Move to Colombia

Warm, musical country of mountain cities, coffee farms and two coastlines

Colombia is one of the easier countries in Latin America for remote workers. Visa-exempt visitors get 90 days, extendable to 180 a year, and the online digital nomad visa needs only about three minimum wages of foreign income (about $1,650 a month in 2026). Retirees can get a migrant visa with the same pension threshold, and that time counts towards residence.

Routes we checked
3
Digital nomad visa
Yes
Language
Spanish
Currency
COP
Last checked
30 October 2026

Digital nomad visaRetirement visaInvestment and golden visa

Ways to live in Colombia

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Visitor visa – Digital Nomad (Visa V Nómada Digital)

For employees, freelancers or founders working remotely for foreign companies or clients, or starting a digital or tech venture. You may not earn from Colombian persons or companies.

What you need
A passport from a visa-exempt country, a contract or letter from a foreign employer (or proof of a foreign company or a project), and 3 months of bank statements showing income of at least 3 Colombian minimum wages (5,252,715 pesos a month in 2026). Health insurance valid in Colombia for the whole stay.
Income
from about $1,670 a month
How long
Up to 2 years
Renewable
No
Cost
$56 application fee (non-refundable) plus $183 on approval; the foreigner ID card is extra
How to apply
Online on the Colombian foreign ministry's e-visa platform, from inside or outside Colombia
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
No. Time on this visa does not count towards residence.
Tax
Staying more than 183 days in a 365-day period makes you a Colombian tax resident.

Official page

Retirement visa Retirement visas →

Migrant visa – Retiree (Visa M Pensionado)

For people receiving a government or private pension. It is one of the cheapest retirement routes in the region.

What you need
A pension of at least 3 Colombian minimum wages a month (5,252,715 pesos in 2026), certified, apostilled and translated, plus criminal record and medical certificates. Work in Colombia is not allowed.
Income
from about $1,670 a month
How long
Up to 3 years
Renewable
Yes
Cost
Application fee plus issuance fee
How to apply
Online on the Colombian foreign ministry's e-visa platform
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Time on this visa counts towards resident status.

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Migrant visa – Investor (Visa M Inversionista)

For foreign direct investment registered with the central bank, or for buying real estate in your own name.

What you need
Property worth at least 350 Colombian minimum wages (about $195,000), or foreign investment registered with the central bank of over 650 minimum wages (about $362,000). You also need 3 months of bank statements.
Savings
about $195,000
How long
Up to 3 years
Renewable
Yes
Cost
Application fee plus issuance fee
How to apply
Online on the Colombian foreign ministry's e-visa platform
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Time on this visa counts towards resident status.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$200
One-bedroom flat$440
Two-bedroom flat$840
Bills$80
Typical local salary$650

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Colombia has eternal-spring Medellín, colonial Cartagena on the Caribbean and green coffee country in between. People are warm and dancing is everywhere. Expats favour Medellín's El Poblado and Laureles, Bogotá and the coast.

Day to day

Domestic flights are the quickest way to cross the mountains, with buses for shorter trips. Private healthcare is good and affordable. Cards work in cities but cash is common, internet is solid, and Spanish is needed for most things.

Trade-offs

Petty theft and scams are common, and some areas remain unsafe. Bogotá is cool and rainy, the coast is hot and humid, and mountain roads make overland travel slow.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Colombia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Colombia offers: Visitor visa – Digital Nomad (Visa V Nómada Digital).

How can I move to Colombia?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Retirement visa, Investment and golden visa.

Can I retire in Colombia?

Yes, through: Migrant visa – Retiree (Visa M Pensionado).

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Colombia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Colombia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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