Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For volunteers with social and development organizations
Colombia volunteer visa: requirements, cost and time
The Colombia volunteer visa is for you if an organization brings you for social or development volunteer work.
The organization behind you has to show bank statements that average about USD 53,030 or more (COP 175,090,500 in 2026).
Handled by Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration departmentReviewed on November 9, 2026
4.8 on Google · 251 reviews
Do you qualify for the volunteer visa?
The volunteer visa lasts up to 2 years (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44).
Time on it does not count toward the resident visa (art. 90).
This is what Cancillería asks of you and of the organization.
- Volunteer work. Social volunteering, or cooperation for development.
- An organization responsible for you. Its legal representative signs a letter describing your activity, your program, the places and how long it lasts.
- It pays for your stay. The same letter commits it to covering all your expenses in Colombia and your trip home.
- Proof that it exists. Issued by the Colombian authority, or a foreign incorporation document issued within the last 3 months.
- Its bank statements. Its last 6 months average the minimum or more, unless it is a public entity.
- A health policy. Valid in Colombia for your whole stay. See our travel insurance →
- Ministry or missionary work? The religious visa covers it.
- Only that activity and organization. When the volunteering ends, you return to your country of origin or residence. A second visa is granted only in exceptional cases (art. 44).
What you must prove in 2026
Set by law · these are not our fees
- Organization's bank statements, averageCOP175,090,500 or moreabout USD 53,030 · 100 minimum wages, last 6 monthsSource: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44, num. 4
- Age of a Colombian organization5 years or moreCounted from its incorporationSource: Cancillería, Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44, num. 3
Minimum wage in 2026: COP 1,750,905. It changes every January, and the threshold moves with it. Source: Decree 1469 of 2025 (the transitional Decree 159 of 2026 kept the same amount).
Checked on November 12, 2026.
How to get your volunteer visa in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We check your organization
We confirm the organization, its papers and your activity, before we ask you for any document.
If it does not qualify, we explore other ways for you to live in Colombia.
We gather the documents with you
Most of them come from the organization: its letter, its legal papers and its bank statements.
You provide the passport and the health policy.
We file your application
We file it online, whether you are in Colombia or abroad.
Cancillería studies it and decides.
We follow your application to a decision
Once it is approved and you pay the issuance fee, your electronic visa arrives by email within 10 business days (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 101).
Then we tell you how to register it with Migración Colombia and get your foreigner ID card.
You may also need
Services our volunteer clients add to the visa.
A case we see often
- The volunteer work
A foreigner had volunteered with a foundation in Colombia since 2022.
He was not paid, and he came in as a tourist every time.
- The limit
As a tourist, he could only stay a limited number of days each year.
He wanted to stay longer and keep volunteering.
- The visa that fits
The volunteer visa is made for that kind of stay.
For that visa, what counts is the foundation: its registration, its letter and its bank statements.
On this visa, what counts is the organization.
If it falls short, the visa does not come through.
Can the organization you volunteer with back your visa? Write to us and we will review its documents with you. →
Colombia volunteer visa requirements: the documents
This is what Cancillería asks for the volunteer or cooperation visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44):
- Letter from the organization. Signed by its legal representative, with your activity, the program, the places, the duration and its commitment to pay your expenses and your trip home.
- Proof of its legal existence. Issued by the competent Colombian authority. A foreign organization sends its incorporation document, issued within the 3 months before you apply.
- The organization's bank statements. Its last 6 months. A public entity does not need them.
- Health policy. Valid in Colombia for your whole stay, covering accident, illness, maternity, disability, hospitalization, death and repatriation.
- Passport. Valid, with the page of your last entry stamp.
How recent each document must be, the apostille and the translation depend on your case.
At Nexo Legal, in Medellín, Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration department, gives you the exact list for your case, reviews each document and files your application. Our fee for the volunteer visa is COP 2,091,000.
What happens after the visa
Living in Colombia
If you are away from Colombia for 90 calendar days or more, your volunteer visa ends early (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44).
Toward residency
To live in Colombia long term, you need an M visa.
Your family
On the volunteer visa, Cancillería grants beneficiary visas only when it finds them fully justified (art. 44).
Questions volunteers ask us
How long does the volunteer visa take?
Cancillería has up to 30 calendar days to decide once the application is complete and the study fee is paid (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 13).
It can take longer if Cancillería consults other entities.
Is there a missionary visa?
Yes. If you are a missionary of a religious organization recognized by the Colombian state, you need the religious visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 42).
Can I volunteer on a tourist visa?
Yes. You can volunteer while you visit Colombia as a tourist.
Keep in mind that as a tourist you can stay only a limited number of days each year. To volunteer for longer, the volunteer visa is made for that (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44).
Can my own income or pension count instead of the organization's?
No. On these visas, the organization shows its bank statements and is responsible for your stay (Resolution 5477 of 2022, arts. 42 to 44).
If you live on a pension, the retirement visa may fit.
Can I be paid while I volunteer?
No. The volunteer visa does not allow you to be paid.
The organization covers your expenses in Colombia and your trip home (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 44).
If you have a job offer in Colombia, you need a work visa.
My application was declared inadmissible. Can I apply again?
Yes. After an inadmissible decision, you can file a new application (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 98).
A refusal is different: you leave Colombia within 30 days and wait 6 months before applying again (art. 99).
If we handle your visa, the second application carries no professional fees: we review what led to the decision and fix it before we file again.
Can I stay in Colombia while it is processed?
You need to stay in the country where you applied until Cancillería decides: in Colombia if you applied from here, or abroad if you applied from there.
In Colombia, your status has to stay regular the whole time, with a valid visa, a stay permit or a safe-conduct (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 13).
We check your dates before filing, so your permit does not run out midway.
What happens when my volunteer visa expires?
Once it ends, you have 30 calendar days to leave Colombia or apply for a new visa (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 111).
You can get a second volunteer visa only as an exception (art. 44).
Don't see your case?
Tell us about it. In a free 15-minute call, we assess it and send you a proposal.
In-depth questions? 1-hour consultation: COP 400,000 (about USD 121).Outside what we do? We refer you to someone who does.
Visa and document costs, besides our fees
They go to Cancillería, Migración Colombia and the document issuers.
Volunteer visa
Fixed fees
- Visa study feeCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 56
- Visa issuance, only if grantedCancillería · Nov 4, 2026USD 183
- Foreigner ID cardMigración Colombia, Resolution 0599 of 2026, art. 1 · Nov 12, 2026COP 294,000about USD 89
Apostilles and translations
For documents issued abroad
- Apostille of a U.S. state document, such as a pension letterUSD 160
- Apostille of a U.S. federal document, such as the FBI checkUSD 180
- Certified translation into Spanish, per pageUSD 15
We do not process apostilles ourselves.For U.S. documents, we can refer you to a company that does, at these prices.Elsewhere, each document is apostilled in its own country, and the price varies.
Your proposal adds them up for your case, together with our fees.
Who handles your case
Your visa is handled by the firm's immigration area, led by Tomás Restrepo.
- 3partners lead the legal, tax and immigration areas
- 22professionals in corporate, private, employment, intellectual property, immigration and tax law
- Medellínour own office
What our clients say
4.8
Based on 251 reviews
Google
Maria Isabel SNovember 12, 2026
Great human quality, the team was always there to solve all my questions. 100% recommend it
Nikola Tarasiuk CorreaOctober 26, 2026
Great service! Tomás who was taking care of my case was very responsive and helpful with every step of the process. Highly recommended :)
Kent MennemSeptember 17, 2026
Nexo Legal provides great services. They are extremely responsive and efficient! Highly recommended.
Joshua HarrisSeptember 14, 2026
They have been super helpful with me through multiple rounds of figuring out my visa and paying taxes. Nexo is who I go to for all my legal needs
Ken KanouseSeptember 6, 2026
I have used Nexo Legal for filing mine and my wife's Colombian income taxes the past 3 years. While I am retired and Colombia doesn't tax my retirement income, the filing still needs to be done. Each year the tax accountant requests the necessary information early so they can be filed accurately on time. They are very easy to work with, and I'd recommend using them for all you accounting and legal needs.
Chris HumphreyAugust 20, 2026
I’ve trusted Tomas and Nexo team on multiple visa applications and would highly recommend them when considering your next legal needs
daniela sanchezAugust 4, 2026
Great experience atty Tomas was very helpful in walking me through every step of the way and keeping me calm and stress free . I would highly recommend this firm with my eyes closed 🙂
Mark HarringtonJuly 31, 2026
Tomas handled my wife's visa application very professionally and was always available to address any questions or issues. Five stars
Arthur WalstonJuly 29, 2026
This was my first time working with The Nexo Firm. I have nothing but high regards for this Firm and specially for Tomas Restrepo. Tomas helped me with my visa process and communicated with me on the progress from start to finish. Plus, his English is very good so there is no language barrier. So, if your traveling aboard and you need help with the visa process, I highly recommend The Nexo Firm and Tomas Restrepo!
Shivaya GuraveJuly 22, 2026
Camila recently helped me obtain my RUT tax registration then did the necessary paperwork and filed my Colombian tax for 2025. Fast, reasonable price, in flawless English. I highly recommend her and Nexo Legal.
nicca louisJuly 7, 2026
All the way from NJ, USA this firm helped me revolve matters in Columbia so fast! I'm appreciative and glad I got the chance to work with them because I would still be fighting this legal battle if I did it on my own!
LilyJuly 6, 2026
Camila was a great accountant to work with and made filing taxes in Colombia as a digital nomad super easy! Thank you
See all 251 reviews on Google →
Client stories on video
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After you send the form, our team reviews your case and a specialist contacts you, usually within the hour during business hours, to clarify details and outline the next steps.
Nexo Legal is a private law and accounting firm, not a government office. Visa decisions are made by Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) and tax matters are decided by the DIAN; no lawyer can guarantee the result.