---
title: "Colombia Freelance professional M 2026: COP 8.75M+/mo needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-profesional-independiente/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-10
---

Colombia · Business / Startup

# Colombia Freelance professional M

**Income needed:** COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740

Visa M — Profesional independiente (Res. 5477/2022 art. 76)

First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740 (Income of at least COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740) · Average monthly income of at least 5 SMMLV (5 x COP 1,750,905 for 2026) over the previous 6 months, shown by a bank certificate issued within 30 days; second and later visas need a Colombian bank certificate. A fee of $56 · Application study fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid when applying in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 44 in Europe and Cuba). A fee of $279 · Visa issuance fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid on approval in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 191 in Europe and Cuba).)
- **First stay:** 3 yrs (Visa valid up to 3 years.)
- **Who can apply:** Any passport
- **Work:** Limited (Work permission only for the profession or activity for which the visa was granted.)

## Key facts

Freelance professional M is a business / startup route for Colombia. Applicants need income of COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740. You can stay 3 yrs. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740
- **Government fees:** $56 · $279
- **Processing:** Up to 30 days
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; income to show COP 8.8M+/mo ≈ $2,740; decision: up to 30 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: $56 · $279**

- $56 Application study fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid when applying in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 44 (≈ $49) in Europe and Cuba).
- $279 Visa issuance fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid on approval in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 191 (≈ $210) in Europe and Cuba).

**Shown, not spent: COP 8.8M+/mo ≈ $2,740**

- COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740) Average monthly income of at least 5 SMMLV (5 x COP 1,750,905 (≈ $550) for 2026) over the previous 6 months, shown by a bank certificate issued within 30 days; second and later visas need a Colombian bank certificate.

**Renewal: Renewable**

A new visa of the same type can be requested before the current one expires, and continuous Migrant visas add up toward the Resident visa.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Time as a holder of this Migrant (M) visa counts toward the Resident (R) visa, which needs 5 years of accumulated time and is not automatic.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm)

**Citizenship: Time here doesn't count**

Naturalisation needs 5 years of continuous domicile counted from the date a Resident (R) visa is issued (2 years if married to, partnered with or a parent of a Colombian), so time on this visa does not count directly.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley_2332_2023.htm)

**Processing: Up to 30 days**

The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the application is complete and the study fee is paid; consultations with other agencies can extend this.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

Apply online: from abroad through the consulate for your country of residence, or from inside Colombia through the Bogota office if you hold regular migration status.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm)

**Presence rules: Away max 180 of 365 days**

The Migrant visa ends automatically if you are away from Colombia for more than 180 consecutive days within any 365 days counted from issue.

[Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Work rights are limited

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant has a validated degree.
- The applicant has a professional card or licence from the competent council.

#### What you must show

- Average monthly income must be at least 5 SMMLV over the previous 6 months.

#### Documents

- For experience-based activities, certificates proving suitability are required.
- Colombian health coverage or a qualifying policy is required.

## What happens at day 183

How Colombia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **3 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any period of 365 consecutive days** Presence in Colombia, continuous or not, including entry and exit days (art. 10 no. 1)
- **More than 183 days in any 365 consecutive calendar days, entry and exit days included** Foreigners become Colombian tax residents by presence over 183 days; where the period spans two tax years, residence starts in the second year.
- **Foreign-source income:** Individuals, Colombian or foreign, who are tax residents are taxed on both Colombian-source and foreign-source income and gains and on assets held inside and outside Colombia; non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income.

[All tax rules for Colombia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

For foreigners who will practise a regulated profession, or exceptionally an unregulated activity of interest to Colombia, on their own account. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740) · Average monthly income of at least 5 SMMLV (5 x COP 1,750,905 (≈ $550) for 2026) over the previous 6 months, shown by a bank certificate issued within 30 days; second and later visas need a Colombian bank certificate. (sources 1, 2)
- A fee of $56 · Application study fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid when applying in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 44 (≈ $49) in Europe and Cuba). (source 4)
- A fee of $279 · Visa issuance fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid on approval in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 191 (≈ $210) in Europe and Cuba). (source 4)

#### Requirements

- The applicant has a validated degree. (source 1)
- The applicant has a professional card or licence from the competent council. (source 1)
- Average monthly income must be at least 5 SMMLV over the previous 6 months. (source 1)
- For experience-based activities, certificates proving suitability are required. (source 1)
- Colombian health coverage or a qualifying policy is required. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Visa valid up to 3 years.
- Initial permitted stay: 36 months.
- Visa validity: 36 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.

#### Work

Work permission only for the profession or activity for which the visa was granted.

#### Family

Beneficiary visas available for the principal holder's dependants.

Checked 2026-10-10

## Official sources

1. [Resolución 5477 de 2022 (consolidated, incl. Res. 10434 de 2023) — visa types and requirements](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Decreto 159 de 2026 — salario mínimo mensual legal 2026 (COP 1,750,905)](https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/normativa/DECRETO%20No.%200159%20DEL%2019%20DE%20FEBRERO%20DE%202026.pdf) · Presidencia / Ministerio del Trabajo de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-02-19
3. [Tipos de Visa](https://cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/tipos-de-visa) · Cancillería de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Costos, pagos y oficinas de trámite (visa fees by category)](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/costos) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Ley 2332 de 2023 (nationality law), arts. 4 and 9](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley_2332_2023.htm) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-11

## Freelance professional M and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freelance professional M | Needs income of COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740 | 3 yr | Limited |
| [Partner / owner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-socio-propietario/) | Needs an investment of COP 175.1M+ ≈ $55k | 3 yr | Limited |
| [BC Entrepreneur · Base](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/pnp-bc-entrepreneur-base/) Canada | Needs an investment of CAD 200k+ ≈ $140k | – | – |
| [E-1 Treaty Trader](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e1-treaty-trader/) United States | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Self-employed residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/permanent-independent-entrepreneur/) Uruguay | – | – | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Freelance professional M?

Income of at least COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740). Average monthly income of at least 5 SMMLV (5 x COP 1,750,905 (≈ $550) for 2026) over the previous 6 months, shown by a bank certificate issued within 30 days; second and later visas need a Colombian bank certificate. A fee of $56. Application study fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid when applying in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 44 (≈ $49) in Europe and Cuba). A fee of $279. Visa issuance fee, Migrant (M) independent professional, paid on approval in Colombia or anywhere outside Europe and Cuba (EUR 191 (≈ $210) in Europe and Cuba).

### How long can I stay on the Freelance professional M?

Visa valid up to 3 years.

### How long does the Freelance professional M take to process?

The visa authority has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the application is complete and the study fee is paid; consultations with other agencies can extend this.

### Can I work on the Freelance professional M?

Limited. Work permission only for the profession or activity for which the visa was granted.

### Can I bring my family on the Freelance professional M?

Beneficiary visas available for the principal holder's dependants.

### Does the Freelance professional M lead to permanent residence in Colombia?

Time on the Freelance professional M counts toward permanent residence in Colombia, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Freelance professional M doesn't count toward citizenship.

### How are Freelance professional M holders taxed in Colombia?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Freelance professional M. The standard rules apply: Individuals, Colombian or foreign, who are tax residents are taxed on both Colombian-source and foreign-source income and gains and on assets held inside and outside Colombia; non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income. There is no new-resident exemption for foreign-source income.

## More in Colombia

[Internationalisation visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-fomento-internacionalizacion/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-working-holiday/) [Digital nomad visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-digital-nomad/) [Investor M · Property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-real-estate/) [Pensioner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-pensionado/) [Rentista visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-rentista/) [Investor M · Company stake](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-fdi/) [Internationalisation visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-fomento-internacionalizacion/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇪🇨 Professional / tech visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/ecuador/temporary-professional/) [🇩🇴 Business permit NG-1](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/dominican-republic/business-permit-ng1/) [🇨🇼 Sole proprietor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/curacao/self-employed/) [🇸🇻 Business owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/el-salvador/temporary-business/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-10 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Resolución 5477 de 2022 (consolidated, incl. Res. 10434 de 2023) — visa types and requirements](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Decreto 159 de 2026 — salario mínimo mensual legal 2026 (COP 1,750,905)](https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/normativa/DECRETO%20No.%200159%20DEL%2019%20DE%20FEBRERO%20DE%202026.pdf) · Presidencia / Ministerio del Trabajo de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Tipos de Visa](https://cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/tipos-de-visa) · Cancillería de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Costos, pagos y oficinas de trámite (visa fees by category)](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/costos) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Ley 2332 de 2023 (nationality law), arts. 4 and 9](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley_2332_2023.htm) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.