Guide contents
Quick answer: getting the visa is not the end of the process. A foreigner in Colombia must register their visa and obtain the foreigner ID card (cédula de extranjería, if the visa authorizes more than three months), notify Migración Colombia within 15 days of any change of address, employer or activity, work only in what the visa authorizes and not stay away longer than allowed. Breaking these rules is a punishable violation and, above all, it leaves a mark on your record when you apply for your next visa.
Why these obligations shape your next visa
Resolution 5477 of 2022 gives Cancillería broad discretionary power: it can request additional documents up to three times (art. 19), and approval of a visa that does not fully meet the requirements "shall be at the discretion of the Visa and Immigration Authority". When reviewing a renewal or change of visa, the authority checks your immigration history: entries and exits, registrations, penalties and, where applicable, social security contributions.
That is why a notice you did not file, work for a company other than the authorized one or an absence that was too long can end in a request for information, an inadmissibility or a denial, against which no appeals are available (art. 100). Meeting these obligations is the best investment for your next visa, and for permanent residency under article 90.
The obligations at a glance
| Obligation | Deadline | If you do not comply |
|---|---|---|
| Register the visa and apply for the foreigner ID card (visas over 3 months) | 15 calendar days (art. 118, Res. 5477) | Minor violation (Res. 2357, art. 15) |
| Report a change of residence or address | 15 calendar days | Minor violation |
| Report a change of employer or contracting party | 15 calendar days | Minor violation |
| Register a change of entity, profession, trade or activity | 15 calendar days | Minor violation |
| Register minors in your care | 15 calendar days | Minor violation |
| Renew the foreigner ID card when it expires | At expiry | Minor violation |
| Work only in the activity and with whom the visa authorizes | Always | Minor or serious violation depending on the case |
| Leave the country or apply for a new visa when the visa ends | 30 calendar days (art. 111, Res. 5477) | Irregular stay: serious violation |
Minor violations are punished with a fine of 26.31 to 210.50 UVT (Res. 2357 of 2020, art. 15, with UVT values set by Res. 3770 of 2021). With the 2026 UVT (COP 52,374), that is roughly COP 1,377,960 to COP 11,024,727.
1. Visa registration and foreigner ID card
If your visa authorizes a stay of more than three months, you must apply for the foreigner ID card at Migración Colombia "within fifteen (15) calendar days following entry into the country" (art. 118 of Resolution 5477). Holders of visitor (V) visas do not have this obligation. If the visa was issued while you were already in Colombia, confirm with Migración Colombia when the term starts in your case and do not leave it to the last day.
The cédula is your identity document in the country: you will need it for the EPS (health insurer), the bank, contracts and your driver's license. The 2026 fee for the foreigner ID card is COP 294,000 (Migración Colombia Resolution 599 of 2026). More details in the foreigner ID card guide.
2. Report a change of address
When you register the visa you provide an address. If you move, you must notify Migración Colombia within the following 15 calendar days. It is one of the most common violations because moving apartments seems like a private matter. The authority needs to be able to locate you, and Resolution 2357 classifies failure to notify as a minor violation.
3. Report a change of employer or contracting party
There are two very different situations:
- Visas with a closed work permit, such as the worker visa: they are granted for a specific position and company. If you change employer, the visa does not let you work for the new one: you need a new visa. Resolution 2357 lists failing to request prior authorization to change employer or contracting party as a minor violation.
- Visas with an open work permit, such as the spouse or resident visa (art. 87): you can work in any lawful activity, but you must still report the change of employer or contracting party within 15 days.
Remember that ending the relationship that gave rise to the visa can also affect its validity. When a visa ends, you have 30 calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new one, a period during which your status is considered regular (art. 111 of Resolution 5477).
4. Work only in what the visa authorizes
Practicing a profession or trade other than the authorized one, or carrying out paid activities without authorization, are violations. In addition, carrying out an unauthorized activity on an entry permit is a serious violation. And an important warning: safe-conducts do not authorize work; they only allow you to stay in or leave the country. If you change position or activity within your company, register it and check whether you need a new visa.
5. Track your absences from the country
It is not a notice obligation, but it is one of the most frequent causes of problems at renewal:
- M visas: automatically lose validity if the holder is away from the country for more than 180 continuous calendar days within each 365 days (art. 65 of Resolution 5477).
- R visa: automatically loses validity if the holder is away for two consecutive, uninterrupted years (art. 88).
A visa that lost validity due to absence also breaks continuity for permanent residency. If you travel a lot for work or family, track your dates with the certificate of migration movements (2026 fee: COP 89,000).
6. Social security: what Cancillería checks at renewal
Social security contributions are not strictly an immigration obligation, but they are a legal obligation if you work in Colombia, and the visa authority takes them into account: article 90 of Resolution 5477, for example, allows verifying the social security compliance of anyone applying for the R visa. If you work as a self-employed person, the contribution base is 40% of your income. We explain it in the guide on social security contributions for foreigners.
Holders of a pensioner visa and a digital nomad visa, except as provided in agreements with their country of origin, in principle cannot work in Colombia, by express mandate of Resolution 5477 of 2022. The digital nomad is authorized to work remotely for employers or clients abroad, not to take local employment in Colombia.
Avoid doing so. An unauthorized activity can surface when you renew the visa, in social security contributions, the RUT (tax registry) or SIRE reports, and end in requests for information, inadmissibility or immigration penalties. Get professional advice before accepting any job or contract in Colombia.
Note: the medical assistance plan the visa requires and enrollment in the health system when you work serve different purposes. One does not replace the other.
7. Other obligations you cannot forget
- Appear before the immigration authority when summoned in writing.
- Enter and leave the country only through authorized immigration checkpoints.
- Pay the fines imposed: being financially sanctioned two or more times in the same year by the same entity is a serious violation.
- Leave the country within 30 days after being notified of the cancellation of your visa.
- Do not obtain the visa by fraud or submit false documents or statements.
- If you are also a Colombian national, identify yourself as Colombian when entering and leaving the country.
How violations are classified and their consequences
| Class | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Not reporting changes within 15 days; not registering; not renewing the cédula | Fine of 26.31 to 210.50 UVT |
| Moderate | Mainly by employers and third parties: hiring foreigners without requirements, not reporting in the SIRE | Fine of 105.25 to 2,631.30 UVT |
| Serious | Irregular stay; unauthorized activity on the permit; two financial penalties in one year | Can lead to deportation |
| Very serious | Failing to comply with a deportation; fraudulent documentation | Can lead to expulsion |
The authority grades the penalty according to the offender's conduct, severity, repeat offenses, risk and duration (art. 22), and may exempt for unforeseeable events, force majeure or unavoidable error, proven destitution or international agreements (art. 23). For process details, see our guide on safe-conducts and immigration status.
The compliant foreigner's checklist
- Foreigner ID card applied for within 15 days and valid.
- Address up to date with Migración Colombia.
- Employer, contracting party and activity matching what your visa authorizes, or reported within 15 days.
- Absences below 180 continuous days (M visa) or 2 years (R visa).
- Social security up to date if you work.
- Medical plan valid for the visa's entire validity.
- Renewal planned before expiry, so you do not depend on the 30 days of article 111 or a safe-conduct.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to tell Migración Colombia that I moved?
15 calendar days. Failing to report a change of residence or address is a minor violation under Resolution 2357 of 2020.
What is the fine for a minor immigration violation in 2026?
Between 26.31 and 210.50 UVT; with the 2026 UVT of COP 52,374, roughly between COP 1,377,960 and COP 11,024,727. The authority grades the amount based on criteria such as repeat offenses and severity.
Can I work for another company if I have a worker visa?
No. The worker visa authorizes work with the company that sponsored it. To change employer you need a new visa and must report the change to Migración Colombia.
Can I work in Colombia with a pensioner or digital nomad visa?
In principle no: except as provided in agreements with your country of origin, Resolution 5477 of 2022 does not authorize these holders to work in Colombia. The digital nomad works remotely for clients abroad. Avoid unauthorized activities and get professional advice so you are not exposed to requests or penalties when renewing your visa.
How long can I be outside Colombia without losing my visa?
With an M visa, no more than 180 continuous calendar days within each 365 days (art. 65). With an R visa, the visa is lost if you are away for two consecutive, uninterrupted years (art. 88).
What happens when my visa ends early?
You have 30 calendar days to leave the country or apply for a new visa; during that period your status is considered regular (art. 111 of Resolution 5477 of 2022).
How much does the foreigner ID card cost in 2026?
COP 294,000, under Migración Colombia Resolution 599 of 2026. A special fee applies to Ecuadorians.
Why do immigration obligations matter for renewing the visa?
Because when reviewing a renewal or change of visa, the authority checks your immigration history: entries and exits, registrations, penalties and, where applicable, social security contributions.
Do visitor visa holders need a foreigner ID card?
No. The article 118 obligation applies to visas that authorize stays of more than three months; V visa holders do not have it.
Must I notify Migración if I change employer?
Yes, within 15 calendar days. With a closed work visa, such as the worker visa, you also need a new visa to work for the new employer.
Can I work with a spouse or resident visa?
Yes. These visas carry an open work permit (article 87), although you must still report changes of employer or activity within 15 days.
Does the safe-conduct let me work?
No. Safe-conducts only allow you to stay in or leave the country; they do not authorize work.
Must I register my minor children with Migración?
Yes. Registering minors in your care is an obligation with a 15-calendar-day deadline; not doing so is a minor violation.
What happens if I do not appear when Migración summons me?
Appearing before the immigration authority when summoned in writing is an obligation; failing to do so is a punishable violation.
What is the fine for a moderate violation?
105.25 to 2,631.30 UVT. These are mainly violations by employers and third parties, such as hiring foreigners without requirements or not reporting in the SIRE.
Which violations can lead to deportation?
Serious ones, such as irregular stay, carrying out unauthorized activities on the entry permit or being financially sanctioned two or more times in the same year.
How long do I have to leave if my visa is cancelled?
You must leave the country within 30 days after being notified of the cancellation.
Must I pay social security if I work in Colombia?
Yes, it is a legal obligation, and the visa authority takes it into account. If you are self-employed, the contribution base is 40% of your income.
Can pensioners or digital nomads work in Colombia?
Except for agreements with the country of origin, in principle they cannot work in Colombia by express mandate of Resolution 5477 of 2022. Avoid doing so and get professional advice.
Do I need the medical plan for the visa's entire validity?
Yes. Keeping the health plan or policy valid throughout the visa is part of the compliant foreigner's checklist and is reviewed at renewals.
Official sources: Migración Colombia Resolution 2357 of 2020, arts. 15, 22 and 23 (amended by Res. 2945 of 2020, 971 and 3770 of 2021) · Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 19, 65, 87, 88, 90, 100, 111 and 118 · Resolution 599 of 2026 (Migración Colombia fees) · 2026 UVT: DIAN Resolution 000238 of 2025. Informational content; does not replace individual legal advice.
🛡️ 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