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Colombia digital nomad visa: Complete guide for UK expats
If you love the idea of exploring the world as a digital nomad - or you’re already doing it - you’ll need to know which countries have visas suitable for remote working during a temporary stay.
Colombia is one such country, which recently introduced a special visa just for remote workers from around the world.
In this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on the digital nomad visa for Colombia. This includes how it works, how much it costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and the steps to apply.
Colombia digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility
Colombia is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa. It’s called the Visa V Nómadas Digitales, or Visa V for Digital Nomads. This visa type is relatively new, as it was only launched in 2023.
With this visa, eligible foreign nationals can legally live in Colombia and work remotely for an overseas client or employer for a period of up to 2 years.1 You can’t carry out work for any Colombian business or client though.
This visa also lets you bring family members with you.1
To meet the Colombia digital nomad visa requirements, you must have a minimum income equivalent to the legal minimum wage (SMLMV) in Colombia.1 At the moment, this is $1,423,500 COP, which is around £285.86 in GBP.2
You’ll also need to have a passport from a country on the list of those exempt from needing a short-stay visa for Colombia - the UK is on this list.3
How much does it cost?
The Colombia digital nomad visa costs $177 USD (approx. £132.60 in GBP) in application fees.4
Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting a health insurance policy, which is a key requirement of the visa.
What documents do you need?
You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Colombia:1
- A valid passport
- One 3x4cm colour photo of yourself, in JPG format with a maximum size of 300 KB.5
- Evidence of remote work/employment outside of Colombia - this should be in the form of a letter in Spanish or English from your employer
- If you’re an entrepreneur, you should submit a letter explaining your project and the financial and HR resources you have or will need for the venture
- Bank statements from the last 3 months, showing that you meet the minimum income requirement
- Proof of a health insurance policy for Colombia, with suitable coverage for the time you’ll be staying in the country.
If you’re applying with a spouse or dependent children, you may also be asked to provide identity documents for them, along with documents proving your relationship.
How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Colombia
You can apply for the Colombia digital nomad visa on the Colombian Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Here’s how to do it, step-by-step:
- Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re able to meet the minimum income requirement
- Get your documents together
- Go to the Colombia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to start your application online
- Complete all required steps, entering your personal details and uploading supporting documents when prompted
- Check everything carefully and submit your application.
- Wait for a decision
- If your visa is approved, you’ll need to pay the visa fee - you may also be given information on whether you need to finalise your visa or submit biometrics at a local consulate or an official office in Bogota on arrival in the country.
How long can you stay in Colombia as a digital nomad?
The digital nomad visa for Colombia is pretty generous in terms of the length of stay it grants.
You can stay in the country for as long as 2 years on this visa,1 and you can also get state identification (Cedula de Extranjeria).6 This is extremely useful if you want to sign up for a mobile phone contract, rent a home or open a Colombian bank account.
📚How to open a Colombian account
Taxes for digital nomads in Colombia
While you’re living and working in Colombia as a digital nomad, you may need to pay taxes on your income.
There’s no specific Colombia digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.
If you stay in Colombia for more than 183 days, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.6 It’s likely that this will happen if you take advantage of the full 2-year stay the digital nomad visa offers.
There’s also the issue of what income taxes are due in the UK, and the need to avoid paying tax twice on the same income.
Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.
📚Can you keep your UK bank account when moving abroad?
Save on your relocation costs with Wise
That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Colombia. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.
Before moving to Colombia, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.
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FAQs
Is it possible to extend the Colombia digital nomad visa?
No, you can’t extend your Colombian digital nomad visa once it expires. If you want to stay in Colombia or leave and come back, you’ll need to re-apply or look into other temporary or permanent visa options.
Does a Colombia digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?
No, the Colombia Visitor Visa is temporary and doesn’t offer any direct route to citizenship.
If you want to move there permanently and explore routes to citizenship, you’ll need to be eligible for a different, long-term visa, such as a skilled work or residence pathway.
Sources used:
1. Cancilleria - visa length, dependents and requirements
2. Enlace Operativo - legal minimum wage (SMLMV) in Colombia
3. Cancilleria - UK exempt from needing short-stay visa
4. Citizen Remote - visa fees and state identification information
5. Sistema Integral de Trámites al Ciudadano - photo requirements
6. Genki - tax residency information
Sources last checked on date: 07-Nov-2025
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