Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers employed by a foreign company or freelancers with foreign clients. Up to 2 years. Does NOT build to residency.
cancilleria.gov.co before applying. Always work with a licensed Colombian immigration attorney.
Best for: Remote employees of a foreign company, or contractors with foreign clients, planning to stay 1 to 2 years.
Income requirement
The 2026 floor is 5.252.715 COP per month (about USD $1,310 at current TRM). This is 3x the Colombian minimum monthly wage (SMMLV), which the government adjusts each January.
Accepted income sources
- Salary from a foreign employer (W-2 / T4 type)
- Freelance income from foreign clients
Does not qualify
- Income from a Colombian employer
- Pension income (use M Pensionado)
Required documents
- Passport (6+ months remaining)
- Recent passport-style photo (4x5cm, white background)
- 6 months of bank statements showing income at or above the threshold
- Employer letter OR foreign client contracts
- Motivation letter explaining your work and plans in Colombia
- Travel health insurance covering all of Colombia for the visa duration
Government fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Study fee (paid at submission) | USD $54 |
| Visa issuance fee (paid on approval) | USD $177 |
All Cancilleria fees are payable by credit card during the online application.
How to apply
- Gather documents. All foreign-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, pension letters) must be apostilled in the country of issue and translated into Spanish by a translator registered with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Relations.
- Create an account at
visas.cancilleria.gov.co. - Start the application. Select this visa type. Upload PDFs (max 2MB each, readable scans, not phone photos).
- Pay the study fee by credit card.
- Wait for review. Processing is typically 5 to 30 business days. You may receive a requerimiento (request for more documents). Respond within 30 days.
- Pay the issuance fee once approved.
- Download the visa PDF. It arrives by email. Print it.
- Register with Migracion Colombia within 15 days, and apply for your cedula de extranjeria. In Medellin, Migracion is at Calle 19 #80A-40 in Belen.
After you are approved
Once your visa is granted, you have 15 days after entering Colombia (or after approval if applying in-country) to:
- Register with Migracion Colombia (the RNE · registro de extranjeros). Free.
- Apply for your cedula de extranjeria. The fee is set annually by Migracion and sits in the 220.000 to 235.000 COP range in 2026. Card arrives in 10 to 15 business days.
Renewal
Not renewable as Nomad. After 2 years, you must leave or upgrade to an M visa.
Path to residency (R)
Not a path. To build toward R you need to switch to an M visa (Rentista is the typical move).
Common mistakes
- Choosing Nomad over Rentista when planning to stay more than 2 years (Nomad is a dead-end)
- Photographing documents instead of scanning them
- Missing the 15-day window to register after arrival
Have questions about your situation?
Chat with Catalina, our concierge. She can answer follow-up questions and connect you with a Medellin-based immigration attorney when you are ready to apply.
WhatsApp CatalinaWhen you are ready to apply
We work with a Medellin-based immigration attorney who is bilingual and reliable. He handles the application end-to-end, including the appointment at Migracion. Mike has used his services personally.
Attorney details available on request · contact us via WhatsApp or email.
Last updated: 2026-05-26. The 2026 SMMLV (Colombian minimum monthly wage) is 1.750.905 COP. All income floors on this page are multiples of that figure.