Digital Nomad Visa vs Retirement Visa — both let you live in Colombia, but they fit different people. Pick the Digital Nomad Visa (Type V) if you earn remote income from abroad and want up to two years. Pick the Retirement Visa (Type M) if you have a lifetime pension and want a path to permanent residency.
Side-by-side comparison (2026)
| Digital Nomad Visa (Type V) | Retirement / Pension Visa (Type M) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Remote workers, freelancers & entrepreneurs with foreign income — popular with tech & IT professionals | Retirees with a lifetime pension |
| Income required (2026) | 3× minimum wage = COP $5,252,715/mo (≈USD $1,375), from foreign sources | Lifetime pension ≥ 3× minimum wage = COP $5,252,715/mo (≈USD $1,375) |
| Work in Colombia | Remote work for foreign companies only | Not authorized |
| Validity | Up to 2 years | Up to 3 years |
| Counts toward residency | No — it is a Visitor (V) visa | Yes — it is a Migrant (M) visa |
| Beneficiaries | Spouse and children | Spouse and children |
| Health insurance | Required (full coverage in Colombia) | Required (full coverage in Colombia) |
| Decision time | Up to 30 calendar days | Up to 30 calendar days |
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Digital Nomad Visa if…
- You work remotely for clients or a company abroad (tech/IT, design, marketing, consulting, and more).
- You want to live in Colombia for up to two years.
- You don’t need this time to count toward residency yet.
Choose the Retirement Visa if…
- You receive a stable lifetime pension.
- You want a longer, 3-year stay.
- You want your time to build toward permanent residency.
The biggest difference: the Digital Nomad Visa is a Visitor (V) visa, so the time does not count toward permanent residency. The Retirement Visa is a Migrant (M) visa, so it does. If your goal is to settle in Colombia long-term, that distinction matters more than the income rule.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from the Digital Nomad Visa to a visa that counts toward residency?
Yes — you can apply for a Migrant (M) category you qualify for (marriage, retirement, investment, work, and others) while in Colombia. Keep in mind the time you already spent on the Digital Nomad Visa does not carry over: the residency clock starts with the M visa. Cancillería decides each application.
How long can I stay outside Colombia without losing the visa?
They differ. A Visitor (V) visa — including the Digital Nomad Visa — lapses if you stay out of Colombia for more than 90 continuous days. A Migrant (M) visa, like the Retirement Visa, lapses after more than 6 continuous months abroad. If you split your year between countries, this rule can matter as much as the income requirement.
Do both visas have the same income requirement?
The amount is the same — 3× Colombia’s minimum wage, COP $5,252,715 per month in 2026 (≈USD $1,375) — but the nature is different. The Digital Nomad Visa accepts remote income from foreign employers or clients; the Retirement Visa requires a lifetime pension. Because both are pinned to the SMMLV, both rise every January.
Do taxes work differently on each visa?
No — and that surprises people. Colombian tax residency depends on days of presence (183 days in any rolling 365-day window), not on your visa type. A nomad and a retiree who each spend 200 days in Colombia are both tax residents. See our full guide: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa & Taxes: the 183-Day Rule.
Sources: Resolución 5477 of 2022, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) — official visa categories page (Tipos de Visa). SMMLV figures: 2026. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Read more: Digital Nomad Visa · Retirement Visa · Digital Nomad Visa & Taxes (183-day rule)
This article provides general information about Colombian immigration law and is not legal advice for your specific case. Requirements and figures reflect 2026 and can change. Cancillería decides each application. For your situation, request a free Pre-Check.
