Singaporeans in Colombia 2026: Health Plan, Visa M and Taxes

In January 2025, Wei Ling Tan, a 38-year-old product director from Singapore, moved to Bogotá when her company went fully remote. Singapore had become expensive for a family of three; Colombia's cost of living — about 30% of Singapore's for comparable housing — made the move financially obvious. What she had not researched was the health insurance requirement. Her MediShield Life coverage was, as the CPF Board website confirmed, valid only in Singapore. Her company's group insurance, provided by a Singapore-licensed insurer, had no Colombian presence either. CoVisas Colombia identified the right plan for her Visa M in three days.

Singapore–Colombia: no double taxation agreement

Singapore and Colombia have not signed an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation. Singapore's tax system is territorial: the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) taxes non-residents only on Singapore-source income, and residents are taxed on Singapore-source income plus foreign income remitted to Singapore (with certain exemptions under Section 13(8) of the ITA for income from foreign business activities). For Singaporeans who become Colombian tax residents — by staying 183 days or more in Colombia in any 365-day period — the DIAN can assert Colombian residency and tax worldwide income, including Singapore-source dividends, capital gains and business income. Without a tax treaty, both systems can apply at the same time with no formal relief mechanism.

MediShield Life and Singapore Public Healthcare: Not Valid in Colombia

MediShield Life is Singapore's mandatory national health insurance scheme, administered by the CPF Board (Central Provident Fund). It covers hospitalization and certain outpatient treatments exclusively at Singapore's public hospitals and polyclinics. MediShield Life has no international coverage, no reimbursement mechanism for medical expenses abroad, and no validity for visa procedures outside Singapore. Integrated Shield Plans (IP) — private insurance add-ons from insurers such as AIA, Prudential, Great Eastern and NTUC Income — extend coverage to private hospitals in Singapore, but do not cover Colombian medical care under standard terms. A dedicated Colombian plan is required for the Visa M.

Health Plan Requirement for the Visa M

Resolution 5477 of 2022 requires all Visa M applicants to have active medical coverage in Colombia that includes hospitalization, surgery and emergencies. MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans, corporate group insurance and travel insurance do not meet this standard. Cancillería checks the plan at the time of application; submitting a Singaporean insurance document without Colombian regulatory authorization results in rejection.

CPF and IRAS: Considerations for Singaporeans Abroad

CPF contributions are mandatory for Singapore citizens and permanent residents employed in Singapore. Singaporeans working remotely from Colombia for a Singapore-registered employer should confirm with their employer and the CPF Board whether employer and employee contributions still apply. Employees of foreign companies or self-employed people have no obligation to contribute to the CPF. For IRAS, Singaporeans who cease Singapore tax residency should file a tax clearance (Form IR21 where applicable) and may apply for the transitional benefits of the Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) scheme if they qualify. Capital gains in Singapore are generally not taxed, which can simplify the overall tax picture for Singaporeans with Singaporean investment portfolios while living in Colombia.

Embassy of Singapore in Bogotá

The Embassy of Singapore in Colombia is located at Carrera 11 #85-60, Bogotá, phone +57 601 621-1085, email singemb_bog@mfa.sg. The Embassy handles passport renewals, civil registration (births, marriages, deaths abroad) and consular services. Singapore acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention in September 2021; Singaporean documents requiring an apostille are processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore. Singaporeans outside Bogotá must travel to the capital or use digital and postal services for most consular procedures.

Checklist for Singaporean Expats

Before applying for the Visa M, Singapore citizens must obtain an apostilled criminal record check from the Singapore Police Force (SPF CRC — spf.gov.sg), have their documents translated into Spanish by an accredited translator, and purchase a health plan authorized in Colombia. Proof of at least 3 SMMLV per month from foreign sources (approximately COP 4.27 million / USD 1,095) is required for digital nomad visas; retirement visas require 10 SMMLV or more per month. Singaporeans with significant Singapore-source investment income should review how the DIAN treats foreign dividends and capital distributions under Colombian domestic rules before reaching the 183-day threshold.