Legal Internships and Professional Training in Colombia
The Visitante Práctica Empresarial visa allows foreign students and recent graduates to complete internships and professional training programs in Colombia legally. It sits in the Visitante (V) tier — a temporary, purpose-specific visa — and is one of the more straightforward categories to obtain, provided you have the institutional support of both a Colombian host company and a recognized educational institution.
Who Can Apply
The Business Internship Visa is for:
- University students completing required practicum or internship modules
- Recent graduates completing professional training programs
- Young professionals enrolled in formal traineeship programs with Colombian companies
It is not for tourists who want to "intern" informally, nor for professionals seeking paid employment. The training relationship must be formalized through a legitimate host company and, where applicable, a recognized educational institution.
Required Documents
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Host company endorsement letter | Official letter from the Colombian company accepting you as an intern/trainee. Must describe the training program, duration and that no remuneration equivalent to a salary is paid. |
| University or institution endorsement | Letter from your home university or educational institution confirming enrollment and endorsing the internship. |
| Host company's Cámara de Comercio certificate | Certificado de Existencia y Representación Legal — within 90 days. |
| Criminal background check | Country of origin + 3-year countries. Apostilled. Within 90 days. |
| Medical assistance plan | Resolution 5477-compliant, all 7 coverages, full visa duration. |
| Valid passport | Min 6 months validity. |
Important Limitations
Because this is a Visitante category visa: it does not accumulate toward the 5-year path to permanent residency; it does not authorize formal employment in Colombia; and the activities must remain within the scope of the training program described in the application. If you want to transition to employment in Colombia after your internship, you will need a Worker or Service Provider visa — which requires a separate application.
Sources: Resolution 5477 of July 22, 2022. Cancillería Colombia — cancilleria.gov.co. Informational only.
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