Colombia has rapidly consolidated itself as a preferred global destination for digital nomads. Its vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and attractive cost of living, coupled with the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa, promised a fluid migratory process and an open door for remote professionals. However, it is a worrying increase in visa rejections due to inadmissibility for digital nomads, with unexpected decisions from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that are generating confusion and frustration. In this blog, we want to provide an essential guide, based on our direct experience, to help you better understand the current reality of the nomad visa and these cases of inadmissibility.

Why Are Digital Nomad Visas Being Rejected Due to Inadmissibility in Colombia?

The inadmissibility cases of Colombian digital nomad visas are primarily occurring due to the application of discretionary power by the migratory authorities. These responses are primarily generated without a clear or explicit reason or with motives such as the perceived lack of officiality of documents, unclear relation with the contractor company, or whether the nomad’s activity is of interest to the country, even when this last point was a requirement only for nomad entrepreneurs.

Although correctable errors in documentation that are not rectified in time or serious flaws in the application also play a role, the central concern lies in the opacity of these discretionary inadmissibility decisions, which are a widespread phenomenon that is leaving applicants without precise guidance for future applications. These cases of unadmitted digital nomad visas in Colombia are prevalent; it is not limited to a specific type of applicant, nationality, or whether the application was submitted independently or through an agency, within Colombia, or through a Consulate.

What are the Main Reasons for Inadmissibility?

It is common to obtain the “unadmitted” response due to uncorrected requirements or documentation flaws. Additionally, fundamental and serious problems identified from the outset of the application (e.g., serious criminal records, evidence of fraud or misrepresentation of information) can result in a direct rejection, without prior opportunity for correction.

How to Reduce the Probabilities of Visa Rejections?

Understanding the complex scenario of many digital nomad visa applications being rejected in Colombia, at expatgroup.co, we have compiled a set of recommendations that we often provide to our customers to minimize risks and act effectively. Our experience has led us to take multiple actions, from optimizing applications sent from the country of origin to intensifying our efforts with documentary reviews before the application, always seeking the best clarity and results.

We offer all complementary documentation services that are key to making your first application as complete as possible, reducing the possibility of requests for additional information or inadmissibility decisions.

Here are the following recommendations you can follow before your visa application:

What are the Alternatives to the Digital Nomad Visa?

If you intend to establish yourself medium to long-term in Colombia, or if your profile does not perfectly match the current expectations for the nomad visa, it is strategic to consider other visa categories. We can advise you on how and when to apply for a Type M (Migrant) visa, or even other Type V (Visitor) visas. Profiling yourself for a visa that better aligns with your intentions of permanence could offer a clearer route for migratory analysts and avoid visa inadmissibilities. You can consider the following visas that may be potential for re-profiling before your application.

Choosing the correct visa is a strategic decision that can define the trajectory of your experience in Colombia. By profiling yourself correctly and exploring all available options, you not only increase your probabilities of approval but also ensure that your migratory status aligns with your true intentions of permanence, avoiding future complications and unnecessary visa inadmissions. Expert advice, at this point, becomes an investment in your peace of mind.

Expatgroup.co’s Pursuit of Clarity on Digital Nomad Visas Inadmissibility

This persistent opacity not only exacerbates uncertainty but also significantly complicates the reapplication process. All this situation underscores the crucial need for expert representation that can anticipate potential obstacles and guide applicants in preparing the most robust possible application, long before submission.

To Sum Up

Recent Digital Nomad visa inadmissibility cases in Colombia have created an opaque landscape for foreigners aspiring to settle in the country and combine an excellent quality of life with their remote jobs. Although the responses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rely on their discretionary power, this generates doubt and dissatisfaction among applicants who demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Resolution 5477 of 2022 and have provided all necessary documents, adhering to legality. 

At expatgroup.co, we are making the greatest efforts to ensure this impact does not spread too widely, recommending the submission of high-quality applications, including all required documents and those we know are typically requested, or recommending prior document reviews or visa re-profiling. We hope the situation for foreign applicants improves and that the state can provide more detailed information on the reasons for so many visa inadmissions, offering greater clarity to future applicants. If you are thinking of obtaining a digital nomad visa or another category, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask any questions you may have regarding your future application.