How to Get a Job in Colombia As an Expat
The past few years were decisive for the foreign influx to Colombia.
Tourism has certainly become an important industry in the Colombian economy, many foreigners choose our country to discover the wonders of nature and our cultural wealth, therefore, many decide to study, work, live, and retire in Colombia.
Increasingly, foreign nationals are looking to up-sticks and grow their careers in the land of arepas and reggaeton.
The question is: how do you find work as a foreigner in Colombia?
To help you out, we’ve taken a look at the best possible steps you can make to find yourself employment in Colombia, and the most important factors that can influence your success.
Let’s get started with where to look for Colombian employment opportunities.
Colombian job search resources
If you’re already living in Colombia, you’ve got the advantage of being able to go physically to different businesses and ask for work. It’s always good for Colombian businesses to be able to put a face to the name, so if you know what kind of work you’re looking for, this isn’t the worst of places to start.
If you’ve not got the luxury of being able to physically travel to business locations, don’t fret. There are a host of job websites containing a range of Spanish and English speaking jobs:
- Computrabajo: Computrabajo is a leading job portal in Latin America, helping businesses offer employment opportunities across 19 Latin countries. The site is written in Spanish. It’s rare to find less than 50,000 Colombian job opportunities at any given time on the platform.
- Indeed: Indeed will be familiar to most expats. And its presence in Colombia is undeniable. It hosts a good chunk of Colombia’s English and bilingual jobs and alerts you when new opportunities arise by email.
- XPATJobs: XPATJobs was purpose-built to put expats into Colombian employment. Still having a good presence in the Colombian job market, it offers useful tips on adapting your CV to suit what employers are looking for.
Types of industries for foreign workers
There are many employment opportunities for foreign workers across a variety of industries in Colombia.
The most popular expat employment choice is teaching. With teaching, getting a Colombian work visa or Colombian volunteer visa is relatively straightforward, especially if it’s with an established educational institute like a private school. Depending on the type of school or university you work in, salaries can range from 1.500.000COP as a volunteer to 5.000.000COP starting in a top private school.
Likewise, the Colombian service sector is constantly in need of bilingual or English-speaking workers. From volunteering at hostels to working in bilingual call centers, Colombia has a variety of B2C and B2B employment options for foreigners. The likes of Oracle and UPS have been known to recruit customer service representatives in Bogotá.
An up-and-coming demand is in Colombia’s thriving tech industry. Some of Colombia’s more cosmopolitan cities like Medellín, Cali, and Bogotá are now becoming tech startup hubs, particularly with the improvement in their technological infrastructures (internet connectivity has drastically improved in these areas over the past five years). Whether you’re a developer, business analyst, or marketer, there are plenty of growing tech businesses that are on the lookout for English-speaking talent.
What is the average salary for a foreign worker in Colombia?
The average salary in Colombia is $692. In pesos, that converts to around $2.500.000COP. As a reference, this is approximately two and a half times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia.
Given that expats, for the most part, have a higher level of English than the Colombian workforce, this means your employment comes at a premium for businesses. Better said, your salary should be significantly higher than the national average. At Expat Group, we’ve known some foreign nationals working in prestigious colleges to earn up to $8.000.000COP a month.
Looking for a killer job in Colombia? Expatgroup can provide you with the tools to find inspiring work experience.
Where are the majority of the expat jobs in Colombia?
The majority of expat jobs that provide a Colombian work visa are in the bigger cities like Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cali, and Medellín.
If you’re interested in NGO or charity work, however, you can find opportunities in some of Colombia’s coastal towns and more rural areas. Foundations such as Heart for Change send expats across Colombia to help economically disadvantaged Colombians learn English and find employment for themselves.
Final Thought: Working as an expat in Colombia rocks!
Colombia is home to some of Latin America’s most rewarding and interesting job opportunities.
It’s no wonder, therefore, that so many expats travel to Colombia and end up staying to find work here. If you’re struggling to find the right job for you, don’t panic. At Expat Group, we specialize in helping foreign nationals like you find the role that’s right for your career development. If you’re looking for some friendly advice or a bit of Colombian career guidance, book an appointment to speak with one of our career consultants today.
It can be difficult to find a job before arriving in Colombia. Colombians value face-to-face contact and prefer to meet prospective employees in person before making hiring decisions. However, expats can begin the process from home by making contacts via social media, professional networking sites and expat groups or forums. Other expats may prove to be the most useful resource in searching for opportunities, though job advertisements can also be found in local newspapers, on noticeboards and community forums, or through online job boards. Spanish fluency will be crucial when searching for a job on Colombian websites and in the local classifieds. Many employers won’t speak English either. It’s important to make sure all necessary documents, including resumes, have been translated into Spanish.
I currently live in New Jersey, I brought an apartment in Medellin. I want to work from home for American companies that pay in dollars, not in pesos. I’m an HR Manager and a recruiter on the side. But I’m dying to move to Medellin, unsure about the job situation.
Hi!, Stella thank you for writing us, although it may seem difficult for expats to find a job in Colombia, we have seen many successful cases. However, we can analyze what other visa options may apply to you. Please, contact us at +19547993692
If you purchase a piece of land somewhere and own it outright… Even as small as 3 square ft… Colombia will allow you to apply for duel citizenship.
I own 1 acre of land undeveloped land on Lake Guatape and went through the process of dual citizenship.
I own a home in Envigado and come and go from Arizona to Medellin as I please.
Regarding the job and earning U.S. dollars… I was already a work-at-home employee with a huge strong U.S. company before transitioning to Colombia. With my U.S. salary I truly like like a king down here.
That being said, I guess I’m not an expat but basically live in Colombia full time.
Could be something to consider and research with your concerns
Hey!
I’m a recent postgraduate and I’d love to go and live in Columbia for a while, however, I’m unsure if I can find a job there as I don’t have much experience and I’m also worried about the visa situation.
I speak fluent English and Spanish, and I have EU passport.
Hey, Viktoria, I hope you are doing great. Although it may seem that there is no chance for foreigners in Colombia, the truth is that it is a country full of opportunities. You can request an appointment with our experts to advise you on your plan to live in Colombia https://expatgroup.co/english/book-an-appointment/
It’s Colombia not Columbia…common mistake.
Good afternoon, my name is Marcela and I am both, Colombian by birth and became an American Citizen 8 years ago by marriage. I went to Law School in Bogotá a few years ago, therefore I’m a lawyer. In United States I’ve made a career in Hospitality Management and Human Resources. I would like to work for an American company that pays in dollars and be able to perform the job in Colombia and live there. Any advice? I am fluent on both English and Spanish. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Marcela. Thank you for your comment and for being part of our community. Working online is one of the best options nowadays for someone who is looking for challenges and new opportunities. We suggest you look to different job portals that offer these vacancies paying in USD. Being fluent in Spanish and English is a plus for your profile. Have a great rest of your day!