South Korean Expats in Colombia 2026: Visa M, NHIS Health Insurance & Apostille | CoVisas Colombia

Country Overview

Why Koreans Are Moving to Colombia

The Korea-Colombia relationship carries exceptional historical depth: Colombia was the only Latin American nation to send combat troops to the Korean War, deploying over 5,000 soldiers between 1950 and 1953. This shared history has created a uniquely warm bilateral bond — Colombia is sometimes referred to in Korean diplomatic circles as the "brother nation" of Latin America. A monument to Colombian soldiers stands in the city of Gapyeong, South Korea.

Beyond history, younger Korean professionals and entrepreneurs have discovered Colombia through the lens of digital nomadism and K-culture exports. Korean restaurants and beauty brands have established footholds in Bogotá and Medellín, and a growing number of Korean nationals arrive on Visa M-13 (Digital Nomad) or M-2 (Worker) to work remotely for Korean tech companies serving global markets. Colombia's visa policy for Korean nationals is among the most favorable in Latin America.

Embassy / Consulate in Colombia 🇨🇴

Visa M: Long-Term Legal Stay

All categories require: valid Korean passport, a compliant health plan covering 7 Cancillería-required areas, a 범죄경력증명서 (Criminal Record Certificate) with Apostille, dated within 90 days, and income documentation. Korean documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator authorized by the Colombian Cancillería. Application fee: USD 255 + USD 232 issuance if approved.

Health Insurance: 7 Required Coverages

South Korea operates a single-payer universal health insurance system administered by the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단 / NHIS). Every Korean citizen and registered resident must enroll. The NHIS covers approximately 60–65% of medical costs; patients pay the remainder as co-payments. Employee contributions are split between employer and employee (each paying roughly 3.5% of salary in 2025–2026). The self-employed pay income-based premiums. The system covers outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, dental (partially), and maternity.

Korean NHIS coverage is strictly territorial. A Korean national who emigrates and deregisters from the Korean resident registration system (주민등록 / Jumin Deungnok) loses NHIS eligibility. If a Korean national maintains resident registration in Korea while living abroad, NHIS premiums may continue to accrue. Notification of overseas relocation (해외이주신고) with the local district office (구청 / 읍면동 주민센터) ends the NHIS obligation.

Korean NHIS has no validity in Colombia. The Cancillería requires a plan from a Colombia-authorized provider covering all 7 areas above.

Tax Considerations — CDI Korea–Colombia

South Korea and Colombia have an active double taxation convention (CDI), signed in 2010 and in force since 2014 (Colombian Law 1667/2013). The National Tax Service (국세청 / NTS) administers Korean tax; DIAN administers Colombian tax.

Korean tax residency rules. Korea taxes residents on worldwide income. A Korean national is a tax resident if they maintain a domicile (주소) in Korea or reside in Korea for 183 or more days in a tax year. A Korean national who establishes permanent residence in Colombia and severs their Korean domicile becomes a Korean non-resident, taxed only on Korean-source income at withholding rates.

National Pension Service (NPS) in Colombia. Korean nationals who contributed to the National Pension Service (국민연금 / NPS) may receive pension payments from Korea while residing in Colombia. Under the CDI, such pension income is generally taxable only in the country of residence (Colombia) for residents of Colombia, making the five-year new-resident exemption under Law 2010/2019 valuable during the initial years.

Document Legalization

South Korea joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007. Apostilles are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (외교부) for documents issued by central government bodies, and by metropolitan or provincial governments for regional documents. An online Apostille portal (아포스티유 전자발급시스템) is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

범죄경력증명서 (Criminal Record Certificate) — Step by Step

1. Request the 범죄경력증명서 (Beomjoe Gyeongnyeok Jeungmyeongseo) online through the Government24 portal (정부24) using a Korean digital ID (공동인증서 / 간편인증), at any National Police Agency civil service office (경찰청 민원실), or through the Korean Embassy in Bogotá. Cost: free. Processing: immediate online; 1–3 business days in person. Must be dated within 90 days.
2. Obtain the Apostille through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs online Apostille portal or at a MOFA regional office. Processing: same day (in person) to 2 business days (online). Cost: KRW 1,000 per document.
3. Certified Spanish translation. The Korean criminal record certificate must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor oficial) authorized by the Colombian Cancillería.