Colombia Digital Nomad Visa 2025: Quick Guide and Best Steps

The Colombia digital nomad visa, officially known as “Visa V Digital Nomads,” offers remote professionals an enticing opportunity to experience the vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and affordable cost of living in this South American nation.

We delve into the essential requirements and steps for obtaining the Colombia digital nomad visa, empowering aspiring digital nomads to embark on an enriching journey in one of the region’s most captivating destinations. We hope our quick guide helps you make an informed decision!
Colombia, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, presents an exceptional opportunity for digital nomads.

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We aim to provide a quick but accurate synopsis of the Colombia digital nomad visa requirements and steps. Please contact us and let us know if we need to make any corrections.

Colombia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements and Insights

Important Note: All documents must be officially translated into Spanish or English.

• A passport with a minimum of six months validity left
• Passport photo
• Bank statements demonstrating the minimum monthly income requirement for the past three months (supplement with pay slips or tax return )
• Proof of remote work (e.g., contract)
• Letter from employer detailing remote work position and salary
• Proof of extensive medical insurance that covers you for the entire visa period in Colombia (including maternity care, disability, and repatriation)
• Criminal record check from anywhere you’ve lived in the past five years

Pro Tip: While the official application process is straightforward, gathering the necessary documentation can sometimes be cumbersome. To avoid any delays, it’s advisable to start early and ensure all your documents are in order.

Long-term insurance

Short-term insurance

We use Genki travel insurance. They have long-term and short-term digital nomad insurance options.

1. Access Colombia’s online visa request portal and complete the online application form.
2. Submit all the required documents online.
3. Pay the application fee online.
4. Wait for approval (unspecified time).
5. Pick up your visa.

If you’re considering working and living in Colombia as a digital nomad, we think the pros outweigh the cons.

• Cheap cost of living
• Good quality healthcare
• Lively cities, beautiful beaches, and abundant nature
• Comfortable climate
• Coworking spaces and good expat communities in some cities

Digital Nomad Tip: If you settle into a new life in Colombia, you can take advantage of the coworking spaces available in cities like Medellín and Cartagena, which are conducive to productivity and networking. These spaces often host events, workshops, and networking opportunities that can enhance your professional journey.

• Developing infrastructure
• Safety concerns in some areas
• Terrible traffic
• Minimal English, so communication may be challenging

TIP: While many Colombians speak some English, especially in urban areas, learning basic Spanish phrases can significantly enhance day-to-day interactions and experiences. For instance, greeting someone with a friendly “hola” or “buenos dias” and a smile can go a long way in establishing rapport.

Colombia is led by cities like Medellín and Bogotá, which provide a backdrop for creativity and innovation. The country’s colorful streets, lively festivals, and warm hospitality make working remotely not just a possibility but an enticing adventure.

1. Barranquilla: A growing city with a lower cost of living than more significant hubs, offering a laid-back Caribbean vibe and plenty of coworking spaces to work near the coast.
2. Bogotá (capital city): A cosmopolitan city with fast internet and diverse neighborhoods, perfect for digital nomads who enjoy cultural events. It has a growing, dynamic tech and coworking scene, making it ideal for work, play, and networking.
3. Cali: Known for its lively salsa culture and affordable cost of living, Cali provides a vibrant atmosphere with a growing community of remote workers and coworking options.
4. Cartagena: A picturesque coastal city with plenty of cafés and coworking spots in the Old Town, great for combining work with a vacation-like Caribbean experience.
5. Medellín: A modern, innovative city with a spring-like climate year-round, perfect for digital nomads.

While considering the pros and cons of being a digital nomad in Colombia, it’s also essential to consider the rich local culture you will experience. You can attend many cultural events and explore historical sites to enrich your experience and provide a deeper understanding of the Colombian way of life.

Moreover, you can explore Colombia’s diverse landscapes, from the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest. Colombia offers countless weekend getaways, outdoor activities, and adventure opportunities that provide a refreshing contrast to the digital nomad lifestyle.

1. Explore Cartagena’s Old Town and History: Its walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and vibrant plazas. Visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, an impressive fortress, and stroll through the charming streets of Getsemaní, a neighborhood rich in street art and local culture.
2. Visit Medellín (The City of Eternal Spring): Ride the Metrocable and explore Comuna 13, a neighborhood transformed through art and culture. Visit the Museo de Antioquia to see works by a famous Colombian artist, Fernando Botero.
3. Trek to the Lost City of Ciudad Perdida: This ancient archaeological site predates Machu Picchu and offers a challenging yet rewarding trek through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Explore the terraces, staircases, and ruins of the Tairona civilization. Immerse yourself in the biodiversity of the lush jungle. (Note that the trek takes four to six days and requires physical fitness.)
4. Experience Bogotá’s Cultural Scene: Colombia’s capital is the heart of its art, history, and gastronomy. Visit the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), home to an extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts. Explore the La Candelaria district for colonial architecture, street art, and cozy cafés. Take a cable car to Monserrate for stunning views of the city.
5. Relax in the Coffee Region (Eje Cafetero): Colombia’s “coffee triangle” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers stunning landscapes. Sample the local beans and tour a coffee plantation. Tour coffee farms in Salento or Manizales to learn about coffee production, hike through the Cocora Valley, home to towering wax palm trees, and stay in a traditional finca (coffee farm) for an authentic experience. Also, there is the National Coffee Festival in Manizales in January.
6. Immerse Yourself in Cali’s Salsa Culture: Known as the world capital of salsa, Cali offers a vibrant nightlife and energetic music scene. Take salsa lessons and experience live music at clubs like La Topa Tolondra. Visit the Cristo Rey monument for panoramic views of the city. The Feria de Cali (Cali Fair, December 25–30) is a massive festival with salsa parades, concerts, and cultural shows.
7. Discover the Rosario Islands and Tayrona National Park: Colombia’s Caribbean coast has pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Hit the beach or trek in the jungle along the shore at the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains base. Snorkel or dive in the Rosario Islands, a short boat ride from Cartagena. Visit Tayrona National Park for jungle hikes leading to idyllic beaches like Cabo San Juan. Tayrona requires some trekking, so pack light and plan ahead.
8. Marvel at San Agustín’s Archaeological Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site features one of Latin America’s most extensive collections of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures. Explore the mysterious carved statues, tombs, and ceremonial sites, and learn about the ancient cultures that inhabited this region over 1,000 years ago.
9. Celebrate Carnival in Barranquilla: Colombia’s most famous festival and one of the largest in the world. The carnival occurs 4 days before Ash Wednesday (February/March). Witness vibrant parades, traditional dances, and colorful costumes. Enjoy live music and street parties that bring the city to life.
10. Amazon Jungle: Immerse yourself in the culture and exotic landscape of the Amazon rainforest.
11. Santuario de Las Lajas: A stunning and uniquely located Catholic cathedral in a canyon above the Guáitara River.
12. Guatape: Climb the 740 stairs to the top of El Penol for spectacular views of the aquamarine lake and the verdant landscape below.
13. Cano Cristales: Experience the natural phenomenon of the “river of five colors” that flows in shades of red, blue, black, green, and yellow.

We’ve curated 32 affordable, high-quality Colombia excursions you can sign up for with Viator. You can book ahead and cancel free of charge.

By meeting the outlined criteria and following the straightforward application process, digital nomads can take advantage of Colombia’s comfortable climate, thriving expat communities, and abundant natural wonders, from the stunning Tayrona National Park to the captivating underground salt cathedral.

Whether you’re drawn to the country’s bustling cities, picturesque colonial architecture, or world-renowned coffee, the Colombia digital nomad visa is a gateway to an extraordinary experience in one of South America’s most alluring destinations. If this one isn’t for you, there are other digital nomad visas.

These are the most frequently asked questions about the Colombia digital nomad visa.