COLOMBIA: Increasing Rejection of Work Permit Applications

December 9, 2015


Dependants of foreign nationals in Colombia wishing to apply for in-country work authorisation are facing growing scrutiny from Immigration Authorities, who are increasingly rejecting applications from spouses seeking permission to work.

Although no official guidance has been released on this matter, it is reported that authorities are frequently denying such requests on the basis that foreign nationals will unfairly compete for jobs with Colombian citizens, which could have a negative effect on the local labour market.

In light of this, any foreign nationals working in Colombia who have a dependant spouse that intends on applying for work visas should seek advice from an immigration specialist to ensure the application is as strong as possible, and to minimise the risk of a refusal.

If you require any additional information regarding the Colombian work permit application, please contact us.