Colombia Visas for US Veterans: Six Months Free, Then the Easiest Retirement Visa You'll Find
Getting a visa in Colombia isn’t too bad for Americans, and if you're a veteran with a disability rating? It’s pretty straightforward.
Six months a year, no visa at all
US citizens can stay without a visa for 90 days when they arrive, and you can extend that once for another 90 to 180 days each year, no visa application needed. That gives you about six months total, which is why ColombiaLiving usually suggests a six-month stay: you could land in October, avoid winter up north, head home for summer, then do it again!
Year-round: the Visa M pensioner route
If you’re hoping to live there permanently, there's the Visa M (migrant) pensioner category for retirees with consistent income - roughly $1,000 per month, and that's based on Colombia's minimum wage. VA disability payments qualify easily; a 100% permanent and total rating meets the requirement four times over! All you’ll need is proof of income, your passport, and some patience, people who plan to stay a full year get help with the application process. co are visa specialists based in Colombia that our residents work with.
The honest fine print
- Extensions and visa rules are set by Migración Colombia and can evolve — verify current requirements when you plan your dates.
- Day-counting matters: the 180 days are per calendar year.
- Visa M holders build a path toward resident status over time — the long game exists if you want it.
Quick answers
How long can a US citizen stay in Colombia without a visa?
90 days on arrival, extendable by 90 — six months per calendar year total.
Does VA disability income qualify for the pensioner visa?
Yes — stable disability income counts, and a 100% rating far exceeds the ~$1,000/month bar.
Do I need a lawyer for Visa M?
Many applicants do it themselves; the residence walks year-round residents through the process as part of settling in.
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