Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: How To Work Remotely In Colombia?

Written by: Chandrima Banerjee
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Believe it or not, digital nomadism is here to stay.

As the remote work has turned the corporate culture 180 degrees, digital nomadism crept in through the cracks. Opening doors for workers to earn while travelling around the world.

But that’s not all — the real catch is its Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers to freely seek adventure, culture, and nature, while earning through their laptops.

So, if exploring this South American gem has been on your bucket list, here is everything you need to know about the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

  • Benefits and offerings,
  • Eligibility criteria and required documents,
  • Application process, best cities, and more.

So, come dive right in!

What Is The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa?

To put it in simple terms, the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa is specifically designed for digital nomads and remote workers. Allowing them to work remotely in the country and contribute to its growing expat community.

Since most digital nomads tend to move around the globe, this visa allows them to enjoy the permit and its benefits. That is, they do not need to invest in residential visas.

So, they can keep travelling when the visa expires or renew the visa to continue staying in Colombia and working remotely.

Key Benefits Of The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa

Key Benefits Of The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa

Most of the popularity of the Colombian digital nomad visa lies in its top-notch provisions and other staying benefits. So, some of these benefits include—

Firstly, the visa allows digital nomads from diverse countries and states to work legally in Colombia. That is, freelancers, remote workers, and digital nomads can settle in Colombia to work for foreign clients independently.

2. Extended Visa Stay

Unlike the tourist visa, the Digital Nomad Visa provides an extended stay for up to 2 years. Moreover, it allows the workers to renew their visa for another 2 years to extend the stay for around 4 years or more.

3. Affordable Living

Additionally, Colombia is best known for its affordable stays. That is, it essentially offers a high quality of life with a low cost of living. So, many digital nomads can kickstart their remote career right here.

4. Community And Lifestyle

Moreover, Colombia is a hub for expats, offering countless co-working spaces and fast internet connectivity. Allowing the nomads to work digitally without facing any connectivity issues— be it digital or physical.

5. Tax Considerations And Residency Rules

Since the digital nomads derive their pay from foreign companies, they are exempt from income taxes. That is, they do not need to pay taxes for working in Colombia.

Moreover, it offers temporary residence to the nomads. That is, they are allowed to stay at any residential place they choose for the entire tenure of the visa.

Who Is Eligible For The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa?

Who Is Eligible For The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Since the government provides the permit, there is a specific eligibility criterion that the digital nomad needs to meet to get the visa approval—

  • Nationality — Firstly, the worker should be a citizen of any of these countries: the USA, Germany, Australia, Canada, Spain, Indonesia, or Portugal. But now, they are allowing more nationalities.
  • Employment Status — Moreover, the worker should be freelancing, self-employed, or working under an employer. That is, they need to directly contribute to the economic activity of the country.
  • Income Requirements — Additionally, the worker needs to earn a minimum amount to be eligible for the visa approval. That is, they need to earn at least $900 per month to apply for the visa.
  • Remote Work For Foreign Clients — Also, the remote worker should be employed by a foreign company or should work for foreign clients. So, they should not be working under any local businesses.
  • Health Insurance — Finally, they should have an international health insurance that more or less works with any hospital in the country. So, they can get compensation for their medical expenses.

What Documents Are Required For A Digital Nomad Visa In Colombia?

What Documents Are Required For A Digital Nomad Visa In Colombia

During the application process for the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa, workers need to provide documents as evidence for their identity, income, and more. So, some of these documents include—

1. Passport And Nationality Proof

Firstly, you need to provide your passport that has been valid for at least 6 months. This will act as your proof of nationality and identification. Additionally, you can provide other official documents to prove your citizenship.

2. Remote Job Documents

Moreover, you need to provide the employment contract or foreign client deals to show that you work for foreign companies.

Also, you need to have reference letters, a remote setup letter, and an inspirational letter explaining why you want to continue working here.

3. Income Records

Apart from these, you need to submit the payslips from your company or show bank transactions to ensure you are earning over $900 per month.

Remember, this is a vital document. So, without the right documents, it might not be possible to get the visa approval.

4. International Health Insurance

5. Criminal Records

Finally, you need to provide a clean criminal record. That is, you need to visit your nearby police station to collect your clean criminal record and submit it along with the application.

How To Apply For The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa?

How To Apply For The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa

Unlike passing the criteria for the digital nomad visa, applying for the visa is simpler. That is, you just need to follow these simple steps—

1. Prepare Documents And Application

Firstly, you need to keep all the required documents prepared. Then, you should visit the official website — Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and fill out the application form, and attach the documents with the application.

2. Check Fees, And Submit Application

Then, you need to check the fees for applying— $50 to $60. So, add the amount through the payment portal, and submit the application form for the digital nomad visa.

3. Application Processing And Follow-Up

Now, you have to wait for the processing of the application. This generally takes 1 to 4 weeks of time. After that, you will get the notification for the follow-up dates.

4. Post-Arrival Registrations

Finally, once you arrive in Colombia, you need to take the final steps of the application process to secure the visa provisions.

That is, you need to register with the Migration Office to get the migration certificate. Additionally, you can get the Cedula de Extranjería to extend the stay period by 90 more days.

Now, following these simple steps, anyone can get their digital nomad pass to explore the culture and beauty of Colombia.

So, what’s stopping you from living your dream nomadic life? Get the visa and embark on the Colombian nomadic life today!

FAQs

Here, I have brought you a list of all the common questions around the Colombian digital nomad visa that most remote workers look for.

1. Can You Renew The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes, absolutely. Unlike other digital nomad visas, the Colombian digital nomad visa can be renewed to extend the stay by 2 more years. That is, the remote worker should meet the criteria and apply for the renewed visa 30 days before the original one expires.

2. Can Family Members Apply For The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes, absolutely. Family members of the remote worker with the Colombian digital nomad visa can apply for the same as their beneficiaries. That is, the visa allows legal partners, spouses, and children to accompany the worker for 2 years in the country.

3. What Happens If You Overstay In Colombia?

Colombian law severely punishes any overstaying of the digital nomad visas. That is, the worker might be deported, imposed a high fine, or even banned from entering the country for around 5 years. So, these might complicate the future visa-getting process.

4. How Long Does The Colombian Visa Approval Take?

Usually, all types of Colombian visas are approved within 3 to 15 working days. But, since the digital nomad visa is a residential type of visa, it takes around 6 to 13 weeks to get the approval.

Moreover, if there is an issue with the documents provided, the time can extend further by 1 to 4 weeks. So, remote workers need to plan their visa processes accordingly to avoid clashing the approval dates with the actual travel dates.

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