Guide contents
Quick answer: a visa for Colombia can end before its expiry date. This happens when the circumstances under which it was granted change, upon divorce or separation, at the request of whoever sponsored it or by discretionary decision of the authority (art. 109 of Resolution 5477 of 2022). When it ends, you have 30 calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new visa (art. 111).
The most serious mistake is not reporting the change: article 114 makes it grounds for cancellation, effective from the date of the change, and anyone whose visa is cancelled cannot apply again for 1 to 10 years (art. 116).
The official grounds for early termination
| Ground (art. 109) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Request by the holder or by whoever sponsored the visa | The employer or the spouse can ask for it to end |
| Issuance of a new visa to the same person | The previous visa ends automatically |
| Change in the circumstances under which it was granted | End of employment, sale of the investment, closure of the company, end of the relationship |
| Divorce or judicial or de facto separation | The M spouse or permanent partner visa ends |
| Discretionary decision of the authority | Notified by email |
There is also automatic termination (art. 112): death of the holder, absence of more than 180 continuous days within each 365 days with an M visa, or more than two continuous years with an R visa. And the visa ends if the holder acquires Colombian nationality (art. 109, paragraph 2).
Beneficiaries also lose their visa
Under article 110, the beneficiary's visa ends when the principal holder's visa ends, when the beneficiary stops depending financially on them, when they lose the status of spouse or partner or cohabitation ends, when a child turns 25 (unless a disability prevents them from being independent), when the holder becomes a Colombian national or by discretionary decision.
Who must report each change
| Who | What they must report | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Holder and whoever supports the application | Any change of circumstances, "as soon as it occurs" | Art. 3 |
| Colombian spouse or partner | The end of the relationship or cohabitation, in writing, with phone, email and address | Art. 81 |
| Employer of an M worker visa holder | Changes in employment, position or type of work | Art. 82 |
| Any person or entity that sponsored the visa | Changes in the authorized activity, position or circumstances | Art. 83 |
| M partner, owner or investor visa holder | Changes in the circumstances of the visa, in writing and with a copy of the foreigner ID card | Arts. 79 and 84 |
| Holder with an open work permit | Change of activity, position or occupation before Migración Colombia, within 15 days | Art. 119 |
Practical cases
1. Separation from a permanent partner
A foreign national holds an M visa as the permanent partner of a Colombian and the relationship ends. De facto separation is grounds for early termination (art. 109), and the Colombian must report it in writing (art. 81). Paragraph 1 of article 109 also allows the Colombian to request termination for violence, abandonment, de facto separation or breach. What to do: report the change, check whether children or other beneficiaries lose their visa (art. 110) and use the 30 days to apply for the appropriate visa, for example as the parent of a Colombian child, if applicable, or another category.
2. Divorce from the Colombian spouse
Divorce or judicial separation ends the M spouse visa (art. 109). A detail many people forget: if you were aiming for permanent residency, the 3 years under article 90 are counted with a valid visa and continuity. A termination without a new visa in time breaks the chain.
3. End of employment
An engineer with an M worker visa resigns or is dismissed. Their visa was tied to that employer and that position (art. 74), so the circumstances under which it was granted change (art. 109). The company must report the change (art. 82) and report the termination in the SIRE within 15 days. The worker has 30 days to obtain a new visa with their new employer or leave the country. And they cannot work for the new company with the previous visa.
4. End of a service contract
With the V visa for service providers, work or project, the contract has start and end dates (art. 54). If it ends early, the circumstances change: you must report it and act within 30 days.
5. Sale of the property supporting the investor visa
The M investor visa requires keeping the investment or property for its entire validity, and the paragraph of article 79 requires reporting any change in the investment immediately so the authority can assess whether the visa remains valid. Selling the property without notice exposes you to cancellation for not reporting the change of circumstances. In addition, to renew you must prove you kept the investment. See the guide on the Banco de la República statement.
6. The partner or owner who sells, closes or cannot show activity
The validity of the M partner or owner visa "shall be subject to the shareholding amount being maintained" (art. 75). If you sell your stake, close the company or the company has no real activity, the circumstances of the visa change and you must report it (art. 84). For second and subsequent visas, article 75 requires showing economic activity and solvency with statements from the last three months, tax returns, social security contributions or other evidence. A "paper company" does not pass that review.
If you do not report: cancellation, ban and penalties
- Visa cancellation for not reporting the change of circumstances, effective from the date of the change (art. 114, item 12). Other grounds for cancellation are carrying out unauthorized activities (item 10) and breaching the visa's obligations (item 11). No appeal is available against cancellation (art. 115).
- Ban of 1 to 10 years on applying for a visa again, or longer if there is deportation or expulsion; the new application is made from the country of legal residence (art. 116).
- 30 days to leave after cancellation; if you do not leave, you may be deported or expelled (art. 117).
- Migración Colombia penalties: not reporting changes of employer, activity or address within 15 days is a minor violation (Res. 2357 of 2020), and staying beyond the 30 days without a new visa is irregular stay, a serious violation. See the guide on safe-conducts and immigration status.
Minimum-wage amounts change every year
Several visa requirements are tied to the Current Legal Monthly Minimum Wage (SMMLV), which is updated every year. It is negotiated in the Permanent Commission for the Coordination of Wage and Labor Policies, with representatives of employers, trade union confederations and the Government through the Ministry of Labor. If there is no agreement, the Government sets it by decree of the President of the Republic, effective January 1. For 2026 it was set at COP 1,750,905 (Decree 1469 of 2025), a value that Decree 159 of 2026 temporarily ratified by order of the Council of State while the challenge against the original decree is decided.
That is why you should review the amounts after January 1 each year: a requirement you met in December may fall short in January, and thresholds are measured on the date the application is filed.
| Requirement (Res. 5477) | Threshold | 2026 value | With 20% margin | With 30% margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M investor visa: foreign direct investment (art. 79) | More than 650 SMMLV | COP 1,138,088,250 | COP 1,365,705,900 | COP 1,479,514,725 |
| M investor visa: real estate (art. 79) | 350 SMMLV | COP 612,816,750 | COP 735,380,100 | COP 796,661,775 |
| M partner or owner visa: stake (art. 75) | 100 SMMLV | COP 175,090,500 | COP 210,108,600 | COP 227,617,650 |
| M worker visa employer: average monthly income (art. 74) | 100 SMMLV | COP 175,090,500 | COP 210,108,600 | COP 227,617,650 |
What to do when your circumstances change
- Identify whether the change affects the conditions under which your visa was granted.
- Report it in writing to the Visa Authority as soon as it happens (arts. 3 and 81–84).
- Notify Migración Colombia within 15 days if your activity, position, employer or address changes.
- Review the effect on your beneficiaries (art. 110).
- Use the 30 days of article 111 to file a complete new visa application or leave the country.
- Recalculate the amounts with the minimum wage in force on the filing date and leave a margin.
- Get professional advice if the case is complex: a mistake here can cost a 1 to 10-year ban.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to my visa if I divorce my Colombian spouse?
Divorce or judicial or de facto separation is grounds for early termination of the M spouse or partner visa (art. 109). You have 30 calendar days to apply for another visa or leave the country (art. 111).
What happens if I do not report a change of circumstances?
It is grounds for cancellation of the visa effective from the date of the change (art. 114, item 12), with no appeal, and anyone whose visa is cancelled cannot apply for a visa for 1 to 10 years (art. 116).
I lost my job. How much time do I have?
If your visa ends, 30 calendar days to apply for a new visa or leave the country; during that time your status is regular (art. 111). The company must report the change and the termination in the SIRE.
Can I sell the property behind my investor visa?
The visa requires keeping the investment for its entire validity. If you sell, you must report it immediately to the Visa Authority (art. 79, paragraph), which will assess whether the visa remains valid.
When do visa amounts tied to the minimum wage change?
Every year, when the new minimum wage is set, effective January 1. Review the amounts after that date and leave a 20% to 30% margin if you are going to invest.
Do my children lose their visa if mine ends?
Yes. The beneficiary's visa ends when the principal holder's visa ends (art. 110), and also when the child turns 25 or stops depending financially, among other grounds.
What are the grounds for early termination of a visa?
Among others: request by the holder or the sponsor, issuance of a new visa, change in the circumstances under which it was granted, and divorce or judicial or de facto separation (article 109).
If a new visa is issued to me, what happens to the previous one?
The previous visa ends automatically when the new one is issued (article 109).
When does a child beneficiary lose the visa?
Among other cases, when they turn 25, unless a disability prevents them from being independent, or when the principal holder's visa ends (article 110).
Must the Colombian spouse report the separation?
Yes. They must report in writing the end of the relationship or cohabitation, with their phone, email and address (article 81).
Can the Colombian request the end of their partner's visa?
Yes. Paragraph 1 of article 109 allows them to request termination for violence, abandonment, de facto separation or breach.
Does divorce affect my path to permanent residency?
Yes. The 3 years under article 90 are counted with a valid visa and continuity; a termination without a new visa in time breaks the chain.
If I resign, can I work for the new company with my current visa?
No. The M worker visa was tied to that employer and position. You have 30 days to obtain a new visa with the new employer or leave the country.
What happens to the partner visa if I sell my stake?
Its validity depends on keeping the shareholding (article 75). If you sell, close the company or there is no real activity, you must report it (article 84).
Is there an appeal against visa cancellation?
No. No appeal is available against cancellation (article 115).
From when does cancellation for not reporting take effect?
From the date of the change of circumstances (article 114, item 12).
Who sets the minimum wage each year?
It is negotiated in the Permanent Commission for the Coordination of Wage and Labor Policies; if there is no agreement, the Government sets it by presidential decree, effective January 1.
How much extra should I invest so I do not fall short?
Since amounts tied to the minimum wage change every January 1, it is wise to plan 20% to 30% above the required minimum.
What should I do first when my circumstances change?
Identify whether the change affects the visa conditions, report it in writing to the Visa Authority, notify Migración within 15 days and use the 30 days of article 111 to act.
Do I need a new medical plan for the new visa?
The new application must meet the current requirements, including health coverage for the entire period. Check that your plan covers the new validity.
Official sources: Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 3, 54, 74, 75, 79, 81–84, 90 and 107–119 · Migración Colombia Resolution 2357 of 2020 · 2026 minimum wage: Decree 1469 of 2025 and Decree 159 of 2026 · Wage coordination: Law 278 of 1996. Informational content; not legal advice.
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