Chilean Expats in Colombia 2026: Visa M, Tax Treaty & Health Plan Guide | CoVisas Colombia

Country Overview

Why Chileans Are Moving to Colombia

Chile and Colombia are both Pacific Alliance members and share a long history of diplomatic and commercial ties. Chilean professionals in mining, finance, retail, and agribusiness have established significant presences in Colombia, particularly in Bogotá's financial district. The high cost of living in Santiago — one of Latin America's most expensive cities — has prompted an increasing number of Chilean digital workers and retirees to explore Colombia as a more affordable alternative with comparable urban infrastructure.

Chile and Colombia have an active double taxation treaty, in force since 2010, that provides treaty protections comparable to those available to Spanish and German nationals. Chilean retirees drawing AFP (Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones) private pensions and SII income can benefit from the CDI's coordination provisions when managing income from both countries.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid Chilean passport, a compliant health plan covering the 7 Cancillería-required areas, a certificado de antecedentes penales with Apostille within 90 days, and income documentation. No translation required — Chilean documents are in Spanish and accepted directly. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

Chile's health system operates on a dual-track model. FONASA (Fondo Nacional de Salud) is the public option, covering approximately 80% of Chileans and funded through mandatory 7% payroll deductions. ISAPREs (Instituciones de Salud Previsional) are the private alternative — companies such as Bupa, Banmédica, Consalud, Cruz Blanca, and Colmédica Chile offer plans with broader networks and shorter wait times. Both tracks require active Chilean residency and employment/contribution status; FONASA and ISAPREs have no coverage outside Chile.

FONASA and ISAPRE coverage has no validity in Colombia. The Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering all 7 areas above.

Tax Considerations

Chile and Colombia have an active double taxation convention (CDI), in force since 2010. The SII (Servicio de Impuestos Internos) administers Chilean tax; DIAN administers Colombian tax.

Chilean tax residency exit. Chilean tax residency is determined by habitual residence in Chile. A Chilean national who spends more than 6 consecutive months outside Chile in any calendar year ceases to be a Chilean tax resident for that year and the following year. This makes the Chile exit rule relatively straightforward compared to Spain, Canada, or Germany. However, Chilean-source income (dividends from Chilean companies, rental income from Chilean property, AFP pension disbursements) remains taxable in Chile regardless of residence.

AFP pensions in Colombia. Under the CDI, AFP private pension income paid from Chile is generally taxable in the country of residence (Colombia) for tax residents there. The five-year new-resident exemption under Colombian Law 2010 of 2019 therefore provides significant protection during the first years in Colombia.

Document Legalization

Chile joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1975. Apostilles are issued by the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación (SRCeI) for most civil and criminal documents. Online Apostille requests are available through the SRCeI portal. No translation required — all Chilean documents are in Spanish.

Certificado de Antecedentes Penales — Step by Step

1. Request the certificate from the Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación (SRCeI) online via the Clave Única portal, in person at any SRCeI office, or through the Chilean Embassy in Bogotá. The Certificado de Antecedentes para Fines Particulares is the correct document for visa applications. Cost: free. Processing: immediate online. Must be dated within 90 days.
2. Request the Apostille from the SRCeI — available on the same portal for documents it issues. Electronic Apostilles are accepted by the Colombian Cancillería. Processing: 1–3 business days online.
3. No translation required. Chilean documents are in Spanish and accepted directly by the Colombian Cancillería.