Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa (officially the Visa V – Nómadas Digitales) is one of the more accessible options on this list: a fully online application, a genuinely reachable income bar, and up to two years of validity. It’s a big part of why Medellín became one of the decade’s fastest-growing nomad hubs.
- Official name
- Visa V – Nómadas Digitales
- Best for
- Remote employees & freelancers
- Income requirement
- ~$1,100–$1,400/month (3x Colombian minimum wage)
- Visa duration
- Up to 2 years
- Processing time
- 2–6 weeks
- Application method
- Fully online via Colombia’s visa portal
Who Qualifies
- Monthly income of at least 3x Colombia’s minimum monthly wage (SMMLV), roughly $1,100–$1,400 USD as of 2026
- Passport from a country that doesn’t require a short-stay visa for Colombia
- At least 6 months of documented remote work or freelance history
- All-risk health insurance valid in Colombia for the full visa period, including repatriation coverage
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Proof of remote income: client contracts, reference letters, or a signed letter (Spanish or English) describing your remote work arrangement
- Bank statements or pay stubs covering the last 6 months
- Proof of all-risk health insurance covering the visa period
- Passport-style photo per portal specifications
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Gather your 6-month remote work history and income documentation, choosing months that each individually clear the income threshold.
- Buy an all-risk health insurance policy valid in Colombia, with medical repatriation coverage matching your visa’s validity period.
- Create an account on Colombia’s official Cancillería portal (tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co).
- Upload your documents and submit the online application.
- Wait for processing. The official decision window is 30 days.
- Once approved, enter Colombia and register as required by local immigration rules.
The Insurance Requirement Is Stricter Than It Sounds
Since 2026, Colombia has required health insurance policies to explicitly include medical repatriation coverage, and the policy’s coverage period must match your granted visa validity. Critically, this needs to be genuine health insurance, not travel insurance, the distinction matters more than it sounds.
Costs & Fees
- Government/application fees: roughly $220–235 USD total, including the cédula (Colombian foreigner ID) process
- Health insurance: the largest variable cost, budget based on coverage level and trip length
- No employer sponsorship fee required
What the V Visa Doesn’t Let You Do
The visa is designed around foreign-sourced income only. It doesn’t permit employment with Colombian companies or providing services to Colombian clients. Keep your income sources clearly foreign to stay within the visa’s terms.
Can I renew the V Visa after 2 years?
Renewal is possible if you still meet the income and documentation requirements, though exact renewal terms are best confirmed close to your expiration date since portal requirements are updated periodically.
Does the V Visa lead to permanent residency?
The V Visa itself is a visitor-category visa and isn’t typically counted toward Colombia’s residency track the way some other Latin American nomad visas are: if long-term residency is your goal, it’s worth researching Colombia’s other resident visa categories separately.
Can my spouse or kids apply as dependents?
Dependents can generally apply alongside the main applicant with their own supporting documentation: check the current portal requirements, since dependent rules are updated more often than the core visa terms.
Does my income need to average above the threshold, or clear it every month?
Every month individually. Immigration reviews your submitted bank statements month by month: a single month below the 3x-minimum-wage threshold can sink the application even if your overall average is comfortably above it.
Can I use travel insurance like World Nomads instead of health insurance?
Generally no: Colombia’s requirement is specifically for all-risk health insurance with repatriation coverage, and popular travel insurance products are often classified differently and don’t qualify. Health-insurance-focused providers like SafetyWing, Cigna, Bupa, and IMG are more commonly accepted.
Official Resources
Related Destinations for Colombia V Visa
Colombia has become a favorite for its balance of cost, weather, and growing nomad infrastructure:
- Medellín: Eternal spring climate, large digital nomad community, COL ~$1,500–2,000/mo.
- Bogotá or Cartagena for variety in urban vs coastal experiences.
City & Planning Links
More Value for Nomads
Visa success is only part of the picture. Plan taxes, banking setup, health coverage, and gear before you commit.
Essential Cross-Links