Am I eligible for this visa?

If you are a remote worker, entrepreneur, freelance or employee from any of the countries exempt from the short-stay visa for Colombia, you are eligible to apply for this visa.

What are its benefits and restrictions?

Up to two years validity

It allows you to live and work remotely from Colombia for up to two (2) years. It also allows you to get a foreign ID card (Cédula de extranjería).

Although some people say is valid only for 6 months, this is not true. TL;DR. It is valid for up to two (2) years, not 180 days as many say.

No work permit

It does not allow you to work in Colombia for Colombian companies or as a freelancer in Colombia, as it does not include a work permit.

This visa admits beneficiaries

It allows you to bring your Spouse and children under 25 as beneficiaries once your visa gets approved.

No time accrue towards residency

Since it is a visitor-type (V) visa, it won’t allow you to accrue time in order to apply for a residency or (R) visa.

What do I need to apply?

1. Evidence of remote work

This requirement can be met in different manners, depending on wether you are applying as a) an employee; b) an independent contractor (freelancer); c) an entrepreneur – founder / owner of a foreign company; or d) as a digital entrepreneur.

a) Applying as an employee

b) Applying as an independent contractor or freelance

c) Applying as a business owner

d) Applying as a digital entrepreneur

2. Health insurance

You must have a health insurance policy that provides coverage in Colombia for risks including: accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation, with at least one (1) year of validity.

We recommend Genki to fulfill this requirement, as it offers:

1. Monthly payments starting at 65 EUR

1. The option to cancel at any time

1. Quick and online purchase process (within one business day)

1. Issuance of a health coverage summary in Spanish

1. Successful use by many of our clients in obtaining their visas

3. Personal bank statements

Provide your bank statements from the three months prior to the visa application.

Those statements must show that you earn at least three Colombian minimum wages per month.

As of 2025, the Colombian minimum wage is $1,423,500 COP*3 = $4,270,500 COP.

Tip: It is recommended to include bank statements where you receive your salary from your employment or where you receive payments from your clients.

4. Criminal Records from your home country

Although it is not a formal requirement established in Colombian immigration regulations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the authority that examines visa applications) has recently requested that the criminal background certificate from your country of nationality be included in the visa application. This document must have an issuance date no older than 3 months at the time of the visa application and must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.

If you are from the USA, at Capital M we include our service for obtaining the FBI certificate: we take your fingerprints at our office and assist you with the federal apostille and official translation into Spanish.

Additional recommendations

Since 2024, the immigration authority has intensified the review and analysis for the approval of digital nomad visas.

Therefore, we strongly recommend preparing a solid professional profile and a motivation letter in which you introduce yourself and demonstrate the positive contribution you will generate in Colombia through your remote work. Include your resume, social media profiles, and evidence of the type of work you perform virtually.

If your background report includes prior arrests, include a letter explaining exactly what happened in each case.

Naturally, we do not recommend providing false information or altered documents, as this may lead to the denial of the visa.