health system not permitted — private insurance required.
Requirements
- Lifetime pension certificate ≥ 3 SMMLV (apostilled & translated).
- 3-year criminal background certificate (apostilled & translated).
- Medical fitness certificate.
- Discretionary additional documents.
Retiring in Colombia: why so many foreigners choose it
Year-round mild climate, living and healthcare costs far below North America or Europe, high-quality medical care and direct flights to the US and Europe. The Retiree visa (category M) lets you live in Colombia on your foreign pension.
Time accrued on this visa also counts toward a later Resident (R) visa application.
The financial requirement and how to prove it
- Official certification from your pension provider (public or private), apostilled and translated.
- The monthly amount must exceed the minimum required by current immigration rules, measured in minimum wages.
- Bank statements showing the recurring pension payments.
- Valid passport and health insurance covering Colombia.
Benefits of the Retiree visa
- Renewable legal residency and time counting toward the R visa.
- Spouse or permanent partner and children as beneficiaries.
- Colombian health system enrollment and access to banking.
- Foreigner ID card for everyday formalities.
- It does not allow local employment, but you may receive your pension and passive income.
What we check before filing
Most retiree visa refusals come from incomplete certifications, incorrect conversion to Colombian pesos or faulty apostilles. We review every document and prepare the conversion and motivation letter with proper legal grounding.
Take the next step
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