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

Country Overview

Why Mexicans Are Moving to Colombia

Mexico and Colombia have long-standing cultural and economic ties. Both countries are members of the Pacific Alliance, a deep integration bloc that simplifies trade, investment, and mobility. Mexican professionals moving to Colombia benefit from a shared language, comparable legal tradition, and an increasingly integrated business environment in sectors such as fintech, retail, and telecoms.

Bogotá and Medellín attract Mexican entrepreneurs for their lower operating costs compared to Mexico City, combined with a growing consumer market and stable institutional framework. The Mexico–Colombia double taxation treaty, in force since 2010, prevents dual taxation on income and provides treaty protections that most expat nationalities in Colombia do not enjoy.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

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

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

Mexico's public health system operates across three main institutions. The IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) covers private-sector workers and their families. The ISSSTE (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado) covers federal government employees. IMSS Bienestar (formerly INSABI) provides coverage for the uninsured population through a network of community health centers. All of these institutions require active residency and active contribution in Mexico; no IMSS or ISSSTE benefits are payable abroad, and no Mexican health card has validity in Colombia.

The Colombian Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider certifying all 7 areas above. IMSS, ISSSTE, and any Mexican private insurer plan (GNP, Metlife, AXA, Mapfre México) do not qualify — they are not issued by a Colombia-authorized entity.

Tax Considerations

Mexico and Colombia have an active double taxation convention (CDI), signed in 2009 and in force since 2010 (Published in Colombia's Diario Oficial, Law 1568 of 2012). The SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria) administers Mexican tax; DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) administers Colombian tax.

Mexican tax residency exit. Mexican tax residency is determined by the "center of vital interests" rule: a Mexican national who establishes their habitual home outside Mexico, with no Mexican home available, may exit Mexican tax residency by filing the corresponding notice with the SAT (Aviso de Cambio de Residencia Fiscal) and deregistering from the RFC. Retaining a Mexican home or having a Mexican spouse in Mexico can complicate exits.

Treaty benefits. Under the Mexico–Colombia CDI, employment income is taxed in the country where the work is performed. Dividend income, interest, and royalties are subject to reduced withholding rates. A Mexican pension paid from a Mexican social security scheme is taxed in Mexico under Article 18 of the treaty.

Colombian new resident exemption. Colombian Law 2010 of 2019 grants new tax residents a five-year exemption on foreign-sourced income. A Mexican national who exits Mexican tax residency and becomes a Colombian tax resident may combine this exemption with treaty protections to significantly reduce their overall tax burden during the first five years.

Document Legalization

Mexico joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1995. Apostilles in Mexico are issued by the state authorities corresponding to the document's issuing institution. The Secretaría de Gobernación (federal documents) and state governments each have their own Apostille-issuing authority. No translation required — all documents are in Spanish.

Carta de Antecedentes No Penales — Step by Step

1. Request the criminal record certificate from the RNSP (Registro Nacional de Personas Señaladas) via the SESNSP portal or from your state Procuraduría/Fiscalía General. Requirements and processing times vary by state (typically 3–10 business days). Must be dated within 90 days of your visa application.
2. Request the Apostille from the Apostille authority corresponding to the issuing state. If issued federally (Secretaría de Gobernación), the Apostille is issued by the same Secretaría. Processing: 3–5 business days. Electronic Apostilles increasingly available.
3. No translation required. All Mexican documents are in Spanish and are accepted directly by the Colombian Cancillería without a sworn translation — one of the most significant procedural advantages for Visa M applicants.