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If you’re thinking of moving or have already moved to Colombia, and you have the option to find a job permitted by your migratory status, finding the right job is crucial.
Knowing what you want to do makes for a good start. However, you’ll also need to be aware of what employment opportunities actually exist as an expat.
First we are going to explore the migratory status a foreigner must have to work in Colombia. Later, we’ve broken down four of Colombia’s most thriving industries in terms of foreign employment.
If you are questioning whether you need a visa to work in Colombia, the answer is Yes. In most cases, you might be required to have a visa that allows foreigners to work in Colombia.
Which visas allow foreigners to work in Colombia?
Visa type M Investment/Real Estate:
The investment/Real Estate visa is for foreigners investing in Colombia for more than 350 USD. The current monthly legal minimum wage in Colombia (or around 114,000 USD with an exchange rate of 4.000 COP/ USD) in Real Estate.
Holders of this visa category are eligible to apply for a Visa type R Resident after 5 years of maintaining their visa valid through renewals.
Visa type M Mercosur
This is for citizens of the States that are part of the Mercosur Agreement and associates: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The holder of this type of visa is allowed to work in Colombia and, after 2 years, can apply for residency.
This visa can only be granted once.
Visa type V: Student
If you’re a holder of a Student Visa and enrolled in a Postgraduate program at a university in Colombia, you can work up to 20 hours per week.
Visa type M: Marriage (and Domestic Partnership)
Both visa categories, the Marriage and the Domestic Partnership visa, allow the foreign holder to work and live in Colombia and accumulate time for the Resident Visa.
The difference between both visas lies in the time the foreigners have to accumulate: with the Marriage visa, the holder can apply for a Resident Visa after 3 continuous years; with the Domestic Partnership, it is 5 years.
Visa Type V: Working Holiday
This visa allows foreigners from certain nationalities between the ages of 18 and 30 to enjoy their time in Colombian territory, work in a legal activity of their choosing, and travel the country for up to a year. At the expiring date of the visa, the foreigner has to leave the country.
To enquire about this visa type and enabled nationalities, you can contact the expatgroup.co team through Whatsapp.
There are many other visa categories that allow foreigners to work in Colombia, either for foreign or Colombian organizations that have regulated activities within the country. Regularly, all holders of the visa categories under Visa type M can work in Colombia, with the exception of holders of Visa type M Retirement. Other visa categories falling under Visa type V include Visa type V Crew and Visa V Film or audiovisual production.
It is important to note that many foreigners want to apply for Visa-type M Work. However, under the current resolution regulating visas in Colombia, a person must already have a contract with a company to apply for this visa category.
If you have a remote job and are able to work remotely, you might want to take a look at this blog, which covers everything you need to know about working from Colombia.
What are the industries that tend to hire foreigners in Colombia?
Digital Services
Digital services have hit new heights of demand worldwide.
There are a growing number of opportunities for expats with experience in marketing, sales, and client service roles in Colombia. In digital marketing alone, there are 93 companies that hire English speakers to choose from.
Digital services roles in Colombia pay between 3,000,000 COP and 10,000,000 COP monthly, depending on experience.
Bar Work
If you're seeking rewarding work in Colombia, bars and restaurants in cosmopolitan areas often look for English speakers. Bar work is an excellent way to learn Spanish through real-life interactions with coworkers and clients, helping you integrate into the local culture.
Finding jobs is best-done face-to-face, as online listings on platforms like Indeed and Computrabajo are limited.
Keep in mind that compensation for bar work in Colombia is relatively low, but prior experience in high-end bars can lead to opportunities in more exclusive nightlife areas.
Teaching
Translation
Translation work offers lucrative opportunities for qualified expats in Colombia. There is increasing demand for translators of CVs, legal documents, and technical content due to the country's growing need for bilingualism.
While Colombia's English proficiency is improving, specialized translation services are still needed. Many opportunities are freelance, but some companies also seek full-time translators.
Let your visa process in expert hands
With more than 10 (ten) years of experience and more than 2,800 visas processed in expatgroup.tech, we ensure that your process is carried out professionally and with great attention to detail under the highest quality standards and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requirements, thus increasing the chances of success in your application process.
We encourage you to consult with our experts. We have experience in digital nomad visas and have successfully processed them, and expats recommend us. We invite you to watch Josep Manier’s testimony and experience with our service.
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