Colombia’s economic growth makes it an attractive location for companies looking to scale in South America. If your company is taking advantage of this opportunity, you’ll need to obtain Colombia work visas for all international employees. However, not all companies have the time or expertise to efficiently get a work visa in Colombia.

Types of work visas in Colombia

Colombia issued Resolution 5477 of 2022 on 22 July 2022. It took effect on 21 October 2022, updating visa categories and replacing the prior framework under Resolution 6045 of 2017. Visa options include:

  • Visitor eVisa (V): A Visitor (V) visa that allows eligible non-citizens to enter for tourism or business. The stay is generally limited to 180 days within any 365-day period.
  • Migrant “M” type visa: This type of visa is a temporary resident visa that allows individuals to stay in Colombia for an extended period, either for work or family reunification purposes and up to 3 years.
  • Resident “R” type visa: A visa for individuals establishing themselves in Colombia permanently. The requirements include proof of financial stability, a criminal record check, and a health certificate.
  • Technical visa: This visa is mostly applicable to technical practitioners intending to enter Colombia to provide urgent technical services to public or private entities. A letter from the entity assuming the responsibility of the service required must be provided. The validity period of this visa is up to 2 years, but it may be shorter depending on the assignment and consular discretion.
  • Digital nomad visa: A digital nomad or remote worker visa for foreign nationals working remotely for employers or clients outside Colombia. It can generally be granted for up to 2 years.

M visas are the most common among expats for reasons such as marriage, investment, retirement, work, and studies. Individuals must meet certain requirements to obtain an M visa, such as having a spouse or partner who’s a resident of Colombia, maintaining permanent employment, or coming to Colombia as a missionary. These visas are typically valid for up to 3 years, depending on the M visa category. Student M visas are generally valid for the academic program duration, usually up to 2 years. However, certain exceptions exist, such as category 5 work visas and category 9 student visas, which can be less than 3 years, depending on the length of employment and studies.

As of June 2023, eligible Venezuelan nationals may be able to apply for a resident visa after 5 years as holders of a Temporary Protection Permit. Permanent residence is not automatic, and applicants must meet the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ current visa requirements.

Requirements to obtain Colombia work visas

The requirements for a working visa in Colombia vary by visa type. With that said, most require a job offer from a local employer to start. Once the employee and employer sign a contract, they can start the application process. In addition to the employment contract, applicants will need a letter of motivation from the employer, 6 months of bank statements, a photocopy of their passport, and a passport-style photo. Although the visa application process is online, visas are issued in person at the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores offices in Bogota.

In October 2022, Colombia implemented stricter requirements for visa applications including:

  • A passport or travel document that is generally valid for at least 6 months, with available pages for visa or entry stamps.
  • Proof of medical insurance for most visa types.
  • An apostilled or legalized translated bachelor’s degree diploma for M visas.
  • Applications filed internationally must be submitted from the country where the applicant is a citizen or holder of a residence permit.

After holding a qualifying M visa for at least 5 continuous years, individuals can typically apply for an R visa. After holding an R visa for 5 more years, they can generally apply for Colombian citizenship by adoption or naturalization. Shorter timelines may apply for some applicants, including certain Latin American or Caribbean nationals, Spanish nationals, and spouses or permanent partners of Colombian nationals. Since the country permits dual citizenship, individuals won’t need to deal with visas or give up citizenship in another country.

Colombia is part of the MERCOSUR agreement. This means that nationals eligible under the MERCOSUR Migrant Visa route may generally apply without employer sponsorship. This visa is based on nationality or residence-mobility eligibility, not a Colombian employment contract, although applicants should confirm current requirements for their exact nationality and visa conditions.

Application process

When employees need a working visa, they must fill out the application form for the type of visa they require. They can register online on the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores website by uploading all relevant documents. Once the application gets filed, reviewed, and approved, applicants must follow the authorities’ directions for payment.

Employers must provide:

  • Bank statements corresponding with the 6 months before the visa application.
  • Proof of average monthly income of 100 times the legal monthly minimum wages.
  • The previous year’s income statement.
  • A certificate of suitability for the applicant.
  • Relevance of the employment contract.
  • Academic support of the visa applicant

In October 2022, Colombia increased the processing time for visas. Employers can expect a longer wait for work and residency permits.

Other important considerations

Foreign nationals with a Colombian visa valid for more than 3 months generally need a Cédula de Extranjería. They must complete the process with Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days of entering Colombia, or within 15 calendar days of visa issuance if the visa was granted in Colombia. They’ll need a copy of their passport and M visa.

Keep in mind that obtaining the Colombian Identity Card requires an appointment either online or in person. All applicants must file the right documents, pay the fee, then go to the office to pick up the physical ID card.

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At this moment, G-P does not offer support processing work visas or permits in this particular location.