Where we practise
Santa Marta, Colombia.
The bay, the historic centre, and the Sierra Nevada behind it. This is where you will apply for your visa, buy your property, or set up your company.
- Magdalena
- Colombian Caribbean
- 11°14′N 74°12′W
Attorney in Santa Marta · Colombia
Colombian law for foreigners in Santa Marta
Residency visas, cédula de extranjería, buying property, and setting up a company. Colombian law explained in plain English, so you are never guessing what happens next.
English and Spanish
The consultation and the documents, in the language you work in.
Reply within 24 h
Business hours, by WhatsApp or through the contact form.
First consultation
No obligation. We review your case before you commit.
We listen
The first consultation is to understand your case, not to sell you a service. If we cannot help, we say so.
We reply
Within 24 business hours, by WhatsApp or through the form. You are never left waiting for an answer.
We explain the procedure
Which documents are needed, how long it takes, and what can go wrong. Before you decide to hire anyone.
Where you will live
The oldest city in Colombia.
Founded in 1525. Buying here, renting here or incorporating here has rules of its own, and they are worth knowing before you sign.
- Founded 1525
- Historic centre
- Property purchase
Practice areas
Five areas of Colombian law, ordered by what a foreigner needs first on arriving in the country.
5 700 mSee the procedure4 200 mSee the procedure2 800 mSee the procedure1 400 mSee the procedure0 mSee the procedure
Immigration law
Residency visas, the digital nomad visa, cédula de extranjería, extensions and salvoconductos before Migración Colombia. The whole procedure handled end to end.
Civil and property law
Buying property in Santa Marta with a full title study, promise-to-purchase agreement and deed execution. Also contracts, estates and civil liability.
Commercial law
S.A.S. incorporation, Chamber of Commerce registration, commercial contracts and compliance for companies with foreign shareholders.
Trademarks and industrial property
Trademark registration before the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio, patents, and defence of industrial property in Colombia.
Data protection and digital law
Compliance with Law 1581 on personal data protection, habeas data, processing policies, and response to security incidents.
Where are you reading this from?
What you need depends on where you are today. These are the three situations most of our foreign clients arrive in.
≥ 2 000 km
Still abroad
You are weighing up moving, retiring or investing in Colombia, and you need to know which visa applies before you book the flight.
- Which visa fits your case: V, M or R
- Requirements, apostilles and official translations
- What each category does and does not let you do
0 km
Already in Colombia
You hold a visa or are about to renew one, and you need to stay compliant without missing deadlines that carry financial penalties.
- Cédula de extranjería within the 15-day deadline
- Renewals and changes of visa category
- Registering dependants: spouse and children
Capital
Coming to invest or start a company
You are buying property, incorporating, or bringing capital in, and the structure needs to be right from the first document.
- Title study before you sign a promise-to-purchase
- S.A.S. incorporation and commercial registration
- Registering the investment with Banco de la República
Who handles your case
Daniella Hernández practises in Santa Marta and works in English and Spanish. Her training combines Colombian law with legal study in the United States, which is precisely the distance a foreign client needs someone to cover on their behalf.
- Education
- Universidad Sergio Arboleda (Colombia) · Penn State Law (United States)
- Languages
- English and Spanish, in consultation and in documents
- Focus
- Immigration, property, commercial, industrial property and data protection
How your case moves
Four stations, from the first consultation to a finished procedure. You always know which one you are at.
- 01
Initial Consultation
We listen to your case, analyze documentation, and evaluate your legal options.
- 02
Case Analysis
We investigate thoroughly, identifying risks and opportunities for your situation.
- 03
Legal Strategy
We develop a personalized plan with clear objectives and defined steps.
- 04
Resolution
We execute the strategy and work to achieve the best possible outcome.
- 15
Calendar days
The deadline to register for a cédula de extranjería with Migración Colombia. Missing it carries a fine.
- 3
Visa categories
V for visitor, M for migrant, R for resident. Only one of them accumulates toward residency.
- 24 h
Response time
Business hours. The window in which we reply to a WhatsApp message or a form enquiry.
- 2
Languages
English and Spanish, in the consultation and in the documents that leave the office.
Guides to Colombian procedure
Full explanations of the procedures we are asked about most, written so you understand the process even if you never hire us.
Aug 20268 minAug 20267 minJan 20258 minJan 20254 min
Buying Property in Santa Marta, Colombia: A Foreigner's Legal Guide
How foreigners buy real estate in Santa Marta, Colombia: title search, the promesa de compraventa, the public deed, registration, foreign investment registration, and the beachfront and Sierra Nevada traps that catch buyers.
Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements, Limits and How to Apply
A complete guide to the Colombian V-Nómadas Digitales visa: who qualifies, income and insurance requirements, how long it lasts, what it does not allow, and why it does not lead to residency.
Commercial Contracts Checklist: What to Review Before Signing
Complete checklist for reviewing commercial contracts before signing. Includes critical points, essential clauses, and costly mistakes to avoid in Colombia.
Contract Breach: Legal Options and Initial Steps
Know your rights and legal options when the other party fails to fulfill a contract. Practical guide on initial steps, available remedies, and when to seek legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our legal services
You can schedule a consultation through WhatsApp or the contact form on our website. We will respond within a maximum of 24 business hours.
We specialize in civil law, commercial law, patents and industrial property, cybersecurity and digital law, and immigration law.
Yes, although our office is in Santa Marta, we handle cases throughout the Magdalena department and the Colombian Caribbean coast, and can advise on nationwide cases depending on the subject matter.
Fees vary depending on the complexity of the case. Contact us for a personalized quote based on your specific needs.
The time depends on the nature and complexity of the case. During the initial consultation, we will provide a realistic estimate of the timeline.
Tell me about your case
Message me on WhatsApp or leave your details in the form. I reply within 24 business hours, in English or Spanish.