Guide contents
Quick answer: article 90 of Resolution 5477 of 2022 governs the R (Permanent Resident) visa by accumulated time. It is the most common path to permanent residency in Colombia: after a certain time as the holder of valid Migrant (M) visas, you can apply for the R visa. The required time ranges from 2 years (for example, parent of a Colombian, or Mercosur or Andean migrant) to 3 years (spouse of a Colombian) and 5 years (worker, pensioner, investor, among others).
The current text of the article was amended by article 76 of Resolution 10434 of 2023. Meeting the time requirement does not guarantee the visa: the article itself says so in paragraph 3.
What the R visa is and why article 90 is the key
Article 85 of Resolution 5477 says Cancillería may grant the Permanent Resident (R) visa "to the foreigner who wishes to settle permanently in the national territory". The R visa has advantages no other visa offers:
- Open work permit: except for pensioners, the R visa "grants an open work permit and allows its principal holder to carry out any lawful activity" (art. 87), subject to the rules on regulated professions.
- Stability: it does not depend on an employer, an investment or a relationship that must be proven at every renewal, as M visas do.
- It is the requirement for nationality: Law 2332 of 2023 counts domicile for naturalization "from the date of issuance of the resident visa" (art. 9). Without an R visa that clock does not start. See our guide on Colombian citizenship by naturalization.
There are four paths to the R visa in Resolution 5477: renunciation of Colombian nationality (art. 89), accumulated time (art. 90), Venezuelans under the Temporary Protection Statute (art. 91) and special resident for peace. For the vast majority of foreigners, the path is article 90.
The official table: how many years you need by visa
Article 90 applies "to the foreigner who has remained in the national territory as the holder of valid Migrant (M) visas", accumulating these minimum periods:
| Visa you hold or held | Minimum accumulated time |
|---|---|
| M Mother or father of a Colombian national by birth | 2 years |
| M Mother or father of a Colombian national by adoption | 2 years |
| M Mercosur Migrant | 2 years |
| M Andean Migrant | 2 years |
| M Spouse of a Colombian national | 3 years |
| M Permanent partner of a Colombian national | 5 years |
| M Refugee | 5 years |
| M Worker | 5 years |
| M Partner or Owner | 5 years |
| M Independent Professional | 5 years |
| M Pensioner | 5 years |
| M Promotion of internationalization | 5 years |
| M Investor | 5 years |
| R Beneficiary | 5 years |
Visas not in the table, such as visitor (V) visas, including the digital nomad visa, do not accumulate time for the R visa by this route.
How time is counted: continuity and safe-conducts
Paragraph 2 of article 90 is the one that sinks the most applications:
- Continuity: "continuity of time shall be deemed to exist when a visa has been granted before the expiry of the preceding visa". If your M visa expired and the next one was granted afterwards, the chain is broken.
- The safe-conduct does not count: "the safe-conduct does not constitute a continuity factor for calculating accumulated time". Staying on a safe-conduct while a visa is processed does not count as accumulated time.
- Valid visas: requirement 1 says the visas "must have remained valid during their validity periods". Remember that M visas lose validity if the holder is away from the country for more than 180 continuous calendar days (art. 65).
Practical tip: apply to renew your M visa early enough for the new one to be granted before the previous one expires. In practice, that planning is the key to article 90.
Specific requirements of the R visa by accumulated time
In addition to the general requirements of every visa application, article 90 requires:
- Copies of the visas and safe-conducts you have held during your stay in Colombia, which must have remained valid during their validity periods.
- Certificate of migration movements issued by Migración Colombia.
- Visa application letter explaining the source of income for your support and that of your beneficiaries, where applicable, and describing how the circumstances or conditions that gave rise to the previous visas continue.
- Copy of the foreigner ID card, so criminal records can be checked.
- For spouses or permanent partners: a letter signed by the Colombian who sponsored the M visa, stating that the relationship and effective cohabitation continue, with their physical address, email and phone; a copy of their citizenship ID; and a special power of attorney granted before a notary so the foreigner can apply for the visa.
- Social security: the authority may verify the applicant's compliance with social security obligations.
Documents are uploaded as PDFs in SITAC, apostilled and officially translated if foreign, and no more than three months old (arts. 20 and 21). Respect the system limit: maximum 35 pages and 5 MB in total; submit the application in 20 to 25 pages to leave room for possible requests, because uploaded files cannot be deleted. Step by step in our guide to apply for the visa online.
What the paragraphs say (and almost nobody reads)
Paragraph 1: Mercosur and the Andean Community
By reciprocity, holders of an M visa granted under the Mercosur Residence Agreement or the Andean Migration Statute "must provide the additional requirements that may be demanded of Colombian nationals" in the other member country.
Paragraph 3: it is not automatic
"Meeting the length-of-stay requirement […] does not constitute an automatic attribute that guarantees the granting of the Permanent Resident (R) visa". The decision remains discretionary, and no appeals are available against a denial (art. 100). After a denial you must wait six months to apply again (art. 99).
Paragraph 4: from beneficiary to holder
A beneficiary of an R visa may apply for the R visa as principal holder "provided they are over 18 and prove independence and financial solvency". It is the typical route for children who grew up in Colombia on their parents' visa.
After obtaining the R visa: obligations
- Transfer every five years: the principal holder or beneficiary of an R visa "must request its transfer every five (5) years" through the digital platform (art. 86).
- Absences: the R visa "shall automatically lose its validity when the holder is away from the national territory for two consecutive, uninterrupted years" (art. 88).
- Foreigner ID card: you must apply for it at Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days after entering the country (art. 118). See the foreigner ID card guide.
- Beneficiaries: the R visa allows the holder to apply for visas for their beneficiaries, as defined in article 3.
- Path to nationality: with a resident visa, Law 2332 of 2023 requires 5 years of continuous domicile, or 2 years for spouses, permanent partners or parents of Colombian children (art. 9). See the naturalization guide.
Frequent mistakes that get the R visa denied
- Breaking continuity by letting an M visa expire before the next one is granted.
- Counting time on a safe-conduct: it does not count.
- Counting time on V visas (visitor, digital nomad): they are not in the article 90 table.
- Long absences that made an M visa lose validity (more than 180 continuous days, art. 65).
- Weak application letter: it does not explain the source of income or show that the conditions of the previous visas continue.
- Relationship not proven for spouse or partner visas: the Colombian's letter, their ID or the notarized power of attorney is missing.
- Social security not up to date, which the authority may verify.
- Disorganized or heavy file that uses up the 35-page and 5 MB limit and leaves no room to answer a request.
Frequently asked questions
What does article 90 of Resolution 5477 of 2022 say?
It governs the Permanent Resident (R) visa by accumulated time for foreigners who have stayed in Colombia as holders of valid Migrant (M) visas, with minimum periods of 2, 3 or 5 years depending on the visa, and sets the specific requirements. Its current text comes from article 76 of Resolution 10434 of 2023.
How many years do I need for permanent residency in Colombia?
It depends on your M visa: 2 years for parents of Colombians and Mercosur or Andean migrants; 3 years for spouses of Colombians; 5 years for permanent partners, refugees, workers, partners or owners, independent professionals, pensioners, promotion of internationalization, investors and R visa beneficiaries.
Does time on a safe-conduct count toward the R visa?
No. Paragraph 2 of article 90 states that the safe-conduct is not a continuity factor for calculating accumulated time.
Does the digital nomad visa count toward permanent residency?
Not through article 90: the table only includes Migrant (M) visas and the R visa as a beneficiary. Visitor (V) visas do not accumulate time for this visa.
If I meet the time requirement, do I get the R visa automatically?
No. Paragraph 3 clarifies that meeting the time is not an automatic attribute that guarantees the visa. The decision is discretionary and no appeals are available against a denial.
When do I lose the R visa?
It automatically loses validity if you are away from Colombia for two consecutive, uninterrupted years (art. 88). You must also request its transfer every five years (art. 86).
With an R visa, can I work in anything?
Yes, except pensioners: the R visa grants an open work permit for any lawful activity, subject to the rules on regulated professions (art. 87).
What advantages does the R permanent resident visa have?
Except for pensioners, it grants an open work permit and allows any lawful activity (article 87), and it is the basis for settling permanently in Colombia.
How many years does a Colombian's spouse need for the R visa?
Three years accumulated as the holder of an M visa as the spouse of a Colombian national, according to the article 90 table.
How many years do parents of a Colombian need?
Two years as the holder of an M visa as the mother or father of a Colombian national, by birth or by adoption.
How many years does a Mercosur or Andean migrant need?
Two years as the holder of an M Mercosur or M Andean visa. By reciprocity, they may be asked for the additional requirements demanded of Colombians in their country (paragraph 1).
How many years does an investor need for the R visa?
Five years as the holder of an M investor visa, according to the article 90 table.
What does continuity mean for article 90?
That each visa was granted before the previous one expired. If your M visa expired and the next one was granted afterwards, the chain is broken.
Which documents does the R visa by accumulated time require?
Copies of the visas and safe-conducts you have held, the certificate of migration movements from Migración Colombia and a letter explaining the source of income for your support and that of your beneficiaries.
How long must I wait if the R visa is denied?
Six months before applying again (article 99). No appeals are available against the denial (article 100).
Can a child beneficiary apply for the R visa as principal holder?
Yes, provided they are over 18 and prove independence and financial solvency (paragraph 4 of article 90).
How often must I transfer the R visa?
Every five years, through the digital platform (article 86).
Do I lose the R visa if I leave Colombia for a long time?
Yes. It automatically loses validity if you are away from the national territory for two consecutive, uninterrupted years (article 88).
Do long absences on an M visa affect accumulated time?
Yes. An M visa can lose validity due to absences of more than 180 continuous days (article 65), which breaks the time chain.
Must I get a foreigner ID card with the R visa?
Yes, at Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days after entering the country (article 118). If the visa was issued while you were in Colombia, confirm with Migración when the term starts.
Official sources: Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 3, 20, 21, 65, 85–91, 99, 100 and 118 (Cancillería legal database) · Article 90 amended by article 76 of Resolution 10434 of 2023 · Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9 · Official visa form (SITAC). Informational content.
🛡️ CoVisas plan: your visa's medical requirement, complete
- The 7 mandatory coverages of Resolution 5477 in the contract
- Contracts of up to 3 years · no age limit
- Consular letter for Cancillería included
- 20–30% more affordable · personal advisor 24/7