Visa requirements for Colombia — the V Migrante nomad visa, or 180 days as a tourist
Colombia introduced a proper Digital Nomad Visa (V Migrante — Nómada Digital, visa type V) in late 2023. It’s one of the more accessible nomad visas in Latin America: valid up to 2 years, income threshold of roughly 3x Colombia’s monthly minimum wage (~USD 950-1,100/month depending on the annual SMLMV adjustment), remote employment or freelance contracts accepted, and you can bring dependents.
If you’re staying under 6 months, the simpler route is the tourist entry — 90 days on arrival, extendable once for another 90 days at Migración Colombia.
Most nationalities (EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, most of LatAm) get visa-free tourist entry. Check the Cancillería site for your specific passport before booking.
Application process — V Migrante (Digital Nomad Visa)
Gather documents
Passport, remote work contract or proof of freelance income, bank statements showing 3 months of income (~USD 950+/mo), international health insurance covering Colombia, criminal record check, motivation letter in Spanish.
Apply online
Submit via Cancillería's visa portal (cancilleria.gov.co). Pay the study fee (~USD 54).
Wait for review
Processing typically 5-30 business days. Additional documents may be requested mid-review — respond promptly.
Pay visa fee + receive
If approved, pay the visa issuance fee (~USD 173 for 2 years). Receive digital visa to upload to your passport via a consulate or Migración office.
Register at Migración Colombia
Once in Colombia, register your address and get your Cédula de Extranjería (foreigner ID) within 15 days of entry.
Costs and processing — V Migrante
- Study fee: ~USD 54 (non-refundable, paid at application)
- Visa issuance fee: ~USD 173 (2-year validity)
- Cédula de Extranjería: ~USD 55 at Migración Colombia
- Health insurance: Mandatory. International plans from SafetyWing, Genki, or Cigna run USD 50-120/month.
- Processing time: 5-30 business days in most cases. Budget 6-8 weeks end-to-end.
- Renewal: Renewable for another 2 years if income and work conditions continue.
Everything can be submitted in English or Spanish for the nomad visa, but a Spanish motivation letter speeds approval.
Alternative: tourist entry (up to 180 days)
Entry: Most nationalities get 90 days stamped on arrival — no form filed in advance.
Extension: Visit Migración Colombia (offices in El Poblado and downtown Medellín) before day 90 expires. Pay ~USD 30, submit proof of onward travel and financial means, and get another 90 days. Maximum 180 days total per calendar year as a tourist.
What you cannot do: Technically, you cannot work for a Colombian employer or open a Colombian business. Remote work for foreign clients/employers is a grey area — there’s no enforcement for laptop work, but no legal protection or path to residency either.
Other useful visas
- Visa M (Migrante) — other categories: If you have a Colombian partner, Colombian child, or a local work contract, Visa M may be a better path than V Migrante.
- Visa R (Resident): After holding a V or M visa continuously for 5 years (sometimes 2-3 with certain categories), you can apply for permanent residency.
- Retirement (Pensionado): For anyone with a monthly pension of ~3x Colombia’s minimum wage. Popular with retirees in Medellín.
Colombia is not part of the Schengen Area, and tax residency kicks in after 183 days in a calendar year — plan accordingly if you’re optimizing tax status.