Table of Contents
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.
However, the latest motives of inadmissibility don’t fall within this framework. In recent months, “discretionary power” is the most cited reason in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs‘ decisions, and through our recent experience and analysis of nomad inadmission cases, we have found specific patterns on how these visa inadmissions are originating. Understanding these motives, often subtle and unclear, is fundamental for any aspiring digital nomad in Colombia.
The Discretionary Power
This is the most generic and frustrating reason. Authorities exercise their sovereign power to reject an application due to inadmissibility without a detailed explanation of “why”. This leaves the applicant in limbo, as there is no explicit cause to correct. In our attempts to obtain greater clarity from the MRE through appeals or PQRS, we often encounter the same justification, without getting a detailed explanation that would allow us to correct our clients’ applications (Art. 19, Resolution 5477 de 2022).
Argument that the Activities are not of “Interest to the Country”
This concept has been a key factor in several nomad visa inadmissibilities. The law specifies that the activities of a digital nomad entrepreneur can be evaluated under the expectation of the development of digital content or technologies of interest to Colombia. However, applicants who do not fit this profile (such as employees and partners or owners of foreign companies) have been unadmitted under this argument, even though the law is clear on who this requirement applies to (Art. 46, Resolution 5477 de 2022).
Perception of “Officiality” of Documents and Robustness of the Labor Relationship
The inadmissibility cases also extend to the evaluation of employment documentation. Even if the link with a foreign company is demonstrable, visa rejections have occurred if authorities perceive that the document lacks the desired “officiality” or “robustness” (e.g., simple work letters without logos, corporate design elements, or lack of clarity regarding contracting modalities). This suggests an unstated expectation about the visual presentation or detail of the employment relationship.
Profiled Applicants for Migrant Visas
It has been observed that the authority may be seeking a nomad profile that closely aligns with a visitor character, distinguishing between those who qualify for temporary stays and those with a long-term intention to settle. A digital nomad visa application could be interpreted as an indication of intentions of permanence or settlement, which clearly corresponds to a type Migrant visa, which could generate visa inadmissibility under the protection of discretion.
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:
Quality in Your Application
The quality, clarity, and consistency of every aspect of your application are crucial. Given the current rigor and the motives for visa inadmissibility we have observed, it is vital to go beyond the basics. Every document must be impeccable, every statement coherent, and your profile must be presented unequivocally. This meticulousness is your first and best defense against subjective interpretations or shortcomings that could lead to an obstacle in your process.
Expert Document Review
This service is fundamental in the current scenario. Experts analyze your application in depth, identifying possible weaknesses, inconsistencies, or elements that could lead to erroneous interpretations by migratory authorities. Our goal is to ensure that your application is as robust as possible before official submission, anticipating and mitigating the risks of visa inadmissions based on discretionary power or the perception of a lack of clarity.
Want to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa but Worried About Inadmissibility Cases?
With the uncertainty of visa inadmissions, your application must be as thorough as possible from the start. At expatgroup.co, we offer a Standard Paperwork Review service to ensure that your documentation complies with Colombian regulations, identifying potential flaws and strengthening your file.
Provide Essential Documentation in Advance
To avoid requests for additional information that delay your application or, worse, result in an unadmission, it is highly advisable to provide all documentation that is usually requested in advance. This includes the apostille and translation of all relevant foreign documents, as well as managing the FBI Background Check. Having these documents prepared and validated from the outset accelerates the process and demonstrates proactivity, minimizing objections due to "incomplete" or "unofficial" documentation.
Consider Applying to Consulates
We reccomend to apply for your visa from a Colombian consulate in your country of origin, and do the complete process before you arrive in Colombia. This may help to avoid the burden of managing a requirement or unadmission's response while already in the country, which can, in some cases, lead to exceeding allowed stay times.
Time Management When Reapplying
When facing a visa unadmission (which allows immediate reapplication), it is fundamental not to rush without an exhaustive revalidation of your documents. Many documents have expiration dates, and most of them are valid for 3 months from their date of issue. Before any new application, it is recommended to revalidate certificates, criminal records, bank statements, and other requirements to ensure they are still valid and comply with requirements at the time of the new submission, thus avoiding future visa rejections due to expired documentation. If your documents are out of date, you must reissue them again.
The trend of unadmitted visas for digital nomads in Colombia in recent months goes beyond simple errors. They are more focused on the application of discretionary power with unclear motives or without explicit reasons. This opacity and the lack of response from the authorities to requests for clarification turn the process into a systemic and widespread challenge, making a deep understanding of these nuances crucial for applicants.
Remember that decisions under discretionary authority also affect applicants who comply with all the documents. We recommend that you be patient and follow these recommendations. In case you suffer one or more inadmissions, you may consider applying for another category or type of visa.
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
Aware of the frustration this situation generates among our clients and the digital nomad community, we have intensified our efforts by submitting appeals and PQRS directly to Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the necessary clarity that allows applicants to understand and correct the real reasons behind the non-admission decisions.
However, the reality of these efforts has been discouraging. As we have experienced, the Ministry has not yet responded to our appeals and PQRS with a clear explanation for the unclear inadmissibility cases. When a response is provided, it often falls back on the same argument of “discretionary power” or the generic reason of “interest for the country,” without providing specific details or areas for improvement that the applicant could consider when submitting a new application.
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.
Get a quote now
We offer expert guidance on immigration processes, business opportunities, housing, and investment, ensuring you have all the resources for a successful and smooth transition to life in Colombia.
Comments
Share your experience or question.
Your comment could inspire and help others who dream of living in Colombia.
2 Responses
Hello, how/where is the Medellin fingerprint service?
Hi Gary, to obtain your fingerprint in Medellín, please follow this link: https://expatgroup.co/fingerprinting/.