Colombia digital nomad visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Colombia's digital nomad visa? Yes. Cancillería's visa page says the work can be done as an independent or as an employee, exclusively for foreign companies, and accepts proof that you are a partner or co-owner of a company abroad plus a letter saying you do that work remotely. The company must be foreign, not Colombian. Work for local clients or employers is barred. Income needed: Bank statements showing minimum income equal to 3 times the Colombian legal monthly minimum wage (3 SMLMV) over the last 3 months. The page gives the formula, not a COP figure.
Colombia's digital nomad visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | The digital nomad visa is for remote work or teleworking from Colombia, online, exclusively for foreign companies (translated from Spanish). It also covers starting a digital content or IT venture. | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Own company | Founders qualify: you can show you are a partner or co-owner of a company abroad, with a letter saying you work for it remotely. Independent and employed workers are both covered (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Local work | You may not work or earn from any person or company domiciled in Colombia (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Income | Bank statements showing income of at least 3 times the monthly legal minimum wage (SMLMV) over the last 3 months (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Stay | Valid for up to 2 years (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Fee | US$56 study fee and US$183 visa fee for applications in Colombia and most of the world; €44 and €141 in Europe and Cuba. | cancilleria.gov.co |
| How to apply | Apply online with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' electronic visa form; the visa is issued electronically by email (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Processing time | Up to 30 calendar days after the study fee is paid, longer if other agencies must be consulted (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Requirements | Only holders of passports from countries exempt from short-stay visas can apply (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Health insurance | Health insurance valid in Colombia covering accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalisation, death and repatriation for the whole stay (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Family | Dependants can apply as beneficiaries of the main visa holder (translated from Spanish). | cancilleria.gov.co |
| Tax | Under Article 10 of the Tax Statute (DIAN), you are a Colombian tax resident if you spend more than 183 calendar days in Colombia in any 365-day period (translated from Spanish). | normograma.dian.gov.co |
Questions founders ask about Colombia
- Can I run my own company on the Colombia digital nomad visa?
- Yes. Cancillería's visa page says the work can be done as an independent or as an employee, exclusively for foreign companies, and accepts proof that you are a partner or co-owner of a company abroad plus a letter saying you do that work remotely. The company must be foreign, not Colombian.
- Can I work for clients in Colombia on it?
- Barred. The visa does not allow working or doing paid activity for any person or company domiciled in Colombia.
- How much income do I need for the Colombia digital nomad visa?
- Bank statements showing minimum income equal to 3 times the Colombian legal monthly minimum wage (3 SMLMV) over the last 3 months. The page gives the formula, not a COP figure.
- How much does the Colombia digital nomad visa cost?
- US$56 application study fee plus US$183 visa issue fee (in Europe and Cuba: €44 plus €141). That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Colombia digital nomad visa?
- Up to 2 years. The pages read do not say whether time on this visa counts towards residence. Separately, visa-exempt digital nomads can enter without this visa for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days in a calendar year, as long as no Colombian company pays them (Cancillería visa types page).
- Do I become tax resident in Colombia?
- Under Article 10 of the Tax Statute (DIAN), you are a Colombian tax resident if you spend more than 183 calendar days in Colombia in any 365-day period (translated from Spanish). A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Brazil · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Visitor (V) visa, digital nomad (Nómada Digital) category
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Barred
- Stay
- Up to 2 years. The pages read do not say whether time on this visa counts towards residence. Separately, visa-exempt digital nomads can enter without this visa for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days in a calendar year, as long as no Colombian company pays them (Cancillería visa types page).
- Government fee
- US$56 application study fee plus US$183 visa issue fee (in Europe and Cuba: €44 plus €141).
- Official page
- cancilleria.gov.co
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check cancilleria.gov.co before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.