Moving to Colombia Checklist — Everything You Need to Do Before You Move
The complete moving to Colombia checklist — visas, banking, housing, insurance, documents and everything else you need to sort before you move. Step by step, nothing missed.
Moving to Colombia is one of the best decisions you can make — but only if you prepare properly. The expats who struggle in their first few months are almost always the ones who skipped steps in their pre-move preparation.
This checklist covers everything: what to do 6 months out, 3 months out, 1 month out, and in your first week on the ground. Work through it in order and you will arrive prepared.
Quick Stats
Items on this list
47
Avg. prep time
3–6 months
Most missed step
Health insurance
Biggest mistake
No emergency fund
6 Months Before You Move
Visas & Legal
Research which visa you need
Tourist visa, digital nomad, pensionado, or investor. Each has different requirements and timelines. Read our complete Colombia visa guide to decide.
Start gathering documents
Passport (must be valid 6+ months beyond your intended stay), birth certificate, criminal background check. Many require apostille and Spanish translation — this takes months.
Apostille your documents
Contact your state's Secretary of State office or the federal government for FBI background checks. Allow 8–12 weeks for the full process.
Find a certified translator
Your documents need official Spanish translation by a certified translator recognized by the Colombian consulate.
Apply for your visa
Apply online at cancilleria.gov.co. Processing takes 2–6 weeks. Do this with plenty of buffer before your planned move date.
Money & Banking
Open a fee-free US bank account
SoFi, Charles Schwab, or Remitly — accounts with no foreign transaction fees and free international ATM withdrawals. This alone saves hundreds per year.
Build your emergency fund
Have at minimum 3 months of living expenses saved beyond your move budget. Colombia surprises everyone with unexpected costs in month one.
Research Colombia banking
You will eventually want a Colombian bank account. Read our guide to the best banks in Colombia for foreigners to understand what you will need.
Set up international transfers
Register with ARQ or Remitly for moving money between your home country account and Colombia at real exchange rates.
💳 Pro Tip: Open Schwab Before You Leave
The Schwab Investor Checking Account is easier to open while you still have a US address. Once you're in Colombia, you can withdraw pesos from any ATM fee-free — Schwab reimburses all ATM charges worldwide.
3 Months Before You Move
Housing
Research neighborhoods
El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, Sabaneta — each has a different vibe, price point, and lifestyle. Read our neighborhood guide before committing to any area.
Book short-term accommodation for arrival
Do not sign a long-term lease from abroad. Book 4–6 weeks of accommodation to arrive, explore, and choose your neighborhood before committing.
Join expat Facebook groups
Expats in Medellín, Digital Nomads Colombia, Moving to Colombia. These groups are where apartments get posted first and where real advice comes from.
Understand lease requirements
Most Colombian landlords require a codeudor (Colombian guarantor) or 2–3 months deposit upfront for foreigners. Budget for this.
🛡️
Travel Insurance — Required for Colombia Visas
SafetyWing is the go-to travel insurance for expats in Colombia. Affordable monthly plans starting at $45, solid coverage, and required for most visa applications.
Dental, vision, and general health. Treat anything that needs treating before you leave — it's cheaper and easier at home for major procedures.
Get travel/expat health insurance
Required for most Colombian visas. SafetyWing offers affordable monthly plans that satisfy visa requirements and cover you on arrival.
Bring 3–6 months of prescription medications
Some medications are hard to find or require a Colombian prescription. Bring enough to get settled before finding a local doctor.
Get vaccinated if needed
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you plan to visit certain rural areas. Hepatitis A/B if not already vaccinated.
1 Month Before You Move
Notify your US bank of your move
Avoid having your card blocked for suspicious activity when you land. Tell them you are relocating internationally.
Download essential apps
Google Maps (download Medellín offline), WhatsApp, Uber, InDriver, Google Translate, Duolingo, and your bank's mobile app.
Get an unlocked phone or plan
Get an unlocked phone for a local SIM, or grab a Saily eSIM before you fly — Colombia plans start at ~$4 and you'll have data the second you land. No SIM card hunting at the airport.
Sort your taxes
Understand your tax obligations in both your home country and Colombia before you move. US citizens must file taxes regardless of where they live. Consult a tax professional.
Notify relevant institutions
Update your address with the IRS, Social Security, banks, and any pension providers. Give a trusted person power of attorney if needed.
Digitize all important documents
Scan and store passport, visa, birth certificate, diplomas, and medical records in encrypted cloud storage.
Book your flights
One-way tickets give maximum flexibility. Major airlines fly direct to Medellín (Bogotá), Cartagena, and Bogotá from most US hubs.
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Your First Week in Colombia
Get a local SIM card
Day 1. Claro, Movistar, or Tigo. Claro has the best coverage nationwide. Available at any carrier store or many shops in the airport.
Register with your embassy
Day 1–2. Register online with your country's embassy in Colombia. If an emergency happens, they will know you are in the country.
Open a Nequi account
Day 1–3. Download the Nequi app, enter your passport or cédula, and you have a Colombian digital wallet within 10 minutes. Essential for local payments.
Apply for your cédula de extranjería
Within 15 days of entering Colombia on a qualifying visa, you must apply for your cédula at Migración Colombia. Book the appointment on Day 1.
Explore your neighborhood on foot
Spend the first few days walking every block of your neighborhood. Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy, ATM, and café. This grounds you faster than anything else.
Find a local doctor
Ask your building's portero or expat Facebook groups for a recommended general practitioner nearby. Have one identified before you need one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚩
Signing a long-term lease before arriving
You have no idea what neighborhood you actually want to live in until you have spent time there. Always do short-term first.
🚩
Underestimating setup costs
First month costs 2–3x your normal monthly budget. Deposits, furniture, setup fees, and unexpected expenses add up fast.
🚩
Not learning any Spanish
Even basic Spanish transforms your experience. Locals respond completely differently to someone making an effort.
🚩
Bringing too much
Shipping is expensive. Colombia has almost everything you need. Bring what you cannot replace, buy the rest here.
Essential Apps for Life in Colombia
App
What It Does
Priority
WhatsApp
Everything in Colombia runs on WhatsApp — landlords, doctors, restaurants, businesses
🔴 Essential
Nequi / Daviplata
Colombian digital wallet for local payments
🔴 Essential
Uber / InDriver
Ride-hailing apps. InDriver is often cheaper
🔴 Essential
Google Maps
Navigation — download Medellín offline before arrival
❓ How far in advance should I start planning my move to Colombia?
Start at least 3 to 6 months before your planned move date. Visa applications can take 4 to 8 weeks, getting documents apostilled takes time, and you'll need to sort out housing, healthcare, and finances. If you need an FBI background check for your visa, add another 2 to 4 weeks for processing.
❓ Do I need to speak Spanish before moving to Colombia?
No, but it will significantly improve your experience. In Medellín and Bogotá you can get by with basic Spanish for day-to-day tasks, and many expat-facing services operate in English. However, for dealing with immigration, banking, healthcare, and landlords, even intermediate Spanish makes a huge difference. Most expats recommend starting lessons before you arrive and continuing after you land.
❓ What documents do I need to move to Colombia?
At minimum you need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining. For a visa, you will typically need an apostilled FBI background check, proof of income or investment, health insurance, passport-sized photos, and a completed visa application. Some visas also require a specific motivation letter or proof of qualifications. All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
🇨🇴 Trabajo Colombia
Bolsa de empleo y servicios gratuita para Colombia. Publica o encuentra oportunidades en Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena y más.
Before you leave, set up a virtual mailbox so you don't lose access to US mail. I use Traveling Mailbox — it gives you a real US street address, scans your mail, and lets you deposit checks remotely. Plans start at $15/month. Read my full review here.
📖 Keep Reading
Setting Up Utilities in Colombia — Complete guide to electricity, water, gas, internet & phone. What the estrato system means for your bills.
🇨🇴
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