M - Work Visa
Pursue new professional opportunities in Colombia with the M - Work Visa
Save time and avoid complications with a clear and organized visa process.
What is the M - Work Visa?
The M – Worker Visa allows foreigners to work legally in Colombia under a contract with a legally established entity in the country.
This visa is valid for up to three years, and after five years as a holder, you can apply for a resident visa, allowing you to settle in Colombia long-term.
To maintain this visa, it is essential to comply with current labor and migration regulations.
With our support, we guide you through every step of the process to ensure your application meets all requirements, simplifying your procedure and allowing you to focus on your professional growth in Colombia.
Applying for the M – Worker Visa without knowing the requirements and procedures can lead to documentation errors, approval delays, or even rejection. This not only means a loss of time and money but can also impact your job stability and professional development plans in Colombia.
If you want to work legally in the country without complications, our team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that you meet all the requirements and that your application is handled clearly and efficiently.
A simple and guided path to obtaining your M - Work Visa
Working legally in Colombia opens new opportunities, and having the right visa is the first step.
With our specialized guidance, we support you at every stage to ensure your application meets all legal and migration requirements. You’ll save time, minimize risks, and avoid unnecessary delays.
After five years as the holder of this visa, you can apply for a resident visa.
As the holder of this visa, you can include your beneficiaries.
This visa grants a work permit exclusively for the position, entity, profession, or activity for which it was issued.
We handle all the paperwork and provide you with a clear and straightforward guide at every step.
From the beginning, you will have a team of experts to guide you, answer your questions, and support you at every stage.
We review every detail to minimize penalties, fines, or rejections, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
With our planning, we help you meet all the requirements, facilitating an organized and smooth reapplication process.
Visa process
STEP 1: Collection, review and preparation of necessary documentation for your visa application
We collect and analyze all required documents to ensure that your application meets migration requirements.
STEP 2: Application, submission and follow-up
We submit your application to the relevant authorities and continuously monitor the process to ensure it progresses smoothly.
STEP 3: Attention to requirements and resolution of possible observations
We handle any additional requests or corrections that may arise during the process, ensuring they are resolved efficiently.
STEP 4: Approval and issuance of the foreigner ID card
Once the visa is approved, we manage the issuance of the foreigner ID card, formalizing your legal status in Colombia.
What are the requirements of the M - Work Visa?
General requirements:
Digital photograph of the applicant, document size, preferably taken in a studio (white background, 3x4 cm).
Copy of the main passport page.
Copy of the last Colombian visa (only if applicable
If located in a country other than the country of residence, provide a document proving migratory regularity in that country (for foreigners who do not require a visa to enter Colombia).
Specific requirements:
Contract Summary Form established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published on the entity’s website, signed by the legal representative of the contracting entity and the foreign worker. This document must include key details defining the work activity in Colombia.
Employer's Motivation Letter, stating the candidate’s qualifications, job responsibilities, educational background, reasons why a Colombian citizen is not being hired for the position, and the number of direct jobs generated by the company.
Employer’s Bank Statements or Certifications from the last four (4) months, demonstrating an average monthly income of at least one hundred (100) current legal monthly minimum wages (smmlv).
For non-regulated professions, a copy of the apostilled or legalized and translated professional degree or employment certifications and experience records proving the candidate’s qualifications.
For regulated professions, the foreign worker and the contracting company must obtain the required permit or license from the relevant Professional Council. This permit or license must be presented if the foreign worker applies for a second or subsequent visa.
Others as requested at the time of acceptance.
What are the costs of the M - Work Visa?
ATTORNEY'S FEE
$1,980,000 COP
*If your first application is not approved, the next application will not incur attorney’s fee.
**The attorney’s fee do not include administrative charges.
Administrative Fees
APOSTILLE PROCESS (Per document):
$624,000 COP ($160 USD)*
TRANSLATION COST (Per resulting page):
$63,026 COP ($15 USD)*
FOREIGN ID CARD ISSUANCE FEE:
$267,000 COP ($63 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUANCE FEE (Visa):
$1,161,000 COP ($270 USD)*
ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY FEE (Visa):
$232,200 COP ($54 USD)*
Total administrative fees = $2,347,226 COP ($562 USD)*
*ADMINISTRATIVE FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ATTORNEY FEES.
**THE VALUES MAY VARY ACCORDING TO YOUR PARTICULAR CASE AND THE TRM (MARKET REPRESENTATIVE RATE).
***THE VALUES ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND MUST BE PAID TO THE CORRESPONDING INSTITUTIONS OR THIRD PARTIES. THESE AMOUNTS SHOULD NOT BE PAID TO NEXO UNLESS YOU REQUEST OUR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THESE PAYMENTS.
What does out support for obtaining the M - Work Visa include?
Virtual and/or in-person planning meetings: Comprehensive visa application guidance and Q&A session to address any concerns you may have
Pre-study of the documents provided by you, highlighting the important information that must be on them in order to build and write the documents required
Submit the visa application
Give response on time to any additional requirements that could be requested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
If your visa is approved, we'll check the information contained in it. In case of an error in the visa, we'll request the respective correction
CĂ©dula de extranjerĂa renewal appointment schedule
Form filling
Preparation of the documents you have to bring to the appointment (if you are in MedellĂn, we'll go to the appointment with you)
CĂ©dula pick-up appointment scheduling
Do you have questions about the M - Work Visa? We have answers
We know that the migration process can be complex and raise many questions. At Nexo, we understand your concerns and are here to address all your inquiries, giving you the confidence that your M – Work Visa is being handled by a team of experts.
You can apply for a Colombian visa from the country where you have citizenship or legal residence, or you can apply from Colombia.
No, when applying for a Colombian visa, it is required to remain in the country where you submitted your application until the visa process is complete. Leaving that country while your visa is being processed could result in your application being denied or requiring resubmission.
Once we have all the required documentation ready for submission, the visa process usually takes between 15 and 30 days. However, the processing time may be extended if the ministry requests additional information. Plan ahead and apply for your visa early to avoid delays.
Yes, the primary visa holder can apply for dependent visas, including a spouse or permanent partner and dependent children up to 25 years old.
The M – Work Visa is valid for three years.
If you change jobs or wish to work in a different field, you may need to apply for a new visa or modify your existing one.
Yes. After five continuous years as a holder of the M – Work Visa, you may apply for a Resident Visa in Colombia.
Yes, the hiring company must demonstrate that it has a monthly income of at least 100 legal minimum wages in Colombia, which for 2025 is equivalent to $142,350,000 COP. The company must also be legally registered and in good standing with tax and social security authorities.
Yes. A signed employment contract or a service contract is required as part of the application process. This document should clearly outline the position, salary, duration of employment, and responsibilities. Your contract must be reviewed to ensure it meets immigration requirements.
While the number of employees is not a direct requirement, immigration authorities may evaluate whether the company hiring you has the operational and financial capacity to employ foreign workers. This is part of ensuring the legitimacy of the job offer.
Yes. As part of the M Work Visa application, the employer must provide a justification for hiring a foreign worker rather than a Colombian national. This includes explaining the specific skills, qualifications, or experience that make the foreign applicant the best candidate for the position. The justification helps demonstrate that the foreign hire is essential for the company and that their expertise cannot be easily found in the local labor market.
Yes. You must provide documents such as:
University degrees or technical certifications related to the job.
Work experience certificates proving you have relevant experience for the role.
If your profession is regulated in Colombia, you may need to obtain a professional license or accreditation.
What our clients say
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What will happen after you fill out this form?
After submitting the form, your case will undergo a thorough review by our team of specialists to assess its viability. Providing clear and concise information about your objectives will expedite this process.
Subsequently, a specialist will be assigned to your case, who will contact you within one day to clarify the details of your case and define the next steps to help you achieve your goals.
Start with a free case assessment
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