Colombia has built one of Latin America’s more foreigner-friendly business registration systems, letting entrepreneurs — including non-residents — set up a company remotely through power of attorney in roughly three to four weeks. The process centers on choosing the right legal structure, registering with the Chamber of Commerce, and obtaining a tax ID, but a few sequencing details matter more than they might seem.
Choose Your Legal Structure First
Colombia offers several business structures depending on how much control, liability protection, and investment flexibility you need. The Simplified Joint-Stock Company (SAS) is by far the most common structure and accounts for the majority of new Colombian company registrations. It requires only one shareholder, individual or corporate, local or foreign, with no minimum capital requirement, and shareholders aren’t personally responsible for the company’s debts — their risk is limited to the amount they invested.
Alternatives include Limited Liability Companies (Ltda) and Corporations (SA), each carrying more specific governance and reporting obligations, along with branch offices for foreign companies extending an existing entity into Colombia — a branch is legally an extension of the parent company, meaning the parent remains fully liable for its Colombian debts and obligations, unlike a subsidiary structure such as an SAS, which shields the parent company’s assets.
If you’re a sole operator rather than forming a company, it’s also possible to register as a persona natural comerciante (sole proprietor) with your local Chamber of Commerce, obtaining a Matrícula Mercantil without creating a separate legal entity — though this comes with unlimited personal liability rather than the protections a formal company structure offers.
Confirm Your Business Name Is Available
Before filing anything, search the RUES (Unified Business and Social Registry) at rues.org.co to confirm your desired trade name or corporate name isn’t already registered by another company. The Chamber of Commerce will reject your registration outright if there’s a name conflict (homonimia), so clearing this step first avoids a costly delay later in the process.
Define Your Economic Activity and Structure Details
Before drafting incorporation documents, you’ll need to determine your CIIU code — Colombia’s version of the international ISIC economic activity classification — along with how many partners or shareholders will participate. For an SAS specifically, the company’s bylaws are set out in a private document that must include, at minimum, the identification of shareholders, the company’s principal domicile and any branches, its duration (which may be indefinite), and its corporate purpose.
Appoint a Legal Representative
Every Colombian company needs a Legal Representative (Representante Legal), who represents the company legally and judicially. This person doesn’t need to be a Colombian citizen, but for practical purposes, it’s strongly recommended they be a resident or hold a visa that permits them to work in the country, since day-to-day operational and compliance matters generally require someone with legal standing to act inside Colombia.
Register With the Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio) manages Colombia’s public commercial registry, and all companies must register there to obtain their Commercial Registration (Matrícula Mercantil) — this step is what formally sets your business up within the Colombian legal system, and every business is required to complete it regardless of structure. Registration fees are tied to the company’s declared capital, with a minimum charge running around COP 380,000.
Obtain Your Tax ID (NIT)
Once your commercial registration is complete, your business must register with the National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) to obtain a NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) — the company’s tax identification number, essential for tax compliance and virtually every subsequent business transaction. This process also includes registration in the RUT (Unified Tax Registry).
Open a Corporate Bank Account
With your commercial registration and NIT in hand, opening a corporate bank account is typically the final foundational step before actively operating. For foreign founders working remotely, this step — along with the Chamber of Commerce registration and NIT issuance — can generally run in parallel through local legal counsel using a Power of Attorney, without requiring physical presence in Colombia.
Digital Filing Has Simplified the Process
As of 2026, digital signatures are accepted for most filings, eliminating the need for physical presence and notary appointments in many cases — a meaningful change that’s made remote incorporation genuinely practical for foreign entrepreneurs who can’t easily travel to Colombia during the setup process.
Ongoing Compliance After Registration
Registering your business is only the starting point. Once incorporated, companies must handle ongoing compliance tasks including filing taxes with DIAN, paying payroll and social security benefits, maintaining company records, and renewing any required licenses. Depending on your industry, additional permits or registrations may apply — for example, registering a trademark requires a separate application to the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio.
A Note on Business Visas
If you’re a foreign national planning to actively manage your Colombian business rather than simply own it remotely, a qualifying business investment — around 100x the monthly minimum wage (SMMLV), roughly USD 39,000 in 2026 — opens a path to the M-6 Business Owner Visa under Resolution 5477 of 2022, which can eventually lead toward permanent residency.
Official Contacts
Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá (Chamber of Commerce)
Website:
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RUES Business Name Search:
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DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales — Tax Authority)
Website:
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ProColombia (Foreign Investment Agency)
Website:
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Join The Discussion
Are you in the process of registering a business in Colombia, whether as a local entrepreneur or a foreign founder navigating the process remotely? What part has been trickiest — choosing between an SAS and another structure, the Chamber of Commerce registration, or securing the right visa to manage operations locally? Share your experiences, questions, or tips for others starting the process below.
