Omani Expats in Colombia: Complete Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Oman at a Glance

Why Omani Citizens Are Choosing Colombia

Colombia has emerged as an increasingly compelling destination for Omani nationals seeking a meaningful lifestyle change, an affordable retirement, or a strategic base for business across Latin America. The contrast between the two countries is striking and, for many Omanis, deeply appealing. Where Muscat regularly records summer temperatures exceeding 40°C with punishing humidity along the Gulf of Oman, Colombian cities offer a startling variety of climates within a short distance of one another. Medellín — Colombia's second city, often called the City of Eternal Spring — maintains year-round daytime averages between 22°C and 28°C, while Bogotá's cooler Andean plateau hovers around 14°C to 18°C, and Cartagena's Caribbean shoreline delivers warm tropical breezes. Beyond climate, the cost of living across Colombia is substantially lower than in Oman's urban centres: quality private apartments, restaurant dining, private schooling, and domestic healthcare are accessible at a fraction of the cost that Omani expatriates and Omani nationals alike would expect to pay in Muscat or Salalah. The country's modern infrastructure — fast fibre internet, direct flight connections through Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport, and a growing network of co-working hubs — makes it equally suitable for digital professionals, retirees, and investors.

Beyond lifestyle considerations, Colombia presents genuine and growing opportunities for internationally oriented Omani nationals. The Colombian government has actively reformed its foreign investment framework, making property acquisition and company registration straightforward for non-residents, and the Colombian Peso's exchange rate has made real estate in cities such as Medellín, Cali, and the Coffee Region accessible to Gulf-based savers holding OMR or USD. The tech and services sectors centred in Bogotá and Medellín attract globally experienced professionals, and Omani nationals who have spent careers in multinational environments — often operating primarily in English — adapt quickly to Colombia's international business community. For families, Colombia offers a wide range of bilingual and international private schools, a rich cultural life spanning pre-Columbian heritage, colonial architecture, and vibrant contemporary art, as well as a warm and hospitable culture that makes integration genuinely manageable. Colombia's growing expat population from the Middle East and around the world means that Omani newcomers will find communities, Arabic-friendly services in major cities, and an established network of international residents ready to share advice.

Embassy and Consular Information

Visa-Free Entry for Omani Citizens

Omani passport holders benefit from visa-free entry into Colombia under Resolution 5488 of 2022, issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This resolution places Oman among the nationalities permitted to enter Colombia as tourists or short-term visitors without obtaining a prior visa, for a cumulative maximum of 90 days per calendar year. Upon arrival at a Colombian port of entry — whether by air, land, or sea — Omani travelers must present a valid Omani passport, a return or onward travel ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds to cover the intended stay. Entry is granted at the discretion of the immigration officer on duty, who may ask additional questions about the purpose and planned duration of the visit.

It is essential to understand what the visa-free allowance does and does not permit. The 90-day period applies to tourism, family visits, short business meetings, and similar non-remunerative activities. It does not authorize working for a Colombian employer, establishing a business, receiving payment from Colombian sources, or residing in Colombia indefinitely. The 90-day allowance cannot be extended or renewed while the traveler remains inside Colombia, and it resets on a calendar-year basis rather than a rolling 12-month basis. Omani nationals who wish to remain in Colombia beyond 90 days, or who intend to work, invest, retire, study, or join a Colombian spouse or family member, must apply for the appropriate category of Colombian visa before their authorized period expires. Overstaying the visa-free period carries serious consequences under Colombian immigration law, including fines proportional to the number of days overstayed, an order of deportation, and a potential multi-year ban on re-entry. CoVisas Colombia specializes in guiding Omani nationals through the correct visa pathway for their specific situation, beginning with a thorough assessment of their profile and goals.

Visa M — Migrante: Long-Term Residency Options

The Visa M (Migrante) is Colombia's principal long-term residency visa for foreign nationals who do not yet meet the requirements for permanent residency (Visa R — Residente). It is structured in multiple subcategories, each designed for a distinct migration profile. For Omani nationals, the four most relevant subcategories are M-2 (family), M-7 (retirement), M-10 (investment), and M-13 (employment). All Visa M applications are submitted through the Colombian Cancillería's online platform and require supporting documents that have been properly legalized and translated into Spanish. The government fee charged by the Colombian state applies equally to all Visa M categories, as does the CoVisas service fee for professional assistance with the application process.

The SMMLV (Salario Mínimo Mensual Legal Vigente) is Colombia's statutory monthly minimum wage, set at COP 1,423,500 for 2026. The income and investment thresholds above are calculated as multiples of this figure: the M-7 pension income requirement equals three times the SMMLV per month, and the M-10 investment threshold equals one hundred times the SMMLV as a capital amount. Successful Visa M holders may subsequently apply for permanent residency after meeting the applicable residency period requirements. CoVisas Colombia provides comprehensive guidance on document preparation, threshold verification, and submission strategy for all Visa M categories.

Health Insurance for Omani Expats in Colombia

Oman operates one of the most developed public healthcare systems in the Arabian Peninsula. The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides government-funded medical care to Omani nationals through a network of primary health centres, regional hospitals, and major tertiary facilities including the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, the Royal Hospital, and Khoula Hospital in Muscat. For the expatriate population working in the private sector, the Oman Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) mandates that employers provide health coverage through approved private insurers, among them Oman Insurance Company, Orient Insurance, and Al Madina Insurance. Oman's Vision 2040 development plan continues to drive investment in expanding healthcare capacity and raising quality standards across all governorates, and the overall healthcare system is well-regarded both regionally and internationally for its accessibility and scope of services.

CoVisas Colombia works with established health insurers offering products specifically designed for international migrants and expatriates living in Colombia. These policies are structured to meet Colombian visa requirements and cover the full range of medical events that a foreign resident may encounter. All policies available through our network include the seven core coverage categories listed below, and our team guides each client through the selection and enrollment process in English.

Taxation: Oman and Colombia

One of the most significant adjustments Omani nationals face when relocating to Colombia is the shift in tax environment. Oman is internationally recognized as one of the most tax-advantaged jurisdictions in the world for individuals. The Oman Tax Authority — known in Arabic as جهاز الضريبة العُمانية — administers a system under which there is no personal income tax on wages, salaries, or investment returns for individuals, whether they are Omani nationals or foreign residents. Oman introduced a value-added tax of 5% in April 2021, and corporate income tax is levied at a standard rate of 15%, but individual earners pay nothing on their personal income regardless of its level. There is no capital gains tax and no inheritance or estate tax, which has historically made Oman an exceptionally attractive location for wealth accumulation and preservation among Gulf nationals and international expatriates alike.

Colombia, by contrast, operates a progressive personal income tax regime administered by DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales). Colombian tax residency is determined primarily by physical presence: any individual who spends 183 or more days — whether continuous or accumulated — in Colombia within any 365-day period becomes a Colombian tax resident for that fiscal year. Colombian tax residents are subject to tax on their worldwide income, not merely on income sourced within Colombia. Tax rates are progressive, rising from 0% at the lowest income bands to 39% at the highest. For Omani nationals who hold significant financial interests in Oman — dividend-producing investments, rental property, business profits, or pension income — the transition to Colombian tax residency carries material and complex implications that require professional guidance well in advance of the move.

Legalizing Omani Documents for Use in Colombia

Colombian authorities require that foreign documents presented in support of visa applications, residency registrations, marriage procedures, property transactions, or judicial proceedings be duly legalized and translated into Spanish before they can be accepted. For Omani nationals, the legalization process follows three sequential steps that must be completed in strict order. Documents most commonly required include the Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the Royal Oman Police, marriage or civil partnership certificates, university diplomas, and financial statements or pension award letters. Beginning the legalization process early — ideally two to three months before the intended visa application date — is strongly advisable, as processing times at Omani authorities and the Colombian Cancillería can vary.

1. Notarize or Authenticate the Original Document: The document must first be certified or authenticated by the issuing authority in Oman. For the Certificate of Good Conduct (شهادة حسن السلوك), the original is obtained from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) through the Oman eGovernment portal at rop.gov.om or at an ROP General Directorate in person. Academic certificates and university diplomas must be authenticated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation before proceeding. Other civil documents — such as marriage certificates — must be authenticated by the relevant civil registry authority and, where required, by the Ministry of Justice.
2. Obtain an Apostille from the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Oman acceded to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents in 2012, meaning that Omani public documents can be apostilled for use in any of the Convention's member countries, including Colombia, without additional legalization through a consulate or embassy. The apostille for Omani official documents is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (وزارة الخارجية) in Muscat. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity of the official who signed the underlying document. Both the document and the apostille certificate are required for submission to Colombian authorities.
3. Obtain a Certified Spanish Translation: All documents in Arabic — including both the original document and, where applicable, the apostille text — must be accompanied by a certified translation into Spanish. In Colombia, certified translations must be produced by an official translator (traductor oficial e intérprete) holding accreditation from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is a specific professional accreditation distinct from general bilingual competence, and only accredited translators' work is accepted by Migración Colombia and the Cancillería. CoVisas Colombia maintains contacts with accredited translators experienced in Arabic-to-Spanish legal and civil translation and can facilitate this step efficiently.