Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Mocoa

About Golden Visa Law in Mocoa, Colombia

In Colombia, the term Golden Visa is a common way people refer to residency by investment options available under national immigration law. These visas are granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and apply uniformly across the country, including in Mocoa, the capital of Putumayo. While Golden Visa is not an official label, foreigners who invest in Colombia can qualify for either a Migrant category visa as a company partner or owner, or a Resident category visa based on a larger qualifying investment. After a visa is approved, foreign nationals who reside in Mocoa complete local steps such as registering their visa and obtaining a foreigner ID card through Migración Colombia service points that serve the region.

Investor visas in Colombia are built around two main routes. The Migrant investor route is typically for foreign partners or owners of a Colombian company who invest at least a legally prescribed minimum tied to the Colombian minimum monthly wage. The Resident investor route is designed for higher investments, which can be made in real estate or company equity, provided the foreign capital is properly registered with the central bank. Both routes require clean documentation, proof of lawful funds, and compliance with national exchange and registration rules.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many applicants seek legal help because investor visas combine immigration, corporate, property, and foreign exchange rules. A lawyer can advise on the right visa category based on your goals, whether you should structure a company investment or a real estate purchase, and how to document the origin of funds. Legal counsel is especially helpful when forming a company in Mocoa through the local chamber of commerce, drafting bylaws, issuing shares, and preparing statutory certificates that immigration officers expect to see in a company investor case.

If you are purchasing real estate in Mocoa or elsewhere in Putumayo, a lawyer can conduct title due diligence at the public registry, confirm there are no mortgages or liens, and coordinate with the local notary for the deed. In all investment scenarios, counsel can register the foreign investment with the Banco de la República within required timelines, help you avoid common errors that can cause visa denials, and guide you through post-approval duties such as securing your Cédula de Extranjería and maintaining your visa status. If you plan to include dependents, counsel can prepare beneficiary applications and ensure civil status documents are properly legalized and translated.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration rules are national. The core framework is found in Decree 1067 of 2015 and current visa regulations issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Resolution 5477 of 2022, which defines visa types, requirements, and validity. Colombia recognizes three principal visa categories. Visitor V, Migrant M, and Resident R. Investment-based residency typically falls under Migrant as partner or owner of a company and Resident by investment for higher thresholds. Investment thresholds are expressed in multiples of the legal minimum monthly wage, known as SMLMV in Spanish. Since the SMLMV is adjusted every year, the actual peso amount you need will change annually. Applicants must calculate their investment based on the SMLMV in effect at the time of filing.

Foreign capital must be registered as foreign direct investment with the Banco de la República through an authorized financial intermediary or using the central bank platform. This registration is mandatory for both company equity and qualifying real estate purchases funded with foreign currency. Without timely and proper registration, an application can be refused. After a visa is issued and you are in Colombia, you must register the visa and obtain your Cédula de Extranjería with Migración Colombia within the legally prescribed period. Migrant visas can be cancelled if the holder remains outside Colombia for an extended continuous period, and Resident visas can be cancelled if the holder remains outside Colombia for two continuous years. Applicants living in Mocoa will interact with local institutions for company incorporation, property matters, tax registration, and public services, but immigration adjudication and visa issuance are always handled centrally by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Company investors often use a simplified joint stock company structure known as SAS, incorporated at the Cámara de Comercio de Putumayo. New companies must obtain a tax ID with DIAN and comply with accounting and tax filings. Real estate investors will close transactions before a local notary and record deeds with the Oficina de Registro de Instrumentos Públicos for the Mocoa circle. Property taxes are administered by the municipal government. Individuals who spend more than 183 days in a 365 day period in Colombia generally become Colombian tax residents and may be taxed on worldwide income, subject to treaty and local law analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Colombia have an official Golden Visa?

Golden Visa is not an official term in Colombia. The country offers residency through investment under Migrant and Resident categories. In practice, people use Golden Visa to describe the Migrant investor visa for company partners or owners and the Resident visa by investment for higher threshold investments.

What are the minimum investment amounts?

Thresholds are set in multiples of the SMLMV. The Migrant investor route as a partner or owner of a Colombian company generally requires at least 100 SMLMV in paid in equity. The Resident visa by investment generally requires at least 650 SMLMV invested, which can be in real estate or company equity. Because SMLMV changes yearly, you must compute the current peso value at the time you apply.

Can I qualify by buying real estate in Mocoa?

Yes, real estate can qualify toward the Resident visa by investment if the purchase is funded with foreign capital properly registered with the Banco de la República and the total investment meets or exceeds the required SMLMV multiple. You will need the registered deed and a recent certificate of title from the public registry, among other documents. A dedicated Migrant real estate investor category has been phased out under newer rules, so most real estate investors aim for the Resident category.

What documents are usually required?

Common documents include a valid passport, recent passport style photo, visa application form, proof of lawful income or funds, proof of investment and foreign investment registration, and health insurance coverage. Company investors provide certificates from the chamber of commerce, shareholding certificates, and accounting statements. Real estate investors provide the notarized deed and up to date registry certificates. Foreign documents require apostille or legalization and official translation into Spanish where applicable.

Can my family members be included?

Yes. Spouses, permanent partners, and dependent children can usually apply for beneficiary visas based on the principal investor's status. You must submit civil status documents such as marriage certificates or birth certificates, duly apostilled or legalized and translated if not in Spanish.

Can I work in Colombia with an investor visa?

A Migrant investor visa as a partner or owner typically allows you to work only for the company in which you invested. A Resident visa by investment provides broader authorization to live and work in Colombia. Always check the specific conditions listed on your visa resolution.

How long does the process take?

Standard processing for visas is often between 5 and 10 business days after submission, but timelines vary based on caseload and whether the officer requests additional information. Company formation, bank account opening, fund transfers, and foreign investment registration can add several weeks. Plan extra time for document apostilles and translations.

Do I need to be in Colombia to apply?

You can apply online from abroad. If you are already in Colombia in lawful status, you can also apply from within the country. After approval, you receive an electronic visa. Once in Colombia, you must register your visa and apply for your Cédula de Extranjería with Migración Colombia within the legal deadline.

Are there stay requirements to keep my visa?

Migrant investor visas can be cancelled if you remain outside Colombia for a lengthy continuous period, commonly understood as six consecutive months. Resident visas are cancelled if you remain outside Colombia for two consecutive years. Always verify the current rule on absences before extended travel.

What tax issues should I consider?

If you stay in Colombia for more than 183 days in any 365 day period, you may become a Colombian tax resident and be taxed on worldwide income. Companies in Mocoa must comply with national and local taxes. Real estate owners pay annual property tax. Speak with a tax professional about rules on foreign asset reporting, double tax treaties, and planning before moving funds or becoming a tax resident.

Additional Resources

Key institutions include the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores for visa rules and adjudication and Migración Colombia for visa registration, foreigner ID cards, and compliance. For investments, the Banco de la República handles foreign investment registration and exchange reporting. In Mocoa, the Cámara de Comercio de Putumayo manages company incorporation and commercial registrations. Property transactions involve the Notaría Única de Mocoa and the Oficina de Registro de Instrumentos Públicos for the Mocoa registry circle. For taxes, DIAN is the national tax authority and the Alcaldía de Mocoa manages local property and municipal taxes. The Superintendencia de Notariado y Registro oversees notaries and property registries nationwide.

Next Steps

First, define your goal. Decide whether you prefer a company investment that supports business activities in Mocoa or a real estate acquisition that may qualify you for the Resident investor route. Second, assess the current SMLMV to calculate your minimum investment and set a budget that safely exceeds the threshold. Third, consult an immigration and corporate or real estate attorney who practices in Colombia and understands both immigration criteria and local procedures in Mocoa, including company registration, property due diligence, and notarial practices.

Fourth, prepare documents early. Obtain apostilles or legalizations and certified Spanish translations where needed. If pursuing a company route, incorporate a SAS at the Cámara de Comercio de Putumayo, obtain a tax ID with DIAN, open a corporate bank account, and issue shares properly. If pursuing real estate, engage a lawyer to review title, coordinate with the Notaría Única de Mocoa, and record the deed at the local registry. In all cases, ensure that your foreign currency inflows are correctly channeled through an authorized intermediary and that the foreign investment registration with the Banco de la República is timely and accurate.

Fifth, file your visa application online with complete evidence. Monitor for any requests for additional information and respond quickly. After approval, enter Colombia if applying from abroad, register your visa with Migración Colombia, and obtain your Cédula de Extranjería within the legal deadline. Finally, maintain compliance. Track travel to avoid excessive absences, keep your company and tax filings current, pay local property and municipal taxes if applicable, and calendar visa renewal or upgrade opportunities. Because regulations can change, schedule periodic check ins with your lawyer to confirm you remain compliant.

This guide is informational and not legal advice. For a personalized strategy tailored to your investment plan in Mocoa, seek direct counsel from a qualified Colombian immigration and corporate or real estate attorney.