How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa in Colombia – Expatgroup.co

In 2022, many new laws gave us a lot to talk about. One of the most popular was Resolution 5477 of July 22nd, 2022, which introduced modifications and new dispositions to the national migration system and added one of the most desired visas for expats: the Digital Nomad Visa in Colombia.

Since activating this new visa category, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been flooded with requests from foreigners who want to learn more about the Digital Nomad Visa and apply for it to enjoy a legal stay in Colombia. Today, it is still the most popular visa type among the expat community, and the numbers are increasing.

The Digital Nomad Visa holds considerable appeal for investors and entrepreneurs. Its flexibility permits them to comfortably manage international investments and businesses while enjoying the Colombian lifestyle. According to the Single Business and Social Registry (RUES), just in 2022, 310,731 new companies were created in the country, and this growing economy makes Colombia a great place to do business and encourage investment and entrepreneurship.

About the Digital Nomad Visa

Firstly, you have to know that this visa doesn’t allow you to work as an employee for a business in Colombia. Suppose you will be hired by a legally domiciled company in this Latin American country or wish to find a job after arriving here. In that case, you must opt for another visa category, like M – Work Visa.

The Digital Nomad Visa can be granted for up to two  years. The Colombian government decides the visa duration at the approval and issuance time. However, according to current regulations, this visa can be renewed so that you can continue living as a Digital Nomad in Colombia even for several years.

If you are interested in applying for a Digital Nomad Visa, these are the basic requirements that you must collect:

• Original valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months validity.
• One digital 3×4 photo with a white background and without wearing accessories.
• Demonstrate minimum income through bank statements, with a minimum income of $773 USD (at a 4,500 COP-TRM exchange rate) equivalent to 3 monthly legal minimum wages (SMMLV) for the last quarter of the year and with the current national rate.
• It’s required and mandatory to have a health insurance policy.

Now, other essential requirements will depend on the nomad profile you have:

Digital Nomad Visa for Workers of a Foreign Company

Digital Nomad Visa applicants must be people linked by a labor contract with a foreign company. They must demonstrate that their companies permit them to work remotely without affecting their professional and economic stability. If this is your case, in the visa application, you will need a letter from your company noting this point and the fees agreed between the employer and the worker. Also, you must add your employment contract if you have it.

Living in Colombia as a digital nomad offers workers of foreign companies the advantage of experiencing a culturally rich and affordable lifestyle. With the Digital Nomad Visa, you can work remotely from Colombia’s best places while enjoying a lower cost of living than in other countries. This extended stay allows for deep immersion in Colombian culture and the opportunity to develop language skills, fostering a well-rounded personal and professional experience.

Digital Nomad Visas for Owners and Business Associates

Other applicants can be the owners or associates of a foreign company. They have to subscribe in the application to the good standing certificates of the company, a letter from the enterprise about the habilitation to execute their activities remotely, and other documents that demonstrate their connection to the business. A Certified Public Accountant must complete the letter requirement for sole proprietorship businesses.

Colombia attracts owners and business associates with its dynamic entrepreneurial environment. The Digital Nomad Visa facilitates engagement with the thriving Colombian startup scene, providing opportunities for networking and collaboration. In addition to cost-effective living, Colombia’s stunning scenery and vibrant culture can enhance creativity and inspire business growth. Whether you’re a business owner seeking expansion or a collaborator seeking new prospects or investments, the combination of opportunities and lifestyle that Colombia offers is truly unique and attractive.

Digital Nomad Visa for Entrepreneurs

Finally, the other applicants who can opt for the Digital Nomad Visa are digital entrepreneurs who want to do business in Colombia. The kind of projects has to be startups and digital companies or project models that impulse the national progress of the country. The foreigner must add to the application a motivational letter with an explanation of their company, a business plan with all the project’s details, and the financial and human resources that pretend to be invested in this entrepreneurship.

As a digital nomad destination, Colombia is a fertile ground for entrepreneurs. Besides the advantages of working remotely, the country’s thriving economy and creative atmosphere create favorable conditions for entrepreneurship. The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to establish a base for exploring business opportunities, tapping into new markets, and building a global network that presents an ideal backdrop for entrepreneurial inspiration and success.

The Process to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa

You can access the application form on the official government website and fill it out online, uploading all the documents. Please note that the Colombian government initially accepts documents in English for the Digital Nomad Visa application; However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may request that documents from abroad be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.

The first step, the study process, has a fee of $54 USD, for an equivalent of 246,000 Colombian pesos (at a 4,500 COP-TRM exchange rate), which you can pay by credit card or with another national payment method. The final payment when the approval of the visa is $177 USD, for an equivalent of 796,500 pesos (at a 4,500 COP-TRM exchange rate).

When you make the approval payment, your electronic visa will be issued within the next ten days (it usually takes around three days), then you will be ready to start the Foreign ID Card process (known as a Cédula de Extranjería). This ID implies fees of 246,000 pesos, for an equivalent of $54 USD (at a 4,500 COP-TRM exchange rate), that you must pay at Colombian Migration. If you want to know the details of this last step, obtain the guide on requesting your Cédula de Extranjería and learn about its benefits. You can read more here: Benefits of the Colombian Cédula de Extranjería.

In addition to having the possibility of working remotely in any region of the country, you can access the Beneficiary Visa option to bring your family members to accompany you on the adventure of digital nomadism in Colombia. The Beneficiary visa in Colombia applies to couples and children under 25.

The online form will take you at least 30 minutes to complete it. However, if you are still getting familiar with the visa application process, the best choice is to seek assistance from an experienced visa agency. In that way, you will benefit from the expertise that can be invaluable in ensuring all aspects of the Digital Nomad Visa application.

Having completed many Digital Nomad Visa approvals (more than 500 in recent months), expartgroup.co can help you to obtain this Visitor Visa. For answers to questions, additional information, or professional guidance, please contact them by any of the following methods: