Employees of Colombian companies
Foreign nationals recruited into roles at Colombian businesses — from Bogotá-based startups to established national companies.
Work Visa · Employer-Sponsored Path to Working in Colombia
Colombia Work Visa
If you've been hired by a Colombian employer or contracted to provide services to a Colombian entity, you need a Colombian work visa. We help you identify the right visa type, prepare the documentation, and get it done correctly.
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Bilingual attorneys
- 1,400+ Clients Supported
- Bilingual Legal Team
- Fully Virtual Process
- Direct Attorney Support
Overview
Quick Answer
Colombia has two main work visa categories: the Work Visa (M-type) for employees contracted by Colombian employers, and the Services Provider Visa (V-type) for those providing short-term or contracted services to Colombian entities. Both require a Colombian employer or contracting party — neither visa applies to remote workers earning income from foreign companies. If you work remotely for a foreign employer, you want the Digital Nomad Visa (V-DN) instead.
the Cancillería has 30 calendar days to decide a complete application. In practice, applications often take the full 30 days, and often uses the full window. Filing is done through the Cancillería online portal.
Who This Visa Is For
Is the Colombia Work Visa right for you?
Colombia's work visa framework splits into two main paths depending on the nature of your employment relationship with a Colombian party. Common applicants include:
Intra-corporate transferees
Employees of multinationals being relocated to a Colombian office, subsidiary, or branch.
Artists and athletes
Performers, musicians, athletes, and other entertainers contracted for performances, tours, or competitions in Colombia.
Technical and specialized contractors
Experts in engineering, technology, energy, or other specialized fields brought in under defined service contracts.
Volunteers and missionaries
Foreign nationals working with Colombian NGOs, religious organizations, or humanitarian groups under formal arrangements.
Working remotely for a foreign company? Neither the M-type nor V-type work visa applies. The Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V-DN) is what you need.
Requirements
What you'll need to prepare
Valid passport
Valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, with at least two blank pages.
Employment or service contract
Signed contract with the Colombian employer or contracting entity. Must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. Contracts drafted in English alone are not accepted.
Employer financial capacity (M-type)
Four months of the employer's bank statements demonstrating average monthly income of at least 100× the SMMLV (~COP 175,090,500/month at 2026 rates). Individual employers (private persons) have a lower threshold of 10× SMMLV.
Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation
Issued by the Chamber of Commerce, confirming the company's legal standing and authorized representative. Must be no more than three months old at the time of application.
Employer support letter
Formal letter in Spanish, written by the Colombian employer. It is a domestic Colombian document — no apostille or certified translation is required.
International health insurance
Valid in Colombia and covering the full intended duration of your stay.
Passport-style photographs
Current photo meeting Cancillería specifications.
We guide you through preparing and validating every required document to help avoid delays or rejections.
Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and current Colombian immigration regulations.
A note on background checks.
A criminal background check is only a formal requirement for the pension (retirement) visa. But as Colombia tightens security and immigration screening, Cancillería is increasingly requesting a police or criminal record certificate on other visa types too — even where it isn't formally listed. We recommend having a recent one ready, apostilled and translated into Spanish, so a request doesn't hold up your application. We'll tell you whether your case is likely to need one.
Most delays happen before the application is submitted
We review every apostille, translation, and supporting document with you before filing — catching the issues that cause Cancillería to send the case back.
See how the process worksThe Process
A clear path from consultation to approval
We guide you through every step. No surprises, no confusing paperwork, no figuring it out on your own.
Assess your situation
We determine which visa type applies, confirm your employer meets the financial requirements, and identify any documentation gaps before you begin gathering materials.
Coordinate with your employer
For M-type applications, the employer's documentation is as important as yours. We advise your employer or HR team on bank statements, the Chamber of Commerce certificate, and the support letter.
Gather and prepare your documents
We give you a specific checklist based on your visa type and nationality. We advise on apostilles, certified translations, and supporting materials.
File the application
We submit the complete application through the Cancillería portal. If the government requests additional documentation, we respond on your behalf.
Receive your visa
Once approved, your visa arrives electronically. You must register with Migración Colombia within 15 days.
Cédula de Extranjería
After arriving in Colombia, you apply for the Cédula de Extranjería through Migración Colombia. Required for all M and long-stay V visa holders.
Why Work With Us
Why clients work with Colombian Visa Services on work visa applications
Work visa applications involve two parties — you and your employer — and the documentation requirements on the employer side trip up many independent applications. Getting the sequencing and paperwork right the first time matters.
Licensed Colombian immigration attorneys — not intermediaries or consultants
We manage coordination with your employer's HR or legal team on documentation requirements
Bilingual team: we communicate in English, handle all filings in Spanish
Fully virtual — we work with clients anywhere in the world, including pre-arrival applications
Transparent, flat-fee pricing with a full cost breakdown before you commit
4.9 stars on Google · Trusted by 1,400+ clients
What Our Clients Say
Real Google reviews
4.9 · Google Reviews
"I required a work visa for Colombia and found myself in a time-sensitive situation. I am genuinely impressed by the level of support they provided throughout the entire process. They guided me at every step, meticulously reviewing all documentation to ensure accuracy. In less than a month, following their precise instructions, I received my visa approval. Just one week later, I also obtained my Cédula. I highly recommend Colombian Visa Services without reservation."
Joan Cabrera
Google Review
"This is the company you NEED for navigating any visa for Colombia. They step you through every document you need, every question you have, and respond quickly and informatively. In my case we had many additional hurdles to overcome — my business partner inadvertently registered the company incorrectly. With Natalia's help we corrected every problem and navigated so that today I have a business visa for a company that has operated successfully since March. All without any extra fees. If you're serious, look no farther."
David Sprague
Google Review
"I've used them twice for my Type-M business visa. If you are English-speaking and don't speak Spanish, or don't have a good hold on legal terminology in Spanish, I recommend them."
Jason R. Stevens, CFA
Google Review
"I had an excellent experience working with Natalia Torres from Colombian Visa Services. Her expertise was clear from the very first consultation, and she guided me through each stage of the visa process with patience and clarity. Natalia was always helpful, responsive, and thorough, and thanks to her support my visa was issued without any complications. Truly exceptional service."
Jeffrey Sutyla
Google Review
"I had an excellent experience with Colombia Visa Services. From the very first information session, they answered questions no one else could. Their process was super organized, with clear steps for uploading documents and helpful reminders to keep things moving. After submitting my visa application, I received weekly updates — something I really appreciated. I highly recommend them if you're applying for any Colombian visa."
Roberta Glaser
Google Review
"As experienced travellers who have to procure a visa for every country we visit, we found the Colombian application the trickiest to deal with by ourselves. We hired Colombian Visa Services for peace of mind and they delivered big time — answering all of our questions, providing specific instructions, and handling the submission for us. The company was efficient, professional, and communicated brilliantly. Highly recommend."
Vaughn
Google Review
Not sure if this visa is right for you?
Take the qualifier or speak with our bilingual legal team before you apply.
Timeline & Costs
Processing time and costs
Processing time
the Cancillería has 30 calendar days to decide a complete application. In practice, applications often take the full 30 days, and often uses the full window. Incomplete employer paperwork is the most common cause of delays.
Visa validity
1 to 3 years, generally tied to the duration of the employment contract. Renewal is possible if employment continues.
Government fees
Study fee ~USD $54 + issuance fee ~USD $270 = ~USD $324 total. Plus apostille, translation, and insurance.
SMMLV updates
The minimum wage — which sets the employer threshold — is adjusted each January. We confirm the current threshold at application time.
Talk to an Attorney
Employer-sponsored, contractor, or starting your own business?
Colombia has multiple work visa categories — M-5 employer-sponsored, V service contracts, and entrepreneur paths. Tell us about your role and we'll identify the right visa and lay out the documentation your employer (or you) will need.
- Bilingual Colombian immigration attorneys
- Fully virtual process — work with us from anywhere
- Direct attorney support, not call-center intermediaries
- 1,400+ clients supported · 4.9★ on Google
Path to Residency
Work visa and long-term residency
- You are here
Year 0
Work Visa (M-type)
Approved with a Colombian employer contract. Valid up to 3 years.
- 2
Year 5
Resident (R) Visa
Apply after 5 continuous years on an M-type work visa. Unrestricted work authorization.
Year 10
Colombian Citizenship
Apply after 5 years as a long-term resident. Dual citizenship allowed.
Year 0
You are hereWork Visa (M-type)
Approved with a Colombian employer contract. Valid up to 3 years.
- 2
Year 5
Resident (R) Visa
Apply after 5 continuous years on an M-type work visa. Unrestricted work authorization.
Year 10
Colombian Citizenship
Apply after 5 years as a long-term resident. Dual citizenship allowed.
Colombian work visas (M-type) are Migrant-category visas, and time spent on the M-type work visa counts toward the Resident (R) visa on the standard Migrant-to-Resident timeline: 5 continuous years on the work visa qualifies you to apply for the R visa.
The key word is continuous. If your work visa lapses — a contract ends and there's a gap before the next one, or a renewal misses the window — the clock resets. Planning renewals with your employer well before each expiration is the difference between reaching the R visa and starting over.
If long-term residency is your goal alongside your work in Colombia, we map the full renewal cadence from the outset — and where a family, investment, or retirement-income tie develops along the way, we advise on whether stacking or switching visa categories accelerates your path.
Important to Know
What most buyers don't know
M-Type — Work Visa
For foreign nationals hired by Colombian employers under a formal employment contract. Covers employees, intra-corporate transferees, artists and athletes, and volunteers/missionaries. Requires a formal employment relationship with a Colombian natural or legal person; the employer bears significant documentation responsibility.
V-Type — Services Provider Visa
For short-term or project-based service engagements with Colombian entities. Designed for specialized technical assistance, consulting contracts, or other defined-scope work — not ongoing employment. Applies when the work is project-scoped and there is no formal employer-employee relationship.
We handle government correspondence on your behalf
If Cancillería or Migración Colombia requests additional documentation, your attorney responds directly — no extra charges, no scrambling on your end.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to apply for a Colombian work visa?
Talk to our bilingual attorneys — free initial consultation.
