Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements: How to Apply, Work Remote, And Live Cheap

With Colombia’s doors wide open for remote workers and the spotlight on its brand-new digital nomad visa, it’s raining Macbooks and passports. Medellin alone anticipates 9,500 laptop warriors calling Medellin their new stomping grounds every month. 

In response to the growing trend of digital nomads, countries worldwide are adapting immigration policies to attract these globe-trotting workers or, more specifically, drawing wealthy US, UK, and EU citizens with cash to spend.

Unveiled in 2022 under the administration of previous President Ivan Duque, the Colombian Digital Nomad Permit or Visa has swiftly captured the attention of the expat and digital nomad community, many of whom were already illegally working remotely under a Colombia tourist visa.

With the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spanish: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) passing Resolution No. 5477, as of July 22, 2022, remote professionals now have the opportunity to work for foreign companies while legally enjoying Colombia’s higher quality of life at significantly reduced costs compared to their home countries. 

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This strategic move reflects Colombia’s commitment to fostering economic growth through extended foreign stays.

Like every bureaucracy, the government organization (Spanish: Migración Colombia) responsible for issuing the new digital nomad visas doesn’t always clearly spell out the rules. 

While some criteria for obtaining this permit follow the standard pattern set in many countries, requiring a valid passport, evidence of ample funds, and a clean criminal record, there are some requirements like health insurance and the calculation of “sufficient funds” that many digital nomads get wrong.

Plus, the internet is littered with Facebook groups and AI-generated websites that give contradictory, misleading, and flat-out wrong information about visa or permit requirements, how long you can stay, and even what kind of remote work is allowed.

The basic eligibility consists of five requirements:

2a) Employment Contract– If you are an employee on a foreign company’s payroll (think W-2 employee if you are from the United States), or

2b) Proof of Business Ownership– If you own a company registered outside the country, that business provides your income, or

2c) Freelance Contact– If you work as an independent contractor for a foreign company (1099 employee if you are from the USA), or

2d) Motivational Letter– For technology start-up founders and entrepreneurs, a letter detailing your project, team, and available financial resources

INSIDER TIP: Don’t Buy Travel Insurance- Most “travel insurance” plans will not qualify, as simple travel insurance policies rarely cover maternity or outpatient hospitalization. Additionally, many travel insurance policies are only for short-term trips of less than 365 days. You need an insurance policy valid for your entire stay in the country (up to two years for Colombia’s digital nomad visa).

INSIDER TIP: Physical Documents- You will need to make PDF copies (See Insider Tip Below), but I recommend keeping all your originals handy. It is not uncommon for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask to verify physical documents during the approval process.

Demostrar mediante extractos bancarios contar con ingresos minimos
equivalentes a tres ( 3 ) Salarios Mínimos Legales Mensuales Vigentes
( SMLMV ) durante los últimos 3 meses – In Accordance with 46 Article of the 5477 Resolution of 2022

Translated from Spanish: Demonstrate through bank statements that you have a minimum income equivalent to three (3) Current Legal Monthly Minimum Wages (SMLMV) during the last 3 months.

2023 Colombian Monthly Minimum Salary =  1,160,000 COP

 1,160,000 x 3 Months = 3,480,000 COP

3,480,000 COP = ~$827.38 USD

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity.
• A copy of your valid passport’s first page displaying personal information.
• A passport-sized photo of yourself with a white background (3 cm x 4 cm, max 300 kb in JPG format).
• Proof of legal entry, like a visitor visa or recent entry/departure stamp for Colombia.
• Proof of a health insurance policy covering you during your entire stay in Colombia.

In addition, you will need to provide documented proof that you work remotely or have an online business that generates income outside of Colombia.

• A letter from a foreign company explaining your work relationship and compensation.
• For entrepreneurs, a letter detailing your project and available resources.
• Bank statements showing income ≥ 3x the Current Minimum Legal Monthly Wages (approx. $825 in 2023) over the last 3 months.

INSIDER TIP: Avoid any rejections due to contradictions or unintentional errors- It is crucial to stay consistent throughout your application. For freelancers or independent workers, your documents should clearly demonstrate sufficient self-employment income and that you will not seek work in Colombia.

If you are a business owner or digital entrepreneur, you should provide adequate documentation showing your business activity outside the country. This may include customer invoices, sales reports, and any collections or payments you have received from non-Colombian clients.

These documents will be carefully analyzed by the officials at the Colombian Foreign Ministry.

Digital Nomad Visa Application Rejection For Not Having The Right Documents: DOES NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF AN EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT PRESENT A DIGITAL CONTENT OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY VENTURE OF INTEREST TO THE COUNTRY.
– Translation

Acquiring a Colombia Digital Nomad Visa involves an application fee and a visa fee.

• Visa Application Fee- $54 USD for most applications or if you are from Europe or Cuba, 42 EUR. Also called a “Study Fee,” you need to pay this fee when you apply, and is non-refundable.
• Visa Issuance Fee- Varies depending on your country of citizenship. Americans and most of the world pay $270 USD, while EU nationalities pay 149 EUR / $160 USD. This fee is paid only if your visa is approved and issued.

INSIDER TIP: Colombian Cedula de Extranjeria Costs- A Colombian ID card for foreigners. While not required, foreigners with an approved digital nomad visa can apply for an ID card for 246,000 Colombian Pesos or roughly $60 USD.

A Cedula makes expat life easier in Colombia. A Cedula de Extranjeria allows you to open a bank account, sign a legal rental contract for housing, and access EPS public health insurance in Colombia.

The digital nomad visa in Colombia is designed specifically for individuals who want to work remotely in a country with beautiful landscapes, a rich culture, and a low cost of living.

If you’re a freelancer or remote worker with a passport from the US, UK, EU, or any of the other 107 eligible countries exempt from a short-stay visa requirement, and you earn income from outside Colombia, this visa could be a great opportunity for you.

The visa requirements are similar to other residency and retirement visas in Colombia, but with the added benefit of being able to work remotely. 

Unlike a tourist visa, which only allows you to stay short-term, the digital nomad visa gives you the flexibility to stay longer and work legally.

Many documents are easier to get in your home country, so try to gather all the required documents for your digital nomad visa application before you leave for Colombia.

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Colombia. 

Additionally, gather documents that demonstrate your ability to work remotely, such as contracts or letters from clients or employers, proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay, and proof of health insurance coverage.

Now that you have gathered all the required documents, head to the official Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs online portal (SITAC Sistema Integral de Trámites al Ciudadano) and begin the process.

Fill out the Digital Nomad Visa application form; you’ll need to provide personal information and answer questions about your background and travel plans.

INSIDER TIP: Visa Application File Size- All your documents must be submitted in black and white PDF format. The Migracion Colombia website also has a 5 MB total file size limit. You must compress the PDFs above to keep them under 5 MB in total. Here is a PDF tool that can convert and reduce the file size of your documents to meet the Colombian visa requirements.

After completing the visa application form, you’ll need to pay the visa application/study fee.

See the section below for the different options to make a payment.

Waiting for approval can be an anxious time, but remain patient. Current processing times are roughly 30 days. However, every time Migracion Colombia needs any additional documentation, errors corrected, or requests clarification, the application time gets pushed.

You have 10 days to respond to any immigration authority requests. If you do not respond within 10 days, they will classify you as abandoning your application, and you will have to start the process all over.

INSIDER TIP: Extending Your Tourist Visa- Migration Colombia will not approve your digital nomad visa if you are here past your visa expiration date.

I recommend applying for your digital nomad visa immediately after you arrive in Colombia. US citizens and most foreigners get 90 days in Colombia visa-free.

If your digital nomad application drags and you are approaching your 90-day expiration date, you will need to either extend your visa or apply for a Salvoconducto SC-2 (Special Stay Permit) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are 4 stages to the applications in the process:

• Required: Your application is missing information or needs additional documentation. You have 10 days to respond to any requests.
• Inadmissible: You skipped one of the required visa documents. The good news is you have not been rejected. The bad news is you need to apply again.
• Rejected: This sucks. If your application is not approved, THERE IS NO APPEALS PROCESS. You have to leave the country and try again in six months.
• Approved: Woohoo. Your digital nomad visa application is approved. Now pay up.

To receive your valid visa, you need to pay the application fee of ~$160 and $270, depending on your nationality.

You have 5 options to pay for your visa fees:

1. Local bank transfer using Pagos Seguros en Línea (PSE)
2. Online using a Mastercard or Visa credit card
3. In-person at a Colombian Embassy or Consulate-General
4. In cash at Banco GNB Sudameris
5. Use a Servibanca ATM if you are in Colombia at the time of payment.

If you took my advice and applied when you arrived in the country, then you have time to figure out your options.

1. If Colombian Immigration deems your application INADMISSABLE, you can schedule a Visa Consultation with a Colombia Immigration Attorney to see what went wrong with your application and your options to fix it.
2. The nomad visa may not be the only type of visa you can qualify for. You can look at other Colombian visa options, like the Rentista, Retirement, or even a Study or Student Visa.
3. You can extend your 90-day tourist visa online for another as long as you haven’t stayed in Colombia for more than 180 days in a calendar year.

INSIDER TIP: Rejected Visa Applications- If you are in Colombia on an expiring tourist visa and your digital nomad visa is rejected, Migracion Colombia may grant you up to 30 days to leave the country. Additionally, you will be prohibited from submitting a new application for six months.

Why risk getting denied for 6 months? Don’t waste your time and money on a failed application. Sign up for a Colombia Visa Consultation and get a personalized plan to get your visa application approved.

• Affordability: The visa can cost as low as $191 and requires a monthly income of less than $850 USD per month, making it budget-friendly for most digital nomads. The visa is valid for 2 years and is renewable, offering a more flexible option compared to the Colombian short-stay visa.
• Legal Employment: Remote work is allowed, so you can continue your online business or work online from anywhere in Colombia legally, without needing to consult a visa agent for work permissions.
• Vibrant Cities: Whether you prefer the picturesque beaches of Cartagena, the international dining in Bogota, or the famed Medellin nightlife, your digital nomad visa application allows you long-term access to Colombia’s exciting cities.
• Low Prices: Enjoy a low cost of living compared to many Western countries; prices in Colombia for domestic goods and services are cheap. The cost of living in Colombia’s most expensive cities is still over 50% less than a medium-cost city in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.
• Warm Climate: Most regions of Colombia enjoy a pleasant tropical climate, making it an appealing destination for expats who want to escape the frigid winters in the US and Europe.
• Access To High-Quality Healthcare: With a proper visa, you’ll have access to the Colombian public health insurance system. Enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that one of the best healthcare systems in the world takes care of your basic needs, a benefit that even extends to those on a short-term stay visa.
• Fast Download Speed- Slow internet is the curse of digital nomading. But this incredible destination has the 38th ranked speeds globally. Download speeds average over 100 Mbps and upload speeds hit nearly 40 Mbps. However, the availability of internet drops significantly in rural areas. 

• Safety Concerns: Tremendous strides have been made, but some areas of Colombia still have safety issues. Especially post-pandemic, people have been getting desperate, and theft and violent crimes against foreigners are increasing. Stay vigilant, ‘No Dar Papaya,’ and research the best places for expats to live before choosing your destination.
• Permanent Residency: The nomad visa is a Type-V or Visitor Visa, not a permanent resident visa. This expatriate visa only allows you to live in the country for up to two years before requiring renewal.
• Employment Restrictions: You cannot work locally during your stay. The visa only allows you to generate foreign-sourced income. This restriction on employment is put in place to ensure that you aren’t taking work that should go to a Colombian citizen.
• Language Barrier: Only 4% of Colombians speak English. Getting a working knowledge of Spanish can enhance your experience and interactions.

Medellín is a top spot for digital nomads in Colombia. It’s known for its vibrant culture and low cost of living. If you want to work remotely, save money, and enjoy Colombia’s beauty, Medellín is perfect, especially for those holding an automatic tourist visa.

After getting your visa, you’ll find many co-working spaces and cafes in Medellín to work from. The pleasant weather, stunning views, and bustling city life make it a favorite choice for digital nomads in Colombia, attracting many to apply through a visa agent for a hassle-free process.

Other Colombian cities popular with digital nomads are Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, each offering unique experiences for those on a Colombian visa type that supports remote working.

INSIDER TIP: Real Estate Inflation- Medellin’s popularity as a digital nomad destination has caused rental prices to rise tremendously in the last two years. Stay away from rentals in El Poblado to avoid Gringo Prices.

Try Laureles, a safe neighborhood ideal for first-time expats, where one-bedroom apartments average $800 USD / ~3,500,000 COP. You should also check out my guide on tips to rent an apartment in Colombia without getting ripped off, especially for those unfamiliar with the companies in question.

It’s not a shocker that there is a massive difference in internet availability between Colombian cities and rural areas in Central and South America.

If you stick to any major city, you’ll find reliable high-speed internet services. If you insist on living in a beach city, especially on the Pacific coast, the availability of internet services and cell phone data is spotty.

The infrastructure of a modern city has its advantages. Most cafes, co-working spaces, and apartments offer fiber internet connections that are more than sufficient for Zoom calls and video downloads. Reliability is also not a significant concern, as the infrastructure is well-maintained, and downtime is rare, a relief for those on an expatriate visa.

You’ll find three major cell service providers dominating the scene. Claro takes the lead with around 50%, followed by Movistar and Tigo, each holding about 20%. Coverage is solid across the board, but don’t expect 5G data speeds yet.

At the time of writing, the Colombian Authorities still need to start auctioning off their 5g spectrum, a development eagerly awaited by the companies in question.

Getting a phone SIM card requires a valid ID and proof of address (your Airbnb or hotel is accepted). However, stick to official retail outlets and avoid street vendors.

A copy of your passport is required, and there have been reports of identity theft, a concern for those on short-term visas less than 30 days.

INSIDER TIP: Cell Phone IMEI Registration- In 2016, Colombian authorities required local cell service providers to block unregistered IMEI registration for all cell phones.

If you bring a cell phone into Colombia, you must register your phone or your service will be cut off after 30 days.

Nomads on short-term entry visas for less than 30 days are in the clear, a relief for those utilizing the automatic tourist visa.

The actual process to register varies depending on the carrier, but the relevant documents are the same. You will need:

1. Check your phone’s compatibility on the “Approved Equipment Guide” (Spanish: Guia Consulta Equipos Homologados).
2. Record your 15-digit IMEI number. Note most cell phones show this in the settings, or you can dial *#06#
3. Prove you own the phone. Proof of ownership can be a sales receipt or copy of a purchase invoice.

While there are cafes all around Colombia (Colombian coffee is kind of famous) you can work at, if you need to take up a chair and table for an extended time, head to one of the many fantastic coworking spaces.

The advantage of a coworking space is speed, as most coffee shops don’t invest in fiber, while I get ~90 Mpbs in most co-working offices.

The average cost of coworking spaces for a hot desk is $143 monthly.

1. Selina Medellin Cowork (Medellin)- A creative haven nestled in Medellin’s beating heart, offering a dynamic workspace enriched by vibrant events and a collaborative community.
2. AtomHouse (Bogota)- Located in Bogota’s bustling center, AtomHouse presents a sleek and modern co-working environment with versatile spaces, fostering innovation and networking.
3. The 4th Room (Cartagena)- In the historical charm of Cartagena, The 4th Room is a serene co-working oasis, providing a blend of productivity and relaxation against the backdrop of a picturesque city.

The general guideline is if you stay in the country for 183 days or more in a twelve-month period, you must pay and file taxes in Colombia.

However, Colombia uses a multi-prong test to determine if you are a tax resident. Similar to other countries, if your “Center of Life” or “Center of Vital Interest” is in Colombia, then how long you spend in the country is irrelevant.

Some things that could trigger Center of Life:

• If 50% or more of your income or assets are generated, located, or managed in Colombia.
• If your spouse or dependent children live in Colombia for over 183 days in 12 consecutive months.

INSIDER TIP: Tax Residency In Another Country- If you claim tax residency in another country, DIAN (the Colombian IRS) can request additional documents for proof of fiscal residency. If no evidence is provided, you are classed as a tax resident of Colombia.

To manage taxes effectively and avoid paying undue taxes and fines, digital nomads in Colombia should consider consulting with a reliable expat tax accountant.