Quick comparison: Colombian visas for entrepreneurs & remote workers
Compare Colombia’s Digital Nomad, Investor, Work and Resident visas — duration, requirements, work rights, tax and FX risks. Practical guidance for startups and founders.
| Visa (typical label) | Who it’s for / purpose | Typical duration / renewal | Key requirements (high level) | Work rights / restrictions | Path to residency | Important legal/tax/FX notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad (Visa V — Nómadas Digitales) | Remote employees, freelancers or contractors who work for non-Colombian companies and want to live in Colombia temporarily. Ideal for founders testing market or remote teams. | Up to 2 years (often issued in blocks; check current limits). Apply online via Cancillería. | Valid passport; proof of remote work for foreign employer(s) or contracts; minimum monthly income proof of at least US$ 1.000; health insurance; | Works remotely for foreign employer(s). Not intended for local employment with Colombian employers (that would require a work/M visa). | Limited — migration status remains temporary. Long stay and tax residency rules (183-day rule) may still apply for tax | Good short-term option to test Colombia, but watch tax residency (183 days) and local-sourced income rules; digital nomads often overlook potential DIAN obligations and thresholds |
| Migrant Work Visa (Visa M — Work categories) | Foreign nationals hired by a Colombian company or with a local employment contract (includes intra-company transfers and contracted specialists). | Usually up to 3 years (M class), renewable; tied to the employment contract | Employment contract or formal offer from Colombian company; employer obligations, passport, criminal record, medical insurance. | Authorises local employment in the position specified; holders can work legally for the sponsoring employer. | Can be a step toward Resident (R) visa if requirements met over time | If you plan headcount in Colombia, this is the proper route — but labor, payroll and social security obligations apply from day one. Consult our payroll article |
| Investor / Investment Visa (M — e.g., M-6, M-10 variants for business & real estate) | Foreigners investing in Colombia: business capital or real estate purchases that meet thresholds. Popular with entrepreneurs opening local entities or investing in property. | Typically 3 years (M visa), renewable; conversion to Resident possible after multiple renewals or meeting residency rules | Proof of qualifying investment of at least US$129.000 Business plan, proof of funds, bank transfers, and registration with local authorities often required. | Investment visas normally allow the holder to engage in business activities (i.e. work on the company the visa holder invests in) | Path to Resident (R) visa is frequently available after sustained investment and residence. | Must register the foreign capital with Banco de la República to secure repatriation rights and legal protections; tax residency implications apply if present >183 days |
| Visitor Visa – Business (Visa V — Business visits, short-term projects) | Short-term business trips, negotiations, attending meetings, exploratory business trips, or short assignments. Not for long-term local employment. | Up to 1–2 years depending on subcategory and consular grant; typically short stays per entry | Invitation/letter from Colombian company, proof of funds, passport, purpose documentation. | Not a work permit for sustained employment. For local hiring, convert to M work visa. | No direct path to residency. | Useful to start market discovery or short deployments — not for local hiring. Be careful: long, repeated stays can trigger tax residency. |
| Resident Visa (Visa R) | Persons seeking permanent residence (usually after sustained M status or qualifying investment/ family ties). | Typically 5 years and allows permanent residence rights; issued after qualifying period. | Depends on route: years of continuous M status, qualifying investment, or family ties. | Full work and residence rights. | Permanent residency — pathway to citizenship under the normal rules (language, presence, etc.). | Best for anyone who looks for long-term presence; residency creates clear tax obligations (worldwide income once resident) |
Quick tips
- Digital nomad ≠ tax haven. A nomad visa lets you physically reside in Colombia; tax residence depends on days present (183-day test) and economic ties. If you cross the tax threshold, DIAN taxes worldwide income, so plan accordingly with your tax adviser.
- Investor visas hinge on capital channels. For any investor visa, register the foreign capital with Banco de la República (Declaración/Registro de inversiones internacionales). That registration protects the right to repatriate capital and profits and is essential for clean exits
- Work = payroll. If you intend to hire or be hired locally, the employment (M) visa triggers Colombian payroll, social security, and parafiscal contributions. These start from day one and materially affect unit economics. (We’ve seen startups miss by 30–40% for this reason.)
- Documentation & timing matter. Digital nomad and many M visas are applied for online via Cancillería; so processing times can vary. You often need criminal background checks, apostilles, translated documents, and insurance. Start early!
- Structure before you move. For entrepreneurs: decide whether to enter via a local entity (subsidiary) + M work / investor visa, or to test market on a V/Digital Nomad route. The wrong early choice can create tax, labor, and fundraising headaches later.
Who should use which visa
- Testing market / remote founder → Digital Nomad (V) for short-to-medium stays; plan tax days.
- Hiring staff / opening local operations → Migrant Work Visa (M) + set up local payroll and social security registrations.
- Investing in company or real estate with long-term plans → Investor M visa
- Permanent plans / long-term residency → M → R (convertible route) or apply for R directly if you meet criteria.
Why founders hire us for visas & market entry
Visas in Colombia aren’t just immigration paperwork; they shape your tax status, hiring model, investor readiness, and your ability to repatriate capital. We help founders:
- pick the right visa for their growth plan,
- align corporate structure, payroll, and tax planning, and
- file the necessary Banco de la República and SIC/DIAN registrations so you avoid surprises that kill valuations.
If you want a fast, practical intake call, we run a 30-minute Market-Entry & Visa Triage: we’ll tell you which visa path fits your growth plan and the top 3 legal/tax actions to prioritize. Book a slot and we’ll prepare a short checklist you can use immediately.
Quick note: we are not immigration experts (and are also not afraid of admitting it!), so if we see fit, we will recommend you to one of our trusted visa advisors while supporting your needs in every step of the way.