How to Apply for the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa (2025 Guide)
Thinking about living and working remotely from Colombia? You're not alone.
Medellin has quickly become one of Latin America's top destinations for digital nomads.
But why do so many Digital Nomads choose to stay in Medellin, the "City of Eternal Spring"? It's an easy decision:
- Ideal Climate: Consistently pleasant weather year-round. Usually no need to wear jackets.
- Affordable Living: Lower cost of living compared to many Western countries.
- Vibrant Community: A growing digital nomad and expat population.
- Modern Infrastructure: Reliable internet plus numerous coliving and coworking spaces.
- Cultural Experiences: Rich history, art and culinary scenes.
Furthermore with the introduction of the DIGITAL NOMAD VISA in 2022, the digital nomad life in Medellin was made significantly easier to achieve.
Most guests at Alto Selva are digital nomads and many ask whether it’s good idea applying for a visa or not. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa in 2025.
Firstly let’s review if you actually need a Digital Nomad Visa.
Tourist Permit or Digital Nomad Visa?
Depending on how long you plan to stay in Colombia you can either visit with a Tourist Permit or with a Digital Nomad Visa. Of course there are many other types of Colombian Visas such as "Investment, Medical, Marriage" etc however this article is just focused on the needs of digital nomads.
The Colombian Tourist Permit is the most common form of entry to the country. Often people mistakenly call this a “Tourist Visa” however the correct term is “Tourist Permit” since it is not a visa.
If you are from the United States, Canada, EU, Australia etc you can stay in Colombia on Tourist Permit for a maximum of 180 days a year. When you enter the country you will be given a Tourist Permit Stamp valid for 90 days. This can be extended online on the Migration Colombia website for another 90 days. You can enter and leave Colombia as many times as you need to in a calendar year but you cannot stay more than 180 days. Remember when counting your days that the day you arrive and the day you leave are both counted.
For short stays the Tourist Permit is the easiest option. There is zero problem to work online as a digital nomad on a Tourism Permit and the immigration law specifically states that if you want to be a digital nomad in Colombia for less than 180 days then the Tourist Permit is the most appropriate entry type.
What Is the Colombian Digital Nomad Visa?
Colombia introduced its Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V - for “visitor”) October 2022 under Resolution 5477. It’s designed for foreigners who want to live in Colombia while working remotely for companies or clients based outside the country.
This visa allows you to stay in Colombia for up to two years, giving you plenty of time to settle in, explore and build your life here, without the need to constantly leave the country or worry about 90 day tourist permit limits.
Whether you're freelancing, running your own business or employed by a foreign company, this visa is an easy path to long-term remote work life in Medellin.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you’ll need to prove that you’re working remotely and that you have the means to support yourself while living in Colombia.
Here's a breakdown of the main requirements:
Work Remotely:
Either as an employee, freelancer, or business owner, for a company based outside Colombia.
Income Threshold:
Earn a minimum monthly income equivalent to three times Colombia's minimum wage (approximately $1,000 USD).
Valid Passport:
Hold a passport with at least six months' validity from a country exempt from short-stay visa requirements (Americans, Canadians, Australians and EU citizens qualify). Passport should be free of damage and contain blank pages for visa stamps.
Health Insurance:
Possess health insurance covering medical expenses (both emergency and routine) in Colombia.
Clean Criminal Record:
Provide a background check from your country of residence or country that you have lived for the past 3 years. It should be apostilled and translated to Spanish using an approved translation service.
Quick Comparison - Permit versus Visa
Length of Stay:
Tourist Permit = perfect for stays in Colombia of less than 181 days during a calendar year.
Digital Nomad Visa = only needed if your stay in Colombia will be more than 180 days, up to 2 years continuously.
Cost:
Tourist Permit = Free (except for Canadians who must pay a reciprocal fee of 256,000 COP).
Digital Nomad Visa = Fairly costly (various fees include Application fee, Issuance fee, Health insurance, Cedula application fee, as well as Translation services, Lawyer costs and Criminal background check fees, if any).
Tax Implication:
Tourist Permit = no tax implications.
Digital Nomad Visa = if you stay in Colombia 183+ days in any 365 day period you are considered a tax resident.
Alto Selva’s
Recommendation
Unless you're absolutely certain you'll stay in Colombia for more than 180 days, we recommend arriving on a Tourist Permit first and applying for the Digital Nomad Visa once you're here. What if Medellín doesn’t match your expectations? What if a new opportunity arises back home?
Spending some time in Colombia before committing gives you the chance to explore the country, get a feel for the lifestyle and decide if the visa investment is truly worth it. Think of it as a trial run, if you love it here, then go ahead and make it official.
And of course, whilst you’re checking it out you're welcome to stay at Alto Selva, our fully furnished apartments are designed with digital nomads in mind, offering comfort, convenience and remote work essentials. We have coliving and private options suitable for everyone’s budget.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (2025)
The process is 100% online through the website of Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, otherwise known as Cancilleria.
Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare Your Documents.
Scan all required documents and save them in PDF format (max 1MB each). Make sure translations are clear and official where needed.
- Submit the Application.
Go to the official visa portal. Create an account, fill out the visa form and upload your documents. You will receive confirmation and a tracking number.
- Pay the Application Fee.
You’ll first pay a non-refundable Application Review fee of around $52 USD. If your visa is approved, you’ll then pay the Issuance fee, usually between $170–$230 USD depending on your nationality.
- Wait for Approval.
Most visas are processed within 30 business days, but delays can happen, especially if additional documents are requested. You’ll receive all communications by email. If additional documents are requested, you have 30 days from the date you paid the Application Review fee.
Once approved, the visa is issued electronically and you're legally authorized to live in Colombia and work remotely.
How to Submit the Application for Digital Nomad Visa
In a browser open the Cancilleria Request Visa page. There is an English and Spanish language version.
The website suggests allowing 30 minutes to complete the application.
It also suggests that you must have ready 3x4cm photo, in color, with white background, recent, head-on, without accessories, in JPG format, maximum 300 KB.
All documents submitted should be in PDF format and preferably black and white. The maximum weight allowed for the total of documents attached to an application is 5MB.
You will need to upload digital copies of several documents in 8 categories. The website is poorly designed so you will need to load a document to ALL 8 categories, even if not relevant. Where this applies simply submit a blank PDF with the comment “NO APLICA” (ie not Applicable).
The folliwing is a list of the documents that you need to submit in the 8 categories:
- Copy of Passport - “Details page” (name, DOB, nationality etc). While not explicitly requested, it’s advisable to submit your Criminal Background check here.
- Copy of Passport - “Proof of Entry stamp” (if applying from within Colombia).
- If you are applying from outside of Colombia in a country that you do not have nationality, you must show proof that you are legally living in that country (tourist stamp or visa of that country). If you are on a Tourist Permit submit that (again). If you are applying from your home country submit a document with the text NO APLICA.
- Not relevant, just submit copy of Passport - “Details page” (yes, again)
- A letter in Spanish or English issued by one or more foreign companies for which you provide services abroad, indicating the type of employment relationship and the type of compensation received. If a contract exists with the company, provide it, or otherwise demonstrate that you are a partner or co-owner of a foreign company and indicate that the work is performed remotely for that company. If not relevant submit a document with the text NO APLICA.
- If you’re in the entrepreneur category, submit a motivation letter explaining the business project and the financial and human resources available or intended to be available for the business. If not relevant submit a document with the text NO APLICA.
- Submit bank statements, showing minimum income equivalent to three (3) Current Legal Monthly Minimum Wages (SMLMV) over the last 3 months. Additional / alternative forms of proof may include contracts of employment and/or pay stubs. If you’re self-employed you should submit all business registration documents as well as your company's bank account statements.
- Submit Health Insurance Certificate for a policy with coverage in Colombia for all risks in case of accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation, for the entire duration of the intended stay in the country.
Next Step: Apply for a Cedula
Once you have received your Digital Nomad Visa you are now required to apply for your Cedula Extranjeria (Colombian ID).
Immigration law requires you to apply for the cedula within 15 days of receiving your Digital Nomad Visa, or face potential fines. In reality there is a backlog of applications and it may take several months to obtain the cedula so it’s unlikely you will be fined but it’s still recommended to start the process asap. The biggest advantage of having a cedula it that it makes life much easier to open a bank account.
