Jobs in Colombia With Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners

Both competent and inexperienced Colombian jobs will be able to sponsor foreign visas. Colombia’s breathtaking culture attracts people from all over the world, both as tourists and as employees. A work visa is a fantastic method to travel and work in Colombia. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not every company will be able or eager to sponsor employees for work visas.
Before delving into the specifics of Colombian visa sponsorship jobs for foreign workers, it is important to understand that workers must fill out the proper application if they require a work permit. They can register online at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website by sending in the required paperwork. The applicant must follow the payment guidelines given by the authorities after their application has been filed, reviewed, and approved.
This article will tell you about the jobs that are available in Colombia for foreigners with visa sponsorship, what you need to do to acquire a job, which jobs are in demand in Colombia, what not to do when looking for work in Colombia, and much more.
Jobs in Colombia With Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners
Check out the various visa sponsorship jobs in Colombia for foreigners listed below.
- Financial Advisor Associate
- Sr. Financial Analyst
- PC Technician
- Help Desk Analyst
- RCM AR Specialist
- IT/Software Professsional
- Civil Engineering Analyst
- Support Consultant
- Analytical Consultant
- Project Manager
- Customer Project Manager
- Javascript Developer
- Assistant Store Manager
- IT Project Specialist
- Store Associate
- Healthcare Data & Analytics Testing Lead
- Sales Development Representative
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Environmental Planner
- Security Engineer
- Customer Brokerage Entry Processing Supervisor
- Full Stack Developer
Requirements
- Professional Qualifications: Your educational background and professional credentials, including degrees, certificates, and diplomas, must align with the job specifications. The Colombian Ministry of Education may need to formally approve these documents.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience is frequently a crucial need, particularly for specialized professions; however, it is not necessarily required for all tasks. You might be required to present licenses or certificates of experience.
- Valid Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after the length of time you plan to spend in Colombia.
- Clean Criminal Record: You must have a criminal record certificate or police background check from your home country.
- Health Insurance: It is required to present proof of current health insurance that covers Colombia.
- Passport-Style Photo: A current digital passport-style photo that satisfies certain specifications (such as being 3×4 cm with a white backdrop) is required.
High-Demand Jobs in Colombia?
Technology and IT: This is the most dynamic sector in Colombia’s job market. The country has a growing tech scene with a projected market value of $35 billion by 2028. Key roles in demand include:
- AI Specialists and Machine Learning Engineers
- Cybersecurity Experts
- Fintech and Software Developers (especially Full-Stack Developers)
- Cloud Solutions Architects
- Data Scientists and Data Engineers
- DevOps Engineers
- UX/UI Designers
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Customer Service: One important location for BPO outsourcing is Colombia. Customer support agents are in great demand, particularly those who speak both Spanish and English. Due of the requirement for English ability, this industry is popular with overseas workers.
Engineering: While software engineering leads the way, other engineering disciplines are also in high demand.
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering: These roles are vital to Colombia’s national economy.
- Civil Engineering: The country’s growing infrastructure sector creates a demand for civil engineers.
- Renewable Energy and Sustainability Specialists: With a focus on climate change mitigation, these roles are expected to see significant growth.
Other In-Demand Roles:
- Business Advisors and Sales Professionals: These are consistently in demand across various industries.
- Warehouse Helpers and Logistics Staff: The growth of e-commerce and retail drives the need for these roles.
- Administrative and Virtual Assistants: These positions are sought after by both local and international companies.
- Teaching English: This remains a popular and accessible profession for native English speakers.
How to Obtain a Colombia Work Visa
In 2025, international nationals must fulfill certain requirements and complete a thorough application process in order to obtain a work visa to Colombia. The Migrant (M) visa—more especially, the M-5 subtype for workers—is the main visa used for this purpose. This visa is a well-liked choice for foreigners and took the place of the previous TP-4 work visa.
Eligibility Criteria for a Colombia Work Visa (M-5)
To be considered for an M-5 visa, candidates and their sponsoring employers must meet several requirements:
- Job Offer and Employment Contract: You need to have a work offer from a business that is legally registered and headquartered in Colombia, as well as a formal and genuine employment contract. The parameters of employment, such as your job duties, pay, and contract duration, should all be spelled out in detail in the contract.
- Relevance of Qualifications: Your work experience, academic credentials, and professional background must align with the demands of the position. Additionally, the work activity needs to be pertinent to the employer’s operations.
- Need for a Foreign Worker: The company must be able to prove that they need to hire a foreign worker, usually by pointing out that the local Colombian labor market does not have the necessary skills or qualifications.
- Employer’s Financial Solvency: Bank statements and other financial records are required as proof of the sponsoring employer’s financial stability. This indicates their ability to fulfill their social security duties and pay the agreed-upon compensation.
- Duration: For a maximum of three years, the M-5 visa is valid for the length of the employment contract. It can be renewed.
Required Documents
The application for an M-5 visa requires a comprehensive set of documents from both the applicant and the employer. All documents not in Spanish must be officially translated and apostilled.
From the Applicant:
- A valid passport with a minimum of six months of validity remaining.
- A recent digital passport-style photo.
- A copy of your most recent entry stamp into Colombia (if you are applying from within the country).
- A copy of any previously issued Colombian visas.
- Proof of your professional qualifications, such as diplomas or certificates, which may need to be validated by the Colombian Ministry of Education.
- A police background check from your country of origin.
From the Employer:
- A formal, signed employment contract or offer letter.
- A certificate from the Colombian Chamber of Commerce to prove the company’s legal existence and registration.
- Proof of financial solvency, such as the company’s bank statements or tax returns.
- A letter of motivation explaining the need to hire a foreign national and specifying the employee’s functions, qualifications, and the number of direct jobs created
Salary
- Average Monthly Salary: The average monthly salary in Colombia is around COP 4,500,000, which is approximately $1,073 USD (as of early 2025). This figure is an average, so many people earn less or more.
- Minimum Wage: The minimum wage in Colombia is set by the government each year. As of early 2025, the minimum wage is expected to be between COP 1,410,000 and COP 1,450,000 per month (around $327 – $336 USD).
- Median Salary: The median salary is often considered a more accurate reflection of a country’s income, as it is less skewed by very high earners. The median monthly salary in Colombia is approximately COP 4,050,000 ($996 USD). This means that half of the working population earns less than this amount, and the other half earns more.
Conclusion
Colombia offers a welcoming environment and a growing job market for foreign professionals, particularly in the tech, engineering, and service sectors. The pathway to employment is clear: secure a job offer from a Colombian company willing to sponsor your M-5 visa. This visa requires a formal employment contract, and the employer must demonstrate a need for your specific skills, as well as their financial solvency. By preparing the required professional and personal documents and following the application process through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, both skilled and inexperienced workers can successfully pursue a rewarding career in Colombia’s vibrant economy and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary work visa for foreigners in Colombia?
The main work visa for foreigners is the Migrant (M) visa, specifically the M-5 subtype for workers. This visa allows individuals to work for a legally registered Colombian company for a period of up to three years.
What are the key requirements for obtaining a Colombian work visa?
You need a valid job offer from a Colombian company in order to be eligible for an M-5 visa. The employer must be able to demonstrate both their necessity for a foreign worker and their financial stability. A current passport, a spotless criminal background, professional credentials, and evidence of health insurance are required. Every non-Spanish document needs to be apostilled and formally translated.