Saudi Arabian Expats in Colombia: Complete Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

1. Saudi Arabia at a Glance

2. Why Saudi Arabian Nationals Choose Colombia

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reform agenda has dramatically expanded the outward-looking horizons of Saudi professionals and entrepreneurs — and Colombia has appeared on the radar of a growing number of Saudi nationals exploring opportunities in Latin America. Colombia's robust agribusiness sector, growing food industry, and tourism infrastructure align with Saudi Arabia's diversification goals and investment interests. Bogotá and Medellín attract Saudi professionals in sectors such as hospitality management, fashion, fintech, and sustainable agriculture who are seeking a base that offers Western hemisphere connectivity without the cost of North American or European cities.

For Saudi students pursuing studies in Spanish-language programs — particularly in medicine, engineering, and business — Colombia's accredited universities offer globally competitive education at a fraction of Western tuition costs. The growing Colombian Muslim community in cities like Barranquilla and Bogotá provides Saudi nationals with access to halal food, mosques, and familiar cultural touchpoints. Colombia's climate diversity — from the warm Caribbean coast to the mild Andean highlands — also offers conditions more familiar to Saudi nationals than the extreme winters of North America or Northern Europe.

3. Colombian Embassy in Saudi Arabia

4. Visa Requirement for Saudi Arabian Nationals

5. Colombian Visa M — Categories & Fees

The Colombian Visa M (Migrante) is the primary long-stay visa for foreign nationals. All categories share the same government fee structure: USD 255 (study/application fee) + USD 232 (issuance fee upon approval), for a total of approximately USD 487. Fees are paid online via the Cancillería portal.

A valid health insurance policy covering the full visa duration is a mandatory requirement for all Visa M categories, including hospitalization, illness, and repatriation coverage.

6. Health System in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's healthcare system is anchored by the Ministry of Health (MOH / وزارة الصحة), which provides comprehensive public healthcare for Saudi nationals and eligible residents. The CCHI (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance) mandates employer-provided private health insurance for expatriates and, increasingly, for Saudi nationals in the private sector. Vision 2030 is driving massive investment in healthcare infrastructure, including new hospitals, digital health initiatives, and medical city projects. Major private sector providers include Bupa Arabia, Tawuniya, and MedGulf, while flagship facilities include King Faisal Specialist Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and the Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group.

When Saudi nationals relocate to Colombia, their Saudi MOH or employer-provided insurance coverage does not extend to Colombian territory. Colombia requires all Visa M holders to maintain Colombian-compliant health insurance valid throughout the visa period. A specialized expat insurance policy covering all seven mandatory risk categories ensures Saudi nationals have immediate, reliable access to Colombia's quality private hospital and clinic network from day one of their residency.

7. Tax Considerations for Saudi Arabian Expats in Colombia

Saudi Arabia's tax regime is administered by ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority / هيئة الزكاة والضريبة والجمارك, formerly known as GAZT). Uniquely, Saudi Arabia levies no personal income tax — neither on Saudi nationals nor on expatriates working in the Kingdom. Saudi nationals pay Zakat (a religious obligation of 2.5% on eligible net wealth) rather than income tax. VAT at 15% (introduced in 2020) applies to goods and services. The RETT (Real Estate Transaction Tax) stands at 5%. This zero personal income tax environment is one of the most attractive in the world for high earners.

When Saudi nationals become Colombian tax residents (183 or more days in a calendar year), they must declare their worldwide income to the DIAN. Colombia's progressive income tax applies. It is critically important to note that there is no Double Taxation Treaty (CDI) between Saudi Arabia and Colombia. This means income that is currently untaxed in Saudi Arabia — salary, investment returns, business profits — may become subject to Colombian income tax once Colombian tax residency is established. Saudi expats should consult a Colombian contador público well before crossing the 183-day threshold to plan their tax structure accordingly. The SMMLV 2026 is COP 1,423,500 per month, the baseline for various Colombian legal and labor thresholds.

8. Document Legalization for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2012. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (وزارة الخارجية) via the Mofa.gov.sa portal issues apostilles on Saudi documents, significantly simplifying the legalization process for Colombian visa applications. The Certificate of Good Conduct (شهادة حسن السيرة والسلوك) is obtained via the Absher digital government platform or at the Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) offices.

• Obtain & Notarize: Source the original document from the relevant Saudi authority (Certificate of Good Conduct via Absher platform or Jawazat; academic certificates from the issuing institution; birth/civil registry documents from the Civil Status Authority). Have the document certified by a Saudi notary or official authority where required by Colombian regulations.
• Apostille via Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Submit the document to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) via mofa.gov.sa for apostille certification. Saudi Arabia's MoFA has offered online apostille services since its 2012 accession to the Hague Convention. The apostille directly certifies the document for use in Colombia without additional diplomatic legalization steps.
• Certified Translation to Spanish: Have the apostilled document translated from Arabic into Spanish by a certified translator (traductor oficial) recognized by Colombian authorities. Attach the certified translation to the original apostilled document before submitting to the Cancillería.