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What may have started as a rumor or as something not so plausible in the expatriate community is now a reality. Expats can apply for a Colombian digital nomad visa since October 2022. Better yet, since the release of Resolution 5477 regulating visas in Colombia, expatgroup.co has been able to get hundreds of Colombian Digital Nomad Visas approved for our clients.
We have had the honor of working with successful cases from a variety of professional backgrounds, countries, and team methods that have yielded positive outcomes for our clients.
Who can apply for a digital nomad visa in Colombia?
The digital nomad visa in Colombia allows applicants to live in Colombia while continuing to perform their work or academic activities remotely, as long as they meet certain requirements established by the immigration authorities. The following are the main categories of people who may apply for this type of visa:
If you are an entrepreneur
If you're a worker
If you are an owner-partner
Why does Colombia approve Digital Nomad Visas based on national interest?
The Colombian government evaluates Digital Nomad Visa applications through a “national interest” filter. According to Resolution 5477, visa authorities assess whether approving a foreign applicant benefits Colombia’s economic, social, or cultural development.
For digital nomads, this typically means demonstrating that you bring remote income into the country, possess valuable professional skills, or contribute to local economies without competing for Colombian jobs. The migration authority reviews each case individually, considering factors such as your profession, income source, and potential contribution to Colombian society.
This national interest requirement ensures that the Digital Nomad Visa program attracts individuals who positively impact Colombia while working remotely for foreign companies or clients.
What should I know about the requirements for a digital nomad visa?
Digital Photo
Applicants must submit a recent digital photograph (3x4 cm) with a white background, neutral expression, and no glasses or hats. The photo must be taken within the last six months.
Bank Statements
As of 2026, applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of three times the SMLMV, now COP $5,252,715 ($1,400 USD approx.), based on a TRM of $3,750 COP. Importantly, Colombia enforces a strict "No Averaging" policy—each month must individually meet this threshold.
Passport stamp
If you are in Colombia, send a photocopy of your passport page with the last entry stamp.
Health Policy
As of 2026, the Colombian government requires that your All-Risk health policy must match the full duration of your issued visa. For example, if you expect to obtain a 2-year digital nomad visa, you must provide a 2-year health policy to increase your probability of getting the maximum coverage. It’s important to note that health policies have a direct influence on the granted time of a Digital Nomad visa.
Apostille and official translations
As of 2026, official documents such as employment letters in English may be accepted, but an apostille and translation are recommended. Bank statements in languages outside the OAS-recognized languages (Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese) require translation only. And if the government requires more documentation, such as certificates of company existence (often referred to as Certificates of Good Standing in the US) and articles of incorporation, they must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
FBI Background Check
U.S. citizens or residents applying for a Colombian Digital Nomad Visa must provide an FBI Background Check, allowing Colombian authorities to verify that applicants have no criminal history posing a security risk to the country or its citizens. This document is valid for three months from its issue date. At expatgroup.co, we help you obtain your FBI Background Check from Colombia quickly and securely, offering fingerprinting, apostille, and translation services in Medellín, Bogotá, Barranquilla, and Cali.
Get your FBI Background Check from Colombia with us!
At expatgroup.co, we help you obtain your FBI Background Check from Colombia quickly and securely for your visa application. Click the button and get the digital background check certificate for U.S. citizens, including fingerprinting, apostille, and translation services.
What about Health Policy for a Digital Nomad Visa?
Colombia’s updated regulations in 2022 require a medical policy for individuals applying for a Visitor (V Type), including the Digital Nomad Visa, and some Migrant (M Type) visas. This health policy must be “All-Risk,” providing extensive coverage for accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation.
From this perspective, EG Assist stands out as the best option for digital nomads seeking Colombian visas. It provides comprehensive health policy plans that include all the coverages required by Resolution 5477.
The best part is the convenience of purchasing your health policy online. We suggest acquiring your health policy through EG Assist, choosing your travel dates, paying virtually, and instantly receiving your policy voucher to apply for your Colombian Digital Nomad Visa.
Can I Buy a Health Policy from Anywhere?
You can now easily purchase online 1, 2 or 3 years of coverage for your health policy in just a few simple steps with EG Assist.
What is the validity of the digital nomad visa?
According to Resolution 5477, Colombian Digital Nomad Visas approved can be valid for up to two years. However, the visas we have approved have typically been granted for one year, with no restrictions noted on the label.
There’s an important myth we need to address for our expat community. Some social networks and websites claim that digital nomad visa holders can only stay 180 days per year in Colombia. This is simply not true.
The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa is a category V visa that allows multiple entries and exits with no stay restrictions. This means foreigners who obtain their nomad visas may remain in the country if they wish—even staying for the full duration of their authorized visa.
Do approved Digital Nomad visas allow for beneficiaries?
Yes, the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa allows for beneficiaries economically dependent on the visa holder to apply for a visa.
The ones who can apply for the Beneficiary visa are the spouse or permanent partner and children up to 25 years of age, or those who have any physical or mental disability.
What are the costs of the visa?
What should I keep in mind for a successful application?
We recommend that the documents that are issued abroad have the complete legalization chain to avoid delays in the process, that is to say, that they are updated, signed, authenticated, apostilled, and finally translated into Spanish in case they are in another language because although it is not required from the beginning of the process, the Colombian government may need it, besides this is a factor that can contribute to the probability of success.
On the other hand, if you are in Colombia, we also suggest starting the process at least two months before your stay in the country expires. Since the government’s response may sometimes take more than 30 days, there may be requirements involving the need for the apostille of foreign documents, which could extend the time of the process, so it is essential to avoid an illegal stay.
To Sum Up: What You Need to Know to Get Your Colombian Digital Nomad Visa Approved in 2026
The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa offers foreign remote workers the opportunity to live legally in Colombia while working for international clients or companies. The 2026 requirements emphasize strict financial thresholds, comprehensive health coverage, and proper documentation compliance.
The important aspects that you should not forget from this guide are:
- Financial Requirements: You must prove a minimum monthly income of three times the SMLMV, now COP $5,252,715 ($1,400 USD aprox.) based on a TRM of $3,750 COP, with each month individually meeting this threshold—no averaging allowed.
- Documentation Requirements: An “All-Risk” health policy matching your visa’s expected duration is mandatory. U.S. citizens and residents must also provide an FBI Background Check, valid for only three months.
- Visa Validity and Stay: Your visa can be valid for up to two years, and contrary to online misinformation, there is no 180-day stay restriction—you may remain in Colombia for the full duration of your visa.
For a complete walkthrough of the application process, we encourage you to contact expatgroup.co. Our team has successfully helped hundreds of digital nomads obtain their Colombian Digital Nomad Visas Approved, guiding them through every step from documentation to final approval.
With more than ten years of experience and thousands of visas approved at expatgroup.co, we make sure to carry out processes with professionalism, quality, and attention to detail to achieve successful results. Consult with our experts, and we will guide you through the process of collecting documents. We make the visa application, we are attentive to any government requirements, and we help you apply for your foreigner identification card (cédula de extranjería).
Comments
Share your experience or question.
Your comment could inspire and help others who dream of living in Colombia.
11 Responses
Hello Dave
Yes, you can enter Colombia with a Tourist Stamp Visa after leave the country. Just make sure your stay remains legal by leaving Colombia within your permitted period. Alternatively, contact us as soon as possible so we can assist you with your visa renewal, allowing you to apply quickly and extend your stay in Colombia without any issues.
https://expatgroup.co/
https://expatgroup.co/quote-now/
https://wa.me/19547993692
I was able to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa last February and have been residing in Colombia for close to a year now. However, the Digital Nomad Visa will expire in a few weeks. After leaving Colombia, will I be permitted to reenter on a tourist visa right away?
Hello Giovanni. I hope you’re doing well.
If you are a German citizen who wants to live in Colombia for more than 183 days, you may have to file/report taxes in both countries. However, reporting taxes in Colombia doesn’t mean that you have to pay. Also, there are provisions in the Colombian tax code that may provide tax benefits for foreign tax residents. These benefits could include deductions or exemptions on certain types of income. To understand your tax obligations correctly, consult a tax professional or legal advisor to help you assess your situation. Also, you can read our blog about taxes for foreigners here: https://expatgroup.co/blog/taxes-for-foreigners-in-colombia/ and contact us to give you advice regarding your particular situation https://expatgroup.co/contact-us/
Hello Xavier, I hope you’re doing well.
Many of our clients have obtained a second Digital Nomad Visa. However, the decision to approve is always under the discretionary power of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Write us, and leave your process in the hands of experts. https://expatgroup.co/digital-nomad-visa/
Has anyone applied for second time after having it already?
Hello, do I have to pay double income tax with the digital nomad visa, there is no double taxation agreement with Germany, I am referring to a stay of over 183 days. I also read something about a tax discount for foreigners?
Hey there,
Do entrepreneurs also require the income statements? Entrepreneurs usually do not withdraw money monthly. This would defeat the purpose of living off dividends which are usually paid once a year.
This probably only applies for people from the USA. I haven’t heard of any other country making you tax resident if you are actually living there for less than 183, if you live in Colombia for 183 days a year this will not apply to any other country in the world. Furthermore Colombia has DTTs with many countries as well. Again, with the USA they don’t, but honestly who cares about the USA.
Although you can stay for more than 180 days you will become tax resident if you stay more than 183 days. Depending on tax treaties between Colombia and the country where you officially pay income tax, you may be double taxed in Colombia. Ojo con eso!
Hello, Benjamin. We invite you to contact us so we can guide you through the process and give you a close quote for what you need.
Overall, the quote seems reasonable. However, I do not need the translation service nor the apostille service as I will see to this in early 2023. If you can adjust your quote to account for this I should be able to proceed in mid-2023. Thank you.