Make the Move.
We'll Show You How.

The best relocations are planned, not impulsive. Use this phase to visit Colombia as a tourist, test cities you're considering, and get honest about what you want from the move.

• Do a 2–4 week exploratory trip — live like a resident, not a tourist. Use Airbnb, take the Metro, cook some meals, visit co-working spaces.
• Narrow your city choice — Medellín (climate + nomads), Bogotá (culture + career), Cartagena (beach + lifestyle), or Cali (authentic + affordable).
• Determine your visa category — Tourist, Digital Nomad V, Pensionado M, or Investor M. Each has different requirements.
• Assess your financial situation — can you document stable income? Do you need to liquidate US/EU accounts? Do you have 6 months of reserves?
• Start apostilling key documents — background check, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable. These take 2–8 weeks in the US.

Colombian visas are applied for online at cancilleria.gov.co — you do not need to visit a Colombian consulate for most categories. Have everything ready before you start the application; incomplete submissions are rejected.

• Complete all documents (apostilles, translations if required, photos, bank statements)
• Pay the application fee online (~$270 USD via credit card)
• Submit via the online portal — processing is 5–30 business days
• If approved, your visa is emailed as a PDF sticker — print it or save it digitally
• Note: Many visas are for a single entry; ensure you enter Colombia properly to activate it

Pro tip: Hire a Colombian immigration lawyer for your first visa ($150–300 well spent). They ensure your application is bulletproof and can advise on the best category for your situation.

Colombia has decent consumer goods availability, but some things from home are worth bringing (or shipping). Most expats bring significantly less than they expect to need.

• Electronics: Bring quality laptops, tablets, external monitors — Colombian prices are 30–50% higher for these. Electronics run on 110V/60Hz (same as USA); European appliances need adaptors.
• Clothing: Colombia has great local fashion, but large shoe sizes (US 11+) are hard to find. Bring or order specialty items before leaving.
• Shipping: DHL and FedEx to Colombia work but customs is unpredictable. For moves, consider a shared container (40–60 days from USA; ~$2,000–3,500). Many expats rent furnished apartments and buy locally instead.
• Car: Don't bring one (import duty is 30–35% of vehicle value). Buy locally or use Uber/taxis.
• Medications: Bring 6–12 months supply of any specialised medication; generic equivalents are available but brand names may not be.

The first 15 days are legally important — you must register your visa at Migración Colombia within 15 calendar days of entry. Book this appointment in advance; slots fill up.

• Day 1–3: Check into Airbnb or short-term rental, buy a SIM card (Claro or Tigo at the airport), download Uber and Rappi apps, orient yourself.
• Day 3–10: Visit Migración Colombia office to register visa and get Cédula de Extranjería appointment. Bring: passport, printed visa, passport photos, and application form filled in advance.
• Day 7–14: Find permanent accommodation. Use Facebook expat groups, Ciencuadras.com, MetroCuadrado.com, or a local real estate agent. Negotiate; landlords often give 1 month free for 12-month contracts.
• Week 2: Get your Cédula de Extranjería — this is your Colombian ID card. Required for banking, gym, and most contracts.

Once you have your Cédula, you can set up the infrastructure of daily life. This phase is often the most satisfying — Colombia clicks into place.

• Bank account: Bancolombia (best expat experience), Davivienda, or Nequi (digital wallet, instant signup with Cédula). Required for payroll, rent auto-debit, and avoiding cash.
• Health insurance: Sign up with a private EPS (Colmédica, Sura, Sanitas) — monthly cost $80–180 depending on age and coverage. Alternatively, buy international expat coverage from Cigna or GeoBlue.
• SIM upgrade: Switch from the airport SIM to a monthly plan ($15–25/month unlimited data). Register the SIM with your Cédula for full services.
• Spanish classes: Even basic Spanish improves your daily quality of life dramatically. Medellín and Bogotá have dozens of excellent schools ($8–15/hour).
• Community: Join InterNations, local Facebook expat groups, language exchange meetups, or your city's nomad Slack/WhatsApp communities.

After 6–12 months, the dust settles and the administrative reality of being a legal resident kicks in. Staying on top of these items prevents expensive surprises.

• Tax residency: If you spend 183+ days in Colombia per calendar year, you become a Colombian tax resident and must file a declaración de renta. Get an accountant (contador) who works with expats (~$200–400/year).
• Visa renewal: Mark your renewal date in your calendar 60–90 days early. Required documents change; apply before expiry.
• FATCA/FBAR: US citizens must still file US taxes and report foreign bank accounts over $10,000. A US expat CPA (~$400–800/year) handles this efficiently.
• Path to residency: Track your time in Colombia toward the 5-year residency threshold. Keep records of entries/exits in your passport.
• Property: Once settled, many expats explore buying — foreigners have full property rights in Colombia. See our investing guide for details.