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CoVisas Colombia · 2026 Guide

Medical Assistance Plan for Colombia Visa 2026: Complete Guide

The 7 mandatory coverages, how it differs from travel insurance and why multi-year coverage matters

A medical assistance plan is not optional. Resolution 5477 of 2022 makes it mandatory for all Colombian long-stay visa applicants — not a recommendation, not an option. Cancillería verifies compliance before approving any visa in the Migrante or Visitante category.

Plan de asistencia médica para visa Colombia: es el requisito de seguro obligatorio bajo la Resolución 5477 de 2022. Debe cubrir 7 áreas: accidentes, enfermedad, invalidez, hospitalización, maternidad, repatriación y muerte. Aplica a TODAS las visas V y M. CoVisas Colombia — 20+ años de experiencia, sin límite de edad, planes hasta 3 años, certificado digital inmediato. Obtener plan →

The Medical Assistance Plan: Colombia's Mandatory Visa Requirement

When Resolution 5477 came into force on July 22, 2022, it transformed Colombia's visa landscape. Before 5477, the medical coverage requirement was narrower and less strictly enforced. Since 5477, every long-stay visa applicant must present a private medical assistance plan that specifically covers all 7 defined areas — and Cancillería verifies this before approving the visa.

This guide explains exactly what the plan must cover, how it differs from ordinary travel insurance, and what to look for when selecting a provider.

7
Required coverage areas
Mandatory
For all M and V visas
Up to 36
Months continuous coverage
Colombian
Legal presence required

The 7 Mandatory Coverage Areas

Every compliant plan must cover, explicitly and by name: Accidents, Illness, Disability, Hospitalization, Maternity, Repatriation and Death. If the certificate does not list all 7 of these terms, it is non-compliant — regardless of the premium paid or the provider's reputation outside Colombia.

Medical Assistance Plan vs. Travel Insurance: Critical Differences

CharacteristicTravel InsuranceMedical Assistance Plan (Res. 5477)
PurposeShort-term tourism protectionLong-term visa compliance
Disability coverageOften excludedMandatory
Maternity coverageOften excludedMandatory
RepatriationSometimes includedMandatory
Maximum durationTypically 90–180 daysUp to 36 months continuous
Accepted by CancilleríaOften NOT acceptedYes — if all 7 areas covered
Issuing companyAny insurerMust have Colombian legal presence (NIT)

Why Multi-Year Coverage Is the Right Choice

For a 2 or 3-year visa, a plan that covers the entire duration with a single certificate offers clear advantages: zero administrative gaps (no renewal dates to track), simplified visa renewal documentation, and a single document that clearly satisfies the Cancillería requirement for the full visa period. CoVisas pioneered this format in Colombia — we were the first company authorized to issue continuous coverage up to 36 months.

How CoVisas Can Help You

CoVisas issues Resolution 5477-compliant medical assistance plans covering all 7 areas, valid for 1, 2 or 3-year periods matching your visa duration. Plans are issued with a Colombian NIT, reference Resolution 5477 explicitly, and include all 7 mandatory coverages. Contact us via WhatsApp for a quote tailored to your visa application timeline.

Sources: Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022 — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Informational only.

🛡️ CoVisas Medical Assistance Plan — Resolution 5477 Compliant

First in Colombia to offer 3-year continuous coverage. 20+ years of experience. No purchased reviews.

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