Zimbabwean Expats in Colombia – Complete Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Zimbabwe at a Glance

Understanding your home country's profile helps Colombian immigration authorities and potential employers contextualize your background. Here is the key data every Zimbabwean applicant should have at hand.

Why Zimbabweans Are Choosing Colombia

Colombia's emergence as one of Latin America's most dynamic economies has attracted a growing wave of Zimbabwean professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees. Zimbabwe's prolonged economic difficulties — marked by currency instability (the Zimbabwe Gold replaced the RTGS dollar in April 2024), high unemployment, and uncertain pension environments — have pushed thousands of skilled Zimbabweans to seek opportunities elsewhere. While the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa have traditionally absorbed much of this diaspora, Colombia is gaining ground as an alternative destination that offers a lower cost of living, a business-friendly climate in cities like Medellín and Bogotá, and a growing international community that has embraced tech workers, creatives, and retirees alike. For entrepreneurs, Colombia's formalized economy and access to the Pacific Alliance markets represent something increasingly difficult to build at home.

Beyond economics, Colombia resonates with Zimbabweans on a cultural and climatic level that surprises many first-time visitors. The highveld climate of Harare and Bulawayo — temperate, dry, and bright — finds an unexpected echo in Bogotá's cool Andean plateau and Medellín's perennial spring. The warm coastal energy of Cartagena and Barranquilla evokes the Zimbabwe Lowveld's heat without the humidity of Dar es Salaam or Nairobi. Colombia's vibrant arts scene, rich biodiversity (both countries sit among the world's most biodiverse nations), and a culture that prizes warmth and family resonates deeply with Zimbabwean values. The country's digital nomad visa (Visa M-7) has also attracted a new generation of Zimbabweans in tech and the creative industries, many of whom previously worked remotely from South Africa or the UK and are now relocating to cities that offer better infrastructure, community, and lifestyle at a fraction of the cost.

Colombian Embassy Accredited for Zimbabwe

Visa Status: Prior Visa Required

Zimbabwe is not included among the nationalities that may enter Colombia visa-free under Resolución 5488 de 2022 issued by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This means that all Zimbabwean nationals, regardless of the purpose of their visit, must obtain a Colombian visa before boarding their flight to Colombia. The visa application process is managed online through the Cancillería platform, but biometric enrollment and document verification must be completed in person at the accredited embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

Colombian Visa M — Categories and Costs (2026)

The Visa Migrante (Visa M) is Colombia's primary long-stay visa category for foreigners who wish to reside in the country. It covers tourism, remote work, retirement, and investment, among other purposes. Government fees are set in USD and paid directly to the Colombian government platform. As of 2026, the fees are as follows:

M-10 (Retirement): Requires proof of a pension or passive income of at least 3× the Colombian minimum wage (SMMLV). In 2026, the SMMLV is COP 1,423,500, meaning the minimum required income is COP 4,270,500 per month (approximately USD 1,040 at current rates).

M-13 (Investor): Requires a minimum investment in Colombia of 100× the SMMLV, equivalent to COP 142,350,000 (approximately USD 34,700). Investment can be in real estate, a registered business entity, or other eligible assets.

Health Insurance in Colombia for Zimbabwean Expats

Colombia requires all visa holders to hold valid health insurance for the duration of their stay. Zimbabwe's public health system, administered by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), faces significant resource constraints. The country's medical brain drain — with an estimated 5,000 or more Zimbabwean doctors practicing in the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa — has strained institutions like Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. The Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) and Cimas Medical Aid provide private coverage domestically, but these plans do not provide international coverage in Colombia. Zimbabwean expats in Colombia must obtain a Colombian-compliant health insurance policy that explicitly covers the following seven areas:

Colombian immigration (Migración Colombia) verifies health insurance coverage at the time of visa application and may request proof again upon arrival or during residency checks. Policies must be issued by an insurer authorized in Colombia and must cover the full validity period of the visa. It is important to note that emergency-only or travel insurance policies are typically insufficient — the coverage must be comprehensive and compliant with Migración Colombia standards.

Taxes: What Zimbabweans Need to Know in Colombia

Zimbabwe's tax authority, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), administers a progressive income tax regime with rates up to 40% on personal income. The country also levies a 2% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) on electronic transfers and a 15% VAT. With the launch of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April 2024, the currency framework has changed significantly, adding complexity to international financial planning for those who still hold assets or income sources in Zimbabwe.

There is no Double Taxation Treaty (CDI — Convenio para Evitar la Doble Imposición) between Zimbabwe and Colombia. This is a critically important fact for Zimbabwean expats who earn income from both countries. Without a CDI, income earned in Zimbabwe may be taxed again in Colombia once you become a Colombian tax resident (which occurs after 183 days of presence in Colombia within any 365-day period). Zimbabwean expats are strongly advised to consult with a Colombian tax advisor (contador público) and, if possible, a cross-border tax specialist familiar with both jurisdictions before establishing Colombian residency, in order to structure their financial affairs in a tax-efficient and legally compliant manner.

Document Legalization for Zimbabwean Documents

Zimbabwe ratified the Hague Apostille Convention in 2000, which simplifies the authentication of public documents for use abroad. Colombian immigration requires that all foreign documents (birth certificates, police clearance, academic degrees, marriage certificates, etc.) be properly authenticated. For Zimbabwean documents, the process involves three steps:

• Notarization: Have your document notarized by a Zimbabwean Commissioner of Oaths or a registered notary public. This step certifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity of the person who signed the document.
• Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Submit the notarized document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Harare to obtain an Apostille stamp. Zimbabwe is a Hague Convention member (since 2000), so Colombian authorities will accept an Apostille without further consular legalization. Processing at the Ministry typically takes 5–10 business days.
• Certified Spanish Translation: Have the apostilled document translated from English (or Shona/Ndebele if applicable) to Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor oficial) registered in Colombia. This is a mandatory requirement — unofficial or machine translations are not accepted by Migración Colombia or Colombian notaries.

Criminal Record Certificate: The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issues Police Clearance Certificates through the Criminal Records Centre in Harare. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days. The certificate must then be apostilled and translated to Spanish as described above.