Nepali Expats in Colombia: Health Insurance & Visa Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Why Nepali Professionals Choose Colombia

Colombia attracts Nepali engineers, IT specialists, tourism and hospitality professionals, and entrepreneurs looking for opportunities beyond the traditional migration corridors to the Gulf states, Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Bogotá and Medellín offer thriving technology sectors, quality universities and a cost of living significantly below that of major Western cities, with a lifestyle that many Nepalis find appealing after years working abroad.

Nepal's mountaineering and adventure tourism expertise is directly applicable in Colombia's rapidly growing trekking, ecotourism and outdoor adventure sector, particularly in regions such as the Coffee Axis, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Patagonia-adjacent southern Colombia. Nepali guides and hospitality professionals bring world-class expertise to a Colombian market hungry for premium adventure experiences.

Remittances represent more than 25% of Nepal's GDP, reflecting the scale of Nepali migration worldwide. For those considering Latin America, Colombia offers a relatively lower bureaucratic barrier once the visa is secured, strong telecommunications infrastructure, and an established expat community that has grown markedly since 2020.

Entry Status — Prior Visa + Airport Transit Visa Required

Nepali passport holders face a dual visa requirement for Colombia: a standard entry visa for the visit itself, and a separate airport transit visa (required under Article 8 of Resolución 5488 de 2022) for any layover at a Colombian airport, even if not leaving the transit area. Both must be obtained in advance from the Colombian Embassy in New Delhi or the nearest Colombian consulate with jurisdiction. Plan for extended processing times.

Migrant Visa (Visa M) — 2026 Costs

The Visa M allows Nepali nationals to reside in Colombia for work, study or business. All visa applications must be made through the Cancillería digital platform or at the Colombian Embassy in New Delhi.

The minimum income requirement for most Visa M subcategories is 1 SMMLV (COP 1,423,500/month). Health insurance with full coverage is mandatory for all Visa M categories.

Healthcare System and Health Insurance in Colombia

Visa M holders in Colombia must join an EPS or take out a private health insurance policy covering their entire stay. Colombia's healthcare network is substantially more robust than Nepal's, with a greater density of specialists, advanced diagnostic equipment and modern surgical facilities.

Nepal's public health system is managed by the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP). Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, the country's oldest and largest public hospital, serves as the main national referral centre. Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) is the premier academic medical institution. The Social Security Fund (SSF), established as a mandatory contributory scheme, has expanded coverage in recent years but still reaches a minority of workers. Private hospitals such as Grande International Hospital and Norvic International Hospital serve patients who can afford out-of-pocket costs. Nepal has developed notable expertise in mountaineering emergency medicine, including high-altitude sickness and trauma care. For complex cases, patients are routinely referred to Indian institutions such as AIIMS and Apollo in New Delhi. None of Nepal's schemes provide international coverage, making private health insurance essential for any Nepali living in Colombia.

Your Colombian health insurance policy must cover these 7 mandatory categories:

Nepali Tax System Overview

Nepal's tax authority is the Inland Revenue Department (IRD Nepal). The personal income tax is progressive, with rates up to 39% for the highest income bracket (including a 1% social security surcharge). Nepal taxes residents on their worldwide income, which means Nepali tax residents must declare foreign-sourced income to the IRD. There is no capital gains tax on listed securities, and no inheritance tax.

Nepal's economy is heavily dependent on remittances, which account for more than 25% of GDP, reflecting the large Nepali diaspora working in the Gulf, Malaysia, India and beyond. Foreign aid from bilateral partners and multilateral institutions also plays a significant role in public finance.

Nepali nationals who become tax residents of Colombia (more than 183 days in a calendar year) will have their worldwide income subject to Colombian income tax from the second fiscal year of residence. There is no Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) between Nepal and Colombia. Given that Nepal also taxes worldwide income of its residents, professional cross-border tax advice is strongly recommended before relocating.

Document Legalization — 4-Step Process (Non-Hague)

Important: Nepal is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents cannot be apostilled at a single authority. Instead, Nepali documents must follow a 4-step diplomatic legalization chain before they are valid for use in Colombia:

1. Notarization — Have the original document (police character certificate, academic degree, civil records, etc.) notarized by a recognized Nepali notary or legal authority in Kathmandu or the relevant district.
2. Authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Kathmandu — Submit the notarized document to Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shital Niwas, Kathmandu, for official authentication/legalization. Processing time: approximately 3 to 7 working days.
3. Legalization by the Embassy of Colombia in New Delhi — The Colombian Embassy in New Delhi (accredited for Nepal) authenticates the MoFA-certified document. Ensure the document is sent with a certified Nepali or English translation if required by the Embassy. Processing time: 5 to 10 working days.
4. Certified Nepali-to-Spanish Translation — A sworn translator certified by or recognized under the Colombian Ministry of Justice must produce the final Spanish-language version of the document. This step is performed in Colombia after the diplomatic chain is complete.

The Nepal Police Character Certificate is issued by the District Police Office (DPO) in the applicant's home district, or by the Nepal Police Headquarters in Kathmandu. Allow 7 to 14 working days for issuance. For Nepalis residing abroad, the certificate can sometimes be arranged through the nearest Nepalese Embassy.