Visa guide · Americas

Colombia Work Visa for Teaching English (M Trabajador, formerly TP-4)

Colombia's employer-sponsored work visa (Migrante M, subcategory Trabajador, which replaced the old TP-4). Tied to one employer and one role.

Colombia's current employer-sponsored work visa is the Migrante (M) visa, subcategory Trabajador. TP-4 is a historical label that still appears in older guides and job ads. Check the current Cancillería requirements rather than relying on that older label. The M Trabajador visa is for foreigners who will work for a Colombian legal entity under an employment contract, such as a university, an institute or a school. The permission to work is limited to the position, entity and activity it was granted for.

What you need

  • 1A contract summary on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' form, signed by the employer's legal representative and by you
  • 2A motivation letter from the employer covering your suitability, your duties and why the post is not filled by a Colombian citizen
  • 3Employer bank statements or certificates showing the income level the resolution sets for sponsoring employers (the employer's requirement, not yours)
  • 4For a non-regulated profession: your degree, apostilled or legalised and translated, or work and experience certificates that support your suitability
  • 5A valid passport and the other general documents the Cancillería lists for any visa application

The process

  1. Step 1

    1. Secure a contract with a Colombian legal entity

    Universities, institutes, bilingual schools and companies can sponsor. Many small language schools do not sponsor, so ask early whether the employer has sponsored a foreign teacher before.

  2. Step 2

    2. Employer and you prepare the file

    Your employer completes the contract summary and motivation letter; you supply your own documents. The exact list is on the Cancillería site, and the Ministry decides each application.

  3. Step 3

    3. Apply through the Cancillería

    Applications are filed through the Cancillería's online system. Teachers commonly report a few weeks; the Ministry publishes no guaranteed timeline.

  4. Step 4

    4. Register your foreigner ID

    A visa valid for more than three months is registered with Migración Colombia, which issues the cédula de extranjería. Check the registration deadline printed on your visa.

Common questions

Is the TP-4 still the current Colombian work visa?

No. TP-4 was the label under the old rules. The current category is Migrante (M) Trabajador; use the current Cancillería requirements. Older guides and job ads still say TP-4.

Can I use the Digital Nomad visa to teach in Colombia?

Not for work with people or companies in Colombia. The Digital Nomad (V) visa is for remote work for foreign companies, and the resolution states it does not allow paid activity with a legal or natural person domiciled in Colombia. Teaching Colombian students or institutes, including private classes, is local paid work and needs the right work authorisation. Check your own situation with the Cancillería or a Colombian immigration lawyer.

Can I teach on a tourist stay?

Tourist entry does not authorise paid local work. Employers who tell you otherwise are taking a risk that falls on you as well as them.

Can I save money in Colombia?

Many teachers report breaking even or saving a modest amount each month in Bogotá or Medellín. These are market impressions, not official figures. Cost of living is low; pay is also low.

Country guide

Teach English in Colombia

Booming demand, low cost of living, growing tech-economy classes.

See the full Colombia guide →

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