How to register a foreign investment in Colombia

Colombia has an open foreign investment regime, but investments must be registered with Banco de la República (the Central Bank). Registration protects the investor's exchange rights, such as remitting profits abroad or repatriating capital.

General steps

1. Set up or identify the receiving company in Colombia.
2. Channel the funds through the foreign exchange market (an authorized bank or intermediary), declaring them as investment.
3. Register the investment with the transaction details, within the deadlines set by exchange regulations.
4. Keep the information updated: capital changes, substitutions and periodic reports.

Common mistakes

• Bringing money in as a loan when it was a capital contribution.
• Failing to report changes to the investment on time.
• Forgetting the receiving company's accounting and tax obligations.

Exchange regulations are updated periodically. Check current requirements before each transaction.

We support foreign investors with registration, accounting and taxes for their company in Colombia.