Family Visas in Colombia (Beneficiary Applications)

Here, we will provide clear information about beneficiary or famiy visa applications, in accordance with Articles 3 and 93 of the Resolution 5477 of 2022.

What is a beneficiary visa application?

A dependent visa application is the closest equivalent to a family visa in the Colombian immigration system.

In Colombia, there are two types of visa holders: principal and beneficiary.

It is not possible to apply for a visa for the entire family simultaneously. One family member must first obtain their visa as the principal holder, and once issued, they can apply for the same visa for the rest of their family, but as beneficiaries.

Not all visa categories in Colombia allow beneficiary applications.

Beneficiary visas are granted in the same category as the principal applicant’s visa.

For example: Richard, his wife, and their two children, aged 3 and 4, come to Colombia as tourists.

However, Richard finds a job with a Colombian company and applies for the M worker visa. Once his visa is approved, he submits simultaneous applications for worker visas for his wife and children through the designated form, as his beneficiaries.

The visa category does not change for beneficiaries. Thus, Richard will have his visa as the principal holder in the worker category, and his wife and children will hold beneficiary visas in the same worker category.

Who can be a beneficiary?

A beneficiary is someone who relies on the principal visa holder for financial support. This economic dependency is the most important condition for being considered a beneficiary.

According to current visa laws (Resolution 5477, 2022, Article 3), the following individuals can be beneficiaries:

• Spouse or permanent partner.
• Children under 25 years of age.
• Children over 25 years of age with physical or mental disabilities. In the previous visa resolution, parents were included as beneficiaries. However, since Resolution 5477 of 2022, only those listed in Article 3 are considered beneficiaries.

Requirements to approve a beneficiary visa application (Article 93):

• A copy of the principal visa holder’s visa.

• A letter signed by the principal visa holder requesting the visa for their beneficiaries and declaring responsibility for their financial support, housing, health, education, and all expenses for the dependents.

• Proof of relationship to the principal visa holder:

• For children: A recent certified copy of the birth certificate, apostilled and officially translated.

  • For spouses: A recent certified copy of the marriage certificate, apostilled and officially translated.
  • For permanent partners: A recent official document certifying their partnership according to the law where the partnership was established, also apostilled and officially translated.For proof of relationship, additional documents may be requested in the following cases:

• If the beneficiary minor is traveling with only one parent and both parents are alive, a letter from the parent not traveling to Colombia is required, supporting the application made by the parent traveling with the minor.

• If the beneficiary minor is traveling with only one parent and the other parent is deceased, a death certificate, apostilled and officially translated, must be provided.

• If the parents are divorced, a recent certified copy of the document proving that the applicant parent (principal holder) has sole custody of the minor must be submitted, apostilled and officially translated. Other requirements include:

• Bank statements of the principal visa holder for the six months prior to the application, demonstrating financial solvency to support their family, or a letter of employment certification.

• Health insurance with coverage in Colombia for each beneficiary. The insurance must cover accidents, death, hospitalization, and repatriation. How long is this visa valid?

A beneficiary visa has the same validity period as the principal visa holder’s visa.

It is important to note that dependent visa holders must obtain a foreigner ID card (Cédula de Extranjería) if their visa is valid for three months or longer. Once approved and issued, the dependent visa holder must complete the visa registration and ID card process with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days.

Note: Beneficiary visas do not allow holders to work; they are only permitted to study. Additionally, the validity of beneficiary visas is tied to the principal visa’s status. If the principal visa is canceled early by the visa authority, any dependent visas issued under the principal visa will also be canceled.

Changes in circumstances: If a beneficiary minor turns 25 or ceases to be financially dependent on the principal holder, their beneficiary visa will automatically be canceled. In such cases, the individual must apply for a different visa category as a principal holder to remain legally in Colombia.

Colombian visa categories that allow beneficiary visa applications:

• Digital Nomad Visa
• Rentista Visa
• Pensioner Visa
• Marriage Visa
• Permanent Partner Visa
• Parent of a Colombian National (by birth) Visa
• Investor Visa
• Business Partner or Owner Visa
• Worker Visa
• Religious Visa
• Independent Professional Visa
• Parent of a Colombian National (by adoption) Visa
• Resident Visa (for accumulated time)
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Entrepreneur Visa
• Contractor Visa (for work or project)
• Internationalization Promotion Visa
• Permanent Correspondent Visa
• Unaccredited Officers Visa If you are considering bringing your family to Colombia, Capital M can assist you in processing both principal and dependent visa applications. We have extensive experience helping foreign families relocate to Colombia with visitor, migrant, or resident visas. Don’t hesitate to schedule your consultation with us here.