Cómo elegir el plan correcto: verifica que cubra las 7 áreas de la Resolución 5477, que la vigencia iguale o supere la duración de tu visa, y que no tenga límite de edad si eres mayor de 65. CoVisas Colombia es la única empresa con planes hasta 3 años y sin límite de edad. Asesoría gratis →
The Market Problem: Products That Look Compliant But Aren't
Since Resolution 5477 created the mandatory medical plan requirement for Colombian long-stay visas in 2022, a market has emerged of products positioned as "visa insurance for Colombia." Some of these products genuinely meet the legal requirements. Others don't — and applicants who submit them face inadmissibility.
The problem is that, to a non-specialist eye, compliant and non-compliant plans can look very similar. Both produce a certificate. Both use professional-looking documents. Both include healthcare-related language. The difference lies in the specific legal requirements that only a careful reading of Resolution 5477 reveals.
The Resolution 5477 Compliance Checklist
Before submitting any medical assistance plan to Cancillería, verify it meets every item on this checklist:
| Requirement | How to Verify |
|---|---|
| Covers all 7 areas explicitly | The certificate must list: Accidents, Illness, Disability, Hospitalization, Maternity, Repatriation, Death — by name |
| Issued by company with Colombian legal presence | Look for NIT (Colombian tax ID) or Cámara de Comercio registration number on the certificate |
| Valid for full visa duration | Coverage dates on certificate must match or exceed the visa period you are requesting |
| Applicant name matches passport | Check every character — middle names, hyphens, accents |
| Certificate in Spanish | Cancillería requires Spanish-language documentation |
| References Resolution 5477 | Strong indicator of compliance — provider understands the legal requirement |
Red Flags: When to Question Your Plan Before Submitting
🚩 "Travel insurance" language throughout the document
If the certificate repeatedly describes itself as "travel insurance," "trip insurance" or "tourist insurance," it was likely designed for short-term tourism and may not cover disability or maternity — two of the 7 required areas that are often excluded from travel products.
🚩 No Colombian NIT or legal entity reference
If there is no Colombian NIT number, no Cámara de Comercio reference, and no Colombian address for the issuing company, the plan may not meet the "Colombian legal presence" requirement — even if the company operates in other Latin American countries.
🚩 Coverage dated for 30 days or 90 days for a multi-year visa
A certificate covering 30 days when you are applying for a 2-year visa creates an immediate problem. Some providers issue short-term certificates with attached "renewal commitments" — but Cancillería requires actual, not promised, coverage.
🚩 Missing coverage areas
Maternity and disability are frequently absent from plans marketed as "visa insurance." If the certificate does not specifically list these two areas by name, the plan is non-compliant with Resolution 5477 regardless of its other features.
Why Multi-Year Coverage Is the Professional Standard
For applicants seeking 2 or 3-year visas, multi-year continuous coverage is the professional standard — and CoVisas was the first company authorized to provide this in Colombia. A single certificate covering 24 or 36 months provides:
- Zero administrative gaps — no renewal dates to track, no missed payment risk
- Clear compliance documentation — one certificate, one period, no ambiguity
- Simplified renewal submissions — when renewing your visa, you may already have coverage in place
- Peace of mind — no scramble every 12 months to renew and confirm coverage is continuous
Questions to Ask Any Provider Before Purchasing
- Does your certificate explicitly list all 7 Resolution 5477 coverage areas by name?
- Does your company have a Colombian NIT and legal registration?
- Can you issue a certificate for the exact visa duration I am requesting — up to 36 months?
- Does your certificate reference Resolution 5477 of 2022?
- If Cancillería requests clarification about my plan, will you respond directly to them?
A provider who hesitates on any of these questions, or who cannot clearly answer item 3, is likely not the right choice for a long-stay Colombian visa application.
Sources: Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Cancillería Colombia — cancilleria.gov.co. Informational only.
Related: Travel Insurance vs Medical Plan · Causes of Inadmissibility · Resolution 5477 Full Guide
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CoVisas was the first company in Colombia authorized to offer continuous coverage of up to 3 years under Resolution 5477 — the only product that covers an entire multi-year visa with a single certificate and zero renewal gaps. Over 20 years of professional experience. We never purchase reviews or pay for referrals.