How to Get a Visa and Work Permit in Colombia (2025)

Expanding into Colombia means unlocking a fast-growing economy, a vibrant talent pool, and a strategic base for Latin American operations. For organizations attracted by Colombia’s skilled workforce and tech-savvy professionals, the upside is huge—if you can navigate the local visa and work-permit maze.

But Colombia’s immigration system, with its multiple visa types and evolving visa requirements, can be daunting. Sponsoring foreign hires demands airtight paperwork, real-time regulatory monitoring, and the right connections with local authorities. Dropping the ball means delays, fines, or even team dislocation—risks no business can afford.

These barriers have real-world consequences: slower market entry, missed hiring targets, and operational headaches. But with Deel Immigration, companies sidestep these obstacles. Deel’s platform centralizes document management, automates compliance, and offers expert, on-the-ground support at every stage.

With Deel, work permit and visa admin in Colombia becomes seamless. Your team gets to Colombia swiftly, stays compliant, and can focus on what matters—winning in one of LatAm’s most exciting markets.

How easy is it to get a work visa in Colombia?

Obtaining a work permit in Colombia is not very challenging for foreign nationals. However, there are specific documentation requirements for work visa/permit applications, such as legalization/apostille and translation of official documents into Spanish, for both the applicant and the sponsoring employer.

See also: Moving to Colombia: A Guide for Expats and Digital Nomads

Are there different types of entry visas and work permits in Colombia?

Yes. Colombia offers a range of entry visas and work permits tailored to different nationalities and work arrangements, ensuring global professionals and their families can find the right pathway to live and work in the country. Below are the main visa types and their key features:

• Migrant Visa (Type M) – Non-Mercosur: This Colombia migrant visa suits non-Mercosur nationals taking up employment or professional activities in Colombia. Applicants need a signed work contract with a Colombian employer, proof of professional qualifications, and evidence that the role cannot be filled locally. The visa is initially granted for up to 3 years and can be renewed indefinitely in 3-year increments. Dependents can be included under the same Type M application

• Migrant Visa (Type M) – Mercosur: Mercosur and associated countries’ citizens benefit from simplified requirements under this Colombia visa type. You must present a valid passport, proof of Mercosur nationality, and employment or business documentation. The permit duration matches the non-Mercosur M visa—up to 3 years renewable. Workers under Mercosur receive faster processing and reduced documentation checks

• Resident Visa (Type R): This Colombia visa type is designed for foreign nationals intending long-term stay or permanent work in Colombia. Eligibility includes continuous legal stay on a temporary visa for at least 2 years or substantial investment in Colombia. Holder benefits include indefinite renewals and access to social security and national benefits. The initial R visa is valid for 5 years, after which it becomes renewable indefinitely

• Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V Nómadas Digitales): Remote workers employed by foreign companies can apply under this Colombia visa type, valid initially for 1 year and renewable once for a second year. Applicants must prove income of at least 3 times the minimum wage and a remote contract with a non-Colombian employer. This visa allows full legal residence and remote work without local labor-market tests

• Beneficiary Visa: Dependents of primary visa holders (spouses, minor children) qualify under the Beneficiary Visa. You need a family relationship certificate and proof of the principal visa holder’s valid status. The validity aligns with the principal’s visa duration, with the same renewal terms. Beneficiaries enjoy full residency rights and access to healthcare and education

See also: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List

Colombia visa and work permit eligibility requirements for candidates

The table below compares Colombia’s main visa categories, highlighting eligibility, validity, and processing timelines to help you determine the best fit for your workforce.

Columbia visa comparison table

Get a fast, expert visa assessment with a detailed cost breakdown delivered within 48 hours via Deel Immigration.

See also: Self-Verify Global Employee Visa Eligibility in Minutes

Colombia visa and work-permit sponsorship criteria for employers

Employers must be legally registered Colombian entities with tax compliance to sponsor foreign workers. To request a work permit, organizations need an active Chamber of Commerce registration, a valid tax ID (RUT), and proof of lawful operation. The business must demonstrate the capacity to pay contractual salaries at or above the legal minimum wage and adhere to social-security obligations.

Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) allows companies to outsource these sponsorship duties seamlessly. The EOR becomes the legal employer, handling entity setup, registration with tax authorities, social security enrollment, and all labor-law compliance on behalf of the client company. This solution frees your organization from maintaining a local legal entity while ensuring full compliance.

Deel Immigration, a G2 leader in Employer of Record services across 150+ countries, sponsors employees with expertise in 200+ permits across 40+ countries. We leverage fast processing, high-volume caseload management, and real-time compliance alerts to expedite Colombia visa and work-permit issuance, so employers stay focused on scaling their teams without administrative bottlenecks.

See also: Easy Visa Sponsorship for Exploring New International Markets

Colombia work permit application process

Follow this five-step roadmap to secure your Colombian work visa and permit quickly.

Step one: Prepare documentation

Prepare all required documents, including a valid passport, employment contract, and proof of qualifications. Applicants gather originals and digital scans, and sponsors draft and review contracts.

Tip: Use Deel’s document checklist to ensure no document is overlooked before submission.

Step two: Meet the sponsorship criteria

Ensure the sponsoring employer is legally registered and compliant with Colombian tax authorities. The employer submits Chamber of Commerce extracts and RUT registration.

Tip: With Deel EOR, you can skip the lengthy sponsorship license application process and accelerate global hiring and visa approvals, enabling you to hire in days, not months.

Step three: Apply for the visa

Submit the visa application through the official Migración Colombia online system. Both the applicant and the sponsor must complete digital signatures.

Tip: Deel’s immigration experts guide you through application forms, and the platform reminds you of crucial deadlines.

Step four: Await processing

Processing can take 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the visa type and application completeness.

Tip: Use the Deel visa tracker to see real-time status updates.

Step five: Travel to Colombia

Receive visa approval and register upon arrival in Colombia as required. Applicants pick up the visa at a designated Migración Colombia office and complete the stamp process.

Tip: The candidate can leverage Deel’s relocation partners and exclusive discounts to assist with travel logistics.

See also: Application Guide for Enterprise Employee Visas

What is the cost of a visa and work permit in Colombia?

The table below outlines the typical government and documentation fees for each of Colombia’s main visa categories, helping you estimate the costs involved in the application.

Deel offers transparent, flat-fee service pricing with no hidden charges. You’ll receive a detailed breakdown of government and service fees upfront.

Is Deel Immigration the best choice for hiring in Colombia?

Absolutely. Deel Immigration streamlines the complexities of Colombia’s visa and work-permit processes, making it the top solution for employers seeking to hire quickly and compliantly. With deep local expertise and cutting-edge technology, Deel ensures your workforce onboarding is smooth and legally sound.

• End-to-end immigration management tailored to Colombia’s specific visa categories
• Fast, free visa assessments delivered within 48 hours to kickstart hiring
• Personalized expert support guiding you through each step of the application
• Real-time application tracking with automated renewal reminders to avoid gaps
• Dependent visa support and exclusive relocation discounts for your hires

With Deel’s robust platform and local insights, navigating Colombia’s immigration landscape is easier than ever. Let’s explore how you can hire faster today.

Hire employees in Colombia faster with Deel Immigration

Ready to expand your team in Colombia without the usual immigration headaches? Deel offers comprehensive end-to-end immigration management that handles everything from entity registration and sponsor compliance to application submission and post-arrival formalities. Our experts ensure all documentation meets Migración Colombia’s strict entry requirements for Colombia, drastically reducing processing delays.

Take advantage of Deel’s personalized expert support, who are available to answer questions, expedite approvals, and manage cases such as dependent visas or digital nomad permits. Book a free consultation now to achieve your hiring goals and timeline.