Colombia digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

Colombia has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. The country that was once synonymous with instability is now one of the most talked-about destinations for remote workers, and it is easy to see why. From Medellín's eternal spring to Cartagena's Caribbean coast, the country offers an extraordinary variety of places to live and work from.

Add to that some of the lowest income thresholds of any digital nomad visa program in the world, a two-year stay, and an entirely online application process, and it becomes easy to understand why Colombia's Visa V Nómadas Digitales has attracted significant attention since its launch in January 2023.

This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents you need, and every other step of the process.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

Nationality Requirement

The Visa V Nómadas Digitales is only available to nationals of countries that are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement for Colombia. If your passport requires you to get a tourist visa to enter Colombia, you are not eligible for this visa.

Work Requirements

You must be working remotely in one of the following capacities:

• Employee: Working for a company based outside Colombia

• Freelancer or independent contractor: Working for foreign clients, with no Colombian companies or individuals among your clients

• Digital entrepreneur: Starting or operating a venture in digital content or information technology that is of interest to Colombia

In all cases, your income must come exclusively from foreign sources. Working for Colombian companies or clients is not permitted under this visa.

Income Requirements

You must demonstrate a monthly income of at least three times Colombia's legal monthly minimum wage (SMMLV). For 2026, that works out to roughly COP 5,250,000 per month, approximately $1,400 at current exchange rates.

The SMMLV is updated every January, so the exact figure changes annually. State your income in its original currency when applying; the Cancillería will assess the COP equivalent. Your three most recent monthly bank statements must each show income meeting or exceeding this threshold.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

All documents are submitted digitally. There is no need to post originals or attend a consulate in person.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your visa application and must have blank pages available.

Photograph

One recent color photograph, 3x4cm, full face, front view, white background, no glasses or accessories. This must be a digital file.

Bank Statements

Bank statements from your three most recent months, showing regular foreign-sourced deposits that meet or exceed COP 5,252,715 (the 2026 threshold) each month. Statements must be in English or Spanish, or accompanied by a certified translation.

Proof of Remote Work

One of the following, depending on your situation:

• Employees: A letter from your employer, in English or Spanish, confirming your employment, your salary, and that your work is performed remotely for a company based outside Colombia

• Freelancers/independent contractors: Contracts with your foreign clients, demonstrating active work and income from sources outside Colombia

• Digital entrepreneurs: A motivation letter explaining your project, its digital or technological nature, and the financial and human resources involved

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check is not formally listed as a mandatory requirement in Resolution 5477, but the Cancillería has been requesting it for the vast majority of digital nomad visa applications since mid-2024 under its discretionary authority. Treat it as a required document in practice.

The certificate must be issued by the relevant law enforcement authority in your country of residence. It must be apostilled and accompanied by a certified Spanish translation if issued abroad.

Health Insurance

A health insurance policy valid in Colombia for the entire intended duration of your visa. Coverage must include accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation. Travel insurance with limited coverage is generally not sufficient.

Ensure your policy explicitly covers all of these categories before applying. Note that the duration of your visa will be tied to the validity of your insurance policy — if your policy is only valid for six months, your visa will be issued for six months, not the full two years. Purchase a policy that covers the full period you intend to stay.

Entry Stamp or Current Visa

A copy of your most recent entry stamp, tourist extension, or current visa, showing you are legally present in Colombia if you are applying from within the country.

Documents for Dependents

If including dependents in your application, you will need to provide proof of the relationship. For a spouse or permanent partner, a marriage certificate or equivalent legal documentation. For children up to age 25 (or children of any age with a physical or mental disability), a birth certificate. All foreign official documents must be apostilled and accompanied by a certified Spanish translation.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Documents

Assemble all required documents before starting the online application. Ensure any documents not already in English or Spanish are accompanied by certified translations. Make sure they are current, clearly formatted, and meet the requirements before uploading.

Step 2: Apply Online

Go to the official visa application portal and complete the Visa V Nómadas Digitales form. Upload all supporting documents directly through the form. You can apply from inside Colombia or abroad.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of approximately $52 is payable at the time of submission. This fee is paid online through the portal and is not returned if your application is refused.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision

Processing typically takes two to four weeks from the date of submission, though it can extend to 30 business days during peak periods. The Cancillería may request additional documents. Respond promptly if so, as delays in responding extend the overall timeline. You will receive your decision by email.

Step 5: Pay the Issuance Fee

If your application is approved, you will be notified by email with instructions to pay the visa issuance fee of approximately $177. Your visa is issued after this payment is confirmed.

Once You're Approved

Your visa is sent digitally. There is no sticker in your passport — the visa is a digital document, typically a PDF, that you should keep safely and carry a copy of when travelling. It is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can leave and re-enter Colombia freely during its validity without needing to reapply.

The visa is valid for up to two years and cannot be renewed. Once it expires, you must leave Colombia or transition to a different visa category.

Within 15 calendar days of entering Colombia (or within 15 calendar days of receiving your visa if you were already in the country when it was approved), you must register your visa with Migración Colombia and apply for your Cédula de Extranjería. This must be done in person at a Migración Colombia office, as biometric data — photograph and fingerprints — are collected at that appointment.

The Cédula de Extranjería is Colombia's foreigner ID card. It costs COP 294,000 (approximately $79 USD) in 2026 and is mandatory for all visa holders staying more than three months. It functions as your primary identification document in Colombia and is what you will use to open a bank account, sign a lease, register for services, and carry out most administrative tasks.

Missing the 15-day registration deadline carries a significant penalty. The fine for late registration is up to seven times the monthly minimum wage, which in 2026 amounts to up to COP 12,250,000 (approximately $3,300). Do not let this deadline slip.

Costs and Fees to Expect

Visa Fees

The total government visa cost is approximately $229 ($52 application fee paid upfront and a $177 issuance fee paid on approval). Although the official fee schedule lists prices in USD, the Cancillería system charges exclusively in COP, converting the USD amount at the exchange rate on the day of payment. Both fees are non-refundable once the respective stage is completed.

Cédula de Extranjería

The Cédula de Extranjería registration fee is COP 294,000 (approximately $79) in 2026, paid in person at the Migración Colombia office when you go to register. This is a mandatory cost for all visa holders staying more than three months.

Health Insurance

Comprehensive coverage valid in Colombia for the full visa duration is required. International health insurance plans covering Colombia typically start from $30 to $80 per month, depending on age, coverage level, and provider.

Document Preparation Expenses

Factor in the following potential costs:

• Certified translations into Spanish: $5 to $20 per page

• Apostilles on foreign official documents: $30 to $80 per document

• Criminal background check: $20 to $50

• Passport photos: $10 to $20

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Colombia digital nomad visa?

Nationals of countries that are exempt from the short-stay visa requirement for Colombia, who work remotely as employees, freelancers, or digital entrepreneurs with income from foreign sources. If your passport requires a tourist visa to enter Colombia, you are not eligible.

What is the income requirement?

Three times Colombia's monthly minimum wage. For 2026, that is roughly COP 5,250,000 per month, approximately $1,400 at current exchange rates. This is among the lowest income thresholds of any digital nomad visa program globally. The figure updates each January when Colombia sets its new minimum wage.

How long does processing take?

Two to four weeks in most cases, up to 30 business days in busier periods.

What is the Cédula de Extranjería, and do I need one?

The Cédula de Extranjería is Colombia's foreigner ID card, issued by Migración Colombia. It is mandatory for all visa holders staying more than three months. You must apply for it within 15 days of arriving in Colombia, in person at a Migración Colombia office. It costs approximately $79 in 2026 and is essential for opening a bank account, signing a lease, and accessing most services in Colombia. Missing the 15-day deadline results in a fine of up to $3,300, so prioritize this immediately upon arrival.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. The visa allows you to include your spouse or permanent partner and children up to 25 years of age as dependents. Children who have a physical or mental disability can also be included, regardless of age. Each dependent requires proof of the relationship and will receive their own dependent visa linked to yours.

Can I apply from inside Colombia?

Yes. You can apply through the online portal, whether you are inside Colombia on an Entry Permit or currently abroad. If you are inside Colombia, you will also need to upload your most recent entry stamp as part of your application.

Will I pay taxes in Colombia?

If you spend more than 183 days in Colombia in a given year, you become a Colombian tax resident, and your worldwide income is subject to Colombian income tax on a progressive scale ranging from 19% to 39% depending on income level. If you stay fewer than 183 days, you are generally only taxed on Colombian-sourced income, which, as a digital nomad working for foreign clients, would typically be none. Given that the visa is valid for two years, staying long enough to trigger tax residency is a realistic scenario. Consult a Colombian tax professional if planning an extended stay.

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