Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: Mastering the Bank Statement & Income Requirements (2025 Guide)
2025-05-19
Last updated: September 12, 2025
You already know why you want to come to Colombia. Now, let's talk about what's really keeping you from peace of mind: the visa paperwork. Of all the requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa, proof of income is the pillar upon which your entire application rests. It is the first and most rigorous filter that determines your eligibility.
The Key Requirement: How Much Money Do You Need to Show?
To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, you have to prove to the Cancillería (Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) that you have a stable and sufficient income to support yourself. The Cancillería needs certainty of your economic self-sufficiency throughout your entire stay.
The golden rule is this: you must demonstrate a net monthly income of at least three (3) Colombian legal monthly minimum wages (SMMLV), using your bank statements from the last three months.
Your Bank Statements: The Definitive Checklist
Submitting your statements correctly is non-negotiable. Think of this as a checklist to ensure your documents pass the filter without any issues.
✔️ Document Type: Only Bank Statements
Accepted: Official statements from your savings or checking account.
Rejected: Payroll certificates (paystubs), credit card statements, investment portfolios, or similar documents. For this specific proof, only a bank statement counts.
✔️ Account Holder: In Your Name, Period
The statement must be in your personal name. Not your company's, not your spouse's (unless they are also applying with their own income). It must exactly match the name on your passport.
✔️ Timeframe: The 3-Month Rule
The law requires bank statements from the last three (3) months prior to your application date.
Camila's Hack: If you are applying from within Colombia, I strongly recommend attaching statements from the last six (6) months. It's a very frequent additional request from officials, and providing them upfront shows preparedness and can save you weeks of delays.
✔️ Language: English or Spanish
If your statements are in English or Spanish, you're good to go.
If they are in any other language, you will need a translation. The good news is that it can be a simple (non-official) translation. However, if you decide to use an official translator in Colombia, make sure they are certified by the National University, the University of Antioquia, or the Ministry of Justice.
✔️ Format and Clarity: PDF and to the Point
All documents (except for your photo) must be uploaded in PDF format.
Ensure the scan is high-quality, clear, and legible.
An efficiency trick: Think about the official reviewing your case; they don't want to sift through 20 pages of your daily expenses. Generally, the first page of each statement showing the key data is sufficient.
The 6 Most Common Rejection-Causing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
In our firm's experience, we have seen dozens of strong applications get rejected due to preventable errors. Attorney Camila Ocampo always insists on this point: the details make the difference between an approved and a denied visa. Here are the most common ones:
Mistake: The Wrong Language.
Problem: Submitting statements in German, French, or any other language without a translation.
Solution: If they aren't in English or Spanish, get a simple translation and attach it in the same PDF.
Mistake: The Incorrect Document.
Problem: Uploading a certificate from your employer or a credit card statement, thinking it's sufficient.
Solution: Only and exclusively, savings or checking account statements.
Mistake: The Name Doesn't Match (Account Holder).
Problem: The statement says "Alex J. Smith" but your passport says "Alexander John Smith."
Solution: Ensure the name is an exact match. If it's not, you may need a clarification letter from your bank.
Mistake: The Payer Doesn't Match.
Problem: The work letter is from "Global Tech Inc.," but the income on your bank statement comes from "Global Tech Payroll Services LLC" or a third party.
Solution: There must be an exact, crystal-clear match. If the payer is a subsidiary or a payroll service, your work letter must clearly explain this relationship to avoid a discrepancy that could lead to rejection.
Mistake: Insufficient or Inconsistent Income.
Problem: One month you earn $1,200, the next $800, and the other $1,500. You must prove you've earned at least this amount in each of the last three months.
Solution: Make sure EACH of the last three months exceeds the threshold of ~$969 USD. Stability is key.
Mistake: Poor Document Quality.
Problem: A blurry, cropped, or illegible PDF.
Solution: Double-check every file before uploading. If you can barely read it, the official will reject it outright.
Mistake: Income from Freelance Platforms or Trading.
Problem: You're a successful freelancer on platforms like Upwork/Fiverr or you earn money from stock or Crypto trading. You try using screenshots from your dashboards or wallets as proof of income.
Solution: The Cancillería does not recognize this as a Digital Nomad. The expert-level solution we use for our clients is to structure your finances professionally: create an LLC (Limited Liability Company) in the U.S. This LLC centralizes your earnings and pays you a fixed salary to your personal bank account. This way, you present the Cancillería with clean bank statements showing consistent income and a work letter from your own company, flawlessly meeting the requirements.
Beyond Bank Statements: The Full Picture
Once the proof of income is sorted out, it's natural for other key questions to arise. Here we address the most important one:
So, what about taxes?
A common concern is tax residency. The general rule in Colombia is that you become a tax resident if you stay in the country for more than 183 days within a 365-day period. This has significant implications that you should plan for. It's a complex topic that deserves its own analysis, but it's crucial to have it on your radar from the beginning.
Do you want your application to be perfect?
Navigating these rules can be a headache. There are nuances to every document, and the Cancillería's standards are very high. A small mistake can mean rejection and a loss of time and money.
Attorney Camila Ocampo and her team at ColombianPassport.com live and breathe these processes. We ensure that every document, especially your financial proofs, not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the Cancillería. Avoid the stress, potential rejections, and unnecessary delays.
The goal is simple: for you to get your visa without complications so you can start enjoying Colombia as soon as possible.