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Relocate to Germany from Colombia

Colombia is an increasingly important source of tech talent for Germany. Colombian developers and engineers are in demand, particularly in Berlin's startup scene. Colombian nationals must apply for a visa at the German embassy before travelling — they cannot apply for a work permit from within Germany.

Typical timeline: 8–12 weeks from application to arrival

Visa options for Colombian professionals

EU Blue Card

The primary route for Colombian IT, engineering, and business professionals with a recognised degree and qualifying job offer.

6–10 weeks

Skilled Worker Visa (§18b AufenthG)

For qualified Colombian professionals with a recognised degree and a concrete job offer from a German employer.

8–12 weeks

Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)

A points-based residence title that allows Colombian professionals to enter Germany for up to 12 months to find qualified employment. Replaced the Job Seeker Visa in June 2024. Requires qualifications, financial means (€1,091/month), and German A1 or English B2.

6–10 weeks

Required documents

Documents typically needed for Colombian nationals applying for a German work visa.

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
University degree with apostille
Degree recognition (ZAB evaluation)
Employment contract or binding job offer
Proof of health insurance
Biometric passport photos
CV in English or German
Proof of accommodation in Germany
Criminal background check (apostilled)

Tips for relocating from Colombia

Colombia is part of the Hague Apostille Convention — get documents apostilled through the Cancillería

The German Embassy in Bogotá handles visa applications — book appointments early

Colombian IT degrees from top universities (Universidad de los Andes, Nacional) are generally recognised

Start ZAB degree recognition as early as possible in the process

Berlin's large Latin American community can help with settling in

relokate best practice

We review every situation case by case

While this guide provides general information, every relocation is different. Your talent will only be able to start working in Germany once they have received their residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) — or a Fiktionsbescheinigung that explicitly permits employment. Even for visa-free nationalities, this means careful timing. Our immigration experts assess each case individually to find the fastest, most compliant route — so your new hire starts on schedule, not in legal limbo.

Why companies choose relokate

Unlike generic relocation agencies or pure-play software, relokate combines both — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Software + human experts

Most competitors offer either software or service. relokate gives you a real-time dashboard backed by dedicated immigration specialists who handle the actual process.

Germany-deep, not global-wide

We focus exclusively on relocations to Germany. That means deeper expertise in German immigration law, local Ausländerbehörde processes, and the nuances that generalist platforms miss.

Case-by-case assessment

No two relocations are the same. We evaluate each hire's nationality, qualifications, family situation, and timeline to find the fastest compliant path — not a one-size-fits-all template.

Start-date certainty

Your talent can only work once they hold their title. We anticipate bottlenecks and manage timelines proactively, so your team can plan around a realistic start date — not a hopeful one.