Apply for the Colombia Pensionado Visa
Want to retire where US$2,000 a month goes a long way? The Colombia Pensionado Visa gives you legal residency in a country with a year-round climate, surprisingly great healthcare, and an affordable, exciting lifestyle.
Why Apply for the Colombia Pensionado Visa?
High-Quality Healthcare
Colombia ranks higher than the US for healthcare quality. And even with a private policy, pay a fraction of the price.
3-Year Visa
The Pensionado Visa is valid for up to three years and renewable, with a direct path to permanent residency and citizenship.
Affordable Living
One of the greatest factors of relocation to Colombia, you can live comfortably on just US$2,000 a month.
Permanent Residency & Citizenship
Live in Colombia and you can apply for permanent residency after five years and even citizenship after ten.
Low Monthly Requirement
You only need to prove US$1,000 a month in lifetime pension or retirement income to qualify. No investment needed!
Ready to Explore Your Options in Colombia?
Who is the Colombia Pensionado Visa for?
Retirees
If you’re living off Social Security, a military pension, or a private retirement plan, this visa was made for you. Just prove the lifetime income source and distribution amount.
Early Retirees
Even if you have a private pension or annuity paying out monthly, you could be eligible for the Pensionado Visa too.
Disabled Retirees
Disability pensions or other lifelong disbursements count for “retirement income” and may even speed up approval for the Pensionado Visa.
Pension Income
You must prove at least US$1,000 a month in pension or disability payments from a recognized public or private source.
Official Pension Letter
Your pension certification letter needs to be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
Clean Criminal Record
Submit an apostilled and translated background check from your country of residence.
Health Insurance
You must show coverage through an international private healthcare policy. Public EPS insurance in Colombia does not qualify.
Medical Certificate
A document from a Colombian doctor or approved foreign physician must confirm your mental and physical fitness.
Passport Scan
You’ll need a clear copy of a passport with at least six months of validity remaining and a recent passport-eligible photo.
Translations & Apostilles
All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish and properly legalized or apostilled. The Freedom Files will help you with this.
Request Your Colombia Pensionado Visa Infosheet
The Colombia Pensionado Visa Process
Step 1
Eligibility Check
Book a Freedom Consult to review your pension documentation and overall eligibility for the Colombia Pensionado Visa. We’ll also inform you of your next steps forward.
Step 2
Gather Documents
Secure your pension letter, background check, insurance policy, medical certificate, and passport photo to be notarized, apostilled, and legalized for use in Colombia.
Step 3
Submit Application
Freedom Files handles your application submission, monitors progress, and liaises with the bureaucratic immigration agency. Our clients typically get approval in fewer than 30 days.
Step 4
Visa Approval
If approved and after paying government fees, you’ll receive a digital visa valid for up to three years.
Step 5
Register in Colombia
Fly into Colombia if you applied from outside the country, and present your new e-visa at immigration. Within 15 days of presence in the country, you must register your new visa and apply for your Colombian ID (cédula de extranjerÃa). We help with this whole process.
Step 6
Maintain Visa & Eligibility
On your new Colombia Pensionado Visa, don’t leave Colombia for more than six consecutive. Also, in ordetr to renew your visa, you’ll need to keep your pension and private health insurance active.
Step 7
Path to Residency & Citizenship
After five years on the Colombia Pensionado Visa, you can apply for permanent residency. After five years on the R permanent residency visa, you may qualify for citizenship.
FAQs About Colombia Pensionado Visa
How Much Does the Colombia Pensionado Visa Cost?
The visa application requires no investment in Colombia – just proof of income. Applicants, however, must pay minimal processing and government fees, as well as Freedom Files’s reasonable service fees for end-to-end support and government liaising.
How Long on the Colombia Pensionado Visa Until I Qualify for Citizenship?
10 years. You can apply for permanent residency after five years on the Pensionado Visa then citizenship after five years of permanent residency. Naturalization applications must also prove Spanish proficiency and basic civic knowledge.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes in Colombia on My Retirement Income?
Only if you spend more than 183 days per year in Colombia. If you become a tax resident, Colombia taxes worldwide income, including foreign pensions and investment income. But there are legal ways to reduce that burden.
How Long Does the Colombia Pensionado Visa Process Take?
Anywhere from five to 30 days, depending on how fast you can gather and submit your documents to the Freedom Files and whether an interview is required.
Can I Bring My Spouse or Dependents on the Colombia Pensionado Visa?
Somewhat. While dependents cannot be added directly in your Pensionado Visa application, your spouse or dependent children can apply for their own beneficiary visas. The Freedom Files immigration experts can assist with the full family application process.