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 that 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.
If you are interested in working in Medellin, then it is worth first considering if the experience you have in your home country is in demand here in Colombia.
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 24.3% 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 over 17 years ago I easily found work teaching English in a private bilingual English school in Envigado. Today, expectations in regards to teacher experience are 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 to 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.
Working in Medellin as a teacher can be a lot of fun, help you to connect with the community, and potentially may be enough to really enjoy your time in the city. The holidays are great too and you can use those to explore the rest of the country.
Finding a Job in Medellin
Challenges of securing employment before arrival
The biggest challenge if you plan on working in Medellin 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 that 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 working in Medellin has increased significantly, increasing competition for certain roles.
Essentially, if your main language is English you have a valued skill that can help set you apart, but only for the roles that specifically 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 have been 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 staying 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 that 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 and then ask the boss to do them a favor and give you a chance is obviously very useful.
If you plan on working in Medellin, then put yourself out there and take a proactive approach.
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 that had 6 or 7 players who were all working in Medellin for the same Dutch technology company.
There are also recruitment, investment, and entrepreneur events here in Colombia that 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 is 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.
When working in Medellin, you may also have to get used to a more relaxed atmosphere. There is a stereotype that Colombians are not the best at time keepin,g and you have to learn to go with the flow if things don’t happen as was initially planned.
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 taxes, and work for an overseas employer. You can not work for a Colombian company with a nomad visa. This can be a great option if your plan is working in Medellin for an overseas employer or independently.
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 within 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$55 when submitting the application for review and then US$271 when approved. Following this, you will need to get a cedula (ID card), and with that you can open a bank account in Medellin.
Employer’s role in sponsoring expat visas
A registered Colombian company will need to sponsor the visa and declare that it 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.
