How to Move to Colombia From the US: A Practical Step-by-Step Checklist

The first time I looked up what it actually takes to move to Colombia from the US, I found fifteen different forum posts giving fifteen different answers. Some said you needed a lawyer for everything. Others said you could handle it all in a week. The truth is somewhere in the middle — and the order in which you do things matters more than most guides let on.

I've been through it and watched a lot of friends go through it too. The ones who struggled weren't missing information — they were missing a sequence. They'd arrive without a visa plan, try to open a bank account without a local address, or sign a year-long lease before they understood the neighborhood. This checklist is designed to prevent exactly that. If you want to see real-world options right now, you can browse apartments and houses on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

Here's the practical breakdown for Americans moving to Colombia: what to sort before you leave, what to handle when you land, and what can wait until you're actually settled.

Step 1: Pick Your City Before Anything Else

You'd be surprised how many people book a one-way ticket to Bogotá because that's where the international flights land — then realize six weeks later they want to be in Medellín. City choice affects everything: cost of living, climate, visa processing times (some consulates are faster), and how easy it is to build a social life.

The main four: Medellín for eternal spring weather and a huge expat scene; Bogotá for career opportunities and cultural depth; Cali for salsa culture and a lower cost of living; Cartagena for beach access and tourism energy, though it runs hot and humid year-round. Most first-time movers start in Medellín or Bogotá — you can always relocate once you're on the ground. This breakdown compares each city in detail.

Step 2: Sort Your Visa Strategy Before You Fly

Americans get 90 days visa-free on arrival, with the option to extend to 180 days in a calendar year. That's enough time to test the country — but not enough to call it home legally. If you're serious about staying, you need a plan for your visa category before you land, not after.

The most popular paths for Americans:

Digital Nomad Visa (V - Digital Nómada): Requires proof of remote income of at least $684/month USD (roughly 2.6x Colombia's minimum wage). Valid for 2 years. This is the fastest-growing option for remote workers. Full guide to the Colombia Digital Nomad Visa here.

Pensionado Visa: For retirees with pension or investment income above ~$750/month. Very straightforward to qualify for if you meet the income threshold.

Investment Visa: Investing roughly $27,000+ USD in Colombian real estate or a business qualifies you. Popular among those planning to buy property.

One thing most guides skip: start your visa application from the US if possible. The Cancillería online portal works fine, and getting approved before you arrive means you can start the cédula process immediately. Waiting until you're in Colombia doesn't save time — it just eats into your tourist days.

Step 3: Budget Your First Three Months Realistically

The golden rule: budget $5,000–$10,000 USD for your first 90 days, regardless of what you think your monthly budget will be. This covers one-time costs (visa fees $250–$600 depending on type, apartment deposit which is often 1-2 months, basic furniture, local SIM, shipping or storage), plus a cash buffer for the inevitable surprises — a delayed visa approval, a landlord who wants more upfront, a week in a hostel while your apartment falls through. Full breakdown of upfront vs ongoing costs here.

Before you leave the US, open a Charles Schwab checking account. It reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and has no foreign transaction fees. It's the single best card for pulling pesos out of Colombian ATMs at the real exchange rate, and it beats currency exchange counters by 3-5% consistently. Don't show up without it.

Step 4: Set Up Banking — Both Colombian and US-Side

You'll eventually want a Colombian bank account for paying rent, utilities, and local services. The problem: most Colombian banks require a cédula de extranjería (your foreign ID card), which you can only get after you have a migrant or resident visa. That means you typically can't open a full local account until you've been in-country for a few months.

In the meantime, ARQ Finance is a strong option for transferring larger sums from US accounts into Colombian pesos at competitive rates. Better than bank wire fees, and they handle the currency conversion more transparently than most services.

Once you have your cédula, Bancolombia and Davivienda are the most established options for foreigners. Nequi (owned by Bancolombia) works as a digital wallet even before you qualify for a full account — you can receive transfers and pay with QR codes from day one. Full guide to banking options for foreigners.

Step 5: Get Health Insurance Lined Up

Colombia requires proof of health insurance as part of the visa application, and some visa categories are strict about it. SafetyWing is the go-to for most expats in the first 6-12 months — it's affordable (around $50–$100/month depending on age), covers Colombia and travel to the US, and the application is online in minutes. Not perfect, but good enough to satisfy most visa requirements and handle routine care.

Once you're settled and have your cédula, switching to a Colombian prepagada (private health plan) makes more sense financially. You get access to private hospitals, specialists, and often dental at a fraction of US prices — plans run $150–$400/month depending on coverage and age. EPS vs Prepagada compared here.

Step 6: Find Housing the Right Way

Don't sign a long-term lease before spending at least two to four weeks in the city. Neighborhoods that look great on Google Maps can feel wrong the moment you're actually walking them. Book a furnished Airbnb or short-stay apartment for your first month, explore the neighborhoods on foot, and lock in a longer-term rental only once you know which barrio actually fits your life.

When you do rent long-term, expect to need a Colombian codeudor (guarantor) or pay several months upfront. Many landlords who rent to foreigners skip the guarantor requirement if you offer 3 months in advance — annoying, but common. Avoid anyone who insists on cash only for deposits with no paper trail. Avoiding gringo pricing and finding fair deals is its own skill.

Step 7: Get a Colombian SIM Card Immediately

This is a day-one task, not something to sort out later. Pick up a SIM at the airport or any Claro, Movistar, or Tigo store — you'll need it for two-factor authentication on every app you use, from banking to food delivery. Claro has the best rural coverage if you plan to travel outside major cities. Movistar and Tigo are competitive in Bogotá and Medellín. A basic prepaid plan with decent data runs $15–$25 USD/month.

If you want eSIM coverage before you land (good for the first few days), Saily offers affordable Colombia data plans. Full carrier comparison for Colombia here.

Step 8: Apply for Your Cédula de Extranjería

Once your migrant or resident visa is stamped, you have 15 business days to apply for your cédula de extranjería — Colombia's foreign ID card. Don't miss this window. The cédula is what unlocks everything: bank accounts, a Colombian phone contract, gym memberships, library cards, and countless services that require a local ID number.

You apply at a Migración Colombia office. Bring your passport, visa, two photos, and proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease works). Processing takes 1–4 weeks. Full cédula application guide with requirements and steps.

Don't Ignore the Tax Angle

The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income — full stop. Moving to Colombia doesn't change that. You still file a US return every year, and if you have more than $10,000 in foreign bank accounts at any point, you need to file an FBAR. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude roughly $126,500 in foreign-earned income from US taxes for 2024, but you still have to file. Don't assume moving abroad makes you invisible to the IRS.

On the Colombian side: if you spend more than 183 days in Colombia in a calendar year, you become a Colombian tax resident and owe Colombian tax on your worldwide income too. Most expats in the first year are fine — but long-termers need to think about this. The 183-day rule explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Do Americans need a visa to move to Colombia?

Americans can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days, with an extension available to 180 days per year. To stay longer or live there legally, you need a migrant visa — options include the Digital Nomad Visa, Pensionado Visa, or investment-based visa. You apply through Colombia's Cancillería website or a Colombian consulate.

❓ How much money do I need to move to Colombia from the US?

Budget $5,000–$10,000 USD for your first 90 days to cover one-time costs (visa fees, deposits, setup expenses) plus a buffer for surprises. After that, monthly costs vary by city and lifestyle — $1,500–$2,500/month covers a comfortable life in Medellín for most Americans.

❓ Can I move to Colombia without speaking Spanish?

Yes, plenty of people do — especially in Medellín's El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods, where expat infrastructure is thick. That said, Spanish opens up better apartment deals, deeper friendships, and a much richer experience. Even basic Spanish gets you surprisingly far. Take lessons once you arrive; it's cheap and fast in Colombia.

❓ How long can Americans stay in Colombia without a visa?

90 days on a single entry, with the option to extend to 180 days per calendar year (not per entry). You don't need to leave and re-enter to get the extension — you apply through Migración Colombia online or in person. Once you hit 180 days, you must leave the country or be in violation.

❓ Can I work in Colombia as an American?

Working for a Colombian employer requires a work visa (Visa M - Trabajador). Working remotely for a foreign employer is covered by the Digital Nomad Visa. Working as a freelancer serving international clients is a gray area — most expats do it under tourist status or a digital nomad visa, but the legal safest path is the nomad visa if you plan to stay more than 90 days.

Ready to Make the Move?

The checklist above covers the main sequence — but Colombia has a steep-enough learning curve that it helps to talk to people who've done it. Head over to colombiamove.com/comunidad to ask questions, get neighborhood recommendations, or just lurk the conversations from people already living here. The expat community in Colombia is genuinely helpful — take advantage of it.

If you're narrowing down where to land first, check out our city-by-city guides. Medellín, Bogotá, Cali, and Cartagena each have their own personality — and the right fit depends a lot on what you're actually looking for from the move.