Colombian immigration legislation provides different solutions to help employers of foreign nationals as well as assist foreign nationals entering the country for work and business purposes.

Foreign nationals who enter the country for work or business purposes may not enter the country without the proper visa or legal permit that allows them to perform the activities for which they entered Colombia (e.g., as employees or legal representatives). Failure to comply will lead immigration authorities to fine the company and the local sponsoring entity and even to deport the foreign national.

Colombian visas can be issued either abroad at a Colombian consulate or with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Bogotá, unless the applicant is of a restricted nationality, in which case the application must be made at a Colombian consulate abroad, with prior authorization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or electronically with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ platform, before the foreign national enters Colombia.