Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Guide: Requirements, Application, and Remote Work Tips

Why move to Colombia?

You might think of Colombia as a distant and dangerous country. Somewhere in the back of your mind, images of Pablo Escobar and drug cartels still linger.
We have news for you: that image is hopelessly outdated.

Colombia’s darkest years are long behind it. In 2016, Colombian government signed a piece agreement with FARC - an ultraleft guerill group - and it became way more safe in the country. Today, it’s a true paradise for expats and digital nomads.
Why? Start counting.

1. Comfortable climate all year round

The temperature stays consistent throughout the year and depends on the region you choose to live in.
In Medellín, it’s around 24–25°C (75–77°F), in Bogotá about 18°C (64°F), and on the coast a steady 30°C+ (86°F+).

And there’s plenty of sunshine. Great news for anyone who doesn't like cold weather and long winters.

2. One of the most biodiverse countries in the world

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country globally. This may sound like a dry Wikipedia fact — until you start traveling here.
Snow-capped mountains over 5,000 meters high, access to two oceans (the Pacific and the Atlantic), a desert where golden dunes meet the sea, the Amazon River with more than 16,000 animal species, more than 100 Indigenous tribes, the Andes, endless plains where you can ride on horseback, waterfalls — it’s all here.
It is also the first country in the world in the number of bird species in case you are into birdwatching.

Local cultures, accents, and landscapes change so much that it often feels like traveling through several countries at once. And we all know that the ability to change the scene easily and try different activities is an important factor for digital nomads.

3. Excellent value for money

For around $1,000, you can rent a beautiful apartment in a good neighborhood (spoiler: $800 can also get you something great).
The average bill at a nice restaurant is about $30. You can get good local insurance for around $100 USD, and the level of medicine here is good, especially when it comes to ophthalmology and odontology.

4. Friendly and welcoming people

Colombians truly love their country and are proud of it. They’re always ready to help and welcome newcomers.
It’s one of the friendliest nations you’ll ever meet. And with a popularity of remote work you can easily meet creative people, entrepreneurs and IT specialists at the coworkings and social events.

Expats  love Colombia not only for its climate and a reasonable price-to-quality ratio. It is an outdoor paradise. Not only are there always either mountains or the sea near major cities, but it is also easy to arrange weekend trips to completely off-the-beaten-path places: to tribes in the Amazon, to llanero cowboys on the vast plains, to the Pacific Ocean, or to the desert. Such a diversity of landscapes attracts digital nomads — they don’t get bored in Colombia.

Irina Shateeva, PR Manager and Tour Organizer in Colombia

What is the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa?

Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa (Type V) allows remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs to live and work in Colombia for up to two years, provided they earn income from foreign sources, meet income requirements (around three Colombian minimum wages), and have health insurance. It's a legal pathway for long-term stays, enabling work for overseas companies without local employment.

Who can apply?

The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa is intended for:

• Remote employees working for foreign companies
• Freelancers or independent contractors with international clients
• Digital entrepreneurs running online businesses registered outside Colombia

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How much does it cost?

You pay 65 USD for visa study, 178 USD for visa issuance, and 61 USD for a Colombian ID (cédula) in case the visa is approved.

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How to apply?

Good news: you can apply online on this website.
Bad news: the system is not perfect, and you should complete your application in 30 minutes; otherwise, you would have to start from the beginning.

After submitting, you should wait several weeks, up to a month. So make sure you submit an application beforehand and have enough time to wait for the answer. It is better to start the application process a month and a half before the end of your legal stay in Colombia.

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List of documents

1. A valid passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum of six months of validity at the time of application.
2. A digital passport-sized photograph with a white background (no glasses or hats, including for religious or medical reasons).
3. A PDF scan of the first page of your passport, including the cover with the entry  stamp and your signature. The passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of the visa application.
4. If applying from within Colombia, a PDF scan of your most recent entry stamp or extension is required.
   If applying from abroad, a PDF scan of your most recent exit stamp from Colombia is required. If applying from a country other than your country of origin, a PDF scan of a document proving your legal status in that country (such as a visa or entry stamp) is required.
   The applicant must hold a passport issued by a country or territory exempt from short-stay visa requirements (e.g., the USA, EU member states, Australia, Canada).
5. A letter in Spanish or English from one or more foreign companies for which the applicant provides services, indicating the nature of the relationship and the type of remuneration received.
   If the applicant has a contract with the company, it must be provided. Alternatively, the applicant must demonstrate that they are a partner or co-owner of a company abroad (e.g., a statement of incorporation listing their name), along with a letter confirming that the work is performed remotely.
   In the case of entrepreneurs, a motivational letter explaining the business project and the financial and human resources currently available or planned for the business is required.
6. The applicant must demonstrate, through personal bank statements, a minimum monthly income equivalent to three Colombian minimum wages (about 1,050 USD) over the three months preceding the visa application (2024).
7. A health insurance policy covering all risks within the national territory, including accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation, for the intended period of stay in the country.
8. A copy of the applicant’s criminal background certificate, duly apostilled and officially translated into Spanish. This document must be obtained in the applicant’s country of origin or legal residence and cannot be issued in Colombia.
9. A labor or service agreement with stamp and signature.

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Hidden nuances

This visa does not allow you to work for Colombian companies or individuals. It is usually issued for up to one year and can be extended once, for a maximum stay of two years. It’s a good option if you want to experience life in Colombia before deciding to settle permanently

Government processing times can sometimes exceed 30 days, and additional requirements — such as the apostille of foreign documents — may extend the timeline further. Starting early is essential to avoid overstaying or remaining in the country illegally.

Also, in 2025 there were many cases when visas were not admitted. This is not a denial — you can try one more time — but it is highly probable that the second time they won’t give it to you either. Whether this is a signal of Colombia suffering from gentrification or something else is unclear.

The Colombian digital nomad visa is a Type V visa, which means that it will not grant residency. Your stay in Colombia with this type of visa will not count toward obtaining residency.

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Living in Colombia as a digital nomad

If you are into nature, you will definitely like this beaten-path destination. But is it really so off the beaten path? In 2024, the country welcomed over 6.8 million international visitors — a historic record — with the United States leading the way.

Good climate, price-to-quality-of-life ratio, and the same or almost the same working hours as the US — that’s what makes living in Colombia so good. There is also a rising number of digital nomads and an entrepreneurial community. If you check Mymedellin.org, you will find dozens of WhatsApp groups uniting locals, digital nomads, and expats according to their interests: volunteering, sports, outdoor and adventure, social life and hobbies, gastronomy, music and dance, spirituality, tech and entrepreneurship, and housing.

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And you can change the scene: just an hour from Medellín and you are in the hot, colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia; an hour up into the mountains — and you are in a colder climate. One hour by plane to almost all destinations to find ocean, sea, mountains, plains, and valleys. Air transport is the most popular in Colombia due to the serpentine roads, landslides caused by the fact that local mountains are young and unstable, and it is very easy to move across the country.

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Cities to live in

On the go: Colombian travel destinations for remote workers

Medellín

It is called the City of Eternal Spring and is one of the most popular travel destinations in Colombia. National Geographic’s Best of the World 2026 list includes 25 destinations across six continents, including Medellín, Colombia. International arrivals to Medellín increased by an estimated 17.2% this year, while Colombia welcomed a record 7 million visitors last year, a figure expected to be exceeded again this year, according to Forbes.

Dance culture, nightlife, a strong international community, and dozens of hiking routes very close to the city (Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, Cuevas del Higuerón) make it attractive. And of course, its lush tropical vegetation and incredible city views make it a destination for those who prefer to live in a picturesque place.

Bogotá

Colombia's capital is bigger (8 million inhabitants vs. 2.5 million in Medellín), colder, but it has the vibe of a big city. The cultural scene is also far more diverse. There are more galleries and bigger theaters (Teatro Colón) for those who want to feel local culture with all its biodiversity. Medellín is more famous for reggaeton parties, since many artists of this genre come from the city. Bogotá also has higher mountains nearby — a unique ecosystem, páramo, that can be seen only in five countries in the world and supplies cities with water.

Cali

A city known for its salsa culture, it is cheaper than the other two, hotter, and has a more relaxed vibe. From Cali, it is easier to go to the Pacific region with whales, Afro-Colombian vivid culture, natural parks with mangrove forests, and marine mammals. But it can be a bit boring there if you don’t know anybody.

Santa Marta

A city that was the first founded by conquistadors, situated on the Caribbean coast. It has a warm sea and one of the most beautiful tropical parks, with toucans, Indigenous people, and hippie villages like Palomino and Buritaca.

But as was said earlier, Colombia is best known for its nature, which you can easily reach from any of these cities. Turtle releases on the Pacific coast, the tallest palm trees in the world in the Coffee Region, pristine beaches or Tayrona Park, and the River of Seven Colors, Caño Cristales — these would be your getaway destinations if you choose to live here.

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