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Colombian M-5 (Migrant—Category 5) work visas are for expats and foreign nationals seeking employment in Colombia. Applicants should remember that a work visa is a government permit that allows the foreigner to work only with the company and sponsor that applied for the visa. Therefore, you will not be authorized to have a contract or work with other entities in the country.
While the process of applying for a Colombian Work Visa has remained relatively unchanged since last year, the requirements for a successful application have become more stringent. This is due to the requirement of supplementary documentation that proves the legitimacy of an applicant’s educational background.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a work visa in Colombia for expats in 2022. Let’s get into it.
How do I Apply for a Colombian Work Visa?
Most Colombian work visa applications are done online. You can begin your Colombian visa application process on the government website here. The online application process takes roughly 30 minutes and has a USD 52 application fee. You can pay for this fee through the Colombian online payment platform PSE or with a Visa Credit Card.
Before applying for a Colombian work visa by yourself, you should err on the side of caution if you don’t have experience doing so. To state the obvious, all details in the application must be filled out correctly and in their entirety. The Colombian Government can and will reject applications that have been completed erroneously or insubstantially.
Therefore, if your prospective employer can’t help you in an administrative capacity, and you’re tackling a visa application solo, make sure to consult with an experienced visa agency who can advise you on getting all the details spot on.
What Documents Do I Need for a Colombian Work Visa?
A summary of your prospective employment contract
This will highlight your role, salary, contract type, and start date. Inconsistencies regarding start date or contract type may mean the government requests the original contract or more information.
A letter of motivation from your prospective employment contract
This will state why, as an expat, they have offered you employment over a Colombian.
A photocopy of the first page of your original passport
The first page of your passport should contain all your personal information.
A photocopy of your Colombian entrance stamp inside your original passport
This is so the government can see when you’ve entered the country and that your time in the country as a tourist hasn’t expired.
A photocopy of your previous Colombian visa (if applicable)
Like the reasons above, this helps migración understand your current and previous status as a foreign national in Colombia.
A passport photo 3cm x 4cm
The photo must be uploaded as a 300kb (maximum) jpg file with a white background. This will be used for the visa and your Colombian national ID card (cédula extranjería).
A digital copy of your university degree
Translated and apostilled by an official governmental, educational, or legal institution. This is the most significant change to the new Colombian Work Visa requirement. You are now required to provide an apostille.Documentation that verifies your prospective employer is a valid visa sponsor
This is so the government knows your business can comfortably afford your salary for the length of your contract.How Do I Get an Apostille for my University Degree?
An apostille is a public servant’s official stamp and signature certifying a document’s validity. This signature will then be recorded in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs database.
Therefore, an apostille officially must come from a government department, and a notarized version of your degree from a private citizen like a solicitor won’t be accepted.
What Companies Can Offer Me a Colombian Work Visa?
If you’ve found a great employment opportunity with a Colombian or international company based in Colombia, you need to know if they can sponsor you to become a fully-fledged employee.
Essentially, your prospective employer must prove that they can comfortably afford to pay your salary and benefits in addition to all their other business expenses.
To put a number on it, your potential future employer must make 100 times the minimum monthly wage in Colombia. The Colombian minimum wage – adjusted for inflation – in 2022 is 1,000.000 COP (approximately USD 262) a month. This means your visa sponsor needs to generate 100,000,000 COP (approximately USD 27,000) revenue a month and prove this with bank statements from the previous 6 months prior to your visa application.
On top of this, sponsors must show an income statement from the previous year and demonstrate that they couldn’t find a Colombian who couldn’t adequately fulfill the skillset required. If you’re unsure about a company’s ability to sponsor you for a visa, talk to a visa specialist.
Editor notes: updated in March 2022: If the employer is entities or institution of the Colombian State, International Government Organization, Diplomatic Mission, or Consular Office accredited in Colombia. You must only submit a visa application letter signed by the legal representative or whoever acts on their behalf.
Regarding finding Colombian employment opportunities, you’ll be more likely to find work as an English-speaking expat in education, sales, or international business. Job sites like Computrabajo and Glassdoor regularly post jobs for both English, Spanish, and bilingual candidates. If you want to know more about finding a job in Colombia, read our blog: 4 Good Industries for seeking employment in Colombia as an Expat or 6 Best Places to Work in Colombia.
How Much Are Colombian Work Visa Fees?
Your application for an M-5 temporary work visa will cost around USD 282, including the application fee, administrative tax, and the Colombian visa fee.
It is advisable to consult with experts in visa processes to increase approval success. In expatgroup.co, you will find a qualified team with ten years of experience in visa applications, many success stories, and the motivation to continue helping expats stay in Colombia.
If you have questions or need expert advice on immigration, business, real estate, or legal matters, click the button to get in touch with us.
Final Thoughts
The applicant must demonstrate that he has the experience and essential characteristics to stand out from a Colombian. Colombia reflects an evolving country, which is why an increasing number of expats want to come to live and work here. However, Colombia is also looking out for its citizens, ensuring their labor isn’t being displaced by a foreign national with the same knowledge and experience.
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