Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: A Complete Guide

In recent years, Colombia has become one of the hottest global destinations for digital nomads¹. And with beautiful and diverse landscapes, charming cities and towns, a low cost of living, and a newly-launched digital nomad visa, it’s not hard to see why.

Whether you want to learn Spanish, enjoy the tropical climate, or just explore one of the most enchanting countries in South America, Colombia could be the perfect fit for you. But what is Colombia’s digital nomad visa and how do you apply? We’ll answer those questions and more below.

Snapshot of Expat Life in Colombia:

• Population: 51.52 million
• Capital city: Bogotá
• Currency: Colombian Peso
• Official language: Spanish
• Top cities for expats: Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga
• Approximate # of American expats: 60,000
• School-year calendar: February to November
• Best time to move abroad: December to March

Digital nomad visa in Colombia: Background

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, worldwide travel — including in Colombia — came to a near standstill. As the situation improved over time, however, travel gradually picked up — especially among those with the newfound freedom to work remotely. Colombia’s government saw an opportunity in remote workers like these who could stimulate the economy on an ongoing basis without adding competition to the local job market.

The government began discussing a digital nomad visa in March 2020 and officially greenlit the project in October 2022. In January 2023, the visa officially went live².

How to obtain the Colombia digital nomad visa

It’s relatively easy to be eligible for Colombia’s digital nomad visa — you need to be employed by a company outside of Colombia and earn a minimum of Col$3 million (about $650 USD) per month.

Visa requirements & duration

To successfully apply for the Colombian digital nomad visa, you need the following documents:

• A letter or contract from your (non-Colombian) employer confirming your employment and salary (Note: Entrepreneurs must write a “motivation letter” detailing their plans)
• Valid passport & copy
• Bank statements proving a monthly income of at least Col$3 million (~$650 USD) for the last three months
• Proof of health insurance for the visa’s entire duration
• Passport-size photo

You can stay in Colombia for up to two years on a digital nomad visa⁴.

Health insurance for digital nomads in Colombia

Your health insurance must cover accidents, illnesses, maternity, disability, hospitalization, and death/repatriation. You can buy health insurance from a private company in Colombia, or from a company that specializes in offering health insurance for digital nomads, like SafetyWing.

Expats in Colombia: best places to live

There are many great places in Colombia, but the cities below have all emerged as digital nomad hotspots.

Medellín

Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia, but probably the biggest digital nomad hub. It’s known for its mild year-round weather, innovative spirit, lively nightlife, and colorful surrounding pueblos (villages).

How much does it cost to live in Medellín?

Here are the average prices of some common expenses in Medellín, according to Numbeo⁵:

• Monthly rent: Col$1,492,337 (~$322 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment in the center
• Utility bills: Col$284,988 (~$62 USD) per month
• Meal for 2: Col$100,000 (~$22 USD) at a mid-range restaurant

Bogotá

Bogotá is the largest city and capital of Colombia, known for its cultural scene, stunning mountain views, and excellent cuisine.

How much does it cost to live in Bogotá?

Here are the average prices of some common expenses in Bogotá, according to Numbeo⁶:

• Monthly rent: Col$1,521,702 (~$329 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment in the center
• Utility bills: Col$325,924 (~$70 USD) per month
• Meal for 2: Col$90,000 (~$19 USD) at a mid-range restaurant

Cartagena

Cartagena, a northern coastal city, is known for its beaches, salsa dancing, and colorful buildings.

How much does it cost to live in Cartagena?

Here are the average prices of some common expenses in Cartagena, according to Numbeo⁷:

• Monthly rent: Col$2,212,741 (~$477 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment in the center
• Utility bills: Col$535,761 (~$116 USD) per month
• Meal for 2: Col$90,000 (~$19 USD) at a mid-range restaurant

Barranquilla 

Located just 83 miles Northeast of Cartagena, Barranquilla is a bustling port city known for its famous Carnival celebration, literary history, and cumbia dancing.

How much does it cost to live in Barranquilla?

Here are the average prices of some common expenses in Barranquilla, according to Numbeo⁸:

• Monthly rent: Col$923,293 (~$199 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment in the center
• Utility bills: Col$387,807 (~$84 USD) per month
• Meal for 2: Col$80,000 (~$17 USD) at a mid-range restaurant

Bucaramanga

Bucaramanga is a city located in North-Central Colombia known for its parks and green spaces, universities, and adventure sports like paragliding, bungee jumping, and river rafting.

How much does it cost to live in Bucaramanga?

Here are the average prices of some common expenses in Bucaramanga, according to Numbeo⁹:

• Monthly rent: Col$764,286 (~$165 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment in the center
• Utility bills: Col$233,000 (~$50 USD) per month
• Meal for 2: Col$60,000 (~$13 USD) at a mid-range restaurant

Digital nomad life in Colombia

What to do in Colombia

There’s no shortage of sites to see, places to go, and things to do in Colombia. Some highlights include:

• Touring coffee plantations in the Coffee Axis region
• Visiting the Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá, a cathedral located in an underground salt mine
• Exploring national parks like Tayrona, Serranía de la Macarena, & Chiribiquete
• Going island hopping off the Caribbean coast
• Discovering ancient ruins in San Agustín Archaeological Park & Ciudad Perdida (“Lost City”)
• Visiting museums like the National Museum, Gold Museum, & Museum of Antioquia
• Celebrating Carnaval in Barranquilla
• Checking out natural wonders like the El Totumo mud volcano, La Cueva del Esplendor (“The Cave of Splendor”), & the rainbow river of Caño Cristales

Expat community in Colombia: how to find your people

It’s normal to feel a bit lonely when you first move to another country, but between the friendly locals and the large expat community in Colombia, you’ll be making new friends in no time. A few ideas to get you started:

• Move into a co-living space
• Work from a coworking space
• Stay in a social hostel
• Take classes (e.g. Spanish, salsa dancing, cooking, etc.)
• Attend events on Meetup & Couchsurfing
• Join local expat groups on Facebook
• Attend a language exchange or use a language exchange app
• Volunteer in your community

Moving to Colombia

To start this new chapter of your life off right, you’ll want to be prepared — so before you leave the US, make sure that you:

• Gather all of your key documents (passport, visa, plane tickets, etc.)
• Book accommodations for your arrival
• Go to your doctor’s to request a copy of your medical records, stock up on any prescriptions you take, and get any vaccines you might need
• Pack your bags with the help of a list¹⁰; donate, store, or ship the items you won’t bring
• Cancel any subscriptions/services you won’t need anymore (e.g. internet, newspaper subscriptions)
• If you’ll be bringing a pet, gather the necessary documentation¹¹
• Look up options for banking & cellphone plans in Colombia
• Set up a forwarding address for your mail
• Notify your US bank of your travels so foreign purchases aren’t flagged as suspicious
• Brush up on some basic Spanish

Colombia digital nomad taxes

Digital nomads will become tax residents of Colombia if they stay in the country for more than 183 days of the year.¹² That said, while the Colombia digital nomad is valid for two years, there is no requirement to live in the country for that entire period of time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a digital nomad visa to live and work remotely from Colombia without owing Colombian tax – but you must reside in the country for less than 183 days.

VAT in Colombia

One tax you will encounter in Colombia is the value-added tax (VAT) — the tax added to most goods and services — referred to locally as IVA. The standard rate is 19%, although there are reduced rates available:

• 5% IVA: Agricultural equipment and goods, electric/hybrid vehicles, etc.
• 0% IVA: Basic foods (e.g. meat, eggs, dairy), internet services (for low to mid-income customers)
• Exempt from IVA: Public transportation, utilities¹³

Do American digital nomads in Colombia have to pay US taxes?

Yes, all US citizens and permanent residents must file US tax returns as long as they meet the minimum income reporting threshold. Some tax requirements and breaks that expats should know include: 

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): Allows you to exclude up to $120,000 (for tax year 2023) of foreign-earned income from taxation and write off qualified housing expenses via the Foreign Housing Exclusion
• Foreign Tax Credit (FTC): Allows you to subtract what you’ve paid in foreign income taxes from what you owe the US government
• Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR): Requires anyone with over $10,000 in foreign accounts to file FinCEN Report 114
• Child Tax Credit (CTC): Allows you to claim up to $1,500 in partially-refundable credits for each of your qualifying dependents
• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA): Requires anyone with over $200,000 in foreign assets on the last day of the tax year — or over $300,000 at any point in the year — to file Form 8938. (These thresholds vary for those residing in the US.)

Fallen behind on filing? Catching up on US taxes as a digital nomad in Colombia

If you’ve been living abroad for a while now and weren’t aware of your US tax obligations, you may be able to catch up penalty-free thanks to a program called the Streamlined Procedures. To qualify, you must not currently be under investigation by the IRS or have already been contacted by them regarding outstanding taxes.

Consult with a Bright!Tax CPA to optimize your digital nomad tax strategy 

With the launch of Colombia’s digital nomad visa, moving there long-term as an American has become more accessible than ever before. And between the affordable cost of living and exemption from Colombian income taxes, living in Colombia as a digital nomad can be as financially advantageous as it is thrilling.

While you’ll still have to file US taxes if you move on a Colombia digital nomad visa, the team at Bright!Tax can work with you to get them done correctly and on time while minimizing your bill as much as possible.

References:

1. Discover Why Colombia Is Your Ideal New Office
2. How Colombia’s New Digital Nomad Visa Came to Be Under Government Turmoil
3. Is Colombia Safe to Visit?
4. Visa V Nómadas Digitales
5. Cost of Living in Medellin
6. Cost of Living in Bogota
7. Cost of Living in Cartagena
8. Cost of Living in Barranquilla
9. Cost of Living in Bucaramanga
10. What to Pack for Colombia: The Ultimate Packing Guide
11. Pet travel from the US to Colombia
12. Colombia – Digital Nomad Introduced
13. Colombia – Corporate & Other Taxes