Visas for living in Medellin
What visa do you really need to stay or work remotely from Medellín? Let’s break it down. The good news is Colombia is quite welcoming to foreigners, digital nomads, retirees, investor; yess!!….And the whole process here is actually pretty easy.
Tourist Entry
If you have a passport from the US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, and many other countries, you don’t need a visa to enter as a tourist. At the airport, immigration usually stamps you for 90 days. You can extend it once, online or at an immigration office, for another 90 days. That gives you up to 180 days total in a calendar year. The only restrictions are: don’t overstay your 180 days, and don’t take a Colombian payroll job.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Since 2023, Colombia has a visa just for digital nomads. It’s valid for up to two years. You can work for foreign companies or for your own online business, but you can’t work for Colombian employers. You are familiarized with the concept, so it will be not new for you.
Requirements are very simple:
- – Show monthly income of at least 1,000 USD (just three months of bank statements or a contract).
- – Proof of health insurance that covers you in Colombia.
- – A passport copy.
- – A simple letter from your employer or, if self-employed, a letter describing what you do.
No degree, no crazy paperwork. Apply online, pay 50 USD to apply and another 170 USD once approved. The visa arrives by email. Once you’re in Colombia, you have 15 days to register it at Migración Colombia and get your cédula (ID card). That costs about 50 USD and makes your life way easier: you can open full bank accounts, sign contracts, get a postpaid phone plan, all with your ID.
And here’s the fun part: this process is working pretty well. According to a recent study by EAFIT University, around 8,000 nomads are arriving every month in Medellín. So, if you look around and wonder why you’re suddenly surrounded by English or other language speaking people it’s not your imagination!!
Retirement Visa (M-11)
For retirees, including US veterans and former military (yes, Marines too), Colombia offers the M-11 Retirement Visa. You qualify if you can show a lifetime pension of at least three times the Colombian minimum wage (it means you need to have a pension roughly 1,000 USD/month). The process is straightforward: just show proof of your monthly payment with official documents, your passport, and health insurance. This visa is valid for up to three years and is renewable. It’s very popular because it gives stability, allows you to live full-time in Colombia, and once you get your cédula you have access to healthcare, banking, contracts, and everything else locals use.
Other Visas
Taxes
Tips from Experience
– Once you get the DNV, remember: it’s not the visa, it’s your stay length that makes you a tax resident.
– Always have a return or onward ticket, even a refundable one. Sometimes they ask, sometimes not. Better safe.
– Colombia works with cash, but also has a modern banking system. You can use foreign cards at ATMs, but Wise, Revolut, or ATM-friendly banks save you money.
– Don’t waste weeks figuring it all out alone. We can connect you with bilingual lawyers specialized in visas and migration. They’ll make sure you don’t get lost in bureaucracy. We also have trusted accountants, doctors, and even dentists in our local network of English-speaking professionals.
In short: whether you’re a digital nomad, a retiree, or someone investing here, Colombia has an option for you. And Medellín makes it worth the paperwork.
Hidden costs of living in Medellín: survival guide for digital nomads - SettlingIN Medellin
27 September, 2025[…] Read Blog […]