CoVisas Celebrates 5 Years: The Company That Pioneered Medical Assistance Plans for Foreign Visa Holders in Colombia

CoVisas Planes de Asistencia was born in 2022 to provide specialized professional advisory services for foreigners interested in long-stay visas in Colombia. When the current regulations came into force, there were essentially no Colombian companies that truly understood what was needed — and there was certainly no solution that allowed coverage for the multi-year periods that many visas required.

That realization launched several months of intensive work. We knocked on more than thirty doors — national and international companies, insurers, reinsurers and specialized providers. Only five gave us the approval to move forward and build what would become CoVisas.

Five years later, looking back at that process is both humbling and energizing. We built something the market did not yet have, and the proof is that today others are attempting to replicate it.

We offer the best coverages in the market — not only for short stays, but critically for long-duration stays, which is what Colombia's visa requirements actually demand. Thanks to our strategic alliance with world-class reinsurers and providers, we can guarantee complete international assistance plans that are unique in our commercial offering.

Our rates are accessible — from approximately USD 1.50 per day — and we offer institutional discounts of 10%, 15% and 20% for different client profiles. Importantly, we do not condition those discounts on clients posting reviews or making referrals. Our reputation is built on the quality of our service, not on paid testimonials.

Additionally, after more than 20 years of verifiable experience in the insurance, financial, legal and international services sectors, we have built our market leadership without losing sight of the human dimension of this business. We support initiatives that promote altruistic causes in the communities we serve, channeling a portion of our profits toward direct donations and humanitarian assistance — including organizations such as the Red Cross, UNICEF and Cáritas.

Some competitors have attempted to copy our model. However, when we examine their policies in detail, we find coverage with dangerously low sub-limits — for example, only USD 300 for pre-existing conditions. That level of coverage can be genuinely catastrophic if a real medical emergency occurs. Many people look only at the price and fail to realize that saving a few dollars on an annual premium can cost them thousands in actual benefits when they need them most.

Our Simply Plans offer three core coverage options for long stays. These have been designed specifically to meet and exceed the requirements of Resolution 5477 of 2022:

We are proud to have been the first company authorized to offer continuous coverage of up to three years — which is precisely what the Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022 demands for long-stay visas. That is not a small thing. Before we built this, the market did not have a viable solution.

Today, other companies have emerged offering similar products. Far from making us uncomfortable, we believe that confirms we identified a real market need from the very beginning. When an idea starts to be replicated, it means it was well-conceived. The difference is that we have spent five years perfecting our processes, learning from every case, and building relationships of trust with our clients.

When we started, many companies turned us away. After more than thirty meetings and months of research, we obtained the authorization to guarantee visa coverage for up to three years. That perseverance is what this anniversary represents.

First, because we do not need to spend thousands of dollars on advertising or purchase client reviews by offering discounts in exchange for recommendations. Our professional ethics have defined us as an integral solution for the expatriate diaspora.

Our clients recommend us by word of mouth. Over the years we have built solid relationships with diverse sectors of the expatriate community without resorting to commercial practices that compromise transparency.

Second, because we understand — deeply — that buying a medical assistance plan is not simply about comparing annual prices. The truly important elements are the coverages, the exclusions, the speed of response and the backing that exists when a real medical emergency occurs. In many cases, the financial difference between a basic plan and a superior one represents less than the cost of a single restaurant meal during a trip. But the difference in actual protection can mean thousands of dollars when you truly need help.

Our professional duty is to explain those differences clearly, so that every client makes a conscious, informed decision.

The quotation, advisory and issuance process is straightforward:

1. The client contacts us and receives an immediate response. We prepare five coverage options valid for obtaining or renewing long-stay visas in Colombia.
2. The basic data needed to provide a quote are: full date of birth, country of origin, and desired coverage period (according to the visa type being applied for).
3. The entire process is documented online, respecting the highest quality standards and complying with national and international regulations on due diligence, OFAC, SARLAFT, and personal data protection. The client completes a simple digital form.
4. We provide accompaniment before and after contracting. In case of a medical emergency or claim, we assist in reporting to the 24-hour emergency center and follow up on the case on behalf of the client.
5. Once payment is completed, the client receives: (1) Consular letter for the visa application; (2) Coverage certificate; (3) Digital member card with 24-hour emergency contacts; (4) Welcome guide with general recommendations and a Tourism Guide to Colombia; (5) Terms and conditions; (6) Payment receipt and other documents.

Our vision goes far beyond selling international medical assistance plans. We want to build a true ecosystem of services for foreigners in Colombia.

We are currently developing strategic alliances with law firms specializing in immigration law, accounting firms, tax advisors, real estate agencies, official translation services, Spanish language schools, clinical laboratories, travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and local businesses across different cities in the country.

The goal is for CoVisas clients to access exclusive benefits and preferential discounts that facilitate their integration into Colombian life. We want our members to find in CoVisas a comprehensive ally that accompanies them in legal, tax, commercial, financial and personal matters — not just a certificate issuer.

We believe that is the next step in the evolution of our company.

That is probably the aspect we are most proud of. We believe a company has the responsibility to generate profits — but also to generate positive impact.

From our earliest years, we decided to direct a portion of our profits to support humanitarian initiatives aimed at vulnerable populations. In Colombia, we have supported communities with limited resources in the Chocó department, contributing to social and community initiatives. More recently, we have begun channeling support toward social organizations in Venezuela, funding programs for people experiencing situations of high vulnerability.

We have also collaborated with internationally recognized humanitarian organizations including the Red Cross, UNICEF and Cáritas.

For us, service does not end when we deliver a certificate. Our commitment continues with the communities where our clients live — and with those who most need support.