Colombia Visas 2026: How will visas and immigration change in Colombia under Abelardo de la Espriella? What foreigners and investors need to know

Jun 24
2 min read

The recent presidential elections in Colombia have raised questions among foreigners, investors , and international companies about the future of the country's immigration policy.

Abelardo de la Espriella , a renowned Colombian lawyer, businessman, and public figure, has built his discourse around legal certainty, institutional strengthening, and the promotion of private investment . Although his government program does not contain detailed immigration proposals, his statements allow us to anticipate some trends that could impact foreigners living in or wishing to settle in Colombia.

Greater promotion of foreign investment

One of the pillars of his economic vision is attracting international investment in strategic sectors. This could translate into a more favorable environment for foreign investors , entrepreneurs, and businesspeople seeking to develop projects in Colombia.

The legal certainty promoted by the new government could generate greater stability for those applying for investor visas , business visas and other residency mechanisms associated with economic activities in the country.

Greater control over irregular migration

The president-elect has publicly expressed a firm stance against irregular migration . His statements indicate a commitment to strengthening immigration controls and increasing efforts to identify foreigners residing in Colombia without legal status.

In practice, this could mean greater oversight and an increase in immigration verification procedures by the competent authorities.

Promoting legal and orderly migration

Another message repeatedly emphasized by Abelardo de la Espriella has been his support for "legal migration ." This implies a scenario where foreigners with valid visas , who fulfill their tax obligations and maintain regular immigration status could find a more favorable environment.

As a result, controls related to compliance with tax , labor and social security obligations by foreigners residing in Colombia may increase.

Will there be changes to Colombian visas ?

Currently, no modifications have been announced to Resolution 5477 of 2022 , the regulation that governs a large part of the Colombian visa system. However, a change of government is usually accompanied by new institutional guidelines and the appointment of new authorities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Therefore, the issuance of new regulations or regulatory adjustments that modify some aspects of Colombian migration policy in the coming years cannot be ruled out.

Conclusion

Although there are still no official announcements about concrete immigration reforms, the statements and proposals of the new government allow us to foresee a policy oriented towards two main objectives: facilitating legal foreign investment and strengthening control over irregular migration .

Foreigners interested in living, investing, or working in Colombia should stay alert to any regulatory changes that may occur in the coming months.

Article written by Matías Stazzone , lawyer specializing in Immigration Law, director of the Colombian Migration Professionals Group and consultant with more than 8 years of experience advising foreigners on visa , residency and Colombian nationality processes.