About Colombia
Whether your company is sending employees to Colombia or expanding your worldwide footprint—Fragomen is here to help. Our experienced immigration professionals partner with businesses of all sizes to develop immigration strategies that can help you achieve your goals.
- Colombia's immigration laws provide several options for employers of foreign nationals. Business travelers entering Colombia for up to 180 days require a business visa (V-Business Visa) or a Tourism Permit (Permiso de Turismo or PT). Business Visas require prior authorization from the immigration authorities in Colombia and allow a stay of up to 180 cumulative days in 365 days. Tourism Permits are only available to visa-exempt nationals and can be obtained on arrival in Colombia. Tourism Permits allow an initial stay of 90 days per calendar year. They may be extended for an additional 90-day period for a total of 180 cumulative days per calendar year.
- For urgent, short-term technical assistance, the 30-day Permit to Develop Other Activities (POA) is available for visa-exempt nationals when the host company cannot find a specialized Colombian worker to perform the work. The POA must be processed approximately five business days before entry and demonstrate an imminent urgency to ensure its approval.
- The V-Technical Visa is dedicated to foreign nationals entering Colombia to provide specialized technical assistance. It can be issued for up to two years and allows a maximum stay in Colombia of 180 continuous or cumulative days in a 365-day period from the date of visa issuance.
- Foreign nationals who engage in work activities in Colombia must obtain either a V-Temporary Work Visa (if under an employment contract for specific work or a services contract) valid for two years or an M-Worker Visa (if under a fixed or indefinite labor contract) valid for three years. Colombia is a member of the Mercosur agreement and the Andean Community and offers nationality-based temporary and permanent residence pathways to eligible nationals of other signatory countries. In addition to a visa, foreign nationals working in a government-regulated profession must also obtain a professional permit, degree validation, or professional license to work legally in Colombia.
- Colombia also offers a Digital Nomad Visa, which allows foreign nationals employed outside Colombia to reside in and work remotely from Colombia for up to two years. The visa is also available to those seeking to start a business in Colombia in the field of digital technology.
Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.
Fragomen in Colombia is affiliated with Godoy Córdoba Abogados, S.A.S.
Firmwide services
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Business Visa Services and Technology
Guidance, support and technology to help you get your business travelers on the ground quickly and compliantly.
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Consular Services
Personalized support to help ease the burden of complex immigration consular processing.
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Corporate Immigration Program Development
World-class corporate immigration services to help you optimize your immigration operations.
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Crisis Management Services
The help you need, when you need it most.
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Digital Nomad Services
Advice and planning for your growing Digital Nomad population.
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Document Services
Proactive planning and on-the-ground support to streamline the immigration document process.
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Employment Verification Services
Modern, streamlined employment verification solutions to increase your compliance and minimize your exposure to risk.
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Government Advisory Services
Strategic and tailored consultation to help you achieve your business goals.
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Immigration Analytics, Benchmarking and Knowledge
Robust resources to help you understand immigration in a changing world.
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Immigration Compliance Services
Experienced guidance to help manage your most complicated immigration activities and maximize your compliance.
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Immigration Enforcement Defense Services
Enforcement defense and internal investigations assistance to help defend your business against immigration noncompliance.
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Immigration Litigation Services
Experienced, skilled immigration litigation to help you resolve complex situations.
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Immigration Technology Solutions
Pragmatic, leading-edge technology solutions that support our clients’ immigration experiences.
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Immigration Training
Unmatched training means better immigration experiences for your employees.
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Immigration Work Permit Services
Comprehensive, end-to-end immigration services and technology to help streamline business immigration.
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Private Client Services
Sound, holistic alternative residency and citizenship solutions to help you seize your opportunities.
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Remobilization Services
Strategic support to help remobilize quickly and prepare for the future of work.
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Remote Work Strategic Services for Employers
As the world moves forward from the pandemic, some companies are calling employees back to the office full-time, while others are implementing or formalizing hybrid work schedules.
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Value-Added Services
A wealth of complimentary benefits to enrich your immigration experience.
