Colombia launched the Visa V Nómadas Digitales in October 2023 with what is arguably the most accessible formal nomad-visa program anywhere: an income threshold of just three times the Colombian minimum wage (~$1,400/month in 2026), a 2-year initial term, fully online application, and access to one of the most consistently top-rated nomad hub cities in the Americas — Medellín.
For nomads with lumpy or lower income, freelancers early in their careers, or creators whose US/European salaries are ordinary at home but go far in a South American LatAm city, Colombia is disproportionately attractive. The weak spots are banking friction (Colombian banks are picky about foreign-income customers) and the safety-perception tax (real in some neighborhoods, overblown in others).
At a glance
- Minimum income: ~$1,400/month (3× Colombian minimum wage of COP 1,750,905 for 2026, revised annually)
- Duration: 2-year initial term, renewable for another 2 years
- Processing time: ~30 days online
- Application fee: ~$223 (USD)
- Family allowed: Yes — spouse, children under 25 studying or dependent
- Path to citizenship: 5 years of residence (2 years if married to a Colombian or born in an originally-Colombian territory)
- Tax residency trigger: 183 days in any rolling 365-day period
- Signature strength: One of the lowest income floors among formal nomad visas
Why Colombia for digital nomads?
Three things make Colombia distinct among the 2023–2024 nomad-visa crop:
- Medellín has been consistently top-3 on Nomadlist and similar rankings since 2018 for climate, community, and value. Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado are all credibly nomad-friendly.
- Income floor around $1,400 opens the program to profiles that don't clear Portugal (€3,680) or Greece (€3,500). Early-career freelancers, writers, creators, and travelers building client lists can qualify.
- Two-year visa term — longer than most EU nomad visas' initial 1-year term, which means less renewal friction.