Colombian M-5 (Migrant – Category 5) work visas are for expats and foreign nationals that are seeking employment in Colombia. 

Applicants should remember that a work visa is a government permit that allows the foreign to work only with the company and sponsor which applied for the visa. Therefore, you will not be authorized to have a contract or work with other entities in the country.

While the process of applying for a Colombian Work Visa hasn’t changed much since last year, the requirements for a successful application have become more stringent. This is due to required supplementary documentation that proves the legitimacy of an applicant’s educational background.

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a work visa in Colombia for expats in 2022. 

Let’s get into it. 

How do I Apply for a Colombian Work Visa?

If you’ve found a great employment opportunity with a Colombian or international company based in Colombia, you need to know if they can sponsor you to become a fully-fledged employee. 

Essentially, your prospective employer needs to prove that they can afford to pay your salary and benefits, on top of all their other business expenses, comfortably. 

To put a number on it, your potential future employer needs to make 100 times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia. The Colombian minimum wage – adjusted for inflation – in 2022 is 1.000.000COP (approximately USD 262) a month. This means, your visa sponsor needs to generate 100,000,000COP (approximately USD 27,000) revenue a month, and prove this with bank statements from the previous 6 months prior to your visa application.

On top of this, sponsors must show an income statement from the previous year, and demonstrate that they couldn’t find a Colombian who couldn’t adequately fulfill the skillset required. If you’re unsure about a company’s ability to sponsor you for a visa, talk to a visa specialist.

Editor notes: updated in March 2022: If the employer is entities, or institutions of the Colombian State, International Government Organization, Diplomatic Missions, or Consular Offices accredited in Colombia. You must only submit a visa application letter signed by the legal representative or whoever acts on their behalf.

In terms of finding Colombian employment opportunities, you’ll be more likely to find work as an English-speaking expat in education, sales, or international business. Job sites like Computrabajo and Glassdoor regularly post jobs for both English, Spanish and bilingual candidates. If you want to know more about finding a job in Colombia you must read our blog: 4 Good Industries for seeking employment in Colombia as an Expat or 6 Best places to work in Colombia.

How Do I Get an Apostille for my University Degree? 

An apostille is an official stamp and signature of a public servant certifying the validity of a document. This signature will then be recorded in the database of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Therefore, an apostille officially must come from a government department, and a notarized version of your degree from a private citizen like a solicitor won’t be accepted.

How much Are Colombian Visa Fees?

Including the application cost, administrative tax, and the Colombian visa cost itself, your application for a M-5 temporary work visa will cost around USD 282.

It is advisable to consult with experts in visa processes to increase the success of approval. In expatgroup.co you will find a qualified team with ten years of experience in visa applications, many success stories, and with motivation to continue helping expats to stay in Colombia.

Final Thoughts

It is a must that the applicant demonstrate that he has the experience and essential characteristics to stand out from a Colombian, due to that Colombia it’s a reflection of a country that’s evolving, that is why the increasing number of expats who want to come to live and work here. However,  Colombia is also looking out for its citizens, ensuring their labor isn’t being displaced by a foreign national with the same knowledge and experience.

For more information contact us: