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Colombia is an attractive destination for hiring top talent in Latin America. However, navigating the process of hiring new team members in Colombia or relocating existing employees there can be challenging. Ensuring that employees have the correct work permits and visas to live and work legally in the country is crucial to avoid fines or penalties. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the work permits and visa process in Colombia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombia is responsible for ensuring that foreign individuals working in the country have obtained all necessary visas and permits. Performing work authorization checks on employees is essential to ensure legal and financial compliance. Digital nomads, for instance, must be cautious about which visas they obtain, as working on a tourist visa is often not permitted.
Work authorization checks are necessary for non-citizen employees relocating to Colombia. These checks ensure that employees are legally entitled to work in Colombia. The following groups of workers need work authorization checks:
Temporary Residents: Must possess a worker visa (V visa) or a migrant visa (M visa), allowing them to live and work in Colombia for up to three years.
Permanent Residents: Need a resident visa (RE visa) to live and work in Colombia indefinitely.
Work Permit Holders: Digital nomads can live in Colombia and work for short periods with a digital nomad visa (V visa), which allows a stay of up to six months within a year without working for a Colombian employer.
Non-citizens who want to live and work in Colombia need a visa that matches their specific requirements. The main types of visas are:
Work Visitor Visa (V Visa): For individuals planning to work while visiting Colombia, valid for 180 days per year.
Migrant Visa (M Visa): For those moving to Colombia for an extended period, valid from 180 days to three years.
Resident Visa (RE Visa): For long-term stays, allowing individuals to live and work in Colombia indefinitely.
Digital Nomad Visa (V Visa): Allows visa holders to enter and work in Colombia for up to 180 days per year without needing to work for a Colombian employer.
Eligibility for a work visa in Colombia is broad. Individuals meeting the following criteria can apply:
Independent contractors or self-employed individuals contracted by a private or public company in Colombia.
Members of groups such as sports teams, artistic communities, or cultural groups performing activities in Colombia.
Religious individuals coming to Colombia for missionary or volunteer purposes.
Foreign individuals transferred to Colombia for specific roles within a company with a local entity.
Individuals continuing their existing job or practicing their specialty while living in Colombia.
Employees relocating to Colombia can apply for the following long-stay visas:
Migrant Visa (M Visa): Valid for up to three years.
Resident Visa (RE Visa): Allows indefinite stay.
To apply for a work visa in Colombia, employees need to follow these steps:
Two three-by-three-inch color photos with a white background.
Signed contract summary form.
Certification of the legal entity in Colombia.
Any additional documents requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visa costs $50.
Processing time ranges from five days to a month.
Colombia offers a digital nomad visa called the Working Holiday (WHV) visa for employees who want to travel and work in the country for a short period. The WHV allows individuals to live in Colombia for one year while continuing to work for their employer or themselves.
Prepared on the information from remote.com