Visa & Residency

No. US citizens can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable once for a total of 180 days per calendar year. You simply receive an entry stamp at the airport. No advance visa or appointment is required.

The V-type Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of at least COP 5,252,715/month (~$1,425 USD) - 3× the 2026 SMMLV. Bank statements, contracts, or employer letters accepted. CRITICAL: spending 183+ days in Colombia in any rolling 365-day period makes you a tax resident - worldwide income becomes taxable at rates up to 39%. V-visa holders are exempt from Colombian social security but must carry international health insurance.

It's very difficult. Most Colombian banks (Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA) require a Cédula de Extranjería, which is only issued to visa holders. On a tourist entry stamp, use Wise or Revolut for transfers and a local SIM with Nequi (a digital wallet by Bancolombia) as a workaround.

The standard path requires 5 continuous years of legal residency under qualifying Migrant (M) category visas. Spouses of Colombian nationals qualify after 2 years. Note that the TP-7 Digital Nomad Visa time generally does not count toward this 5-year clock.

Application is done online via the Cancillería website. Requirements: income proof (~$1,425/mo, 3× SMMLV), valid passport (6+ months), apostilled criminal background check, international health insurance, 3 months bank statements. Processing: 2-6 weeks. If denied, must leave within 30 days and cannot reapply for 6 months. Many applicants do it without a lawyer.