Oct. 31 is the new cutoff for Colombia Residente visa electronic transfers

What the resident visa transfer rule covers

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry has extended the deadline for transferring older resident ("R") visas to the new electronic format until Oct. 31, 2026. The change comes through Resolution 9316 of 2024, which modifies Resolution 5477 of 2022 and replaces the earlier Oct. 21, 2024 cutoff.

The rule applies to foreign nationals with older Residente Permanente visas, not tourists or short-stay visitors. The ministry has said failure to complete the transfer can put resident status at risk.

Who needs to act

The deadline affects long-term residents in Colombia, including expats, retirees, investors and family-based residents who still hold pre-2022 resident visas. Visitor visa holders and short-term digital nomads aren't part of the mandatory transfer program.

The ministry also removed the need for a salvoconducto during the transfer process. For some very old visas issued before 2000, applicants can file a sworn statement if they can't present the original visa copy.

What residents need to do next

Applicants must first get a Migratory Movements Certificate from Migración Colombia, then file the online traspaso request through the Cancillería system, upload the required PDFs and pay the fees. After the new e-visa is issued by email, residents still need to register it and update their cédula de extranjería within the required timeframe.

Typical documents include a passport copy, the last entry or exit stamp, the current resident visa, the foreigner ID, proof of the residency basis and a letter explaining the transfer request. Read our full Colombia guide for the complete picture and check our visa updates page for more policy changes.