Key aspects to consider
- The term to study visa applications and pay government fees was extended, which will entail that completion of the visa application processes will take longer.
The terms will now be 10 calendar days from the date the electronic form is filled out and the visa is approved, respectively.
The term for studying visa applications was increased from five working days to 30 calendar days.
- The Resolution created a new visa category for digital nomads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defined as 'digital nomads': (i) foreigners who provide their remote work or teleworking services from Colombia, through digital media and internet, exclusively for the benefit of foreign companies, either as contractors or employees and (ii) foreigners who wish to start an enterprise of digital content or information technology of interest to the country.
Foreigners who meet the requirements to be considered as 'digital nomads', may apply for the visitor's visa, in the Digital Nomads category, provided that:
- They have restricted nationalities.
- Although not having restricted nationalities, they wish to stay in Colombia for long periods (i.e., more than 180 continuous or discontinuous days in the calendar year).
Foreigners of nationalities that do not require a short stay visa may enter and stay in Colombia with an Entry and Stay Permit ("PIP") granted by the Special Administrative Unit of Migration Colombia, provided their stay in the country does not entail payments from Colombian companies, and their period of stay does not exceed 90 days (extendable for up to 180 continuous or discontinuous days per calendar year).
- Applicants for certain visa categories will be required to provide proof of professional qualifications.
For several months, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been requesting, by means of requests for information, the submission of apostilled professional documents, as a condition for the granting of visas. The Resolution formalized this practice, introducing the following requirements to process visa applications:
V visa - Service Provider - Work or Labor
Copy of the professional title apostilled and translated, or certificates of labor and experience that support suitability.
M Worker Visa
- In the case of a non-regulated profession: copy of the apostilled and translated professional title or certifications of labor and experience that support the suitability of the visa applicant.
- In the case of a regulated profession: a copy of a permit or license from the corresponding professional board. This license or permit must be provided in case the foreigner applies for a second or subsequent visas.
Visa M Independent Professional
Copy of the validation of the degree before the Ministry of National Education and proof of fulfillment of the other requirements for the exercise of the profession, such as presentation of the professional card, license or provisional permit, as applicable.
- The Resolution modified the validity of resident visas.
The term of validity of resident visas will be changed from indefinite to five years.
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