How to Move to Colombia: Full Guide (2025)

Jump to: Quick Facts · Living Essentials · Pros · Cons · Visas Guide · Residency & Citizenship · Business · Resources

Interested in moving to Colombia? Here’s what you need to know:

🇨🇴 Colombia at a Glance

• Population: About 54 million people call Colombia home
• Area: Spans around 1.14 million sq. km (plenty of ground to explore!)
• Divisions: 32 departments plus 1 bustling Capital District
• Immigrants: About 100,000 internationals live here
• Immigrant Hotspots: Bogotá and the stunning Caribbean coasts/islands
• Economy: Rapid growth in oil, tech, and, of course, world-famous coffee
• Crime Rate: Major drop over the past decade; largest issues linked to narcotics in outlying urban spots
• Biodiversity: Among the world’s most mega-diverse—thousands of unique plants, plus tons of butterflies, birds, and fish
• Geography: Features Andean peaks, Amazon rainforest, wide-open plains, and breathtaking beaches
• Coastlines: Only South American country hugging both Pacific and Caribbean shores
• Health Insurance: Mixed public-private system, covering over 97% of residents

🏠 Living Essentials

• Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
• Official Language: Spanish
• Regional Languages: 68 recognized dialects; English is an official language in Providencia, Santa Catalina, and San Andrés
• Cultural Courtesy: Colombians are friendly! Try some Spanish; handshake to start, cheek kiss (beso) among friends
• Religions: Mostly Roman Catholic (75%), sizable Protestant minority (17.2%)
• Largest Cities:
  • Bogotá: 8 million
  • Medellín: 2.5 million
  • Cali: 2.2 million
  • Barranquilla: 1.3 million
  • Cartagena: 940k
  • Bucaramanga: 614k

🤔 Why Choose Colombia

• Growing Economy: Strong job outlook and a stable government
• Universal Education & Health: Access to quality services for residents
• Welcoming Locals: Easy to make friends and feel at home
• Clear Spanish: Neutral accent—perfect for learners
• Work Perks:
  • 13th month salary (two extra payments yearly)
  • 18 national holidays plus unique local celebrations
  • 14 days paid vacation
  • Maternity leave: 12 weeks / Paternity leave: 4-8 days
  • Retirement: 62 for men, 57 for women, with pensions covering a big chunk (65%-80%) of your last salary
  • Severance pay if unfairly dismissed: 1 month’s wage per year worked
• Lively Culture: Clubs, parades, and festivals from Bogotá to Cartagena
• Natural Wonders: Beaches on two oceans, mountains, cloud forests, rainforests, and plains
• Modern, Cosmopolitan Cities: Great amenities and nightlife
• Coffee Heaven: Don’t miss the rich campesino-style espresso!
• Vibrant Music: Enjoy everything from philharmonics to underground clubs
• Affordable Living: Minimum wage about US$333; expat life is comfy under US$1,500/month
• Cheap, Fresh Food: Local produce markets are everywhere
• Reasonable Rent: Landlords love responsible foreigners
• Low Utility Costs: Electricity, water, cable, and phone are all budget-friendly
• Reliable Cell Coverage: Good service in most towns and cities (landlines, not so much)
• Efficient Transport: Frequent buses (~$0.50), taxis ($2-$8), plus rural rides by buseta, pickup, or moto-taxi
• Cheap Used Cars: Some of the lowest prices in Latin America
• Expat Communities: Especially in Bogotá and Caribbean islands
• Investor-Friendly: Welcoming attitude and open visa policies
• Trade Advantages: Free Trade Agreement with the US, and strong ties to Europe/Asia keep products plentiful and prices low

⚠️ Colombia Challenges

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

• Spanish Skills Needed: Especially in rural or less touristy places
• Machismo Culture: Expect gender imbalances in daily interactions
• Flexible Timing: “Tomorrow” sometimes means “next week” (yes, really)
• Transport Woes: Expect noisy, jam-packed rides on some rough roads
• Security Risks: Some remote areas still affected by rebel groups; border areas need extra caution
• Payment Delays: Locals may pay bills or debts slowly; utility bills can be sporadic
• Deposits Required: Common for rent/utilities; can be tricky to get back
• Healthcare Gaps: Private care usually much better than public
• School Quality: Public schools often under-resourced; private schools are pricey but higher quality
• Bureaucratic Maze: Must switch your foreign license within 6 months—with several exams!
• Rainy Weather: Especially in Bogotá; floods and mudslides can happen
• Bland Food: Staple meals tend to be simple; adventurous eaters may crave more variety

🛂 Colombia Visa Guide

• Two main types: N series (permanent) and T series (temporary)
• Few restrictions: No vaccination or currency requirements

Popular Visa Types

• Work Visa (Entrepreneur’s Visa)
  • For professionals; apostilled credentials (college degree/certification) required
  • Get a job contract before applying for best results
  • Employer sponsorship usually necessary
  • Private contractors also need this visa
  • Valid for 1 year; potential for permanent residency after 5 consecutive years
• Tourist Visa
  • Valid 90 days, extendable up to 180 days
  • Passport needs at least 180 days validity from entry
  • US & EU citizens: visa on arrival
• Student Visa
  • For stays over 90 days (admission to Colombian school required)
  • Only issued in Bogota
• Asylum/Refugee Visa
  • For humanitarian or political cases (international law applies)
  • Residence permit valid for 3 years
• Business Visa
  • For business owners, employees, or investors
  • Valid for 3 years; multiple entries permitted
  • Maximum 6 months stay per entry
• Investment Visa (Permanent)
  • Qualify with investments: $100,000 USD in stocks, bonds, or deposits; $100,000 USD in private company shares; or $200,000 USD in real estate
  • No renewal needed
  • Apply for permanent residency after 3 years (with proof of continued investment)
• Business Owner (Socio Propietario) Visa
  • For owners/partners of Colombian businesses
  • Minimum investment/business value: 57 million COP (~$11,000 USD)
  • Permanent residency possible after 4 years
• Rentista Visa
  • Requires monthly income of at least 5,667,000 COP (~$3,000 USD), transferred regularly to Colombia
  • Valid for 1 year, renewable
• Retirement (Pension) Visa
  • Need monthly stipend: 1,700,100 COP (~$880 USD) from abroad
  • Valid for 1 year; renew each year with original documents
  • Permanent residency after 5 years
• Marriage (M) Visa
  • For spouses of Colombian citizens
  • Permanent residency after 3 years of marriage
  • Citizenship possible after 5 years total
• Medical Visa
  • Seeks medical care in Colombia
  • Validity: 90 days up to 3 years
• Long-term Stay (Work/Study)
  • Permanent visa required
  • Apply at embassy/consulate well ahead of your trip
  • Can enter on temporary visa, but must leave for permanent visa processing
• Family Visas
  • Prove relationship (marriage, parenthood, guardianship)
  • Usually valid up to 3 years (terms depend on the primary visa type)
• Digital Nomad Visa
  • Show 6+ months remote work/freelance proof
  • Minimum income: $900 USD/month
  • Health insurance covering Colombia
  • Valid passport and photo required
  • Apply online via Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at a Colombian consulate

🛬 Residency and Citizenship

Residency Pathways

• Cedula extranjera: Must-have for anyone living/working in Colombia
• Temporary to permanent: Hold a qualifying temporary visa 5 years in a row (except: preferred, courtesy, business, crew member, temp student, temp entrepreneurship, temp medical, temp official, temp adoption, temp visitor, tourist)
• Resident Investor visa: Invest $100,000+ USD (registered with Banco de la República)
• Immigrant visa: Valid up to 3 years; intended for people with valuable skills

Citizenship Steps

• Write a letter to Ministry of Foreign Relations requesting citizenship (include personal details, reasons, and history)
• Authorize background check: Department of Security (DAS) will review your background
• Provide documents: notarized passport copy, 6 recent passport-sized photos (4 x 5 cm)
• Certificate of good conduct: From your previous country of residence
• Military service certificate: Only required if under 50 years old
• 2 authenticated income statements: Or accountant certification, or Chamber of Commerce certificate if you own a business
• Pass oral exam: Ministry of Foreign Affairs will test your Spanish, Colombian constitution, and country knowledge

💼 Business in Colombia

Business Landscape

• Growing economy and stable politics = tons of opportunities!
• Popular expat ventures: import/export, restaurants, clubs, hotels/resorts
• Business culture: Unique, slow-paced, and relationship-oriented

Getting Started

• Hire an accountant and lawyer: Local pros can save you from legal headaches
• Find the foreign enclaves: Expats in Bogota and the Caribbean islands are great sources for advice and contacts (plus, they host Chambers of Commerce)
• Patience is key: Almost everything takes longer than you’d like — plan for it!

Entering the Market

• Two ways to start:
  • Buy shares or business (must invest at least 57 million COP, or about 100 monthly salaries)
  • Start a sole proprietorship: No cedula required; a tourist visa works; same 57 million COP investment needed; can later switch to SAS company setup

Company Setup Checklist

• Legal rep required: Must be a Colombian or resident foreigner (for SAS/SA corporations)
• Register with Registry of Commerce and get your pre-RUT
• Open bank account using your pre-RUT
• Register company with: Family Compensation Fund (Caja de Compensación Familiar), Governmental Learning Service (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje), Colombian Family Institute (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar), Administrator of Professional Risks (ARL)
• Register employees: for health coverage, pensions (Colpensiones/private funds), and severance fund
• Laws can change: Always check with a knowledgeable local lawyer

📚 Helpful Resources

• Colombia Migration Ministry –  Your go-to for the latest visa and residency info (official website)
• Elempleo – Colombia’s leading employment site offering advanced filtering and recruiter connections.

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