The Colombia business owner visa — the M-EI (Migrant - Empresario/Inversionista) — is for foreigners who own and have invested capital in a registered Colombian business. It's a more accessible threshold than the investment visa and a popular option among entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and people who want to establish a legal presence in Colombia through business activity.
The 2026 financial requirement is 100 SMMLV, approximately 175 million COP or roughly $46,000 USD. Like all SMMLV-based thresholds, this increased with the 22.7% minimum wage hike effective January 1, 2026.
Core requirements
- Ownership stake in a legally registered Colombian company (SAS, Ltda., or other form registered with Camara de Comercio)
- Documented capital investment of at least 100 SMMLV (~175M COP in 2026) in that company
- The company must be active — registered and in good standing, not dormant
You do not need to be the sole owner. A minority stake with documented capital contribution of 100+ SMMLV can qualify.
Setting up a Colombian company
If you don't already have a Colombian company, you need to form one before applying. The most common structure for foreigners is the SAS (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada) — a simplified LLC. It can be formed with a single shareholder. Formation steps: draft and notarize incorporation documents, register with Camara de Comercio, obtain a NIT from DIAN, open a Colombian corporate bank account, and transfer the capital. Total cost with attorney assistance: typically $500-1,500 USD over two to four weeks.
Required visa documents
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-style photo
- Certificado de Existencia y Representacion Legal from Camara de Comercio — must be recent (within 30 days)
- Shareholders register or stock certificates showing your ownership stake
- Capital contribution documentation: bank wire records showing transfer of funds into the company account
- Company bank statements showing the capital on deposit
- Criminal background check from your country of origin (apostilled, certified Spanish translation)
The investment evidence challenge
Cancelaria wants to trace: your personal funds — wire transfer — company Colombian bank account — company financial records. Common problems include capital injected as a loan (not equity — doesn't qualify), capital contributed by a third party without clear documentation, and company formation with paper capital that was never actually transferred.
The M-EI is designed for actual business owners running actual businesses. It works for entrepreneurs, consultants, service businesses, and property management companies. It works less well for pure shell formations with no activity.
Visa terms and tax implications
The M-EI is typically issued for one to three years, renewable. It comes with full work authorization in Colombia. Time on M visas accumulates toward the five-year permanent residency threshold.
Owning a Colombian company and drawing income from it creates Colombian tax obligations. Colombia taxes residents (those present 183+ days in a year) on worldwide income. Work with a Colombian accountant (contador publico) alongside your immigration attorney.