Colombia M worker visa approvals take 14 to 21 extra days as scrutiny rises

Colombia hasn’t formally changed its work visa rules, but applications subject to an official 30-day decision period are now often taking two to three additional weeks and drawing more discretionary review, Fragomen reported Aug. 3.

More scrutiny without a formal rule change

Authorities have declared some applications inadmissible or treated them as withdrawn without detailed explanations. In other cases, applicants have been directed to file under a different visa category, according to Fragomen.

Visa nationals appear to face heightened scrutiny. The delays could remain fluid during Colombia’s presidential transition on Aug. 7, while the country doesn’t offer expedited visa processing.

M worker visa requirements remain unchanged

The M worker visa remains available to foreign nationals contracted by a Colombian company or entity. It can be valid for up to three years, but work authorization is limited to the approved employer, role, profession or activity.

Applications generally require:

• A contract summary form issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• An employer motivation letter

• Employer bank statements showing average monthly income of 100 times Colombia’s statutory monthly minimum wage

• Apostilled or legalized qualifications, plus translations when required

• A professional permit or license for regulated professions

Some first-time temporary workers must apply through a Colombian consulate abroad. Applicants already holding a valid visa may qualify to file in Bogotá, depending on the category. More details on status options are available in the guide to moving to Colombia.

Start dates need a longer buffer

Workers and employers planning fixed start dates should now allow at least the reported two to three extra weeks before onboarding. That buffer matters because payroll, social security enrollment and banking may depend on the post-approval foreigner ID card.

Visa holders approved for more than three months must request that card within 15 days. Migración Colombia has faced card delays since April 2024, with issuance taking at least 30 business days in some cases.

Digital nomads using the separate Digital Nomad Visitor Visa aren’t directly caught by M worker visa requirements, though applications through the same government system may face similar administrative delays.