Guide to the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa - Medellin Advisors (2024)

The rising popularity of digital nomads has led many countries to adapt their immigration policies to attract these professionals who work remotely while traveling the world. Colombia, a country rich in culture, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant digital scene, has recently launched the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa.

In this article, we will explore in detail this type of visa, including its requirements, benefits, limitations, costs, procedures, tips, and more.

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Legal residency: The visa grants you the possibility to legally reside in Colombia as a digital nomad for a period of up to two (02) years and can be renewed.

Remote work allowed: With this visa, you can carry out your remote work or operate your online business without the need to obtain local employment. This provides you with the flexibility to continue your work while enjoying the experience of living in Colombia.

Extended stay: The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay in Colombia for a longer period compared to a standard tourist visa. This gives you the opportunity to explore and enjoy Colombian culture, landscapes, and lifestyle for an extended time.

Access to services and benefits: By obtaining this visa, you will have access to the services and benefits provided by the Colombian government to legal residents, such as healthcare, education, among others.

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• Exclusive remote work activity: The visa is specifically designed for those who engage in remote work or have an online business. It does not allow employment in Colombia or the conduct of commercial activities within the country.

• Maintenance of income: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to sustain yourself during your stay in Colombia without the need for local employment. It is important to have an adequate level of financial solvency to meet this requirement.

• Compliance with immigration legislation: As a visa holder, you must comply with all immigration laws and regulations of Colombia. This includes respecting the permitted stay periods and fulfilling any requirements or procedures established by the immigration authorities.

• Renewal and monitoring: The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa has a limited duration of up to two years, therefore you must renew it upon expiration to maintain your legal status and retain its benefits.

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2. Demonstrate that you are a digital nomad: You need to prove that you work remotely or have an online business that allows you to generate income while you are in Colombia. This requirement can be fulfilled by providing a letter in Spanish or English issued by one or multiple foreign companies for which you provide services, indicating the type of relationship and remuneration received. If you have a contract with the company, you should provide it, or you can demonstrate that you are a partner or co-owner of a foreign company through a letter indicating that you work for the company remotely.

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Regarding bank statements to demonstrate your financial solvency for your digital nomad visa, here are some important points to consider:

• Request a detailed report of your financial transactions from your bank for the past three months in a formal format with the bank’s logo and contact information to ensure its authenticity.
• The bank statements should demonstrate that you receive the amount stated in your employment letter, invoices, contracts with clients, or sales if you’re a digital entrepreneur.
• Save and maintain at least three months‘ worth of your declared income as available balance before submitting your visa application to demonstrate your ability to sustain yourself in Colombia in case of job loss or similar circ*mstances. The recommended amount is at least $2,500-3,000 USD. Based on the minimum set by Colombian authorities to cover three months of stay. If you’re including dependents in your digital nomad visa application, such as a spouse or dependent children, you should have additional funds available.

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1. Not all insurance policies cover “maternity,” “disability,” “death,” and “repatriation.” Check before purchasing to avoid any issues.

2. A one-year policy is insufficient for longer visas. Most insurance and travel assistance companies offer only one-year renewable contracts. After extensive research, I have found only three options so far that provide special insurance for Colombian visas for two or even three years (such as the investor visa).

3. Beware of opportunistic or inexperienced agents who offer cheap insurance without considering the law and your specific case. Qualified agents are scarce.

Take your decision informed, as saving money on insurance this year is fine, but sooner than you think, you will have to start the visa renewal process for next year. Analyze the situation carefully before making a decision. The cost of these plans to meet regulatory requirements currently ranges between $600 and $900 USD per person per year, but it may vary depending on age, medical history, and requested duration.

Remember to consult with a professional insurance broker or agent who specializes in handling expatriate visa cases. This benefit of having an agent is a right you have according to Colombian laws, and it is also cost-free for you, as it is paid by the companies, but it is a great advantage to avoid improvisations.

Learn more about the valid insurance or assistance plan for Colombian visas at the following link.

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Although not explicitly stated in Article 46 related to the Digital Nomad Visa, it is established in Resolution #5477 of 2022 that the competent authority has broad discretionary powers. Therefore, it is foreseeable that Colombian Foreign Ministry officials may request additional information or documentation from the applicant before approving or rejecting this digital nomad visa application. Some of the relevant documents or information include:

• Police record or criminal background: You may be required to provide a certificate of criminal background demonstrating that you have no criminal record in your country of origin or in countries where you have resided during the past five years.

Unfortunately, some expatriates have drawn attention to themselves, causing concern among Colombian authorities and the population. It is common to hear in the news and on social media cases involving expatriates engaging in noisy parties, sex tourism, webcam and p*rnography activities, as well as illegal drug possession and even homicides. Therefore, it is understandable that the Colombian Foreign Ministry is being stricter and not allowing undesirable individuals to enter this country.

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• Apostilled Documents: Colombia is a member of The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, which includes 118 countries worldwide. Therefore, it is possible that in some cases, officials from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs processing visa applications may request that the documents submitted for your Digital Nomad visa application have an “Apostille” seal. This seal certifies the validity and authenticity of documents issued in countries that are signatories to this convention.

• Recent photo: Attach a recent photograph in digital format that complies with the requirements established by the Colombian immigration authorities.

• Travel itinerary: If you are currently abroad, provide a tentative travel itinerary showing your plans for staying in Colombia, including dates and places you intend to visit.

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• Step 1: Fill out the online application form on the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You will need to complete the official application form for the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa. This form collects relevant personal and employment information. I have a video tutorial in Spanish on Colombian visa application forms. Watch it here.

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• Step 2: Attach the documentation mentioned above according to Article 46 of Resolution #5477 of 2022.

• Step 3: After completing the form and attaching the requirements for the Digital Nomad visa. You will need to pay an application fee. As of the end of May 2023, this fee is 52 USD. Then, if your digital nomad visa is approved, you will need to pay an issuance fee of 170-230 USD. The fee will depend on your nationality. So please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at the time of application as this amount may vary.

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• Step 4:Wait for the processing time. Normally, it takes around 30 business days. However, due to thehigh volume of applications, as of the end of May 2023, the average response time in some known cases has been longer (averaging 45 days). To obtain your visa, you must be in the country legally or have obtained an extension of your tourist visa or a special stay permit (PEP). If your current stay isillegal, your application is likely to be rejected.

• Step 5: If the response is positive, congratulations! You will be able to obtain your visa and have it stamped in your passport. This process may vary if you are in the country. You can obtain it personally in Bogotá or abroad (at consulates, embassies, or diplomatic representations of the country).

However, if you are requested to provide additional information or correct any errors. you must respond within a period of ten (10) days. Failure to do so will result in your application being consideredabandoned.

If your visa application is denied, and you are in the country. You may be required to leave within a period of thirty (30) days, and you will not be able to submit a new application within the following six (06) months.

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If your digital nomad visa application is not yet approved, and you are requested to provide additional information, documentation, or make corrections, you must respond within a period of ten (10) days. Failure to do so will result in your application being considered abandoned.

However, if your visa application is denied, and you are already in the country. You may be asked to leave within a period of thirty (30) days, and you will not be able to submit a new application within the following six (06) months.

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