Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa, formally a Visitor Visa (Visa V), is designed for people who work online for employers, clients or businesses outside Colombia. It can suit employees of foreign companies, independent contractors and certain digital entrepreneurs who want to live temporarily in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena or the Coffee Region. The visa is not a general work permit for the Colombian labor market, so understanding its limits is essential before applying.
Who qualifies for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa?
You may qualify if you work remotely for a company located outside Colombia, provide services to foreign clients under remote contracts, or operate a digital business connected with overseas customers. The rules also contemplate applicants who develop digital content or software and entrepreneurs who can explain their business model and international income.
An employee normally submits a letter from the foreign employer confirming the employment relationship, position, remuneration and permission to work remotely from Colombia. An independent worker can provide contracts or service agreements with foreign clients. Contracts and supporting documents should clearly show that the relevant customers or employer are outside Colombia.
You must also meet general visa conditions, including holding a valid passport, providing a compliant photograph and demonstrating that you do not have an applicable Colombian immigration or criminal impediment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request additional evidence or an interview.
Minimum income requirement
The principal applicant must show average monthly income during the previous three months of at least three times Colombia’s current minimum monthly legal wage (salario mínimo mensual legal vigente, or SMLMV). Because the SMLMV is set annually, the peso amount changes from year to year. Check the current figure when preparing your application rather than relying on an old online article.
Typical evidence includes bank statements for the required period, payment records and an employer or client letter. Statements should make the source and regularity of the income understandable. If your income is paid in another currency, the visa authority may assess its equivalent value in Colombian pesos. Keep clear copies of contracts, invoices and transfer records in case the consular office requests clarification.
What remote work is permitted?
The Visa V for digital nomads permits remote work for foreign companies or foreign clients. It does not authorize you to take a local job, work as an employee of a Colombian company or provide ordinary services to Colombian customers under this category. Do not assume that working from a Colombian coworking space changes the legal position: the important issue is the employer or client and the nature of the activity.
If you later want to work for a Colombian employer or conduct an activity requiring a different authorization, obtain appropriate immigration and professional advice before changing your work arrangements. Separate rules can apply to regulated professions, taxation, business registration and local contracting.
How long is the visa valid?
The Digital Nomad Visa may be granted for up to two years, subject to the period approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a temporary visitor visa, not a Colombian residence visa, and holding it does not by itself create a direct route to a resident visa. The visa’s validity and your permitted stay should be checked on the electronic visa document and in the relevant Resolution 5477 of 2022 rules.
Visa validity is also separate from tax residence. Under Colombia’s tax rules, spending 183 days or more in the country during the relevant 365-day period can make someone a Colombian tax resident, subject to the detailed statutory tests and exceptions. Before relocating, discuss worldwide income, reporting and possible double-taxation issues with a qualified Colombian accountant and, where relevant, an adviser in your home country.
Application process
Applications are made online through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform. You normally upload a passport copy, recent photograph, employment or client documentation, proof of the foreign company or business relationship, evidence of income and other requested forms. Documents may need to be in Spanish or accompanied by an official Spanish translation, and foreign public documents may require apostille or legalization where applicable.
- Confirm that your passport has sufficient validity and blank pages and that your intended activity fits the digital-nomad category.
- Collect three months of financial evidence, contracts or an employer letter, and a concise explanation of your remote work and planned stay.
- Arrange health insurance covering Colombia for the requested period, with the coverage required by the visa authority.
- Submit the online form and files through Cancillería, pay the application study fee and respond promptly if officials request more information.
- If approved, pay any applicable visa issuance fee and follow the instructions for the electronic visa and entry documentation.
Fees vary according to nationality, application location and the current schedule, so use the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal for the amount applicable to you. If you enter Colombia with an approved electronic visa, check whether registration with Migración Colombia or issuance of a visa label is required for your particular document. Keep digital and printed copies while traveling.
Bringing a spouse, partner or children
The main visa holder can generally request beneficiary status for a spouse or permanent partner and eligible dependent children. Children may include those under the age specified by the visa regulations, commonly dependent children up to 25, while dependent children with qualifying disabilities may be treated differently. Each beneficiary needs a separate application and supporting documents.
Prepare marriage or civil-partnership evidence, birth certificates and proof of dependency where relevant. Foreign civil documents may require apostille or legalization and an official Spanish translation. Beneficiaries should not assume they can work in Colombia simply because they are linked to the principal applicant; their permitted activities depend on the visa issued to them and Colombian immigration rules.
Requirements and online procedures can change, so verify the latest instructions with Cancillería and Migración Colombia before submitting. For housing, insurance, banking, transport and other practical needs, explore local businesses and services in our Colombia directory.