In June 2024, I was granted the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa and held it for 10 months. I’ll use this post to share my experience with the process so all you have to do is follow each step to ensure you get your digital nomad visa too.
The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa is one of the simplest and most affordable visas in Latin America. And more and more people are choosing to work remotely in Colombia to take advantage of affordable living, lively cities, reliable internet, and a growing international community. For anyone curious about the Colombia digital nomad cost of living, it often comes as a pleasant surprise: you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle at a fraction of what you’d spend in North America or Europe.
Colombia will always have a special place in my heart as it was the first place I stopped in along my digital nomad journey. Here’s an insider’s guide to obtaining the country’s digial nomad visa.
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Quick Facts
Visa Type
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (Visa Tipo V)
Introduced
October 2022
Processing Authority
Cancillería of Colombia
Visa Length
Up to 2 years (approval varies — mine was 10 months)
Beneficiaries
Spouse/children can be added as dependents.
Income
~USD $1,100 / COP 4,272,000 per month (2025; equals 4× minimum wage)
Income Proof
Last 4 months of bank statements
Application Fee
USD $54 (non-refundable)
Issuance Fee
USD $170–230 (varies by nationality)
Where to Apply
cancilleria.gov.co (online) or a Colombian consulate
Work Restriction
Foreign clients only (no Colombian employers)
Insurance
Must cover accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, repatriation
Background Check
Criminal record certificate with apostille/legalization
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Overview
The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa has been around since October 2022. It is a special visa for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Known officially as the Visa V Nómadas Digitales, it allows you to live in Colombia for up to two years while earning income from abroad. Unlike a tourist visa, this permit gives digital nomads stability, fewer border runs, and access to a country known for its low cost of living, vibrant culture, and strong internet infrastructure.
Put simply: it’s a temporary residence permit that allows you to legally live in Colombia while continuing to earn your income abroad.
Eligibility Requirements For Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
Here’s what you need to qualify:
Income
- Minimum: 3× Current Minimum Legal Monthly Wage (SMLMV) ( COP 1.623.500). For 2025, that equals COP 4,272,000 / USD $1,100
- Proof: Bank statements for the last 4 months
Info: Colombia minimum wage changes yearly. Always check updated figures.
Nationality
- Must have a passport from a visa-exempt country (U.S., Canada, EU, Australia etc..)
- Not eligible if you need a pre-awarded tourist visa to enter country
Info: Not sure of your countries eligibility? Click here for eligibility list.
Background Check
- A criminal record certificate from your home country, usually with an apostille or legalization
Important: Apostilled FBI background check a strict requirement for U.S. citizens.
Work Restrictions
- You can only work for foreign companies/clients
- You cannot take a job or earn income from Colombian-based businesses
Employment Proof
- Remote employees: Letter from your employer confirming your work relationship and pay
- Freelancers/entrepreneurs: Proof of business ownership or contracts + a motivation letter
Insurance
- Must include accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
Applying for Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa isn’t overly complicated, but paperwork is everything. Here’s how it works:
Gather These Documents
- Valid passport. Valid for at least 6 months. Make sure you have scanned copies of the bio page
- Employer letter or proof of business. Letter from your manager approving remote work in Colombia
- Entrepreneur motivation letter + proof of ownership. For entreprenuers only stating motivations and intentions for living in Colombia. Also proof of official business ownership
- Last 4 months bank statements. Showing income 3x Colombia minimum wage
- Health insurance policy
- Background check (apostilled/legalized)
- Passport-size photo (digital): plain white background, no accessories (hats, jewelry, religious coverings). If not compliant, authorities will request a new one
Apply Online
Create an account & submit your application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co
Pay Application Fee
Pay Application Fee: Approx. USD $54 (non-refundable).
Wait for Review
- Standard processing: 30 days
- Can take up to 45 days depending on workload
Pay Visa Issuance Fee
- If approved, you’ll pay USD $170–230, depending on your nationality
- Notified of approval via email. Link for payment included
Receive Your Visa
Your electronic visa is usually emailed within 10 business days of issuance fee payment
If Denied
- If denied, you’ll be required to leave Colombia within 30 days. You can reapply after 6 months.
Where To Apply For The Visa?
One of the biggest advantages of the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa is flexibility. You can apply whether you’re already in the country or still abroad. The process and requirements are almost the same, but there are a few small differences depending on where you start your application.
Apply For The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Abroad (Consulate/Embassy):
- Apply through the Colombian consulate in your home country or country of residence
- If approved, the visa will be stamped in your passport before you travel
- You’ll enter Colombia already holding the visa
- Some consulates may require physical copies of bank statements or contracts, not just digital files
Apply From Inside Colombia (Online):
- If you’re already in Colombia on a tourist stamp/visa, you can apply online via tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co
- Most applicants choose this option after arriving.
- No in-person appointment is needed unless an interview is requested.
Important: Valid tourist stay required to apply. Must exit country within 30 days if denied.
Descriptions Of Required Documents
Here’s a deeper dive into the required documents so you can be sure you have everything you need without delay or denial of your visa.
1) Valid Passport
- Must have at least 6 months validity at time of application
- Good condition with free pages for stamping
- Provide a copy of the main page showing personal/biographical data
2) Entry Record
- Copy of the most recent Colombian entry stamp or equivalent authorization
- Safe-conduct (salvoconducto) issued by Colombian government, if applicable
3) Residency/Status Proof (if applying outside home country)
- Exempt nationalities: Proof of legal stay in the country where applying
- Non-exempt: Provide residence permit or equivalent
4) Employment Letter
- In Spanish & English
- Issued by foreign employer(s) describing relationship + remuneration
- Include contract if available
5) Entrepreneurs Letter
- Motivational letter explaining project, resources, and goals
- Proof of ownership/partnership in a foreign company
6) Proof Of Income
- Minimum: 3× Current Colombian Minimum Legal Monthly Wage
- Shown via last 4 months of bank statements
- Must highlight: employer name + salary amount
- Can black out any non-relevant personal details, but must show your name, company name, salary deposits
7) Proof Of Health Insurance
- Must cover accidents, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, repatriation
- Valid for the entire intended stay in Colombia
8) Recent Passport Photo
- Digital, 4×3 cm, JPG, max 300 KB, strict format rules: white background, no glasses, no accessories, full face visible
9) Other Supporting Documents
- Rental contract if already residing in Colombia
- Copies of any previous Colombian visas
- Copy of Colombian ID (if you already had one)
Important: All documents must be scanned (PDF), legible, ≤5 MB. No phone photos or image-to-PDF conversions.
Tips On Finding Health Insurance
The first time applied for the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa, I was denied. They didn’t give a reason for denial, but one of them was likely that they didn’t like the insurance coverage I had at the time which was from popular digital nomad insurer, Safetywing.
Safteywing seems to be functionally adequate in that it will cover nomads while on the go, but I’ve found that it is better to find a local insurer who offers a policy from within the country. To that end, I ended up going with Pacho Viloria of Medellin Advisors for the insurance piece. It cost $512 for the year and came with the specific coverages required by the Colombian government.
I’m not receiving any compensation for the reccomendation. I share only to advise that your safest bet is to find a local provider as opposed to one of the online giants.
Background Check Process
From my experience going through Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa process, I can say that you should expect this to be the most time-consuming part of your application.
Here’s the quick version: fingerprints → FBI check → apostille → submit to Cancillería. But since each of those steps has its own pitfalls, I’ve decided to give you the full step-by-step, detailed breakdown on the process.
Initiate The FBI Identity History Process
Access FBI services at www.edo.cjis.gov to start the process. Select the option for “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” and enter your email address.
Check Email & Follow Completion Instructions
At the email entered in step 1 you will receive a confirmation email from the FBI with a secure link + a personal identification number, and further instructions for completing the process.
The secure link and identification will be used to access application status and results in the future.
Submit Fingerprints
- From any post office within the U.S. USD $50
- From within Colombia, you will have to search online or ask around locally for a fingerprinting service Alternatively, you can elect the fingerprinting services offered by expatgroup.co
- Mail completed fingerprint form and copy of confirmation email to:
FBI CJIS Division
ATTN: ELECTRONIC SUMMARY REQUEST
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306
- You will receive FBI confirmation by email once fingerprints received
Pay Fee, Await Processing, and Receive Results
- $18 fee payable online or by mail
- Digital PDF or mailed hardcopy
- Processing for me was completed same day fingerprints were received, but ymmv
Apostille / Authentication Process
- This is where the process can become a bit tricky with extra steps. I had a time crunch and also didn’t feel like navigating the details so enlisted the help of Monument Visa Services. It cost 85 dollars, but it was streamlined and I had the apostile back in exactly 18 days versus the 30+ days many report waiting.
- If you’d like to navigate the process yourself, you can access the specific steps from the U.S. Department of State Website
Translate Results
- The Apostilled document must be translated into Spanish by an official, certified translator in Colombia
- Many certified translators can be found be simply Google search “official document translation (city)”
Info: Many services offering end-to-end background check support. Personally, I don’t think they are worth it, especially if you have sufficient time to complete yourself.
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Costs & Fees
Adding up all the prices outlined in this guide gives us a total cost estimate of $924 – $1691 for the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa. At the lower end of the range, you will be doing most of the work yourself. On the higher end, you will consult help and pay for most convenience.
Either route should work. But based on what I personally did, I reccomend spending a bit more for the additional support where necessary to maximize your odds of success on your first submission.
Price (USD)
Application Fee
$54
Visa Issuance Fee
$170 – 230 (varies by nationality)
Translations & Notary
$50-150 depending on country and provider
Fingerprinting
$30 – $50 depending on provider
Background check processing
$18
Apostille
$20 – $200 depending on path
Cédula de Extranjería (I.D. Card)
$70
Insurance
$512 based on my personal experience, ymmv
Expert Guidance
$410
Total Costs
$924 – $1691
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Cost Of Living
Here’s a typical monthly budget for digital nomads in Medellín — based on my own experience and averages across expat and remote worker communities.
I would define my lifestyle in Medellin as borderline excessively luxorious with a 3-story furnished apartment and a lot of eating out. As such, it is very possible to keep your costs on the lower ends of these estimates, especially if you are outside of tourists zones.
Estimated Monthly Cost (USD)
1-Bedroom Apartment (prime neighborhood, furnished, with utilities)
$500 – 1000
Coworking Hot Desk
$170 – 230
Food (groceries + casual dining)
$300 – 600
Transportation (metro, buses, ride-share)
$30 – $150
Entertainment & Miscellaneous
$100 – $300
Total Montly Expenses
$1100 – $2280
Pros & Cons: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
Pros:
- Stay legally for up to 2 years (approval varies — mine was 10 months)
- Relatively simple requirements (lower income threshold than Portugal, Spain, etc.)
- Active digital nomad hubs (Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena)
- Vibrant lifestyle: mountains, beaches, cities, and a growing nomad community
- Affordable cost of living compared to North America/Europe
- Rich culture and travel opportunities
Cons:
- You can’t work for Colombian companies
- Taxes: after 183 days you may become a Colombian tax resident (recommended to consult local tax expert)
- Renewal isn’t automatic; you must reapply
- Paperwork like apostilles can be time-consuming
- Spanish proficiency helps — not everyone speaks English
Useful Links & Resources
- Medellin Expat Services: my trusted friend, Carolina Restrepo, specializing in visa and expat support
- Official Colombian Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): cancilleria.gov.co – Digital Nomad Visa
- Official application portal: tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co
- Official tourism site: colombia.travel – Digital Nomads
- Safetywing: digital nomad insurance
- Medellin Advisors: local resource for all things Medellin
- Reddit user experiences: r/digitalnomad
- FBI: indentity services
- U.S. Postal Services – fingerprinting information
- Fingerprinting within colombia support: expatgroup.co
- Apostille support: monument visa services
- U.S. Apostile Process: Department Of State
FAQ – Colombia Digital Nomad Visa
How long does the Colombia digital nomad visa process take?
Standard processing takes about 30 days, but delays up to 45 days or more are common. For U.S. citizens, the FBI background check + apostille often adds 2–6 weeks. All in, expect 6–10 weeks on average from start to finish.
How much income do I need?
You must show a minimum of 3× the Colombian minimum wage per month (about USD $1,100 / COP 4.27M in 2025). Proof is provided through your last 4 months of bank statements.
How long is the visa valid?
The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa is granted for up to 2 years, but approvals vary. For example, I was approved for 10 months on my first application.
Can I bring dependents?
Yes — spouse and children can be included as beneficiaries.
Can I work for Colombian companies?
No. The visa only allows work for foreign clients.
Do I Need To Translate My Documents To Spanish?
Yes. Any foreign documents (such as the FBI background check) must be apostilled and then officially translated into Spanish by a certified translator in Colombia.