Colombia sets Oct. 31 deadline for R visa electronic transfers

Colombia’s R visa deadline now runs to Oct. 31

Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended the deadline for holders of older Permanent Resident (R) visas to transfer them into the electronic format until Oct. 31, 2026. The mandatory update applies to R visas issued before Oct. 21, 2022, even if the sticker says “indefinida,” and it now falls under Resolution 9316 of 2024.

The transfer is done online through the Cancillería visa platform. After approval, the visa is issued as an e-visa tied to the passport and R-visa holders must request another transfer every five years.

Long-term residents face the deadline

The change affects long-term foreign residents, not tourists. It mainly applies to expats, retirees and other residents who still hold an older R visa from the pre-2022 system.

Tourists, temporary visa holders and most digital nomads are outside this specific rule unless they already hold an affected R visa. Missing the deadline could create problems with resident ID renewals, bank accounts, leases and entry or exit paperwork, the ministry said. For updates on similar rules, see our visa updates.

What residents should prepare now

Applicants need to gather a passport copy, the old visa copy if available, a recent migratory movements certificate, a Cédula de Extranjería copy and a short request letter. Some older cases can use a sworn statement instead of the visa copy, but only under the ministry’s exception rules.

The process is online, but it can still take time and late filing risks delays if the platform gets crowded near the deadline. Read our full Colombia guide for the complete picture.