When Tom and Sarah — a British couple with two children, 8 and 11 — relocated from London to Medellín in late 2024, the school question consumed their pre-move planning more than any other. Tom, an architect working remotely for a Manchester firm, had the visa straightforward (Visa M "nómada digital"). Their children — British passport holders — would be issued Visa M "beneficiario" as dependants. The school question was more complex: they needed a bilingual school with the IB curriculum or equivalent, within commuting distance of El Poblado, with a strong English track. Their final choice was one of Medellín's major international schools in the southern metro area. The search took three months of research and one campus visit day. This guide organizes what they learned.
same duration as parent's
on Visa M too
Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena
≈ USD 500–2,000/month
Dependent Visa for Children Under Res. 5477/2022
Under Res. 5477/2022, the parent holding a Visa M can apply for Visa M "beneficiario" (dependent visa) for their minor children. The beneficiario visa has the same duration as the principal holder's visa and must be renewed at the same time. Required documents for the dependent child: birth certificate apostilled and translated to Spanish, valid passport, Art. 11 medical plan (children are explicitly covered by the Art. 11 requirement), and proof of relationship to the principal visa holder. Children born to at least one Colombian parent are Colombian nationals from birth under Colombian nationality law (Ley 43/1993) — they do not need a visa. For non-Colombian children, the beneficiario path is the standard route.
Art. 11 Coverage for Minors
The Art. 11 requirement applies to minor dependants on Visa M, not only to the adult principal holder. In practice, this means: when a family of four applies for dependent visas, all four members — both adults and both children — need Art. 11-compliant coverage. Most Art. 11 plans offer family coverage (cobertura familiar) that covers spouse and children at lower per-person rates than four individual plans. A family of four with one Art. 11 plan structure typically costs USD 60–150/month total depending on coverage tier and age of members. Pediatric coverage is a specific feature to verify: the plan should explicitly cover pediatric consultations, hospitalization for minors, and pediatric emergencies.
Bogotá: International Schools
Bogotá has the largest concentration of international schools in Colombia, reflecting its capital status and expatriate community size. The major options span multiple curricula: schools offering the IB (International Baccalaureate) framework from PYP through DP, schools following the British curriculum (GCSE/A-levels), and US-curriculum schools with AP programs. Fee ranges vary significantly by institution and level — primary runs approximately COP 2,000,000–5,000,000/month, secondary COP 3,000,000–8,000,000/month at the higher-tier international schools. Most require entrance assessments and may have waiting lists at popular grade levels. The northern Bogotá corridor (Usaquén, Chía, Cajicá) concentrates many of the best international schools within commuting distance of the expat residential zones.
Medellín: International Schools by Zone
Medellín's international school options are concentrated in the southern metropolitan area (Envigado, Sabaneta, El Poblado extended zone) and the northern Rionegro/La Ceja corridor (Oriente Antioqueño), which is also a growing expat residential area especially for those who prefer cooler temperatures. The Rionegro airport connection makes the eastern valley attractive for frequent travelers. Fee ranges in Medellín's international schools are typically 15–20% below equivalent Bogotá institutions. The Medellín international school community is close-knit — parent networks through private Facebook groups and WhatsApp communities are the most current source of information on waitlists, curriculum changes, and school reputation.
Pediatric Healthcare at Colombian Private Clinics
Colombia's private clinic system offers strong pediatric care at major urban centers. Bogotá's Hospital de San Ignacio, Clínica del Country, and Fundación Santa Fe have pediatric units with specialized subspecialties (pediatric cardiology, neurology, oncology). In Medellín, Clínica Las Américas and Clínica Medellín have recognized pediatric departments. Private pediatric consultations run COP 80,000–150,000 without insurance, covered at high percentage rates under an Art. 11 plan. Pediatric vaccines: Colombia has a strong national vaccination program through the public system (PAI — Programa Ampliado de Inmunización), and private clinics administer international standard pediatric vaccine schedules including MMR, DTP, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Expat parents often ask about matching Colombian vaccine schedules to their home country schedules — a topic best addressed with a Colombian pediatrician at initial consultation.