--- title: "Moving to Colombia 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Colourful colonial balconies in the walled city of Cartagena # Moving to Colombia 17 ways to move to Colombia in our guide: 1 talent scheme, 1 working holiday visa, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 2 investor routes, 2 pay-to-stay routes, 2 business / startup routes, 4 work visas, 1 student visa, 1 route by nationality or ancestry, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [Digital nomad visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-digital-nomad/), COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640. Smallest investment: [Partner / owner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-socio-propietario/), COP 175.1M+ ≈ $55k. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640** Digital nomad visa V **Smallest investment needed:** **COP 175.1M+ ≈ $55k** Partner / owner visa M **Longest first stay:** **3 years** Investor M · Property Colombia offers a few clear visa paths for foreigners who want to live there: remote work for foreign employers, retirement income, local employment, or study. Each route has its own rules, and the visa you choose does not decide your tax situation. Remote workers paid by foreign companies Retirees with a lifetime pension People with a job offer from a Colombian employer Students in eligible programs Anyone who wants a clear, rule-based visa process ## Talent schemes · 1 ### [Internationalisation visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-fomento-internacionalizacion/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-fomento-internacionalizacion/) ## Working holiday · 1 ### [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-working-holiday/) **Age limit and funds needed:** Ages 18–30 · COP 8.8M/mo ≈ $2,740 Stay 1 yr Casual jobs OK [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-working-holiday/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Digital nomad visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-digital-nomad/) **Income needed:** COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640 Stay 2 yrs Remote work only Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-digital-nomad/) ## Investing · 2 ### Investor M **Investment needed:** from COP 612.8M ≈ $192k - [Property COP 612.8M+ ≈ $192k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-real-estate/) - [Company stake COP 1.1B+ ≈ $356k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-fdi/) ## Retire or live on savings · 2 ### [Pensioner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-pensionado/) **Income needed:** COP 5.3M+ a month ≈ $1,640 Stay 3 yrs Can work: yes Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-pensionado/) ### [Rentista visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-rentista/) **Income needed:** COP 17.5M+ a month ≈ $5,470 Stay 2 yrs Can work: yes Needs certified translations Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-rentista/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Freelance professional M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-profesional-independiente/) **Income needed:** COP 8.8M+ a month ≈ $2,740 Stay 3 yrs Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-profesional-independiente/) ### [Partner / owner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-socio-propietario/) **Investment needed:** COP 175.1M+ ≈ $55k Stay 3 yrs Can work: limited Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-socio-propietario/) ## Work · 4 - [Internationalisation visa M **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-fomento-internacionalizacion/) - [Work visa M **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-worker/) - [Work placement visa V **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-practica-laboral/) - Service provider visa V **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-student/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-student/) ## For your nationality or ancestry · 1 Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application. ### [Colombian nationality by descent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/citizenship-by-descent/) Needs certified translations [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/citizenship-by-descent/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Partner of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/partner-of-citizen/) Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/partner-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/spouse-of-citizen/) Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/spouse-of-citizen/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[Andean free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/free-movement-can/)** · Lets you live here Open to 3 passports: [Bolivia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bolivia/), [Ecuador](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ecuador/), [Peru](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/peru/). - **[Visa-free stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/visa-free-180d/)** · Up to 180 days without a visa No local work; remote work for employers or clients abroad is allowed Open to 99 passports: [Albania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/albania/), [Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/andorra/), [Antigua and Barbuda](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/antigua-and-barbuda/), [Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/argentina/), [Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/australia/), [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Azerbaijan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/azerbaijan/), [Barbados](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/barbados/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Belize](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belize/), [Bhutan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bhutan/), [Bolivia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bolivia/), [Bosnia and Herzegovina](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bosnia-and-herzegovina/), [Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/brazil/), [Brunei Darussalam](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/brunei-darussalam/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/canada/), [Chile](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/chile/), [Costa Rica](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/costa-rica/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Dominica](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/dominica/), [Dominican Republic](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/dominican-republic/), [Ecuador](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ecuador/), [El Salvador](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/el-salvador/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Fiji](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/fiji/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), FM, [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/georgia/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Grenada](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/grenada/), [Guatemala](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/guatemala/), [Guyana](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/guyana/), [Honduras](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/honduras/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/indonesia/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Jamaica](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/jamaica/), [Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/japan/), [Kazakhstan](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/kazakhstan/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Mexico](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/mexico/), MH, [Moldova](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/moldova/), [Monaco](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/monaco/), [Montenegro](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/montenegro/), [Morocco](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/morocco/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/new-zealand/), [North Macedonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/north-macedonia/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Oman](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/oman/), [Panama](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/panama/), [Papua New Guinea](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/papua-new-guinea/), [Paraguay](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/paraguay/), [Peru](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/peru/), [Philippines](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/philippines/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), PW, [Qatar](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/qatar/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Russia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/russia/), [Saint Kitts and Nevis](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/saint-kitts-and-nevis/), [Saint Lucia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/saint-lucia/), [San Marino](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/san-marino/), [Serbia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/serbia/), [Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/singapore/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Solomon Islands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/solomon-islands/), [South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/south-korea/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Suriname](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/suriname/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/), [The Bahamas](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/the-bahamas/), [Trinidad and Tobago](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/trinidad-and-tobago/), [Türkiye](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/turkiye/), [Ukraine](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ukraine/), [United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-arab-emirates/), [United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-kingdom/), [United States](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/united-states/), [Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/uruguay/), VA, VC, [Venezuela](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/venezuela/), WS. [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Tax residency is separate from your visa. If you become a Colombian tax resident, you generally include foreign-source income in your Colombian tax base; nonresidents are taxed on Colombian-source income. The presence test can be met after more than the stated number of days in a rolling period, and treaty rules may also apply. Standard rules ### [Colombia personal income tax (ordinary context): residents taxed on worldwide income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/tax/#tax-co-worldwide-resident-tax) Worldwide income **Details** - On: Worldwide income and occasional gains of residents - Who: Residence by presence: more than 183 calendar days, continuous or not Individuals, Colombian or foreign, who are tax residents are taxed on both Colombian-source and foreign-source income and gains and on assets held inside and outside Colombia; non-residents are taxed only on Colombian-source income. There is no new-resident exemption for foreign-source income. #### Taxed on Worldwide income and occasional gains of residents; Colombian-source income of non-residents (Estatuto Tributario art. 9). #### Who it applies to - Residence by presence: more than 183 calendar days, continuous or not, including entry and exit days, in any period of 365 consecutive days; when the stay spans more than one tax year, the person is resident from the second year or period (art. 10 no. 1). - Colombian nationals are also resident if they meet any art. 10 no. 3 link (spouse or dependent minors resident, 50% or more of income Colombian-source, 50% or more of assets or administered goods in Colombia, failure to prove foreign residence when required, or residence in a listed tax haven). #### Exclusions - The art. 10 no. 3 links apply to nationals, not to foreign nationals. - Nationals who meet no. 3 links are not resident if 50% or more of their annual income arises in, or 50% or more of their assets are located in, their country of domicile (paragraph added by Ley 1739 of 2014). #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any period of 365 consecutive days · Presence in Colombia, continuous or not, including entry and exit days (art. 10 no. 1) #### Tax residence Tax residence is separate from visa status; treaty tie-breaker rules may apply. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/tax/) Standard rules ### [Colombian tax for non-residents](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/tax/#tax-co-nonresident-source-tax) 35% tax **Details** - Who: Not resident under Estatuto Tributario art. 10 Individuals without Colombian tax residence pay a flat 35% on Colombian-source taxable income, with no progressive scale. #### Taxed on Colombian-source taxable income of non-resident individuals. #### Who it applies to - Not resident under Estatuto Tributario art. 10 (not present more than 183 days in a 365-day period and no other residence connection). #### Exclusions - Foreign-source income of non-residents is outside the Colombian base. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 365 consecutive calendar days, entry and exit days included · Foreigners become Colombian tax residents by presence over 183 days; where the period spans two tax years, residence starts in the second year. #### Tax residence Becomes worldwide taxation once the 183-day presence test is met. #### Visas Visa type does not change the rate. #### Other taxes Withholding at 20% on payments such as fees, services, royalties and software exploitation to non-residents (art. 408) may apply to Colombian payers. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Path to permanent residence · 2** - **Citizenship** · Colombian nationality by birth for children born abroad to a Colombian parent (Constitution Article 96, Ley 43 de 1993) – consular civil registration - **PR after 5 years** · Visa R — Residente por tiempo acumulado (Res. 5477/2022 art. 90) ## Arriving in Colombia: first steps 1. Get health insurance that covers Colombia for the full intended stay, including accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation. 2. Obtain a medical fitness certificate if your route requires it. 3. Keep proof of your income source, such as a foreign company letter or pension award, ready for your application. 4. Open a local bank account only after you have your visa or cedula, as banks may ask for immigration status. ## Questions people ask ### What special talent visas does Colombia have? Colombia has 1 talent scheme. [Internationalisation visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-fomento-internacionalizacion/) gives a first stay of 2 years. ### Does Colombia have a working holiday visa? Yes. Colombia has 1 working holiday visa. [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-working-holiday/) is for ages 18 to 30, asks for an income of at least COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740) and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### What is the Colombia digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Colombia has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-digital-nomad/) asks for an income of at least COP 5,252,715 a month (≈ $1,640) and gives a first stay of 2 years. ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Colombia? Colombia has 2 investor routes. [Investor M · Property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-real-estate/) asks for an investment of at least COP 612,816,750 (≈ $192,000) and gives a first stay of 3 years. [Investor M · Company stake](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-fdi/) asks for an investment of at least COP 1,138,088,250 (≈ $356,000) and gives a first stay of 3 years. ### Can I retire or live in Colombia on my savings or pension? Colombia has 2 retirement or pay-to-stay routes. [Pensioner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-pensionado/) asks for an income of at least COP 5,252,715 a month (≈ $1,640) and gives a first stay of 3 years. [Rentista visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-rentista/) asks for an income of at least COP 17,509,050 a month (≈ $5,470) and gives a first stay of 2 years. ### Can I move to Colombia by starting a business? Colombia has 2 business or startup routes. [Freelance professional M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-profesional-independiente/) asks for an income of at least COP 8,754,525 a month (≈ $2,740) and gives a first stay of 3 years. [Partner / owner visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-socio-propietario/) asks for an investment of at least COP 175,090,500 (≈ $54,700) and gives a first stay of 3 years. ### What work visas does Colombia offer foreigners? Colombia has 4 work visas. [Internationalisation visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-fomento-internacionalizacion/) gives a first stay of 3 years. [Work visa M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-worker/) gives a first stay of 3 years. [Work placement visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-practica-laboral/) gives a first stay of 1 year. ### How do I get a student visa for Colombia? Colombia has 1 student visa. [Student visa V](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/v-student/) gives a first stay of 2 years. ### Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Colombia? Yes. Colombia has 1 route by nationality or ancestry. It is [Colombian nationality by descent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/citizenship-by-descent/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Colombia? Yes. Colombia has 2 spouse visas. There is also [Partner of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/partner-of-citizen/) and [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/spouse-of-citizen/). ## Compare with [🇲🇽 Mexico](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/) [🇨🇷 Costa Rica](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/) [🇧🇷 Brazil](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/) [🇦🇷 Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/argentina/) [🇨🇦 Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/canada/) [🇺🇸 United States](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/) [🇺🇾 Uruguay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/uruguay/) [🇵🇦 Panama](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/panama/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (4)** ## Official sources 1. [Resolución 5477 de 2022 (consolidated, incl. Res. 10434 de 2023) — visa types and requirements](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/resolucion_minrelaciones_5477_2022.htm) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Decreto 159 de 2026 — salario mínimo mensual legal 2026 (COP 1,750,905)](https://dapre.presidencia.gov.co/normativa/normativa/DECRETO%20No.%200159%20DEL%2019%20DE%20FEBRERO%20DE%202026.pdf) · Presidencia / Ministerio del Trabajo de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-02-19 3. [Tipos de Visa](https://cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/tipos-de-visa) · Cancillería de Colombia · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Costos, pagos y oficinas de trámite (visa fees by category)](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/costos) · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia · checked 2026-10-12