Colombia: Your Gateway To Global Growth

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Map of Colombia

Population

52,886,363

Country Capital

Bogotá

Country Risk Index

Medium

Languages

Spanish

Currency

Colombian Peso (COP)

Colombia - Business Insights

What are the average working hours in Colombia?

– The maximum working hours in Colombia are 44 hours per week .

Read more: Infographic: Working Hours In Latin America By Country 2025

What is the minimum wage in Colombia?

– The minimum wage in Colombia is of COP 1,423,500 (US$ 340.85 aprox.) in 2025.

What are the mandatory onboarding documents when hiring new employees in Colombia?

The onboarding documents for new employees in Colombia can include:

  • National ID card or passport
  • Work visa or residence permit
  • Social security number (SSN) or equivalent
  • Tax identification number (TIN)
  • Bank account details
  • Academic certificates and diplomas
  • Previous employment references or experience letters
  • Medical exam

How much is the average annual bonus in Colombia?

Mandatory “Prima de Servicios” (13th salary) under Art. 306 CST.

Equal to one month’s salary.

Paid in two parts: half in June, half in December.

What types of work permits and visas are required in Colombia?

Initial Process:

  • Visa application on Ministry of Foreign Affairs site → Visa issuance → Foreigner ID.

Documents:

  • Photo, passport, degree, work certificates, justification letter, employer bank statements, job contract.

Fees:

  • Application: $54 USD; Issuance: $270 USD.

Processing Time: ~30 calendar days.

Renewal: Treated as new application (no streamlined process).

Family: Requires apostilled marriage/birth certificates, translated.

What are the mandatory employee leaves in Colombia?

Annual leave

Entitlement: 15 working days per year.

Eligibility: After 1 year.

Maternity Leave

  • 18 weeks total (1–2 pre + 16–17 post).
  • Extensions for premature/multiple births or disabilities.
  • 100% salary paid; medical certificate required.

Paternity Leave

  • 2 weeks.
  • Shared parental leave option: 6 weeks shareable after mother takes 12.

Adoption Leave

  • 12 weeks for adoptive parents (100% salary).

Lactation Leave

  • Two 30-min breaks per day for 6 months.

Abortion Leave

  • 2–4 weeks with medical certificate.

Colombia

Service provided

BPO and EOR

3

countries covered

5-400

workers per project

100%

compliance with safety laws

<30

days’ workforce scaling

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Service provided

Employer of record

20+

employees relocated

5

countries covered

100%

compliance with local laws

0

entity setup required

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Service provided

Recruitment process outsourcing

3

company areas filled

100%

regional compliance

<30

days special hiring turnaround

0

recruitment risks

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Service provided

Employer of record

5

countries covered

$150k

saved on entity setup

100%

compliant hiring

0

legal risks

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Service provided

PPO and EOR

+1,500

employees

100%

error-free salary and tax calculations

$9.7

billion industry

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Service provided

Employer of record

<15

days for recruitment

$103

billion industry

0

payroll management risks

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