Working in Colombia: a work visa through the employer, or as a digital nomad for abroad

Working in Colombia is possible in four ways, and each way comes with its own visa from the Cancillería. For a job with a Colombian company it is the M Trabajador visa. If you work remotely for an employer or clients outside Colombia, there is the V Nómada Digital visa. There are also visas for self-employed professionals and for those who set up a company. On the M Pensionado visa you may not work.

Visa	For whom	Requirement in 2026	Valid	Fees from Europe
M Trabajador	job with a Colombian legal entity	employer shows 4 months averaging 100 minimum wages a month: 175,090,500 pesos	up to 3 years	€ 44 + € 191
M Profesional Independiente	self-employed in a regulated profession	recognised diploma, professional licence, 6 months averaging 5 minimum wages: 8,754,525 pesos a month	up to 3 years	€ 44 + € 191
M Socio o Propietario	own or part-owned Colombian company	contribution of at least 100 minimum wages: 175,090,500 pesos	up to 3 years	€ 44 + € 191
V Nómada Digital	remote work for foreign companies	3 months of income of 3 minimum wages: 5,252,715 pesos a month	up to 2 years	€ 44 + € 141

The minimum wage in 2026 is 1,750,905 pesos a month. All thresholds move when the minimum wage changes.

How does the M Trabajador visa work?

The employer and you sign a summary of the contract on a Cancillería form. The employer writes a motivation: which position, what training you have, why no Colombian is hired, and how many jobs the company provides. He also shows bank statements for the last four months, averaging one hundred minimum wages a month. For a non-regulated profession you hand in your diploma with apostille and translation, or statements about your experience.

The work permit only applies to that position with that employer. After five years on this visa you can apply for permanent residence; see the residence routes. Family members come along as beneficiario.

Your employer reports your start within 15 days to Migración Colombia in the SIRE, and also the end of the contract; see registration and numbers. If you have a visa with an open work permit, such as the one for the partner of a Colombian, you report other work or another position yourself to Migración Colombia within 15 days (article 119 of the visa resolution).

What may a digital nomad do?

The V Nómada Digital visa is for those who work remotely, exclusively for companies abroad, employed or self-employed, or who start a digital business. You need a passport from a country that needs no visa for a short stay, and the Netherlands is such a country. You show a letter from the foreign employer about the relationship and the pay, or that you are a co-owner of a company abroad.

On this visa you may not work for a person or company in Colombia. If you take on a Colombian client, you need a different visa.

Even without a visa a Dutch citizen may work remotely during a visit, as long as there are no payments from Colombian companies and the stay stays within 90 days, extendable to 180 per calendar year.