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Pathway

Colombia Independent Professional Visa

Colombia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

You may be able to live and work independently in Colombia if your professional activity, qualifications, income, and health coverage meet the requirements.

Professional activity
Usually a regulated profession; unregulated work needs an accepted exception, so freelancing alone is not enough
Qualifications
Degree recognition and any required license for a regulated profession
Income
Average monthly income of at least 5 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage over 6 months

Summary

If you want to work independently in your profession in Colombia, the Independent Professional visa may be an option. It is mainly for professions that require recognized qualifications or a license. Other activities are considered only exceptionally and must be shown to be of interest to Colombia.

This Migrant visa can last up to three years. It permits only the profession or activity approved on the visa.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Your professional work

Explain the work you plan to do and provide the qualifications or experience needed for it. For a regulated profession, arrange recognition of your degree and any required professional card, license, or temporary permission.

Freelancing alone does not establish eligibility. If your activity is not regulated, you need to justify why it should be accepted as an exception.

Income and health coverage

Provide a bank certificate issued within the last 30 days, showing the required account details, average balance, and monthly activity for the previous six months. You need average monthly income of at least five times Colombia's current monthly minimum wage. Second and later applications require the income evidence from a Colombian bank.

You also need Colombian health coverage or insurance meeting the Foreign Ministry's requirements for the planned stay.

Prepare to work independently in Colombia
  1. Check your professional requirements Arrange degree recognition and any license needed to practice.
  2. Explain your planned work Provide the qualifications or experience that support your application.
  3. Prepare your financial and health records Check the income requirement and gather the bank certificate and health coverage.

Freelancing alone does not qualify you. Activities outside regulated professions need an exceptional justification.

What This Route Allows

You can live in Colombia and work in the profession or activity approved on your visa, for up to three years.

After five qualifying years on this Migrant visa, you may be able to apply separately for a Resident visa. You must maintain the required valid status and meet the other residence conditions.

What This Route Is Not

This is not permission to do any kind of work, and it is not an automatic visa for freelancers or remote workers. The professional requirements and limits on your approved activity still apply.

Next Steps

  1. Check whether your profession is regulated in Colombia and arrange any required degree recognition or license.
  2. Prepare a letter describing your work and gather qualification or experience records.
  3. Obtain the recent bank certificate and required health coverage.
  4. Apply through the Foreign Ministry using the Independent Professional checklist.
  5. If approved, follow the work conditions and registration requirements and keep your records for future applications.

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Discussed in these reports

Similar self-employed pathways in other destinations.

Sources