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Everything You Need to Know About the Digital Nomad Visa in Colombia

Your Complete Guide to Requirements, Benefits, and How to Apply for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa

  • Applicable To: Remote workers or freelancers working for foreign companies.


  • Duration: 6 months to 2 years (Colombian migration officers have discretion over the duration granted).


  • Specific Requirements:

    • Bank Statements: Personal bank statements from the applicant for the last 6 months, proving an income of more than three (3) Colombian legal minimum wages.

    • Employment Letter/Certificate: A letter or certificate in Spanish or English, detailing the type of contract, position, salary, and the length of time the applicant has been with the company. It should ideally state that the job can be performed remotely from Colombia.

    • Employment Contract or Ownership Proof: Employment contract, service contract, or certificate proving that the applicant is a partner or co-owner of the company (equivalent to a Colombian Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation).

    • International Health Insurance: International health insurance covering the stay in Colombia (1 or 2 years) that includes emergency medical care, accidents, hospitalization, and repatriation.


  • Allows to Work in Colombia? You are authorized to work remotely from Colombia for foreign companies as a digital nomad, but this visa does not grant permission to work for a Colombian company.


  • Processing Time: 2-5 weeks.


  • Application Location: From Colombia or from your country of residence or nationality.


  • Allows Beneficiaries? Yes: Spouses, children under 25 (subject to additional requirements for beneficiary visas).


  • Can Reapply for this Visa? Yes. In Colombia, visas are not renewed. Instead, you must reapply for them, going through the process again and presenting updated documentation. However, if you reapply for the second, third, or fourth time, the process is usually more streamlined and easier to prove.


  • Government Fees for Visa Application, these fees are charged directly through a specific link provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and can be paid using a credit or debit card:

    • Visa Study Fee: $54.92 USD or €42.25 EUR

    • Visa Issuance Fee: $132.03 USD or €101.40 EUR


  • Our fees For detailed information on the application process, including government fees, our service costs, and what’s included, visit our dedicated landing page for this visa.


  • Additional Services you may need:

    • You may require apostille and legalization services in the country where the documents are issued.

    • Acquisition of all-risk insurance policy.

    • Does it allow you to accumulate time for residency? No.


  • Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:

    • Place of Application: Although the visa application is online (there is no way to do it in person), it is recommended that you be in the place from where you will present the visa in person. You can apply while in Colombia, as long as you are in a regular situation in the country (if you have been in Colombia for less than 3 months on a tourist permit or if you have requested an extension of your tourist permit and have been in the country for less than 6 months, or if you have been on a tourist permit for more than 5 months but want to apply for a special permit). You can also apply from your country of nationality or residence, as long as you have a valid identification document in that country.


    • How should the employment letter be? It should include details of your job, the length of time you have been working, the type of employment relationship, your salary, and position. It must be signed by someone other than yourself who is responsible for certifying the letter. It is recommended that the letter be in both Spanish and English and include the company’s "authorization" for you to work remotely for this company from Colombia.


    • The all-risk insurance policy you must present must be issued and should cover at least 1 year from the date you apply for the visa process. It should include coverage for: accidents, medical expenses, maternity, and repatriation.


    • The bank statements you present must be your personal ones, from the bank in the country where you receive your payment. We recommend providing statements from the last 6 months.


  • Restrictions when applying for this type of visa: It is prohibited to work for or provide services to a Colombian company, as well as to receive compensation for performing any type of work in Colombia. However, you can receive passive income from investments in Colombia.


  • Regulation governing this type of visa: Resolution 5477 of 2022, Section 2, Article 46.


  • Representation: Although the law does not require you to be represented by a lawyer for this type of process, a lawyer with a valid Colombian professional license can represent you through a power of attorney, duly authenticated.


  • Benefits of this visa: The digital nomad visa allows you to reside in Colombia if you work for or provide services to a foreign company. It offers the same advantages as other visas in terms of being able to stay in Colombia fully identified, without the need to leave the country every 6 months and without the restriction of not being able to return within 6 months in the same calendar year.


  • Advantages of the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa compared to similar visas in Latin America:


    • Mexico:

      • Duration: The digital nomad visa in Mexico can last up to 1 year, with the possibility of renewal, while the Colombian visa can be granted for 2 years with the possibility of reapplying for periods of up to 2 years with each application.

      • Income Requirements: Mexico typically has higher income requirements compared to Colombia, and the process can be longer and more complex.

      • Benefits: Mexico has a higher cost of living in major cities like Mexico City and Cancun.


    • Brazil:

      • Duration: Brazil offers a digital nomad visa with an initial duration of 1 year, which can be renewed. The Colombian visa can be granted for 2 years with the possibility of reapplying for periods of up to 2 years with each application.

      • Income Requirements: The income requirements in Brazil may be similar to or slightly more demanding than in Colombia.

      • Benefits: Brazil provides access to a wide range of services and a rich culture. However, the visa process can be more complicated and bureaucratic.


    • Chile:

      • Income Requirements: Income requirements can be similar, although Chile may have slightly higher associated costs.

      • Benefits: Chile offers a stable economic environment and a high quality of life, but the cost of living in cities like Santiago can be higher than in many parts of Colombia.


    • Peru:

      • Duration: Peru offers work and residence visas that can apply to digital nomads, but the terms may be less clear or less standardized compared to Colombia.

      • Income Requirements: Peru generally has income requirements that can be more accessible than in Mexico but comparable to Colombia.

      • Benefits: Peru offers a relatively low cost of living and a rich cultural offering, but infrastructure and services may vary in quality.


    • Argentina:

      • Duration: Argentina offers temporary residence visas for digital nomads that can vary in duration. The Colombian visa offers the possibility of being granted for up to 2 years with the option to reapply.

      • Benefits: Argentina has a relatively low cost of living and a vibrant culture, but economic instability may be a concern.


  • Relevant Links for More Information:


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