South African nationals can apply for the Colombia Migrant Investor visa, known as the M visa. There is no nationality bar. This page sets out the current position so you can plan.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The Colombia investor visa framework is set in Resolucion 5477 of 2022, later modified by Resolucion 9316 of 2024, both issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The rules do not exclude South African nationals, so eligibility turns on the qualifying investment rather than on nationality.
The legal thresholds are fixed in Colombian pesos and expressed as multiples of the monthly minimum wage, known by the abbreviation SMMLV. Any figure in another currency is only a reference and will move with the exchange rate.
Two main investor routes exist. A qualifying real estate purchase carries a threshold of about 350 SMMLV. A foreign direct investment or business route carries a higher threshold of more than 650 SMMLV.
Because the amounts are set in pesos, the equivalent in United States dollars shifts over time. Confirm the present SMMLV value and the exact multiple with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before relying on any dollar estimate.
The Migrant investor visa is a temporary category. A common path is to hold the M visa for 5 consecutive years and then apply for the Resident, or R, visa, subject to meeting the conditions in force at that time.
Holders are generally expected to spend meaningful time in the country. A residence presence rule of at least 180 days per year is commonly cited for keeping the status. Confirm the current presence rule with the official authority.
Indicative investment thresholds are shown below in SMMLV terms. Government fees and professional costs sit on top and change over time, so confirm them with the official authority.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate route | About 350 SMMLV | Set in Colombian pesos, not dollars |
| Business or direct investment route | More than 650 SMMLV | Set in Colombian pesos, not dollars |
| Path to residence | 5 years on the M visa | Then apply for the R visa |
| Government and visa fees | Confirm the current figure with the official authority | Set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia (Cancilleria) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. The framework does not bar South African nationals. Eligibility depends on the qualifying investment. Confirm current rules with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The legal thresholds are set in Colombian pesos as multiples of the monthly minimum wage, the SMMLV. Dollar values are only a reference and drift with the exchange rate.
A common path is to hold the M visa for 5 years and then apply for the R, or Resident, visa. Verify the present settings with the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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