Digital nomad visa in Colombia

December 14, 2022

Last October 21, Resolution 5477 of 2022 issued by the immigration authority in Colombia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, became effective. By means of this resolution, modifications were made to the visa regime in Colombia, in other words, visa types were added in addition to the existing ones.

The digital nomad visa is one of the new types added by this resolution in article 46. This type of visa was created in response to current realities once Colombia has become an attractive destination for those who work remotely, which allows them to work from anywhere around the world.

Colombian cities have become, in recent years, ideal destinations for digital nomads. This is due, initially, to the strategic location of our country, which allows easy mobility to the most important capitals of the continent. Additionally, the offer of coworking spaces, public areas with free Wi-Fi, and affordable rental prices make Colombia one of the most sought-after destinations for the so-called digital nomads.

If you have a job that allows you to connect from anywhere in the world, and you are considering choosing a Colombian city to be located, do not hesitate to contact us through our Contact Form or our WhatsApp +57 310 5706331. In AGT Attorneys, we have lawyers specialized in immigration law, who can advise you throughout your application process for the new Colombian nomad digital visa.

What is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is a person who works completely virtually and does not need to be present in the offices of a company or entity. Due to the remote modality of their work, they have a flexible work schedule that allows them to be located in any place of their preference and get to know new tourist places or benefit from competitive prices in housing and livelihood.

Regarding Resolution 5477 of 2022, digital nomads in Colombia are those foreigners who provide remote work or telecommuting services, from Colombian territory, as independent or linked to companies abroad.

What is a digital nomad visa for Colombia?

Fully remote workers have gained relevance during the last years around the world, it was with the pandemic that this practice intensified, and it was evident the legal void that was presented at the immigration level about travel permits for people in this particular situation. That is, it was not clear what type of visa a digital nomad should apply for, whether a tourist or work visa because they did not meet the requirements of either.

The visa for the digital nomads in Colombia is an authorization to access the country, especially for foreigners who work in virtual mode, as long as the commercial activities do not constitute a salary within the Colombian territory. Digital nomads in Colombia work for foreign companies and not local ones, so a conventional work visa would not apply to their cases.

Who can apply for a digital nomad visa in Colombia?

The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued Resolution 5477 of 2022 together with the aforementioned resolution. By means of this, more than 100 nationalities were established to be exempted from the short-stay visa in the national territory.

In this regard, a remote worker may apply for a digital nomad visa in Colombia if he/she has a passport of the 100 nationalities included in Resolution 5477 of 2022. In these cases, after verifying that the economic activity exercised by the digital nomad does not constitute a salary in Colombia, the Special Administrative Unit of "Migración Colombia" may grant, at its discretion, the corresponding entry, and exit permit according to the current regulations.

If you are interested in knowing which nationalities are exempt from the short-stay visa and are considering applying for a digital nomad visa in Colombia, do not hesitate to contact us via our Contact Form or through our WhatsApp +57 310 5706331.

At AGT Attorneys, our specialist lawyers will be able to advise you throughout your immigration process and identify if you meet the requirements to be a digital nomad in the Colombian territory.

What are the requirements to acquire the digital nomad visa?

Resolution 5477, through article 46, determined the specific requirements for the digital nomad visa. These include the following:

1. Hold a passport issued by one of the countries exempted from short-stay visas.
2. Letter in Spanish or English from the foreign companies you work for or contract with such company.
3. For entrepreneurs, a motivational letter explaining in depth the venture to be carried out.
4. Presentation of bank statements showing minimum income equivalent to three (3) Minimum Legal Monthly Wages in force during the last three months prior to the date of application.
5. Insurance policy in Colombia.

Once all the specific requirements indicated in the regulation are met, the application must be submitted virtually on the Chancellery's web page, https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa.

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

First, the digital nomad visa is filling a gap that previously existed for remote workers who aspired to work from countries of which they are not nationals and did not meet the requirements to obtain a traditional work visa.

Secondly, the specific requirements for a digital nomad visa in Colombia are simple and reduced. Therefore, if such a worker meets the requirements listed above and his or her income comes from a foreign company and not a local one, he or she will be eligible for a digital nomad visa in Colombia.

Finally, this type of visa is valid for up to two (2) years and allows the application for a visa for beneficiaries, once the foreigner becomes the holder of his/her own digital nomad visa.

Do you want to apply for a digital nomad visa in Colombia?

Colombia is one of the most attractive and ideal destinations for digital nomads today. This is due to our strategic geographical location, competitive housing prices in the market, and the various tourist sites in our national territory. The cities of Bogotá and Medellín have become perfect places for those completely virtual workers whose flexible schedules allow them to work from any room and travel in their free time. Also, cities like Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena, which are usually tourist destinations, have become ideal cities for virtual jobs because of their coworking spaces and leisure activities.

If you have a job that allows you to connect from anywhere in the world, and you are considering choosing a city in Colombia to be located, do not hesitate to contact us through our Contact Form or through our WhatsApp +57 310 5706331. At AGT Attorneys, we have expert lawyers in immigration law who can advise you throughout your visa application process, from determining the ideal type of visa for your situation to the submission of documents to the Ministry.

Want to know more about visa types in Colombia? Read our blogs about Visas in Colombia.

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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