UAE Nationals in Colombia: Complete Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

1. UAE at a Glance

2. Why UAE Nationals Choose Colombia

The UAE's cosmopolitan, internationally mobile population — comprising both Emirati nationals and long-established residents — has identified Colombia as one of the most compelling emerging destinations in the Western Hemisphere. For Emirati nationals, Colombia offers a dramatic lifestyle contrast: the lush greenery and tropical biodiversity of the Colombian landscape, the coffee-growing highlands, and the vibrant Caribbean coast stand in stark contrast to the desert environment of the UAE. Medellín and Bogotá offer a quality of life that rivals Dubai and Abu Dhabi at a fraction of the cost, and Colombia's bilateral visa-free arrangement makes exploration effortless.

UAE-based entrepreneurs — particularly in real estate, food and beverage, luxury retail, and logistics — have found fertile ground in Colombia's growing consumer market and expanding middle class. Dubai's function as a global hub for trade connections to Latin America means that many UAE residents already have Colombian business contacts before relocating. Colombia's M-7 Rentier visa and M-13 Digital Nomad visa cater perfectly to UAE-based high-net-worth individuals and remote workers who can benefit from Colombia's significantly lower cost of living while maintaining their UAE income streams. The UAE's Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) framework also enables individuals to formally document UAE residency for tax planning purposes when spending time in Colombia.

3. Colombian Embassy in the UAE

4. Visa Status for UAE Nationals

UAE passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Colombia for stays of up to 90 days. No advance visa is required for tourism, short business visits, or initial exploration. For stays beyond 90 days — for employment, independent work, passive income, or digital nomad activity — a Colombian Visa M must be obtained through the Cancillería's online portal before the visa-free period expires.

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: 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 the UAE

The UAE operates a mandatory health insurance system regulated at the emirate level: HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) oversees Abu Dhabi, while the DHA (Dubai Health Authority) governs Dubai. All residents must carry health insurance. Emirati nationals receive the Thiqa card providing access to public and private healthcare. The private insurance market is led by Daman (National Health Insurance Company), AXA Gulf, and Allianz Care. The UAE boasts world-class healthcare infrastructure: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Hospital Dubai, Mediclinic Middle East, and Aster DM Healthcare are among the leading facilities, drawing international patients and offering JCI-accredited services.

When UAE nationals relocate to Colombia, their UAE-based health insurance — whether HAAD/DHA-compliant private plans or employer-provided group 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 enables UAE nationals to access Colombia's quality private hospital and clinic network immediately, without the complexity of the Colombian EPS contributory system.

7. Tax Considerations for UAE Nationals in Colombia

The UAE is administered fiscally by the Ministry of Finance (MoF / وزارة المالية) and maintains one of the world's most attractive personal tax regimes: there is no personal income tax in the UAE — on any individuals, Emirati or expatriate. A Corporate Income Tax (CIT) of 9% was introduced in June 2023 for businesses, but individual income remains untaxed. VAT stands at 5% since 2018. There is no capital gains tax on individuals and no inheritance tax. The UAE's Tax Residency Certificate (TRC), issued by the Ministry of Finance for individuals spending 183+ days in the UAE, is widely used to document UAE tax residency for international purposes.

When UAE nationals spend 183 or more days in Colombia in a calendar year, they become Colombian tax residents and must declare their worldwide income to the DIAN. Colombia's progressive income tax applies from that point. There is no Double Taxation Treaty (CDI) between the UAE and Colombia. This means income that is untaxed in the UAE — salary from UAE employers, investment returns, rental income from UAE properties — may become subject to Colombian income tax once Colombian tax residency is established. UAE nationals considering a longer-term move to Colombia should consult a Colombian contador público well in advance of the 183-day threshold to structure their affairs correctly and assess whether maintaining a UAE TRC provides any relevant legal protection. The SMMLV 2026 is COP 1,423,500 per month, the baseline for various Colombian legal thresholds.

8. Document Legalization for the UAE

The UAE joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2009. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC / وزارة الخارجية والتعاون الدولي) issues apostilles on UAE documents, significantly simplifying the legalization process. Good Conduct Certificates are issued by Dubai Police (via the Dubai Police App or website), Abu Dhabi Police (via their website), or through the ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) portal, as well as through GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs).

• Obtain & Notarize: Source the original document from the relevant UAE authority (Good Conduct Certificate from Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, or ICP; academic certificates from the issuing institution; civil status documents from the Federal Authority for Identity). Have the document attested by a UAE Notary Public or the relevant government ministry where required.
• Apostille via MoFAIC: Submit the document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) for apostille certification. The UAE joined the Hague Convention in 2009 and MoFAIC provides both in-person and online apostille services. The apostille directly certifies the document for use in Colombia without further diplomatic legalization steps.
• Certified Translation to Spanish: Have the apostilled document translated from Arabic and/or English 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.