M-5 Migrant Visa Applications Subject To Stricter Educational And Experience Requirements

At a Glance

At their discretion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requesting additional documentation from some employers and foreign nationals applying for initial or renewed M-5 Migrant Visas, to verify the applicant's educational qualifications and experience. Previously, employers were only required to submit an offer letter and/or employment contract to prove the foreign national's suitability for the position. Affected foreign nationals with pending applications generally have up to 30 days to submit the additional documents. This will add an administrative hurdle and may delay the document-gathering time for new applications, since it may take a significant amount of time to apostille or legalize documents in some countries. The issue

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requesting additional documentation, at their discretion, from employers and foreign nationals applying for initial and renewed M-5 Migrant Visas to verify the applicant's educational qualifications and experience.

A closer look

New requirements. The new documents that the Ministry is requesting include the applicant's bachelor's diploma, certificates of experience issued by the applicant's current and/or previous employer(s), and a support letter issued by the employer in Colombia explaining the applicant's suitability for the position. Legalization and translation. All documents issued outside Colombia must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish if issued in any other language. Previous rule. Previously, employers were only required to submit an offer letter and/or employment contract to prove the foreign national's suitability for the position.

Impact

Pending applications. Applicants with pending applications generally have up to 30 days to submit the additional documents, unless...