Visitor & Digital nomad
For remote work from Colombia, extended tourism, business or medical treatment. Up to 2 years.
See details →
Immigration lawyer · Bogotá
Visas in Bogotá, for professionals and companies.
Bogotá is Colombia's capital and home to the visa authority (Cancillería). I'm Margarita Sañudo, a Colombian-British lawyer helping foreigners and companies in Bogotá with work, business, spouse and residency visas, 100% online, in English and Spanish.
- Licensed lawyer in Colombia · MBA
- Colombian-British dual national
- Law professor & Law Program Director
- Bilingual service ES / EN
- Experience in business & international law
- Certified experience in Colombian immigration law
Services
Every visa, a clear path
I help you choose the right category and file a solid application, so you don't lose time or money on paperwork done wrong.
Work visa
My strong suit: backed by my labor-law master's, for employees and employers who need to get it right.
See details →Spouse visa
For spouses or permanent partners of Colombian citizens. Open work permit and a path to residency.
See details →Mercosur & Andean Community
For nationals of Mercosur Agreement and Andean Community countries (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia) looking to settle in Colombia. Streamlined routes, handled with proven experience.
See details →Residency & Citizenship
Once you've put down roots: permanent residency, foreigner ID card and Colombian citizenship applications.
For Employers
For foreign companies and entrepreneurs: work visas, company formation, contracts, trademark & IP registration, and labor and immigration compliance, all in one place.
Also: appeals for denials or inadmissibility · extensions · registration with Migración Colombia.
Service
Work visa (Type M)
For foreigners hired under an employment contract by a Colombian company. It grants a work permit and counts toward residency (Art. 74, Resolution 5477 of 2022).
Main requirements
- Valid passport (min. 6 months, 2 blank pages).
- Contract summary form (Ministry format), signed by the company and by you.
- Employer's motivation letter: your role, your suitability, and why the position isn't filled by a Colombian.
- Company bank statements (last 4 months) showing average income of 100 monthly minimum wages.
- Apostilled, translated professional degree; for regulated professions, the professional council's license.
Every case is different. The Ministry may request extra documents or clarifications; responding well to those is where having a lawyer matters most.
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
- Work permit
- Yes · role & employer
- Counts toward residency
- 5 years
- Processing time
- Up to 30 days
This is where my focus on labor & immigration law makes the difference: the company must show income of 100 monthly minimum wages, justify why it isn't hiring a Colombian, and meet its reporting duties before Migración Colombia and the Ministry of Labor. I build that file so it holds up.
Ask about my case
Service
Spouse visa (Type M)
For foreigners married to a Colombian citizen who wish to live with their spouse in the country. It grants an open work permit and counts toward residency (Art. 67). For a de-facto union, the permanent-partner visa applies, with different conditions (see note).
Main requirements
- Certified copy of the Colombian marriage certificate, issued within the prior 3 months.
- Letter from the Colombian spouse stating you live together, with their contact details and a copy of their ID.
- Special power of attorney with content and signature acknowledged before a notary or Colombian consul.
- Migration movements certificate (yours and your spouse's), issued by Migración Colombia.
- Valid passport, application form and photo per the Ministry's rules.
A well-written letter and well-organized evidence make the difference between approval and a requirement. This visa is also the most direct path to Colombian citizenship by marriage; I guide you through that step too.
- Validity
- Up to 3 years
- Work permit
- Open
- Counts toward residency
- 3 years
- Processing time
- Up to 30 days
The key is proving a genuine relationship; the Ministry may request extra evidence or an interview, and divorce or separation ends the visa. For a de-facto union (permanent partner), it must be formalized over a year earlier and the first visa is granted for 1 year.
Ask about my case
Service
Digital nomad visa (Type V)
To perform remote work from Colombia exclusively for foreign companies (as an employee or freelancer), or to start a digital venture of interest to the country (Art. 46).
Main requirements
- Passport from a country exempt from short-stay visas.
- Letter (in Spanish or English) from the foreign company stating your relationship and pay, or a contract; or proof you're a partner in a company abroad.
- Entrepreneurs: a motivation letter on the project and the resources you have.
- Bank statements showing minimum income of 3 monthly minimum wages over the last 3 months.
- Health insurance covering you in Colombia for the stay.
Important: this visa does not authorize employment with a Colombian company. It's for income earned abroad. If you'll work for a local company, the work visa is the right route.
- Validity
- Up to 2 years
- Work permit
- Abroad only
- Dependents
- Yes, your family
- Processing time
- Up to 30 days
It's one of the fastest and most affordable visas, ideal for testing life in Colombia. I help you file it without missteps.
Ask about my case
Service
Mercosur & Andean Community
For nationals of the Mercosur Residence Agreement and Associates (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile and associates) or the Andean Migration Statute (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru). Fast residency routes with an open work permit (Art. 71 & 72).
Main requirements
- Passport valid at least 6 months, from a member country.
- Image of your entry stamp, or migration card if you're in Colombia.
- Criminal records from countries you lived in over the last 3–5 years, apostilled and translated.
- A letter stating your intent to reside and your means of support.
The exact route and requirements vary by nationality and applicable agreement. In the diagnosis I confirm which one gives you the most benefits and fewest requirements.
- Validity
- 2 years (one-time)
- Work permit
- Open
- Counts toward residency
- 2 years
- Processing time
- Up to 30 days
I have hands-on experience filing Mercosur visas, so I know where applications tend to stall and how to avoid it.
Ask about my case
How it works
Four steps, zero guesswork
01
Diagnosis
I study your case and tell you the right visa and exactly what you need.
02
Preparation
We build a solid file: documents, letters and translations in order.
03
Filing
I file with the Ministry and respond to any requirements.
04
Follow-through
I stay with you through approval, registration and your foreigner ID.
About me
Margarita Sañudo
I'm Margarita Sañudo, a Colombian-British lawyer and international legal consultant. For over a decade I've helped foreign entrepreneurs, companies and investors enter and grow with confidence in the Colombian market. My work is fully client-centric: clarity, fast response and a flawless process from start to finish.
- International legal consultant · company formation, contracts, trademarks & IP.
- MBA and a master's in progress in labor & immigration law.
- Professor of commercial & international law (IP, patents & copyright).
- University leadership: General Secretary, Director of Legal Affairs & Governance, and Director of the Law Program.
- Legal interpreter & translator · bilingual EN / ES service.
- Hands-on experience with work, spouse, digital nomad, Mercosur, investor visas and more.
Testimonials
What my clients say
Margarita is the best immigration attorney — a native Colombian who speaks perfect English. Over the past two years she's helped me with several visas to keep living in this beautiful country. I promise you'll be completely satisfied.
Josh
Digital nomad · Florida, USA
Margarita has been with us since we incorporated the company, handling the work-visa process for our US agents based in Colombia. Reliable, precise and a true partner for our operation.
Infinity
Company · Work visas
Margarita guided me through my spouse visa and later my permanent residency in Colombia. Everything was clear, professional and handled end to end. I couldn't recommend her more.
Charles Webb
Spouse visa & residency
After wasting time and money with other agents, Margarita solved everything. She processed the Mercosur visa for me and my partner — both from Argentina — quickly and with no headaches. I only wish I'd found her first.
Luciana
Argentina · Mercosur visa
Pricing
Start wherever you are
Clear pricing, no fine print. The diagnosis fee is credited if you later hire the full service.
Migration diagnosis
from COP 250,000 / USD 60
A personalized session: I assess your case, identify the right visa and hand you a step-by-step guide.
Write to meFull visa service
from COP 1,700,000 + VAT · ~USD 450
Full preparation and filing of your visa, response to requirements and support through the entire process until approval. The final fee depends on your case.
Request a quoteFor Employers
tailored
For companies hiring foreigners: work visas and ongoing labor and immigration compliance.
Let's talkThe service fee covers my professional support throughout the whole process. It does not include the visa study or issuance fees charged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor the foreigner ID (cédula de extranjería) with Migración Colombia; those are paid separately to the State. The amount in US dollars is approximate and varies with the exchange rate. If you took the migration diagnosis and decide to proceed, I credit it toward the full service.
FAQ
What people ask most
Do I need a lawyer for a visa?
It's not mandatory, but as a lawyer I review and handle the entire process from start to finish, so your application is flawless and you avoid denials or re-dos.
Do you work with clients abroad?
Yes. The whole process can be virtual and the application is filed online with the Ministry. I work in both Spanish and English.
Do you guarantee approval?
No, and be wary of anyone who promises it: approval is at the Government's discretion. What I do guarantee is a technically flawless application that maximizes your chances.
How long does a visa take?
The Ministry usually responds within 30 calendar days, depending on the visa type. Prep time depends on how complete your documents are.
Contact
Tell me your case. I reply within 24 hours.
Book your diagnosis or message me directly. The first step toward your life in Colombia starts with good advice.
Write to me directly
Tell me your case and I'll reply within 24 hours.