New law to effect the changes necessary for issuing the special visa

Colombia has joined the long list of Latin American countries issuing a special visa for digital nomads.

The new immigration law will not clash with the three types of visas it has been offering for long (visitor visa, migrant visa and resident visa). The new visa for digital nomads is coming into being, as the Andean country sees its tourism industry recoup most of the losses incurred at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials said the new law will come into force on October 22 to effect the changes necessary for issuing the special visa. Persons working for a foreign company without a presence in Colombia are preferred under the programme.

Visa will be valid for two years

Those who plan to launch a digital startup are also eligible to obtain the digital nomad visa. While the visa is only valid for two years, recipients can extend it for two more.

Digital nomads will be required to pay income taxes if they stay in Colombia for more than 183 days.

“Foreign nationals who stay more than 183 days in Colombia are considered to have a tax residence. Being a tax resident in Colombia means the foreign national must declare all income (domestic and foreign-source income),” Carlos Neira, director of KPMG in Colombia, wrote in a blog post.

Thanks to its scenic landscapes and Caribbean flair, Colombia has grown into one of Latin America’s popular tourist destinations. The country saw a staggering 200 per cent increase in tourist arrivals between 2010 and 2019.

The first three months of 2022 were extremely positive for its tourism industry, according to ProColumbia, the government’s investment promotion agency.