Colombia - Destination for digital nomads

March 06, 2023

Colombia has become an ideal destination for digital nomads around the world. Since the rise of working remotely, large numbers of foreign workers have chosen our territory as their destination to work and travel at the same time.

Through Resolution 5477 of 2022, Colombia implemented the granting of visas for those remote workers whose jobs allow them to work from anywhere in the continent.

Recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of digital nomads who select Colombian cities as their preferred destinations. The strategic location of the country allows easy mobility to the main capitals of the continent, making Colombia a very attractive place for these professionals. Some of the most striking elements offered by the country include the availability of co-working spaces, public areas with free Wi-Fi and affordable rental rates.

If you are a digital nomad, and you are looking for a Colombian city to settle, do not hesitate to contact us. You can do so through our Contact Form or through our WhatsApp +57 310 5706331. At AGT Attorneys, we have lawyers specialized in Immigration Law who will advise you throughout the application process to obtain your visa.

Colombia, the ideal destination for digital nomads

The cities of Bogotá, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali, Santa Marta and Cartagena have positioned themselves as preferred destinations for digital nomads. This is because they have the advantages of competitive prices, diversity of cultural and gastronomic experiences, variety of climates and a growing environment for entrepreneurship.

Advantages of living in Colombia

• Housing costs are competitively low compared to European or North American cities. In that sense, lodging, food and transportation are generally cheaper. While it is true that in larger cities such as Bogotá or Medellín, prices go up, they will always remain lower compared to the foreigners' home cities.
• The strategic location of the Colombian territory is ideal for those foreigners who wish to visit other Latin American countries. Due to its geographical location between South America and North America, nomad workers decide to stay in Colombia for some time and then continue their travel itineraries to other destinations.
• Additionally, there are multiple tourist destinations for foreigners who want to visit different places such as beaches, hills, rivers, and mountains. Likewise, there are different types of climates depending on the cities where they stay.
• Colombia's current immigration regime is beneficial for foreign remote workers, as they will be able to apply for the new visa for digital nomads, which is granted for up to two years with a minimum of requirements.

Why work remotely in Colombia?

Colombia has been ranked as the market with the best economic conditions for entrepreneurship in Latin America, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) standards. This can be evidenced in the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and that Colombia is now considered one of the regional leaders in number of startups and creation of unicorn companies. Colombia is the third Latin American country in receiving high investment funds and venture capital focused on the growth of these business models.

That is why cities such as Bogotá, Barranquilla, Medellín, and Bucaramanga have become attractive destinations for digital nomads who not only find an optimal place to live, but also an ecosystem for entrepreneurship and investment.

How much does it cost to live in Colombia for a foreigner?

As mentioned above, one of the reasons why Colombia is the ideal destination for digital nomads is that it has competitive housing costs.

Therefore, to calculate how much it costs for a foreigner to live in Colombia, we will take into account food, residence, leisure, and transportation expenses to calculate an approximate monthly value.

In conclusion, the cost of living in Colombia depends on different factors such as, for example, the city where you decide to live. However, in general, it is possible to live in Colombia with a minimum budget of between US$1200 and US$2500 per month.

What is the difference between a digital nomad visa and a work visa in Colombia?

For those foreigners who wish to live in Colombia for a certain period of time and develop work activities, it is important to keep in mind that these two types of visas are granted in different situations and to different people.

The digital nomad visa is an authorization to access the country for those foreigners who work in a virtual or completely remote modality, as long as such work activities do not constitute a salary within the Colombian territory. In other words, these workers are not employed by a national company or legal entity. On the other hand, the worker visa in Colombia applies to those foreigners who are linked to a Colombian company or national company by means of an employment contract. This worker visa is within the category of Migrant Visa Type M and may be valid for up to 3 years or for the duration of the contract.

The essential difference is that the digital nomad is employed by a foreign company. Those who apply for a work visa in Colombia, it is because they are in an employment relationship with a national company.

Therefore, when applying for a visa in Colombia, the first step is to determine which type of visa meets the purpose of the foreigner's stay.

At AGT Attorneys, we have specialists in Immigration Law with experience in the visa application process before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who will advise you in determining the ideal visa for your situation. To contact one of our lawyers, you can call +57 310 5706331 on WhatsApp or fill out this Contact Form.

What are the benefits of the digital nomad visa in Colombia?

First of all, the digital nomad visa in Colombia is an efficient solution for those who work remotely and wish to do so in countries where they are not nationals and do not meet the requirements for a conventional work visa.

Secondly, the specific requirements to obtain a nomad visa in Colombia are simple and reduced. Therefore, if the worker meets the requirements mentioned above and receives income from a foreign company, he or she will be able to apply for a nomad visa.

Finally, this type of visa has a maximum duration of 2 years and allows applying for dependent visas once the foreigner has obtained his or her own digital nomad visa.

Want to live and work remotely from Colombia?

Colombia is one of the top destinations for digital nomads, thanks to its privileged geographical location, affordability in terms of accommodation prices and a wide variety of tourist sites within the national territory.

In particular, the cities of Bogotá and Medellín are ideal destinations for workers who can work remotely and with flexible schedules. Likewise, tourist cities such as Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Cartagena offer co-working spaces and leisure activities.

If you are considering settling in Colombia and working remotely, do not hesitate to contact our firm, AGT Attorneys, through our Contact Form or by WhatsApp at +57 310 5706331. We have lawyers specialized in immigration law and with experience in the visa application process before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who can provide you with comprehensive advice on all the respective procedures. We accompany you from the selection of the appropriate type of visa to the presentation of documentation at the Ministry.

In our blog about Digital Nomad Visa, we describe the whole application process before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its general and specific requirements, among other valuable information to consider when you want to live and work from Colombia as a foreigner.

Write to us on our Contact Form, schedule your legal appointment with our lawyers through the following link or contact us at +57 310 5706331.

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