Colombia is quickly becoming a hugely popular destination for expats to settle and work. The tourism tagline was once “the only risk is wanting to stay” and today more visitors than ever are deciding they want to make this amazing country their home.
I came to visit in 2008 and quickly decided that I wanted to come back to stay. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to call Colombia my home and I have built a life which allows me to make the most of living in my favorite city Medellin.
In this article I will share my experience finding a job, getting my visa, working in the country and discuss some of the opportunities available.
Job Market in Colombia
Industries with high expat employment: IT, mining, construction, tourism
Colombia is a country with a growing and increasingly diverse economy. New industries and companies have established offices and operations in the country bringing a growing demand for English speakers or experts with international experience.
Mining has and continues to be an important part of the economy, generating employment all over the country. Engineers who can help to manage operations and lead innovations will be valued as well as those who can help lead efforts to grow exports. Construction runs alongside this, with major projects to build housing, road and rail transport ongoing.
In cities such as Medellin many local and international companies have set up call centers and technology centers. Expertise from international workers and an ability to connect with overseas clients is key.
Finally, tourism in Colombia has grown 22% since 2022. Companies are always looking for staff who can speak to visitors in English and other languages. This means there are always openings in hotels, hostels, tour companies, tourist venues, sales and marketing.
Focus on English-language teaching opportunities
If you have experience and / or qualifications as an English teacher then you will have plenty of options here in Colombia. When I arrived 15 years ago I easily found work teaching English in a private bi-lingual English school in Envigado. Today expectations in regards to teacher experience is higher and there are more candidates but the number of openings has also increased.
You can work in a public or private high school or university as an English teacher. Private institutes pay much more and offer additional benefits, such as return flights and more planning time. Across the country there are also bilingual schools which means you may be able to teach a subject you have academic experience with in English. The same applies for some university courses.
English language institutes and academies are another option. This could be teaching a group of adults or children, teaching private classes or potentially teaching employees at a company. This role may be paid per hour or with a fixed monthly salary. If the institute is sponsoring your visa they may have to agree to a monthly salary with bonuses depending on the hours worked.
Job market centers: Bogotá and Medellín
You will find the most opportunities in the huge capital of Bogotá or in Colombia’s second city Medellín. Medellín has become known for its growing tech industry and innovation while Bogotá is one of the biggest cities in South America, with a bit of everything.
It is in these cities where there are the most opportunities but also the most competition. If you have skills and qualifications you should be able to take your pick but there will be more candidates.
If you go to a smaller city and you can offer something different, then you might find good options. There will be fewer international companies but, for example, if you are a native, qualified English teacher you may be high in demand in a medium sized town.
Finding a Job in Colombia
Challenges of securing employment before arrival
The biggest challenge in regards to finding work in Colombia is that in most instances you need a visa to get a job and you need a job to get a visa. Finding a company to sponsor and guarantee you for a work visa can be difficult unless you have exceptional qualifications or experience to justify that.
If you are applying for work as an English teacher as a native speaker with good qualifications and experience it won’t be an issue. You will have some advantages over local applicants who would be cheaper and easier for the company to employ. If you are applying for a position which will have many qualified, local candidates then it can be more difficult.
Over the last decade many international companies and in particular call centers have opened in Colombia. While there have been strong efforts to improve English levels in the country and many people now have some English, very few have working level proficiency. The number of foreigners looking for work in Colombia has also increased but is still less competitive than Spanish language roles.
Essentially, if your main language is English you have a valued skill which can help set you apart but only for the roles which require it.
Importance of face-to-face interactions in Colombian job culture
Knocking on doors and meeting with potential employers in person is very important in Colombia. While in recent years more positions are advertised online and agencies have become increasingly important, personal relationships and endorsements are key.
If you want a company to sponsor your visa and take responsibility if you do something illegal or get into trouble, then it is important to establish trust. They need to know you are committed to stay with the company for more than just a few months and that you will be a valuable, reliable employee. If they are sponsoring your visa then you will be more expensive and require more paperwork than a Colombian candidate.
The interview process in Colombia for certain jobs can also be quite extensive. I worked in a private secondary school which paid well, covered flight costs and sponsored visas for foreign teachers. The process included 3 separate interviews plus a written and in person psychological assessment. Your success will often require more than meeting the job requirements and ticking the right boxes.
Depending on the type of work, I would strongly recommend a direct approach. Obviously if it is a very large company there will be processes to follow but aside from that, be bold. If you want a job as an English teacher then print your CV on some nice paper, put it in a folder and walk into the English school.
If you are lucky, then the boss will be there and you can discuss your experience directly. If not then leave your CV and they will feel more obliged to get back to you, given you have made the effort. While it is not permitted in many countries, it is still common to include a headshot photo in the top right corner of your CV.
Utilizing social media and professional networks for job hunting
For more corporate roles, I have found Linkedin can be a very good way to search for roles. It is still the case that it is mostly foreign focused companies which are most active on the platform but I have seen and applied for many positions on Linkedin. I have found Colombia to be a country where senior management is quite receptive, so you can always try to reach out directly.
If a manager passes your CV to HR to review, then you know they will take your application seriously.
Personal connections are key in Colombia and people value the recommendations of friends and colleagues. Having someone who can vouch for you then ask the boss to do them a favor and give you a chance is obviously very useful.
Role of expat communities in job search
If, for example, you are a native English speaker then getting support from other native English speakers can be very useful. There is a good chance they will work for or with companies that employ English speakers. This could be a call center, an international business, an English language school, a hotel or a company working in tourism.
At one point I was playing in a football team which had 6 or 7 players who all worked for the same Dutch technology company here in Medellin.
There are also recruitment, investment and entrepreneur events here in Colombia which invite local and international business leaders. Again, this can be a great way to find opportunities and connect with influential employers.
Language and Cultural Considerations
Necessity of Spanish fluency in the job market
If you don’t speak fluent Spanish then this will mean the number of suitable jobs available will be significantly reduced. If speaking Spanish is a requirement for the job and you don’t then there is no reason to employ you over a Colombian.
If you have a position where the language isn’t a necessary part of your job, such as working at an English language call center or as an English teacher, then a working level of Spanish is a big plus.
I worked in a bilingual school and a university where most people spoke at least a decent level of English. If they wanted to discuss something, then in most instances doing so in English would be fine. That said, some members of staff didn’t speak English and a good number of the parents. Also meetings and events were almost entirely in Spanish. These institutions are set up to make it possible for non-Spanish speakers to do their job but my integration into the group and contribution was enhanced by being able to follow and communicate.
Cultural nuances in Colombian workplaces
Often the environment in Colombian offices is very warm and friendly. There is usually an effort to arrange activities outside of work, such as dinners and sports teams, and people generally socialize with their colleagues. To some extent there is an expectation that you participate and build good relationships with colleagues.
For example, the office may play “amigo secreto” where everyone gets drawn the name of a colleague at random and they are expected to buy them a gift within an agreed budget. Something very similar to “secret santa” in other countries.
I worked in an office in London and thankfully in Colombia there isn’t the same expectation to work regularly outside of your contracted hours. Of course if there is an important project then maybe there is extra work to do but in general if you finish at 6 then you can leave at 6. People in Colombia value their free time and this is respected in most work environments.
Finally, Colombians have a reputation for always being late. Some Colombians would never be intentionally late and would be offended by the idea but there is a lot of truth to the claim. If the meeting is scheduled at 4pm then be prepared for it to actually start at 4.30pm or 5pm.
Coming from England that feels unacceptable and disrespectful but I have been here long enough to go with the flow. You should always aim to be on time but be prepared to wait and know that disrespect isn’t intended. Just go with it and eventually you will find yourself turning up late too and not overly stressing about it.
I know if I arrive 5 minutes late for a football match that I will be the first there.
Adjusting to the local work culture and pace
There are of course differences around the country in terms of pace of work. In the coast where the weather can be particularly warm, the perception is that everything moves more slowly. This is understandable so don’t necessarily expect everything to happen with great urgency.
This is of course a generalization and every workplace will be different.
In my experience people often work at a steady, focused pace, when possible, preferring to chip away at what needs to be done consistently rather than panicking and rushing to finish. The expectation is generally, if you are fulfilling your role then the company is happy. This shouldn’t be too hard to adjust to but every business is different.
In terms of connecting with colleagues, I would strongly suggest greeting everyone when you arrive and saying goodbye when you leave. This is appreciated and can be expected. Make an effort to be friendly and sociable, people will quickly warm to you.
When I play football sometimes I fail to shake everybody’s hand when I arrive and when I leave which some Colombians interpret as being a bit grumpy and aloof.
Work Permits and Visas
Overview of visa types for working in Colombia
As mentioned above, getting a visa to work in Colombia is often the most difficult part of the process. The work visa requires a contract and guarantees from a registered and recognized Colombian company. The visa will state which company is sponsoring you whilst in the country and if you change employer you should get a new visa.
It is also possible to work in Colombia if you have residency, which can be acquired after 5 consecutive years in the country, or you have a partner visa. The partner visa can be granted if you are married to a Colombian or living together in a long-term relationship.
Since 2022 there has also been a digital nomad visa but this only allows you to stay in Colombia, pay tax and work for an overseas employer. You can not work for a Colombian company with a nomad visa.
Process and documentation required for work visas
You will need to apply and receive the work visa overseas then enter the country and receive a passport stamp. This means you can return to your home country, apply before traveling or go to a Colombian embassy in a nearby country.
When I received my work visa I went to Quito for 5 days while the process was completed.
To receive the work visa you will need to provide the following:
- 2 passport photos (3×3) with a white background
- Work contract, signed and authenticated by a Colombian notary
- Certificate of existence of the company providing employment issues with 3 months of the application
- Relevant certificates to show you are suitably qualified to fulfill the role
- A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages
You have to pay US$50 when submitting the application for review and then US$205 when approved. Following this you will need to get a cedula (ID card) and with that you can open a bank account.
Employer’s role in sponsoring expat visas
A registered Colombian company will need to sponsor the visa and declare they will take responsibility for you while you are in the country. If you break the law then they will be contacted and may be liable for the costs of returning you to your country of origin.
I have found that some small companies are quite happy to provide the paperwork needed if I take responsibility for the process while larger companies will have experience in arranging everything. Sometimes it can be the medium-sized companies who are most reluctant as they don’t want to deal with any problems, don’t want to hand over responsibility to you and don’t have staff experienced in the process.