"> ');

ADVOCATES4U

 

General Legal Advice: Guidance on various legal matters for individuals and businesses.

Family Law: Divorces, child support, custody, and more.

Civil Law: Contracts, inheritances, properties, auctions.

Administrative Law: Procedures and processes before government entities.

Business Law: Company formation, commercial contracts, business advice.

Immigration Law and Expat Services: Specialized assistance for expatriates in Colombia,
Visa and immigration processes, Legal integration in the country, Property purchase and
contracts, Immigration regularization, Appeal of penalties for overstaying.

Criminal Law: Filling Criminal Complaint, Representation on Criminal Procedures,
Hearing and Police Procedures.

 

 

💡 

Starting a Business in Colombia: Legal Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

 

Colombia has become one of Latin America’s top destinations for digital nomads, investors, and entrepreneurs — but understanding how to legally register a company here can save you time, money, and frustration.

 

 

🧾 1. Choosing the Right Business Structure

 

The most common business type for foreigners is a Simplified Joint Stock Company (S.A.S.). It’s flexible, requires only one shareholder, and can be incorporated quickly with minimal capital.

 

Other structures include S.A. (Corporation) and Ltda. (Limited Liability Company), but these are less common for small and medium businesses.

 

⚖️ 2. Legal Requirements

 

You’ll need:
 

A valid visa that allows business or investment activity.

A NIT (Tax Identification Number) issued by the DIAN.

Bylaws (estatutos) drafted by a local lawyer.

Registration at the Chamber of Commerce of the city where your business will operate.

 

Tip: Make sure the company’s purpose (“objeto social”) is broad enough to allow flexibility for future activities.

 

🚫  Important: The Digital Nomad Visa Does Not Allow You to Open a Business in Colombia

 

Many expats are surprised to learn that the DN Visa in Colombia does not grant the right to engage in local commercial or business activities.

 

This visa only allows you to:
1. Work remotely for foreign clients or companies.

2. Stay legally in Colombia while earning income from outside the country.

 

👉 If you want to open a company, invest, or work for a Colombian business, you must apply for a visa that explicitly authorizes those activities.

 

🚫  Important: Some Visas Do Not Allow You to Act as the Company’s Legal Representative

 

Even if you legally incorporate a company in Colombia, your visa type may restrict you from being listed as the company’s legal representative (“representante legal”). For example, holders of Tourist, Student, or Digital Nomad Visas even Migrant Pensioner Visa cannot assume that role, since these visa categories do not authorize local commercial or management activities.

 

In such cases, you must appoint a Colombian citizen or a foreign resident with the proper visa to act as your company’s legal representative. This person will be responsible for signing contracts, representing the company before DIAN (the tax authority), and managing official procedures.

 

If your goal is to personally manage your business, you should apply for a visa that permits commercial activity, such as the Investor (M – Inversionista) or Resident (R) visa.

 

💰 3. Banking and Tax Matters

 

Opening a bank account can be tricky for foreigners. Some banks require local references or additional documentation. Your company will also have to register for taxes (RUT) and comply with accounting and tax filing requirements under Colombian law.

 

🤝 4. Legal Representation and Power of Attorney

 

If you are not in Colombia during the incorporation process, you can grant a notarized power of attorney to a local lawyer to handle all paperwork via consul or embassy. This is common practice and perfectly legal.

 

🌍 5. Why Work with Us as Local Law Firm

 

Having a bilingual legal team ensures that your company’s incorporation documents are properly drafted, compliant with Colombian law, and aligned with your visa type and tax strategy.

 

At Advocates4u, we help expats register companies, obtain tax IDs, draft bylaws, and open bank accounts, ensuring full compliance from day one.

 

📩 Contact us on WhatsApp +57 304 580 6050 or visit www.advocates4u.com.co to get started.

 

 

EXPATS SERVICES

 

MIGRATION LAW

Visa Application,
Beneficiary Visas,
Naturalization Letter
Civil Marriage by Power Of Attourney
Appeal of Penalties Imposed for Illegal Overstay,
Request for Political Asylum and Refugee Status
Prenupcial Agremment (Capitulations)


COMMERCIAL LAW

 

Legal Constitution of Business, starting from: $2000 USD + 0.6% on the subscribe capital
Pre-Legal And Legal Collection Actions, To be agreed upon
Brand Registration, starting from: $1200 USD
Registration of Foreign Direct Investment on Bank of the Republic
Sustitution on Foreign Direct Investment
Intellectual Property Registration

Representation on Consumer Protection Action
Representation on Liability Case
Actions for Unfair Competition


PROPERTY LAW

 

Title Study, starting from: $120 USD + 0.6% Property Value
Legal Assistance in Real Estate Purchase, starting from: $300 USD
Constitution or Cancellation of Civil Trust, starting from: $600 USD
Administrative Review of the Catastral Appraisal, starting from: $199 USD
Judicial Review of the Catastral Appraisal, starting from: $1900 USD
Preventive Action for Disturbance (Police Intervention on an Illegal Occupation) and
Police Action for home protection, starting from: $599 USD
Judicial Restitution of Possesion, starting from: $599 USD + 20% of the Annual Rental Value
Horizontal Property Matters, starting from: $99 USD to $ 700 USD
Mutation of Land (addition, sustraction, modification or correction of land measuares), starting from: $1599 USD

FAMILY LAW


Judicial Divorce

Unilateral Divorce From $1300 USD
Divorce by Agreement, from $1000 USD

Judicial Separation of Assets and Liquidation of Partnership

Judicial Declaration of Common-Law Marriage with Partnership

Child Support for Minor, starting from: 20% of the recognized annual amount.

Exemption from Child Support, starting from $2000 USD

Child Support Offer, starting from: $100 USD.

Judicial Collection of Child Support (Execution), starting from $250 USD + 30%. 

Paternity or Maternity Dispute and Investigation

Custody and Personal Care of the Minor, Visitation and Protection of the Minor
ICBF administrative procedures representation

Gift Suggestion

 

CRIMINAL LAW


Filling Criminal Complaint: $699 USD
Assistance on Preliminary Acts: $750 USD
Representation on Indagatory Criminal Hearings with a Judge $900 USD
Representation on Indagatory Hearings with the Local Prosecutor $699 USD
Representation on Indagatory Hearing with the Sectional Prosecutor $2699 USD
Representation on Instruction Hearing from $1200 USD to $10.000 USD
Constitution of Civil Party from $1000 USD.
Extraordinary Resource (Casation or Revision) from $3900 USD

Asset forfeiture from $3900 USD
Legal Representation in Police and Criminal Proceedings, starting from: $900 USD

 

We provide assistance to expats who have been victims of scopolamine or any other drug-related incidents,
as well as cases involving murder, scams, fraud, personal injuries, defamation,
drug possession, and other criminal offenses.

Consultation Price $75 USD
 

 

 

Legal Management for Individuals

 

We offer comprehensive legal services to individuals, ensuring that your personal legal matters are handled with the utmost care and expertise. Our team provides personalized solutions in various areas of law, including but not limited to:

 

Family Law: Divorce, child support, custody, and more.

Civil Law: Contracts, property disputes, inheritance matters, and more.

Administrative Law: Procedures and legal advice related to government entities.

Criminal Law: Legal representation in criminal matters.

Estate Planning: Wills, inheritance, and property management.

Comprehensive Services For Expats.

 

Comprehensive Services for Expats refer to a range of legal and administrative solutions designed to address all the needs of foreigners who wish to live, work, invest, or settle in a country—in this case, Colombia. These services aim to ensure that expats comply with local laws, protect their legal interests, and integrate safely and efficiently.

 

Examples of Comprehensive Services for Expats:

1. Visa and Permit Management:

• Visa applications and renewals.

• Work permits.

• Immigration regularization.

2. Appeals and Litigation:

• Defense in cases of immigration penalties (e.g., overstays).

• Appeals against adverse administrative decisions.

• Legal representation in disputes or judicial cases.

3. Investment and Real Estate Assistance:

• Support in property purchases.

• Verification of contracts and property titles.

4. Business Establishment:

• Company incorporation.

• Advice on commercial contracts and regulatory compliance.

5. Personal and Family Matters:

• Marriage with nationals or other foreigners.

• Child custody and divorce proceedings.

6. Legal and Administrative Integration:

• Registration with government entities.

• Opening bank accounts.

• Guidance on taxes and legal obligations.

7. Rights Protection:

• Defense against potential rights violations.

• Resolution of labor or civil disputes.

 

We are committed to providing high-quality legal assistance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you require advice or representation, we are here to help you navigate through your legal challenges effectively.

 

1. Debt Collection Management Plans: From 25% of the recovered debt amount or judicial representation in executive processes against the debtor.

2. Appeal of Traffic Fines: From $380,000 COP, does not include annulment and reinstatement of rights lawsuit.

3. Prescription of Traffic Fines or Taxes: From $395,000 COP with an additional payment of 15% on the amount effectively declared as prescribed.

4. Negotiation with Collection Agencies: From 15% of the total amount.

5. Judicial Representation in Auctions and Insolvency: From 10% of the asset value or total debt amount over 100 million COP, and 30% for amounts up to 100 million COP.

6. Representation in Conciliation Hearings: From $899,900 COP.

7. Legal Assistance in Legal and Pre-Legal Collection Actions: To be agreed upon.

 

 

Terms and conditions apply as per the service contract. No permanence clauses.

INDIVIDUAL CLIENT

 

Prices for individual clients vary depending on the complexity of the matter.
Get in touch with us through our social media for legal advice
and to receive a quote with the total values for your case.

 

Our prices start from: $75 USD.

Our History

Our Partnerts

Free yourself from worries! Don’t stress anymore.
At Advocates4U, we are here for you.

Our team of legal experts specializes in providing exceptional advice
and strong representation across a wide range of legal areas.

Trust us to resolve your legal issues!

 

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.

Contact Us