Colombia Visa Work

Colombia is an attractive destination for foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities. To work in Colombia, foreign nationals are required to obtain a work visa or other types of visas that allow work activities. The Colombian government offers several visa categories for foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities in the country.

To obtain a work visa in Colombia, foreign nationals must have a job offer from a Colombian company, and the company must sponsor their visa application. The visa process involves several steps, including obtaining a visa application form, submitting required documents, paying fees, and attending an interview with the Colombian embassy or consulate in their home country.

Once the visa is granted, the foreign national can work for the sponsoring company in Colombia for the duration of the visa. Work visas in Colombia are typically valid for up to two years and can be extended upon expiration.

Foreign nationals who wish to work independently or start their own business in Colombia can apply for an entrepreneur visa, which requires proof of investment and a detailed business plan.

Overall, obtaining a work visa in Colombia can be a complex process, and it is important to understand the visa requirements and regulations before starting the application process. In this guide, we will explore the different types of work visas available in Colombia, the requirements and procedures for obtaining them, and the regulations and laws governing work activities for foreign nationals in Colombia.

Overview of Colombia work visa process

The process of obtaining a work visa in Colombia can be complex and time-consuming. Here is an overview of the Colombia work visa process:

Determine the type of work visa you need: There are several types of work visas in Colombia, each with its own eligibility requirements and application process. You should determine which type of visa is best suited to your needs before beginning the application process.

Check your eligibility: To apply for a Colombia work visa, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having a job offer from a Colombian employer, possessing the necessary qualifications, and not having a criminal record.

Obtain a work contract: Before you can apply for a work visa, you must have a job offer from a Colombian employer. The employer will need to provide you with a work contract that meets the requirements of the Colombian government.

Gather the necessary documents: You will need to gather several documents to apply for a Colombia work visa, including your passport, a copy of your work contract, proof of qualifications, and a criminal record certificate from your home country.

Apply for the visa: You will need to apply for the visa in person at a Colombian consulate or embassy in your home country. You will need to provide all the required documents and pay the visa fee.

Wait for processing: The processing time for a Colombia work visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the consulate or embassy processing the application. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive a decision.

Obtain the visa: If your visa application is approved, you will receive a Colombia work visa in your passport. You will need to present this visa at the port of entry when you arrive in Colombia.

It is important to note that the process of obtaining a Colombia work visa can be complicated and time-consuming. It is recommended to start the process well in advance and seek the assistance of a legal professional if necessary.

Eligibility criteria for a Colombia work visa

To be eligible for a Colombia work visa, foreign nationals must meet the following criteria:

Have a job offer from a Colombian company: To obtain a work visa, a foreign national must have a job offer from a Colombian employer. The employer must provide a letter of invitation that outlines the job position, salary, and duration of employment.

Possess the necessary skills and qualifications: The job offered must require skills and qualifications that cannot be readily found in the Colombian labor market. The employer must demonstrate that the foreign national possesses the necessary skills and experience to perform the job duties.

Be in good health: Foreign nationals must provide a medical certificate that proves they are in good health and do not have any contagious diseases.

Have a clean criminal record: Foreign nationals must provide a police clearance certificate from their home country to demonstrate that they have a clean criminal record.

Provide proof of financial means: Foreign nationals must demonstrate that they have the financial means to support themselves in Colombia. This can be done by providing bank statements, proof of income, or a letter of financial support.

Obtain a work contract: The Colombian employer must provide a work contract that complies with Colombian labor laws and regulations.

Meet other visa requirements: Foreign nationals must meet other visa requirements, such as providing a valid passport and paying visa fees.

Overall, obtaining a Colombia work visa can be a complex process, and it is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and requirements before starting the application process.

Can I Work With a Colombia Visa?

It depends on the type of visa you have. Some visas in Colombia allow work activities, while others do not. To work in Colombia, foreign nationals must obtain a work visa or other types of visas that allow work activities.

If you have a work visa, you are authorized to work for the sponsoring company in Colombia for the duration of the visa. The work visa is typically valid for up to two years and can be extended upon expiration. However, it is important to note that work visas are tied to a specific employer, and if you change employers, you will need to apply for a new work visa.

If you have a different type of visa that does not allow work activities, such as a tourist visa, you are not authorized to work in Colombia. Engaging in work activities while on a tourist visa can result in fines, deportation, and legal consequences.

Foreign nationals who wish to work independently or start their own business in Colombia can apply for an entrepreneur visa, which requires proof of investment and a detailed business plan.

Overall, it is important to ensure that you have the appropriate visa that allows work activities before engaging in work in Colombia. Working without proper authorization can result in serious consequences.

How to apply for a Colombia work visa

To apply for a work visa in Colombia, follow these steps:

Determine the type of work visa you need: There are different types of work visas in Colombia, so you should determine which one is best suited to your needs. The most common types are the TP-4 visa for short-term work assignments, and the TP-1 visa for long-term work contracts.

Obtain a job offer from a Colombian employer: To apply for a work visa, you must have a job offer from a Colombian employer. The employer will need to provide you with a work contract that meets the requirements of the Colombian government.

Gather the necessary documents: You will need to gather several documents to apply for a Colombia work visa. These may include your passport, a copy of your work contract, proof of qualifications, a criminal record certificate from your home country, and other supporting documents.

Complete the online application: You will need to complete an online application form through the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. You will need to provide personal information, details of your job offer, and information about your travel plans.

Pay the visa fee: You will need to pay the visa fee through the online system using a credit or debit card.

Schedule an appointment at a Colombian consulate or embassy: Once you have completed the online application and paid the fee, you will need to schedule an appointment at a Colombian consulate or embassy in your home country. You will need to bring all the required documents to this appointment.

Attend the appointment: At the appointment, you will need to provide all the required documents and answer any questions the consular officer may have. You may also need to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints or a photograph.

Wait for processing: The processing time for a Colombia work visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the consulate or embassy processing the application. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive a decision.

Obtain the visa: If your visa application is approved, you will receive a Colombia work visa in your passport. You will need to present this visa at the port of entry when you arrive in Colombia.

It is important to note that the process of obtaining a work visa in Colombia can be complicated and time-consuming. It is recommended to start the process well in advance and seek the assistance of a legal professional if necessary.

Required documents for a Colombia work visa

The documents required for a Colombia work visa may vary depending on the specific visa category and the embassy or consulate processing the visa application. However, some common documents required for a Colombia work visa application include:

Valid passport: A valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry into Colombia.

Visa application form: A completed visa application form, which can be obtained from the Colombian embassy or consulate.

Job offer letter: A letter from the Colombian employer offering a job and specifying the position, salary, and duration of employment.

Work contract: A signed work contract between the foreign national and the Colombian employer that complies with Colombian labor laws and regulations.

Educational and professional certificates: Educational and professional certificates, such as diplomas or degrees, that demonstrate the foreign national's skills and qualifications for the job.

Police clearance certificate: A police clearance certificate from the foreign national's home country to demonstrate a clean criminal record.

Medical certificate: A medical certificate from a licensed physician indicating the foreign national is in good health and does not have any contagious diseases.

Proof of financial means: Documentation demonstrating that the foreign national has sufficient financial means to support themselves while in Colombia.

Visa fees: The applicable visa fees, which vary depending on the visa category and the embassy or consulate processing the visa application.

It is important to check with the Colombian embassy or consulate in your home country for specific document requirements for the visa category you are applying for.

Processing time for a Colombia work visa

The processing time for a Colombia work visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the consulate or embassy processing the application. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive a decision.

The Colombian government provides an estimated processing time of 15 business days for most work visas, but this is not guaranteed. In some cases, the processing time can be longer due to a high volume of applications or additional processing requirements.

It is important to apply for a work visa well in advance of your planned travel date to allow sufficient time for processing. 

Renewing or extending a Colombia work visa

A Colombia work visa is typically valid for up to two years, after which it can be renewed or extended. To renew or extend a Colombia work visa, the foreign national must apply for an extension before the current visa expires. The application process for a work visa extension is similar to the initial visa application process, and the foreign national must meet the same eligibility criteria.

The following are the steps to renew or extend a Colombia work visa:

Gather required documents: Collect all the required documents for the visa extension application, including a valid passport, visa application form, job offer letter, work contract, educational and professional certificates, police clearance certificate, medical certificate, and proof of financial means.

Apply for the visa extension: Submit the visa extension application and all required documents to the Colombian embassy or consulate in your home country. The application must be submitted before the current visa expires.

Pay visa fees: Pay the applicable visa fees for the visa extension application.

Wait for approval: Wait for the visa extension application to be processed and approved by the Colombian embassy or consulate.

Obtain new visa: Once the visa extension application is approved, the foreign national will receive a new work visa that is valid for an additional period of time.

It is important to note that if the foreign national changes employers during the validity of the work visa, they will need to apply for a new work visa that is tied to the new employer.

Consequences of working illegally in Colombia

Working illegally in Colombia can have serious consequences, including:

Deportation: If you are caught working illegally in Colombia, you may be deported and barred from entering the country again.

Fines: Employers who hire undocumented workers may face fines and legal penalties, which can be significant.

Criminal charges: In some cases, working illegally may result in criminal charges, especially if you are caught working in a field that requires a professional license, such as medicine or law.

Lack of legal protection: Workers who are employed illegally are not entitled to the same legal protections as those who are employed legally, such as minimum wage, social security benefits, or workers' compensation.

Exploitation: Workers who are employed illegally are at a higher risk of exploitation and abuse by their employers, as they may be afraid to report any violations of their rights.

It is important to obtain the necessary visas and work permits before starting work in Colombia to avoid these consequences. If you have questions or concerns about the legality of your work in Colombia, you should consult with a legal professional or the appropriate government authorities.