Colombia M Worker Visa Approvals Slowed by Extra Scrutiny

Foreign workers applying for Colombia's M worker visa are facing longer waits and closer review, with approvals now often running two to three weeks beyond the official 30-day decision period, immigration firm Fragomen reported on Aug. 3. The country has not formally changed its work visa rules, but scrutiny has clearly increased.

What changed

Colombia's official timeline for a decision on the M worker visa is 30 days. In practice, applications are now taking as long as roughly 51 days, according to figures cited in the reporting. Beyond the delays, authorities have declared some applications inadmissible or treated them as withdrawn without detailed explanations, and in other cases have directed applicants to file under a different visa category.

Visa nationals appear to face heightened scrutiny. The situation could stay fluid around Colombia's presidential transition on Aug. 7, and the country does not offer expedited processing to speed things up.

About the M worker visa

The M worker visa is for foreign nationals contracted by a Colombian company or entity. It can be valid for up to three years, but work authorization is tied to the approved employer, role, profession, or activity. Requirements include a contract summary form from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, employer bank statements showing average monthly income of 100 times Colombia's statutory monthly minimum wage, apostilled or legalized qualifications with translations where required, and a professional license for regulated professions.

Some first-time temporary workers must apply through a Colombian consulate abroad, while applicants already holding a valid visa may be able to file in Bogotá depending on the category.

What it means for nomads

If you have a fixed start date, build in 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. Anyone approved for more than three months must request that card within 15 days, and Migración Colombia has faced card delays since April 2024, with issuance taking at least 30 business days in some cases.

Remote workers using the separate Digital Nomad Visitor Visa are not directly subject to M worker visa requirements. However, because applications run through the same government system, they may still encounter similar administrative delays. Anyone planning a move to Colombia this year should apply early and avoid committing to tight deadlines that depend on approval.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.