All about the working holiday in Colombia!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…)
The information on this page applies only to applicants from France. Readers of other nationalities should check the requirements with Colombian authorities for their jurisdiction.
Between 18 and 30 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €1,300
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from Chile, France, Mexico and Peru can apply for the Colombia WHV.
03. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Passport
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Photograph of yourself
- Letter explaining your reasons for applying
- Completed commitment form
For more info, French citizens should read our full guide to applying for the Colombia WHV (in French).
04. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Colombia.
05. What is the application fee?
There is no application fee for the Colombia WHV.
06. When do I need to arrive in the country by?
Unlike most WHVS, the 12-month countdown on your visa begins from the moment your visa is approved, not from the moment you arrive in the country. To make the most of the full length of your visa, be ready to fly to Colombia as soon as your visa is granted.
Authorities recommend applying about one month before you want to travel to Colombia.
For more info, French citizens can check our Colombia PVT page (in French).
07. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?
No, you cannot bring dependents on your working holiday to Colombia. Your spouse/partner must apply for their own WHV, if they are eligible.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. Your insurance must be valid for duration of your stay. The policy must cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They’ve accompanied thousands of working holiday makers in their adventures.
09. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Colombia and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
10. Where can I apply?
You will need to apply online at the official website. Apply using either English or Spanish. Consult the user guide from the Colombian authorities to assist with completing the application.
French citizens can read our guide to applying (in French).
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their WHV. It must cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- What to know about travel insurance for your working holiday abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Colombia’s currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks will require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents. You must have proof of your visa and cédula de extranjería (Colombia ID for foreigners) to be allowed to open a bank account.
If you want to have a COP debit card in hand before even arriving in Colombia, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs and make payments in COP. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Colombia. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could sign up with Wise first and then get a traditional account once you arrive in Colombia.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Colombia before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing abroad: a way to meet friendly locals and save money
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Colombia, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on your Spanish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
You must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
At least €1,300 to show that you can support yourself during your stay. If you don’t have a return ticket, you should show additional funds to prove you can purchase one later on.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a Colombia WHV before, then you cannot apply again.
Your insurance must be valid for the full duration of your stay and cover at least medical, hospitalisation and repatriation expenses.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. The quota for French citizens is 400 places.