Colombia’s nomad visa: the low-barrier Latin route
Colombia’s digital nomad visa: low income floor, up to two years, simple online application. Requirements, taxes, Medellín vs Bogotá costs, and how to apply.
Colombia runs one of the most accessible nomad visas anywhere: a low income floor, an online application, and up to two years of stay. Combined with Medellín’s expat gravity and catalog costs far below North America, it is the obvious first Latin American base for many remote workers.
Requirements: refreshingly light
Show remote income of roughly three times Colombia’s monthly minimum wage, in practice around $800 to $1,000 a month, from foreign employers or clients, plus health insurance valid in Colombia and a short motivation letter. Freelancers and employees both fit; the application runs online through the Cancilleria with modest fees.
What the visa gives you
Up to two years of residence as a V-type visa, multiple entries, and the right to bring a spouse and children as beneficiaries. Time on it does not count toward residency-based citizenship the way an M-type visa does, it is a long welcome mat, not a migration track.
The tax line to respect
Stay more than 183 days in any 365 and you become Colombian tax resident, taxed progressively on worldwide income. Many nomads structure the two years as long stints under the line or accept residence and file properly; ignoring it entirely is the mistake.
Where nomads actually settle
Medellín dominates: spring-like climate, an established expat scene and strong coworking. Bogotá offers capital-city depth at altitude; Cali and Barranquilla trade polish for cost; Cartagena is beautiful, hot and touristic. Catalog scores cover safety honestly, neighbourhood choice matters more here than in most countries.
How Jonzy helps
Set your income and passport and the eligibility engine confirms the Colombian program alongside every alternative, while the city pages model what a Medellín month really costs against your budget.
Frequently asked questions
What income do I need for Colombia’s digital nomad visa?
About three times the Colombian monthly minimum wage, roughly $800 to $1,000 depending on exchange rates and the current wage decree. It is among the lowest floors of any nomad visa.
How long is the Colombian nomad visa valid?
Up to two years at the discretion of the visa office, with multiple entries. It does not accumulate toward residence-based citizenship; switch to an M-type visa if Colombia becomes permanent.
Will I owe Colombian taxes as a nomad?
Past 183 days in a rolling year, yes, Colombia taxes residents progressively on worldwide income. Under that line, foreign remote income generally stays outside Colombian tax.
Is Medellín safe for remote workers?
Safer than its history and far safer in the neighbourhoods expats actually live in, El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, while still demanding city sense. The catalog’s safety score reflects the honest middle.