In order to stay in Colombia for longer than the tourist visa, which is a maximum six months, I have been looking for a job in Medellin so I can get a work visa.
As I understand it, work visas are obtained by first getting a contract from the company you intend to work for. Once you have the contract, you must apply for the visa outside of Colombia, and then enter Colombia again under the new work visa. I believe the visa is valid for as long as your work contract. Of course I will give all the dirty details once I am that far along.
Right now, I have been keeping my job search very open ended. I’ve been looking for almost any position that doesn’t require me to speak Spanish. This is very difficult, but not impossible. Most people have directed me to look for jobs teaching English. I have found two job sites for Colombia that have provided me with a few leads.
The first is elempleo.com. This site can be a bit hard to navigate without knowing any Spanish, as it does not translate with a web based translation service. The jobs posted, however, are of good quality.
The second is computrabajo.com.co. This site is a little easier to use. The jobs posted range greatly in quality. There is everything from telemarketing to established medical supply companies.
Overall, I’ve found the job prospects much higher than I originally expected, and I’m confident I will have a work visa long before my six months runs out.
2013 Update: Another, newer website, with job listings is Empleo en Colombia.
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Hi Holly,
I will soon be in the same position as you. Im moving from New Zealand to Medellin in Sept. Just wondering did you have a show an airline ticket out of Colombia when you entered on a tourist permit?
Cheers,
Dominic
bin here 15 months, never had to show any ticket at airport, can't remember at Dian for visa extension if they asked, I don't think so!
Guys, this new website have some great working experience in Medellin. They are actually offering paid internships which is a great way to get a job in Medellin. The website is http://www.internshipscolombia.com. YN.
Nope, I never hade a return flight, and I had absolutely no issues. I have heard that having a return flight that is more than 60 days after your entry will give you very good chances of getting the 90 day visa, instead of the typical 60 days, which could be worth it to you.
Hi Holly... Did you write follow-up articles to this one ... and if so where can I find them? Thanks, Andy
Hi Andy, I had another friend write an updated article in 2010. We'll be doing a refresh on it in the next month or so as well.
Hey guys my name is Juan Esteban and I recently found this great website and I think is a really good tool to share ideas in "how to live in medellin." I'm officially from Medellin, colombia but I', currently living in the U.S and I'm thinking to moving back in approximately 2 years or less so I wanted to know any resources on how to find a job on the I.T. industry. I\'m currently working as a software Storage Engineer seeking for a job that will pay me a decent amount of money.
Hi there,
im in the same situation. I came from Canada but i have my colombian papers.
I am fully tri-lingual and looking for a job to hopefully be here a while.
I was thinking of working using my languages but no luck. my exerience is I.T.
Dear Mr. Velasco:
You could send me your resume.
Cesar
http://www.CesarUSA.com
CesarP12345@gmail.com
Hey, in right now in Medellin searching for IT job here on one of the companies, some one can help me where i can start search?
Dear Tsach:
You could send me your resume.
Cesar
http://www.CesarUSA.com
CesarP12345@gmail.com
Dear Cesar. I have a Colombian fiancé in Rionegro. I worked there for 3 mounts thought the Start department and got layed off because government cutbacks. I've been back there 2 time after words. My Spanish is not level 2+ but she knows VERY little English. I'm in the aviation business Can you email me if you know of any jobs hire'n gringos anywhere in Colombia. jasond999@live.com
Dear Jason:
Yes, I can let you know if I become aware of jobs here. The ones I know about are programming jobs, specially C++, C#, for some Word Add-ins, and for RealBasic.
There are websites that lilst jobs in Colombia such as:
http://www.computrabajo.com.co/
http://www.njobs.co/
http://www.indeed.com.co/
http://www.jobisjob.com.co/
http://www.jobisjob.com.co/anti%C3%B3quia/profesor/trabajos
http://www.empleat.gov.co/vacantes_empleo.html
http://www.zonajobs.com
http://www.goabroad.com/
http://www.elempleo.com/
http://co.jobomas.com/
http://www.overseasjobs.com/do/where/CO/Medellín?p=9
Cesar
I am learning Spanish, would like to retire in Medellin. Anyone know about employment in the medical field? I'm a registered vascular ultrasound (and also xray) tech with 15+ years in OB-GYN, abdomen, vascular, and also ultrasound equipment sales and demonstrations. I don't expect the same pay as in the USA. I've also done volunteer mobile work in indigent poor neighborhoods, the outback, etc. thanks. Gary Garythomas891@hotmail.com.
Dear Mr. Gary:
I know a couple of nursing assistants who trained in some hospitals. I could ask them. You could look at jobs at:
http://www.computrabajo.com.co/
Once you find a job you like you can copy the email address and send them an email. You should create a cover letter in Spanish so that they understand what you are trying to do. I provide a translating service that can translate your cover letter (or letters) so that they are correct. There is software that do translations, but those are not perfect. Those translations need further work to make them be correct, not machine translations that normally will have a lot of mistakes. The service does English-Spanish translations and can translate resumes. There is the possibility that it will also do Chinese-English translations.
Regards,
Cesar
http://www.CesarUSA.com
CesarP12345@hotmail.com
Hi All,
Hope you all are doing great. my name is Karthik from India, I have a girl friend who is Colombian, i am marrying her in march. my question is how long will it take for me to get work permit if i marry a Colombian citizen and what are the formalities ? Can any one give me the best advise ?
Hi everybody:
I recommend to foreigners who live in Colombia to look for jobs from developed countries but that can be done at home. There are jobs that involve working at a call center, but those normally do not pay much. One of the jobs that can be done at home are programming and website design jobs. I might need to hire some programmers in the near future, especially the ones experienced in C++ or in .Net. Preferably with experience in text editors. I might start a job board too and people who sent me their resumes will/may be asked if they want to be helped in getting a job. There is also the possibilty that I might need language teachers since I am gathering a group for a language school. People interested in working with me or for me or for others may send me their resumes for consideration.
Cesar
http://www.CesarUSA.com
CesarP2013@gmail.com
i was think about moving too columbia at the end of the year im in the united states navy currently doing construction my spanish not that great but ive been studying and my fiance is curretly down there know if someone could give me some info i would be grateful
Dear Mr. West:
I can give you a lot of information. Just send me an email with your phone number. We can agree on calls so that I can answer your questions. There is a retired person from Maryland who came last week and is staying with me. You can also talk to him.
Take care,
Cesar
CesarCalifornia@hotmail.com
http://www.CesarUSA.com
(818) 206-0481
Hi guys, I really like this blog. I did my internship within an web agency in Medellin. It was an excellent 6 month experience. I learnt a lot about SEO, SEM, Social Network. People in Medellin are so friendly and always happy, the weather is excellent, I love the dance culture (salsa, merengue, reggeaton...). Plus, Girls from Medellin are really beautiful.. I would like to share with you guys an exciting and innovative project, Internships Colombia (www.internshipscolombia.com). This program offers Internships to English speaking students in Colombia. Internships are initially offered in Medellin. Hope this information will help you guys. Have a good one.
Yoann Nivard works for Internships Colombia, he is one of the contacts on their web site.