“The Migraciones.co team made getting my work visa surprisingly smooth. My company needed me working in under two months and they handled everything with incredible efficiency. Their knowledge of Colombia work visa requirements is unmatched.”
The Colombia Type M Work Visa allows foreign professionals to work legally in Colombia under an employment contract with a Colombian company. Valid for up to 3 years renewable, it accumulates time toward permanent residency (Type R).
Working legally in Colombia as a foreigner requires the appropriate visa — and the Type M Work Visa is the standard route for professionals hired by Colombian companies. At Migraciones.co in Medellín, we guide both employees and companies through the entire process, from document preparation to Cancillería submission.
Colombia’s growing economy and thriving startup ecosystem in cities like Medellín, Bogotá, and Cali attract increasing numbers of foreign professionals each year. Whether you are relocating for a multinational or joining a local company, Migraciones.co ensures your visa process is efficient and complete.
Key features
Granted for the length of your employment contract, maximum 3 years. Renewable as long as the employment relationship continues.
The visa is linked to the sponsoring company. Changing employers requires a new visa application — plan ahead with your HR team.
Each year with the Type M Work Visa counts toward the 5 years required to apply for the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R).
The sponsoring Colombian company must have annual revenue of at least 100 times the Colombian minimum wage (SMLMV) to be eligible to sponsor.
Requirements
Requirements apply to both the employer (Colombian company) and the employee (foreign professional). Migraciones.co reviews both sides.
Important: All foreign documents must be apostilled or consularly legalized and officially translated into Spanish. Migraciones.co coordinates the full document preparation process.
The process involves both the employer and employee. Here is how it typically works:
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“The Migraciones.co team made getting my work visa surprisingly smooth. My company needed me working in under two months and they handled everything with incredible efficiency. Their knowledge of Colombia work visa requirements is unmatched.”
FAQ
The main requirements for the Colombia Type M Work Visa are: a valid Colombian employment contract (contrato laboral), proof that the hiring company’s annual revenue is at least 100 times the Colombian minimum wage (SMLMV), the employee’s valid passport, criminal background certificate (apostilled and translated if foreign), professional credentials or academic degree, and passport-style photo. The company must also demonstrate legal constitution and tax registration.
The Colombia Type M Work Visa is initially granted for the duration of the employment contract, with a maximum validity of 3 years. It is renewable as long as the employment relationship continues. Each year spent with the Type M Work Visa accumulates toward the 5 years required for the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R).
No. The Type M Work Visa is tied to the specific employer named in the visa. If you change employers, you must apply for a new visa with the new company. This is different from the Type R (Resident) visa, which grants a full open work permit without restrictions.
The Cancillería de Colombia typically processes Type M Work Visa applications in 15 to 30 business days. Additional requirements (requerimientos) issued by the Cancillería can pause the timeline. At Migraciones.co, we prepare complete, well-organized files from the start to minimize the chance of additional requirements.
Yes. Colombian companies can sponsor work visas for foreign employees. The company must be legally incorporated, demonstrate sufficient revenue (at least 100 SMLMV annually), and after the visa is granted, register the employee in the SIRE system (Migración Colombia’s employer registry). Migraciones.co offers complete corporate immigration services for companies hiring foreign talent in Colombia.
Yes. Every year you hold a Type M Work Visa counts toward the 5 years of continuous residency required to apply for the Colombian Resident Visa (Type R). This makes the Work Visa a key step in building a long-term immigration path in Colombia. Migraciones.co can advise you on timing your transition from Type M to Type R.
At Migraciones.co we manage the complete work visa process for employees and sponsoring companies. From document preparation to Cancillería submission, we ensure your visa is approved without unnecessary delays.
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