Visa, Insurance, and Remote Work in Medellín: What You Need to Know Before Moving

Are you planning to spend several months in Medellín while working remotely? This article helps you choose between a visa-free tourist stay and the “Digital Nomads” V visa. You'll learn which proof of income to prepare, which health insurance to buy, and which activities remain prohibited. Amounts and thresholds change every year: always check them with the Cancillería and Migración Colombia before you submit an application.

Entering Colombia without a visa: the tourist stay

Citizens of countries exempt from visas receive an entry permit of up to 90 days on arrival, which can be extended without exceeding 180 days in total within a calendar year^[1]. This is the case for French citizens: they can enter without a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per calendar year^[1], provided they show a return ticket^[2].

On arrival, immigration authorities generally issue a permit valid for 90 days^[3]. To stay longer, you can request an extension online or at a Migración Colombia office, always before the current permit expires^[3].

Before you travel, complete the Check-Mig form, the Colombian entry form managed by Migración Colombia^[3]. At Medellín's José María Córdova airport, as well as in Bogotá and Cartagena, a Migración Colombia office checks your documents^[3].

Working remotely: what the tourist status allows

Colombia's visa rules are governed by Resolution 5477 of 2022, which created the V digital nomad visa^[2]. According to Stamped Nomad, which cites an “article 46” without specifying the text it comes from, citizens of visa-exempt countries may work remotely for foreign employers^[1] during their stay, provided no Colombian company pays them^[1].

In practice, you can arrive with your entry permit and work remotely for a foreign company, as long as no Colombian company pays you^[4]. If your plans depend on this rule, have your situation confirmed by the Cancillería before you leave.

The V “Digital Nomads” visa: requirements and application process

The V visa lasts up to 2 years and is applied for online, either from Colombia or from abroad, through the Cancillería's visa platform^[1].

You must show foreign-source income of at least 3 times the minimum wage, which is COP 5,252,715 per month in 2026^[1]. Because the minimum wage is revised each January, this threshold changes: peso amounts and their equivalent in euros or dollars become outdated at the start of each year and must be rechecked against the resolution in force^[2].

Proof is provided through bank statements for the last three months, and each month must meet the threshold on its own^[4]. Once the study fees are paid, the Cancillería has 30 calendar days to decide^[4].

Required health insurance

Comprehensive health insurance covering the entire duration of the visa is mandatory^[5]. It must be valid in Colombian territory and cover accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death, and repatriation for the full duration of the visa^[4].

Colombian visa agencies report that basic travel insurance policies were rejected in 2026: compare your policy's clauses against this list before you apply, or have it reviewed by a professional who regularly handles these files^[4].

What the digital nomad visa does not allow

• Working for a Colombian entity or client: the visa prohibits it^[1].
• Obtaining permanent residence through time spent on a V visa: only Migrant (M) visas count toward that clock^[4].
• Benefiting from a special tax regime: Colombia has no special tax treatment for digital nomad visa holders^[1].

After approval: registration and cédula de extranjería

If the visa is issued for more than three months, you must register with Migración Colombia within 15 days of your arrival to obtain the cédula de extranjería, the identity card for foreigners^[4]. Banks, landlords, and phone operators often ask for it^[1].

Points to Watch Before You Submit Your Application

• Working for a Colombian company or client breaks the only restriction that Article 46 expressly sets out; that does not mean everything else is allowed. Other rules (stay and taxation) still apply^[4].
• The income threshold is checked month by month: each statement must clear the bar on its own^[4]. The Cancillería converts your currency on the day it reviews your file, so submit with a margin^[4].
• A standard travel insurance policy may be refused. Read your contract against the list of required risks before you apply^[4].
• The minimum wage is raised every year (about 23% for 2026), which mechanically raises the required amounts. Recheck them with every application^[2].
• You can apply from Colombia or from abroad, but you must keep a legal status while your application is being reviewed^[1].

Verify at the Source and Prepare Your Move

The income thresholds are indexed to the minimum wage, which is revised every January^[2]. Before taking any steps, confirm the requirements, fees, and amounts on the websites of the Cancillería and Migración Colombia. For the rest of your move, our Medellín guide for digital nomads covers the visa and tax chapters in detail^[6].

• Before you leave, follow these steps in order:
• Fill out the Check-Mig before departure.
• Choose between an extended tourist stay and a V visa.
• Gather three months of bank statements, each one above the threshold.
• Compare your health insurance against the list of required risks.
• Submit your application on the Cancillería portal.
• Register with Migración Colombia within 15 days and pick up your cédula de extranjería.