Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa: Who It's For, What You Need and How the Process Works

If you love Medellín and want to stay longer than a tourist stay allows, Colombia's digital nomad visa is the option most remote workers look at first. It lets you live in Colombia while working for employers or clients abroad, without needing a Colombian job.

Here is the short answer. The visa is a type of visitor visa (Visa V) for remote workers and digital entrepreneurs. Current guidance describes it as valid for up to two years, with an income requirement tied to Colombia's minimum wage, mandatory health insurance and an online application through Cancillería, Colombia's foreign ministry. The details matter, so read on, and confirm everything with Cancillería before you apply.

What the visa is

Colombia overhauled its visa system with Resolución 5477 de 2022, which created a specific visitor visa for digital nomads and remote workers. It builds on a 2020 law that called for a visa for people providing remote services or running digital businesses.

Key points about how it is designed:

• It is a visitor visa (V), not a migrant (M) or resident (R) visa.
• It is for people who work remotely for foreign employers or clients, or who run their own digital business.
• It does not authorize paid work for people or companies domiciled in Colombia.
• Current guidance describes a validity of up to two years. The actual length granted is decided case by case.
• Time on this visa generally does not count toward the time needed for a resident visa, which is based on time held on migrant visas. Confirm this with Cancillería if long-term residency is your goal.

Who it is for

Remote employees

You work for a company based outside Colombia and can do your job remotely. You will typically need a letter from your employer confirming your role, that you can work remotely and your income.

Freelancers and contractors

You provide services to foreign clients. You will typically need contracts or letters from clients and proof of steady income.

Digital entrepreneurs and business owners

You own a business outside Colombia or are developing a digital venture. Guidance describes documenting ownership and your ability to run it remotely, or a project-based route for digital entrepreneurs.

Who it is not for

• People who want to work for a Colombian employer, which needs a different visa.
• People who want to stay only a few months and qualify for a tourist stay.
• People who cannot document consistent income from abroad.

General requirements

Requirements are set by Cancillería and can be updated. Based on Cancillería's framework and recent guidance, expect to provide the following.

The application process, step by step

1. Gather and translate documents. Documents not in Spanish may need an official translation, and some may need an apostille. Check Cancillería's instructions for your document types.
2. Apply online. Applications go through Cancillería's online visa platform. You create an account, choose the visa type, fill in the form and upload documents.
3. Pay the fees. Follow the payment instructions on the platform. Keep receipts.
4. Respond to requests. Cancillería may ask for more information. Check your email and the platform regularly and respond promptly.
5. Receive the decision. If approved, you receive an electronic visa linked to your passport.
6. Register with Migración Colombia. If your visa is valid for more than three months, you need to register and request a cédula de extranjería (foreign resident ID card). Check Migración's deadline for doing this after your visa is issued or you enter.

Timing: when to apply

Processing times vary and are not guaranteed, so leave plenty of buffer. A few practical points:

• Start gathering documents well before you need the visa. Bank statements must cover recent months, so plan the timing.
• Avoid booking non-refundable travel that depends on an approval date.
• If you are already in Colombia on a tourist stay, check with Cancillería whether you can apply from inside the country for your situation, and do not let your current permitted stay lapse while you wait.
• Expect slower responses around Colombian holidays, especially late December and early January.

After approval: living on the visa

Taxes

A visa and tax residency are separate. If you spend more than 183 days in Colombia within any 365-day period, you may become a Colombian tax resident, whatever your visa type. Read when a nomad becomes a Colombian tax resident before your stay gets long.

Banking and daily life

With a cédula de extranjería, opening a Colombian bank account and using local payment apps becomes more realistic. Housing gets easier too. For long-term apartments, our sister site Rent Medellín covers leases, deposits and documents landlords ask foreigners for.

Keeping your status in order

• Keep copies of your visa, passport and cédula in a secure cloud folder.
• Keep your health insurance active for the full stay.
• Report changes, such as a new passport, to the relevant authority.
• Track your days in Colombia for tax purposes.
• Note your visa's expiry date and plan any renewal or new application well ahead.

Digital nomad visa vs. staying as a tourist

Not everyone needs the visa. Here is how the two paths compare in general terms. Confirm the current rules for your nationality with Migración Colombia.

Many people start on a tourist stay, confirm they love Medellín, and then apply for the visa with time to spare. Just be sure you stay within your permitted time while you decide.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Inconsistent documents. An employer letter that lists a different salary from your bank statements raises questions.
• Weak insurance. A cheap travel policy that does not meet the required coverage can delay or sink an application.
• Using it for local work. Taking a job with a Colombian company on this visa is not permitted.
• Forgetting the cédula step. Missing the registration with Migración Colombia can cause problems later.
• Relying on old blog posts. Many guides, including older official news items, describe earlier rules. Always check the current Cancillería page.

Getting help

Many people complete the application on their own. Others prefer a Colombian immigration lawyer, especially if they have complex income, dependents or a prior visa history. If something goes wrong on the ground, like an appointment you cannot navigate in Spanish, a local fixer such as Medellín Fixer can help with the practical side.

New to the city? Start with our Medellín digital nomad starter guide, and if you need someone on the ground, ask a local.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Colombia's digital nomad visa valid?

Current guidance describes validity of up to two years, though the length granted is decided case by case. Confirm the current rules with Cancillería before applying.

How much income do I need for Colombia's digital nomad visa?

The requirement is tied to Colombia's monthly legal minimum wage, at least three times that amount per month, shown with recent bank statements. Because the minimum wage changes every year, check the current figure on Cancillería's site.

Can I work for a Colombian company on the digital nomad visa?

No. The visa is for remote work for foreign employers or clients, or your own digital business. Working for a person or company domiciled in Colombia requires a different visa.

Do I need a cédula de extranjería with the digital nomad visa?

If your visa is valid for more than three months, you need to register with Migración Colombia and request a cédula de extranjería. Check Migración's current deadline after your visa is issued or you arrive.

Does the digital nomad visa make me a tax resident?

Not by itself. Tax residency depends on time spent in Colombia, mainly more than 183 days within any 365-day period. Talk to a cross-border tax professional about your situation.