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Since the pandemic, remote work has become the new normality for many people, facilitating a more practical lifestyle that allows them to travel the world and continue developing their jobs remotely. Therefore, Colombia has bet on the new digital nomad visa.
On July 22, 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued Resolución 5477 with changes in the legislation of Colombian visas; among the changes include new visas, such as the long-awaited by expats who want to work remotely from Colombia: Digital Nomad.
This is a significant advance that will benefit hundreds of travelers entering Colombia, as our country is a great attraction for its geographical location, gastronomy, and currency exchange.
This visa came into effect in October 2022. In this blog, we tell you the essentials so you can be prepared to apply.
Who can apply for the digital nomad visa?
The new Colombian digital nomad visa is designed for foreigners who carry out their work activities remotely exclusively for foreign companies, either as independent or employed.
Foreigners who wish to start a digital content or information technology start-up that is of interest to Colombia may also apply for this type of visa.
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What are the requirements to apply for the digital nomad visa?
The requirements initially established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are:
Passport:
Original valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months of validity. Hold a passport issued by one of the countries or territories exempt from short-stay visas.
Bank statements
The last three bank statements show a minimum income equivalent to three legal monthly minimum wages in force.
Health insurance policy
Health policy with coverage in the national territory against all risks in case of an accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, or repatriation for the time foreseen for their stay in the country.
Letter of the Company
The letter from the company will depend on the type of digital nomad profile you have. Below, we detail the types of people who are eligible to apply for this visa.
FBI Background Check
The background check serves as a record indicating the presence or absence of criminal offenses committed by a specific citizen and is issued by relevant authorities in different countries.
Is the FBI Background Check a mandatory requirement?
Previously, in Resolution 6045 of 2017, it was the Ministry’s task to verify the background check (Article 38). However, with the entry of the new resolution in 2022, the applicants also must provide the Background Check for the visas that require it as a mandatory document. Also, the government can request additional documentation for any visa category under discretionary authority, including criminal records. Even if your visa doesn’t require the Background Check as a mandatory requirement, if the Chancellery requests it, you must provide it as soon as possible.
What must be included in the letter?
If you are a worker
A letter in Spanish or English from foreign companies you provide services for should state the relationship and type of payment received. The government may also require the telework contract and the foreign company's certificate of existence.
If you are an owner-partner
If you're a partner or owner of a company, please provide proof of your ownership and a letter stating that your work is remote, along with necessary documents that prove it according to the country of origin, like a certificate of good standing from your country.
If you are an entrepreneur
In the case of entrepreneurs, present a motivational letter explaining their entrepreneurial project and the financial and human resources they have or aspire to have for their venture.
Which health policy is accepted by the government for the digital nomad visa?
In order to comply with this new mandatory requirement and that you can successfully apply for and obtain the Colombian digital nomad visa, you must take into account the following:
Digital Nomad Visa now.
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What is the difference with the Freelance visa?
Unlike the type V Digital Nomad visa, the type M Freelance Visa is granted to foreigners who want to practice their profession independently in Colombia. For this reason, with this visa, you will have work permission exclusively for the profession or activity for which it was granted.
The opposite happens for the Visa type V Digital Nomad. Foreigners will be able to legally stay in the country and work remotely for foreign companies. In this case, they will not be authorized to be hired and work directly with Colombian companies.
How long can I stay in Colombia with the digital nomad visa?
To understand how the legal stay in Colombia works, we must distinguish between two concepts:
Validity
Authorized stay in Colombia
Why do some people think they can only stay 180 days in Colombia if they have a type V digital nomad visa?
There is confusion regarding the paragraph of Article 46 of Resolution 5477, which stipulates the following:
“Digital nomads, remote workers, and digital entrepreneurs of nationalities that do not require a visa for a short stay, established by Resolution, may enter without a visa and stay in Colombia with an Entry Permit granted by the immigration authority, under the current regulations; provided that their stay in the country does not generate payments from Colombian companies and their period of stay does not exceed 90 days which may be extended up to a maximum of 180 continuous or discontinuous days calendar year.”
According to the above, the rule indicates that people who do not need a visa to enter Colombia can execute their activities remotely and as digital nomads in the country for 90 days with the possibility of extending them for another 90 days and are not required to apply for a visa. However, if they wish to have a more extended stay in the country, they may apply for the V digital nomad visa, which the Colombian government may authorize for a maximum of up to 2 years.
Digital Nomad Visa now.
Quote your Digita Nomad Visa and work remotely enjoying the beauty of Colombia!
Costs, Validity and Restrictions
If you are looking to work in Colombia, you can apply for the Visa V Temporary Services Provider, Visa M Type Work, or Visa M Freelancer.
Apply for your Colombian visa with an expert agency
With recent regulatory changes and the legal, immigration, and regulatory implications associated with visa processes, it is advisable to receive professional advice and leave the process in the hands of experts.
At expatgroup.co, we have thousands of successful cases. We will be happy to help you increase your approval process to obtain your digital nomad visa in Colombia in an easier, faster, and more equitable.
