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Active Visa 2026

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad Visa

How to Apply Compare
Las Lajas Sanctuary Gothic basilica in canyon near Ipiales, Colombia
Photo: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Unsplash
Min. Income
$1,400
per month
Stay
24 mo
Renewable to 24mo
Foreign Tax
Tax-Free
No foreign income tax
App. Fee
$230
14-42 days
Family
Allowed
Dependents eligible
Apply Online
Yes
No citizenship path
Data verified: 2026-08-01  ·  Reviewed by SHOYA KIHARA  ·  See all All Visas

Overview

The Digital Nomad Visa is how Colombia lets people live there while working for employers or clients elsewhere. The bar sits at $1,400 USD (5,252,715 COP). You get 24 months to begin with, stretching to roughly 24 months if you renew. Foreign income is not taxed during your stay.
Apply Online
Family Allowed
Renewable
Citizenship Path
68
/ 100
Very Good

Nomad Score

Our unique composite rating
Visa Accessibility 19/25

Fees, processing, online application

Stay & Flexibility 14/20

Duration, renewability, family

Tax Benefit 10/15

No tax on foreign income

Living Quality 15/25

Safety, healthcare, development

Digital Infrastructure 10/15

Internet, English, tap water

Nomad Score is calculated from visa accessibility, stay flexibility, tax benefits, living quality (UNDP, UNODC, WHO data), and digital infrastructure. Updated 2026-08-01.

Application Process

📋

Prepare Documents

Gather 7 required documents including valid passport, proof of income (3 months bank statements)

📝

Submit Application

Complete and submit the application online

⏳

Processing

Wait 14-42 days for a decision

✅

Approval

Receive your visa approval (fee: $230)

✈️

Arrive & Register

Arrive in Colombia and complete any local registration

How to apply online: annotated screenshots

Numbered markers on official portal screenshots show exactly where to click and what to enter.

Step 1 Open the online visa application form
Open the online visa application form
  1. The form loads in English or Spanish; use this bar to switch between "Traducir a Español" and "Translate to English".
  2. Before starting, prepare a recent 3x4 cm photo (JPG, max 300 KB) and your documents as PDFs — all attachments combined must stay under 5 MB. Allow about 30 minutes.
  3. "this link" opens the official online application guide — check it before filling out the form.
  4. Tick "I have read" after reading the notices; the form cannot be submitted without it. No account registration is needed.
Step 2 Fill in identification and personal data
Fill in identification and personal data
  1. Enter your passport number and its dates of issue and expiry exactly as printed in the passport.
  2. Select your nationality from the dropdown list.
  3. Personal data: names must match your passport spelling. Middle name and second last name are only filled if applicable.
  4. Application registry number is only for updating an existing application — leave it blank for a first application.

Source: SITAC — Online Visa Application, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería de Colombia) · Captured: 2026-07

Min. Monthly Income
$1,400 ~5,252,715 COP
Initial Stay
24 mo Renewable after first term
Application Fee
$230 Excludes insurance & legal fees

Visa Requirements

Financials

  • Income Proof

    Bank statements for the most recent 3 months showing income meeting or exceeding 3x Colombian minimum wage. Employment contracts, client contracts, or reference letters also required.

  • Income Type

    monthly

Background & Health

  • Health Insurance
    Required
  • Background Check
    Required
  • Minimum Age 18+ years old

Advantages

  • • Low income requirement makes it accessible to many remote workers
  • • Foreign-sourced earnings stay outside the local tax net for the duration of the permit
  • • 24-month first term, with renewal available at the end
  • • Renewable — Can be renewed for additional 2-year periods. Must continue to meet income requirements
  • • Dependants can join — Dependents can be included in the application
  • • Filed online, with a published decision window of 14-42 days
  • • Handled entirely from where you already are — no relocation before approval

Disadvantages

  • • No direct pathway to permanent residency
  • • Background check required (adds processing time)

Policy Change History

Tracking visa requirement changes over time to help you stay informed.

2026-04 fee change

Application fee increased from $177 to $230

Fee adjustment for 2026.

Source: Cancillería de Colombia

2022-10 launch

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V-Nómada Digital) launched

Colombia introduced the V-type digital nomad visa under Decree 2064.

Source: Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Real Nomad Experiences

Summaries of first-hand accounts posted publicly by people who applied for this visa. Each one links to the original post — we summarise rather than republish what they wrote.

u/mayagarside r/digitalnomad 2025-10 Negative

An applicant granted a six-month Colombian nomad visa reports being refused on reapplication despite refreshing the documentation, and describes the assessment as heavily dependent on the individual reviewer.

Initial approval then denial on renewal — discretionary process

Read the original post →
u/sachi808 r/digitalnomad 2026-05 Neutral

An applicant asks whether the employment letter needs notarising before apostille. Someone who went through it the previous year confirms it does, explaining that the apostille certifies the notary's signature rather than the document itself — a sequencing mistake that can cost a whole document cycle.

Document order — notarise first, then apostille

Read the original post →

These are individual accounts, summarised from public posts. They may not reflect current policy — always verify with the official source above.

Tax & Legal

Taxation Profile
Foreign Income Tax-Free

Foreign Income

Colombia generally does not tax foreign-sourced income for holders of this visa, making it highly attractive for remote workers.

Local Income

Income earned from local Colombia sources is taxable at standard rates.

Non-residents (under 183 days) are only taxed on Colombian-source income. If staying 183+ days, may become tax resident and be taxed on worldwide income.

Living in Colombia

All ratings use a unified A–D scale. A = best for digital nomads in each category.

💰 Affordability
A

Very Affordable

Numbeo Cost of Living Index: 27/100 (NYC=100, lower=cheaper)

🛡️ Safety
D

Exercise Caution

UNODC Homicide Rate: 25.3/100k population

🏥 Healthcare
B

Good Coverage

WHO Universal Health Coverage Index: 76/100

📶 Internet
A

Excellent for Remote Work

Ookla Speedtest: 207 Mbps median download

🌐 Development
C

Medium Development

UNDP Human Development Index: 0.788

🌤️
20° – 28°C

Tropical — varies by altitude; Medellín has spring-like weather year-round

🚱
Bottled Water

WHO/UNICEF JMP

💬
Local Language

Basics recommended

🌡️
Köppen

Climate classification

A = Excellent B = Good C = Moderate D = Caution

Sources: UNDP HDR 2025 · UNODC Homicide Data · WHO UHC 2023 · Numbeo · Ookla · WHO/UNICEF JMP. Updated 2026-08.

Common Questions

What does it cost to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa?
The government fee is about $230. Budget beyond that for health insurance, sworn translations, apostilles and, where required, a criminal-record check — these routinely add up to more than the fee itself.
What is the income requirement for Colombia's nomad visa?
About $1400 a month (5,252,715 COP). Expect to evidence it with several months of bank statements plus a contract or invoices, rather than a single payslip.
How long can I actually stay in Colombia?
The first grant runs 24 months, and renewals can take the total to about 24 months. It does not build towards permanent residence, so treat the cap as the real limit.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa cover a spouse and children?
Yes. Dependents can be included in the application. Budget for the higher income threshold that normally comes with each additional person.
Will I pay tax in Colombia on money earned abroad?
Foreign-sourced income is not taxed locally under this route. That does not settle your position at home — most countries tax on residence or citizenship, so check both sides before assuming a saving.
Can the Digital Nomad Visa be applied for online?
Yes, the application is submitted online. You can file from outside the country, so no embassy visit is needed to start. Documents still need to be properly certified before upload — that is where most delays come from.
What do I need to renew the Digital Nomad Visa?
Can be renewed for additional 2-year periods. Must continue to meet income requirements. File before the current permit expires rather than after — in most systems a lapsed permit means starting the process again from outside the country.
What trips up most Digital Nomad Visa applications?
Insurance wording and the criminal-record certificate. The policy has to cover the whole permitted stay in Colombia on terms the authority accepts, and the police certificate usually needs an apostille and a certified translation — both take longer to obtain than people plan for.

Where to Live & Work

Medellin

Perfect spring weather year-round, affordable living, growing startup scene, and welcoming locals.

Avg 60 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

El Poblado (Provenza)

Upscale, restaurants, nightlife, international crowd

1BR Rent $700/mo

Best for: Social nomads wanting convenience and nightlife

Laureles / Estadio

More local, tree-lined streets, great restaurants

1BR Rent $500/mo

Best for: Those wanting authentic Colombian neighborhood life

Envigado

Residential suburb, family-friendly, quieter

1BR Rent $400/mo

Best for: Budget-conscious nomads and families

Coworking Spaces

Selina Medellin

Coliving + coworking in El Poblado

$150/mo
Tinkko

Modern space with good community events

$120/mo
Epicentro

Budget-friendly in Laureles area

$100/mo

Local Tips

  • ● Learn basic Spanish - English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas
  • ● Use InDriver or Uber for safe, affordable transportation
  • ● Altitude is 1,500m - some people need a few days to adjust

Bogota

Capital city with rich culture, excellent food scene, universities, and a more professional atmosphere.

Avg 70 Mbps

Popular Neighborhoods

Chapinero Alto

Bohemian, LGBTQ+-friendly, great dining and bars

1BR Rent $550/mo

Best for: Young professionals and creatives

Usaquen

Upscale, colonial architecture, Sunday flea market

1BR Rent $650/mo

Best for: Those wanting a quieter, upscale experience

Coworking Spaces

WeWork Bogota

Multiple locations, reliable infrastructure

$200/mo
Tinkko Bogota

Local chain with good community

$130/mo

Local Tips

  • ● Bogota is at 2,600m altitude - give yourself time to acclimatize
  • ● TransMilenio bus system is efficient but crowded during rush hour
  • ● The food scene rivals any major Latin American capital

General Tips for Colombia

  • ● Colombia digital nomad visa allows up to 2-year stays
  • ● Healthcare is excellent and affordable - consider local insurance
  • ● Peso exchange rates are very favorable for USD/EUR earners

Prices are approximate and based on publicly available data as of 2026-04. Actual costs vary by individual circumstances and market conditions.

Advanced Questions

What is the income requirement for Colombia's digital nomad visa?
Colombia requires just $1,400 USD per month (3x the Colombian minimum wage), making it one of the most accessible digital nomad visas available.
Do I pay taxes in Colombia on my remote work income?
No. Digital nomad visa holders working for foreign companies are exempt from Colombian income tax on foreign-sourced earnings.
How long does Colombia's digital nomad visa last?
The visa is valid for 24 months and is renewable. This is one of the longer initial stays among digital nomad programs.
Can I apply for the Colombia digital nomad visa online?
Yes. Colombia offers a fully online application with processing times of approximately 5-15 business days and a fee of $230 USD.
Is Colombia safe for digital nomads?
Major cities like Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena have established nomad communities with good infrastructure. As with any destination, research specific neighborhoods and take standard safety precautions.

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