What makes this program stand out

Colombia offers a remote work visa for foreign nationals who work exclusively for companies registered outside Colombia. The program also covers individuals launching digital or IT ventures that are of interest to Colombia. It is structured as a Digital Nomad Visa and serves employees, shareholders, or partners of foreign-registered companies.

The visa enables you to reside in Colombia while maintaining employment or business operations abroad. Your income must originate from sources outside the country. You cannot work for Colombian employers under this visa category.

Applications are processed through Colombian consulates. You must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of US$3,000. This income threshold applies throughout the application and serves as the core financial qualification criterion.

The program targets location-independent professionals and entrepreneurs. You qualify if you meet the income requirement and work for a foreign entity or operate a digital or IT business that aligns with Colombia's strategic interests. The visa does not lead to employment authorization within the Colombian labor market.

What you need to qualify

You must belong to one of two applicant categories. Remote work employees, shareholders, or partners must be employed by, hold shares in, or serve as partners of companies registered abroad. You prove this through your employment contract, shareholder documentation, or partnership agreement showing your legal connection to the foreign entity. Entrepreneurs must launch digital or IT ventures of interest to Colombia. You prepare a motivational letter outlining the venture itself, your financial resources committed to the project, and the human resources involved in execution.

You must prove minimum monthly income of US$3,000. This is your core financial qualification threshold. You demonstrate this through bank statements, payroll records, client invoices, or transfer confirmations from your foreign employer or business operations. The income must originate entirely from foreign sources. Income from Colombian entities does not count.

You must hold citizenship from a country with visa-free travel to Colombia. This is a nationality restriction. The Digital Nomad Visa is available only to nationals of countries whose citizens can enter Colombia without obtaining a visa in advance. If your nationality requires a visa for tourist entry, you are ineligible for this program.

You must provide proof of remote work arrangements. This includes employment letters, contracts, or business registration documents showing your foreign work or business operations. You must obtain health insurance covering your stay in Colombia. You must provide accommodation proof, rental contracts, hotel reservations, or property ownership documentation confirming where you will reside. You must submit a clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence or nationality, demonstrating no criminal convictions.

If you are an entrepreneur, you prepare the motivational letter separately. This letter details your digital or IT venture, explains why the project is of interest to Colombia, specifies the financial resources you are deploying, and describes the human resources structure supporting the business. The letter must be thorough, it serves as your qualification evidence for the entrepreneurial route.

What level of income you need to show

The minimum monthly income requirement is US$3,000. This threshold must be demonstrated through continuous proof of earnings from qualifying sources.

Income must originate from remote work abroad. Qualifying sources include:

• Employment by a foreign-registered company
• Ownership stake (shares) in a foreign-registered company
• Partnership in a foreign-registered company
• Digital or IT venture operations

Income earned within Colombia does not qualify. You must demonstrate that your earnings source is located outside Colombia's borders.

Documentation requirements include proof of the income relationship, employment contracts, shareholder certificates, partnership agreements, or business registration documents for your foreign venture. Bank statements showing consistent monthly deposits at or above the US$3,000 threshold provide supporting evidence of actual receipt.

Entrepreneurs launching digital or IT ventures must submit a motivational letter to Colombia's immigration authority outlining the venture concept, financial resources committed, and human resources involved. This letter establishes that your entrepreneurial income qualifies under the visa category's scope.

Which documents are typically required

You must compile proof of remote work, health insurance coverage, accommodation in Colombia, and a clean criminal record. These documents form the baseline application set. The structure varies depending on whether you apply as a remote employee, shareholder, or entrepreneur.

For Remote Work Employees, Shareholders, or Partners:

• Employment contract, shareholder certificate, or partnership agreement with a foreign-registered company
• Proof of minimum monthly income of US$3,000: bank statements, payroll records, transfer confirmations, or client invoices showing continuous foreign-sourced earnings
• Health insurance policy valid in Colombia for the duration of stay
• Accommodation proof: rental contract, hotel reservation, or property ownership document in Colombia
• Clean criminal record certificate issued by your country of residence or nationality

For Entrepreneurs (Digital or IT Ventures):

• Motivational letter outlining the venture concept, financial resources committed, and human resources structure
• Business registration or incorporation documents if the venture is already established
• Proof of minimum monthly income of US$3,000 from venture operations or committed capital
• Health insurance policy valid in Colombia
• Accommodation proof in Colombia
• Clean criminal record certificate

All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized according to Colombian consular requirements. You submit your application at the Colombian consulate in your jurisdiction of residence or through the online Cancillería portal if available.