Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay benefit from preferential immigration terms in Colombia under the Mercosur and Andean Community treaties — including an open work permit and a path to permanent residency in just 2 years.
Thanks to regional integration agreements — the Mercosur trade bloc and the Andean Community (CAN) — citizens of several South American countries benefit from preferential immigration terms when moving to Colombia. The Type M Mercosur/Andean Visa offers an immediate open work permit and stands as the fastest path to Colombian permanent residency for South Americans, requiring only 2 years to qualify for the Type R Resident Visa.
At Migraciones.co in Medellín, we specialize in helping Argentine, Brazilian, Chilean, Bolivian, Ecuadorian, Paraguayan, Peruvian, and Uruguayan citizens navigate the Colombian visa system — from the initial application through to permanent residency and beyond.
Eligible nationalities
The following nationalities are eligible for the Colombia Mercosur / Andean Community visa under regional agreements. Specific requirements vary by country — Migraciones.co evaluates each case individually.
Mercosur member
Mercosur member
Bilateral agreement
Andean Community (CAN)
Andean Community (CAN)
Mercosur member
Andean Community (CAN)
Mercosur member
Note: The specific document requirements vary by nationality and the applicable bilateral or regional agreement. Migraciones.co evaluates each nationality individually and prepares the exact document list for your case.
Key benefits
The fastest path to the Type R permanent residency in Colombia for South American citizens — half the time required for most other Type M visa categories.
Work in any legal field in Colombia without employer restrictions. You are not tied to a single company — change jobs, freelance, or start a business freely.
Your visa rights are backed by Mercosur and Andean Community agreements — a stable legal framework built on decades of South American integration.
After obtaining the Type R Resident Visa, eligible holders can apply for Colombian nationality by adoption — a dual citizenship option for many South Americans.
Requirements
While the Cancillería evaluates all applications individually, the table below summarizes the typical document requirements by nationality group for the Type M Mercosur / Andean Visa.
| Nationality group | Countries | ID document | Criminal background | Proof of solvency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercosur | 🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇵🇾 Paraguay · 🇺🇾 Uruguay | National ID or passport | Apostilled; translation may apply | Bank statements or equivalent |
| Andean Community (CAN) | 🇧🇴 Bolivia · 🇪🇨 Ecuador · 🇵🇪 Peru | National ID or passport | Apostilled + official Spanish translation | Bank statements or equivalent |
| Chile | 🇨🇱 Chile | National ID or passport | Apostilled + official Spanish translation | Bank statements or equivalent |
Note: Requirements may vary by individual case. Migraciones.co evaluates each nationality individually and prepares a precise, tailored document checklist before submission to the Cancillería de Colombia.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Verified review
“Being Argentine, I had no idea the Mercosur visa could get me legal residency in Colombia so quickly. Migraciones.co explained everything from the start — the documents, the timeline, the open work permit — and handled the whole process for me. Two years later I’m now applying for the Resident Visa. Incredible service.”
FAQ
Citizens of the following countries qualify under the Mercosur or Andean Community (CAN) agreements with Colombia: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. With this visa, the holder accumulates time toward the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R) in just 2 years — the same timeline as the Spouse Visa and one of the fastest paths to permanent residency in Colombia.
Requirements vary slightly by nationality but generally include: a valid national ID or passport; a criminal background certificate from your country of origin (apostilled and officially translated into Spanish); proof of economic solvency such as bank statements or an employment contract; and a passport-style photo. The specific document requirements depend on your nationality and the applicable bilateral or regional agreement. Migraciones.co prepares a precise checklist for each case.
The Type M Mercosur / Andean Visa is typically granted for up to 2 years, and it is renewable. Each year of validity counts toward the 2-year total needed to apply for the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R), making this one of the fastest paths to Colombian permanent residency available for South American citizens.
Yes. The Type M Mercosur / Andean Visa includes an open work permit, allowing the holder to work in any legal activity in Colombia without restrictions. You are not tied to a specific employer — you can change jobs, work as a freelancer, or start your own business without needing to amend or renew your visa.
Citizens of Mercosur and Andean Community countries can apply for the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R) after just 2 years holding the Type M Mercosur / Andean Visa. This is the fastest route to Colombian permanent residency for South Americans — significantly faster than the standard 5-year accumulation required for most other Type M visa categories. After obtaining the Type R, holders may later pursue Colombian nationality by adoption.
Migraciones.co specializes in the Type M Mercosur and Andean Visa for South American citizens. We know the exact requirements for each nationality and handle the complete process — from document preparation to Cancillería submission and your Cédula de Extranjería registration.
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