Incorporation of a company
If you already have your business idea or company to develop activities in the country, you may choose the type of company to create or incorporate. know the types of companies in Colombia
Find all the detailed information you need to set up your company in Colombia by consulting the Single Business Window (VUE), where you can register your company online with the Chamber of Commerce and much more.
Here you can consult each of the steps and requirements for Incorporation of a company
What do I need to create a Public Deed?
Have a Legal Identification Document at hand:
Passport
Visa
Foreigner ID
What steps do I need to follow for the creation of a Public Deed?
Submit the documents (Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the corporation) to the Regional Notary Office to prepare the Public Deed.
Make the corresponding payment according to the rates of the notary's office.
Sign the public deed of incorporation of the company and obtain the copies after 4 working days.
Where can I go?
You can go to the Regional Notary Office of your preference. For more information visit https://www.notaria19bogota.com/servicios-notaria/escrituras-publicas/
The documents are delivered in person.
What is the cost of this procedure?
Type of Company | Creation of Company | Cost |
Simplified Joint Stock Company | Conduct the formalization by means of a private document with notarized signature.
| The cost of authentication of signatures (personal presentation) before a notary is COP $6,300 (USD1.7). |
Public Limited Company | Raise or notarize the bylaws of the company to public deed. | 0.3% on the capital stock or subscribed capital (notary fees) + 19% Sales Tax (VAT) on the notary fees + cost of personal presentation of the private document before a notary $6,300 COP (USD 1.78). |
Limited society | Raise or notarize the bylaws of the company to public deed. | 0.3% on the capital stock or subscribed capital (notary fees) + 19% Sales Tax (VAT) on the notary fees + cost of personal presentation of the private document before a notary $6,300 COP (USD 1.78). |
Branch of Foreign Company | Raise or notarize the bylaws of the head office abroad, the opening resolution of the Board of Directors and other documents required by the Code of Commerce. | 0.3% of the capital assigned to the branch (notary fees) + 19% Sales Tax (VAT) on notary fees. |
Note: Payment will be in local currency COP and costs vary according to the Market Representative Rate (TRM).
How long does this process take?
>1 working day
What regulations must I comply with?
REGULATIONS | THEME |
Code of Commerce Decree Law 410 of 1971 | General and special regulation of commercial companies and branches of foreign companies. |
Law 222 of 1995 | It modifies the Code of Commerce on corporate matters and regulates figures such as spin-offs, business groups, duties of the administrators, shares with dividend preference and without voting rights, majorities for meetings of corporations and sole proprietorships. |
Law 1258 of 2008 | It creates the S.A.S. and establishes the regulations applicable to such company. |
Regulatory Circular DCIN 83 of the Bank of the Republic of Colombia. | Foreign investment. |
Law 1429 of 2010 | Formalization and employment generation law. |
Decree 19 of 2012 | Regulation through which unnecessary regulations, procedures and formalities existing in the Public Administration are eliminated or reformed. |
Law 1607 of 2012 | Regulation through which tax regulations are issued. |
Law 1739 of 2014 | Regulation by virtue of which the tax statute and Law 1607 of 2012 are amended. |
Resolution 200-004850 of 2012 of the Superintendence of Companies | By means of which the general authorization regime for the statutory reform consisting in the reduction of capital is established. |
Statutory Law 1581 of 2012 | Regulation on the protection of personal data |
Basic Legal Circular 100-000005 of 2017 of the Superintendency of Companies. | Whereby the main instructions of the SIC are included. |
Law 1901 of 2018 | By means of which commercial companies of collective benefit and interest are created and developed. |
Decree Law 410 of 1971 (Art. 110) (Decree Law) |
Source: Legal Guide for doing business in Colombia
This is the way a company is legally created in Colombia.
What do I need to register before the Chamber of Commerce?
Public Deed if applicable for the type of company selected or private document.
Registration of digital signature of the creators of the company.
Identity document of the person who will be the Legal Representative.
What steps do I have to follow to register with the Chamber of Commerce?
Create the incorporation document or attach it in PDF format.
Fill out the registration and establishment forms if you have them.
The DIAN will send to the e-mail registered by the user, the certificate of the Single Tax Registry - RUT with the legend "certified" and will inform the Tax Identification Number - NIT.
If you do not receive the e-mail, check the status of the RUT or contact the DIAN.
Once the process is approved, the Chamber of Commerce manages the following services to finalize the registration:
Registration in the Single Tax Registry (RUT) and obtaining the NITT.
Payment of the registration tax.
Registration in the Tax Information Registry (RIT) or the one that takes its place.
Registration of electronic trade books (if requested during the process).
Obtain the Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation (CCR): The Certificate of Existence before the Regional Chamber of Commerce is the document that certifies the registration of the company, the social contract, the reforms and the appointments of administrators and Legal Representative.
Where can I go?
You can perform these procedures online and/or in person at the Regional Chamber of Commerce
What is the cost of this procedure?
Type of Company | Registration before the Chamber of Commerce | Cost |
Simplified Joint Stock Company | Register the private incorporation document at the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the company's main domicile and pay the corresponding registration fees and taxes. | Up to 0.7% of the value of the company's subscribed capital (registration tax) + applicable fee according to the company's asset range (commercial registration) + $45,000 COP (USD 12.23) for registration fees. |
Public Limited Company | Register the public deed in the Chamber of Commerce of the city where the company will have its main domicile. The payment of the rights and taxes corresponding to the registration must be made. | Up to 0.7% of the value of the capital stock or subscribed capital of the company (registration tax) + applicable fee according to the range of assets of the company (commercial registration) + $45,000 COP (USD 12.23) for registration fees. |
Limited society | Register the public deed in the Chamber of Commerce of the city where the company will have its main domicile. The payment of the rights and taxes corresponding to the registration must be made. | Up to 0.7% of the value of the capital stock or subscribed capital of the company (registration tax) + applicable fee according to the range of assets of the company (commercial registration) + $45,000 COP (approx. USD 12.23) for registration fees. |
Branch of Foreign Company | Registration of the deed at the Chamber of Commerce | Up to 0.7% of the value of the assigned capital of the company (registration tax) + applicable fee according to the range of assets of the company (commercial registration) + $45,000 COP (approx. USD 12.2) for registration fees. |
Note: Payment will be in local currency COP
How long does this process take?
5 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Decree 410 of 1971 (Art. 471) (Decree Law)
An Electronic Identity (EI) will be generated before the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN)
What do I need to request a Digital Signature?
You must present the Single Tax Registry (RUT)
You will be required to create a user in the platform MUISCA (Single Revenue, Service and Automated Control Model), this is the platform where you can register for the tax return.
What steps must I follow to request the Digital Signature?
Once you have fulfilled the requirements you can proceed to generate the Digital Signature
Where can I go?
You can carry out this procedure online or at the offices of the National Tax and Customs Directorate DIAN (by appointment)
What is the cost of this procedure?
No cost
How long does this procedure take?
>1 business day
What regulations must I comply with?
Decree 642 1989 By which the Tax Statute of the Taxes administered by the DIAN is issued (Art. 571)
The purpose of this procedure is to obtain numbering authorization to carry out invoicing processes.
What do I need to request numbering authorization?
Must previously have an Electronic Signature
Must have an updated RUT
What steps should I follow to request numbering authorization?
Enter the MUISCA portal (Single Model of Revenue, Service and Automated Control)
Obtain billing numbering authorization
Where can I go?
You can carry out this procedure online or at DIAN offices (by appointment)
What is the cost of this procedure?
No cost
How long does this procedure take?
>1 business day
What regulations must I comply with?
Decree 624 of 1989 By which the Tax Statute of the Taxes Administered by the General Directorate of National Taxes <DIAN> (art. 616-1. Paragraph 2) (Decree-Law)
This process before the DIAN enables you to invoice electronically.
What do I need to apply for the Electronic Invoice?
Acquire a software for invoicing or through a technology provider
Register in the DIAN platform for prior validation of the software and the Electronic Invoice
Have the RUT updated in responsibility #52 (i.e., Electronic Invoicing)
Request authorization for electronic invoice numbering ranges
What steps should I follow to request the Electronic Invoice?
Comply with the above-mentioned requirements
Request the enabling of the Electronic Invoice
Where can I go?
You can carry out this procedure online or at the DIAN offices (by appointment)
What is the cost of this procedure?
No Cost
How long does this procedure take?
>1 business day
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 962 of 2005 (Art. 26) (Ordinary Law) Law 1231 of 2008 (Art. 1, paragraph) (Ordinary Law) Law 1607 of 2012 (Art. 183) (Ordinary Law) Law 1819 of 2016 (Art. 308) (Ordinary Law) Decree 624 of 1989 (Art. 615, 616-1) (Decree Law)
It is important to open a bank account to carry out your financial procedures
What do I need to open a bank account?
Once you have selected the bank of your choice, you must complete the Bank Forms.
It is necessary to present the Certificate of Existence and Legal Representation issued by the Chamber of Commerce.
Present the RUT
Submit the Income Tax Return
Prepare the bank account opening request letter with account specifications.
Present the identity documents of the persons authorized by the company to carry out transactions from the bank account.
What steps should I follow to open a bank account?
File the documents at the chosen bank branch
Wait for a response from the bank and get your bank account
Where can I go?
You must go in person to the bank of your choice
What is the cost of this procedure?
No cost
Note: Each financial institution, depending on its policies, establishes the minimum amount to open a bank account
How long does this procedure take?
>1 business day
What regulations must I comply with?
Concept 2017121469-001 of the Superintendency of Finance dated November 24, 2017. (Concept)
Decree Law 410 of 1971 (Art. 1245) (Decree Law)
Decree Law 410 of 1971 (Art. 1246) (Decree Law)
This process must be carried out from the banking entity of your preference, and its purpose is to register the initial or additional investments of a foreign capital before the Bank of the Republic of Colombia, through the financial entities of the country. This registration must be updated annually.
What do I need to register the investment?
File Form 4. Declaration of Exchange for International Investments with the Financial Institution
File Form 11. Declaration of Registration of International Investments with the Financial Institution
What steps should I follow to register the Company's Foreign Investment?
Complete the forms provided by the Bank of the Republic at the respective financial institution
File the documents with the bank
Where can I go?
You must go in person to the bank of your choice
What is the cost of this procedure?
No cost
How long does it take?
>1 business day
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 9 of 1991. By which general norms are dictated to which the National Government must adjust to regulate international exchanges and complementary measures are adopted (art. 9) (Framework Law).
Law 9 of 1991. By which general norms are issued to which the National Government must adjust to regulate international exchange and complementary measures are adopted (art. 15) (Framework Law).
Decree 1068 of 2015. Whereby the Sole Regulatory Decree of the Treasury and Public Credit Sector is issued (art. 2.17.2.2.3.3).
As an investor you can process a qualification that allows you to be a user within a Permanent Free Trade Zone to obtain special tax, customs, and foreign trade treatment.
What do I need to apply as a user of a ZFP?
You need the certificate of existence and legal representation issued by the Chamber of Commerce, in which the following is accredited:
1.1 The incorporation of a new legal entity or that it has not developed its corporate purpose, or the establishment of a Branch of a Foreign Company that has not developed activities in the country.
1.2 The domicile of the company must be in the Free Trade Zone where it intends to qualify.
1.3 To assure that the applicant Commercial Company is going to develop its activities exclusively in the Free Trade Zone.
Requires the names, identification, and RUT of the Legal Representative, of the members of the Board of Directors, of the partners, shareholders and of all the direct and indirect controllers. In case the partners are legal entities, their respective shareholding composition must be presented.
In Corporations, only shareholders with a percentage of participation of more than ten percent (10%) of the subscribed capital must be informed.
Submit an Affidavit stating that there are no sanctions or convictions against the legal representatives or shareholders of the company.
Submit an accreditation that the legal representatives, partners or shareholders and management personnel do not have any tax, exchange, or customs debts, as well as other credits in favor of the DIAN on behalf of the company.
Submit the project to be developed with goals, justification, investment value and main impacts related to the purposes set forth in Article 2 of Law 1004 of 2005.
Present the financial structure of the project and the related capital (national and foreign).
Present the authorizations, accreditations and other requirements or permits necessary for the development of the activity demanded by the competent authority that regulates, controls, or monitors the activity to be developed.
Process and deliver the Certification that certifies that the project complies with the requirements of the competent environmental authority, in accordance with the environmental regulations in force.
Make the capital investment and comply with the generation of jobs required depending on the real productive fixed assets that the company has at the time of submitting the application.
What steps must I follow to apply as a ZFP user?
Submit the qualification application to the user operator of the Permanent Free Trade Zones. The required documentation can be found in Article 80 of Decree 2147 of 2016, as amended by Decree 278 of 2021.
Deliver all those supporting and clarifying documents requested by the operator user.
The Free Trade Zone user operator will evaluate the application and if appropriate, will issue the act of qualification to become a user of a ZFP
What is the cost of this procedure?
Some user-operators charge fees for the study of the application and the qualification act. These values are adjusted by the operating users themselves.
With the qualification as an industrial user of goods and/or services of the Free Trade Zone, some investment and employment commitments are acquired, according to the number of real productive fixed assets that the company has at the time of requesting the qualification.
How long does this process take?
90 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Decree No. 2147 of 2016. Art. 79 and 80, modified by article 34 of Decree 278 of 2021.
The objective of this procedure is to obtain the declaration of a geographical area as a Special Permanent Free Trade Zone, and to do so, the following steps must be completed
What do I need to establish an area as an ZFPE?
Submit the certificate of existence and legal representation issued by the Chamber of Commerce, which proves the following:
1.1 The incorporation of a new legal entity or or one that has not developed its corporate purpose, or the establishment of a branch of a foreign company that has not developed activities in the country.
1.2 The domicile of the company must be in the Free Trade Zone where it intends to qualify.
1.3 Consider that the applicant commercial company must develop its activities exclusively in the Free Trade Zone.
Report the names, identification and RUT of the Legal Representative, members of the Board of Directors, partners, shareholders, and direct and indirect controllers of the company.
In case the partners are legal entities, their respective shareholding composition must be presented. In Corporations (S.A.) only shareholders with a percentage of participation higher than ten percent (10%) of the subscribed capital must be reported.
Submit a sworn statement that the legal representatives or shareholders of the company have no sanctions or convictions.
Prove that there are no tax, exchange, customs, or other debts in favor of the DIAN by the company, the legal representatives, the partners, or shareholders and/or the management personnel.
Present the Master Plan of General Development of the Free Trade Zone, which includes:
5.1 Executive summary of the project to be developed with goals, justification, investment value and main impacts related to the purposes set forth in Article 2 of Law 1004 of 2005.
5.2 General description of the project: investment commitment, job creation commitment, commitment execution schedules, estimated amount of sales.
5.3 Free Trade Zone area: topographical, photographic, and architectural plans of the project, with their supports.
5.4 Internationalization promotion plan
5.5 Technical feasibility study
5.6 Financial feasibility study
5.7 Legal Feasibility Study
Deliver the certificate of land use issued by the competent authority in whose jurisdiction it is intended to obtain the declaration of existence of the Free Trade Zone.
Prove that the project is in accordance with the requirements of the environmental authority, and in case of requiring infrastructure works that involve the use of natural resources, water, or the affectation of its watercourses, it must have the corresponding permits.
Proof of compliance with the procedures inherent to the prior consultation when applicable.
Proof that the land is not part of the land subject to a land restitution request.
Submit a schedule specifying the completion of the enclosure of 100% of the area declared as Free Trade Zone prior to the start of operations or activities.
Submit a list of the equipment to be used for loading, unloading, and weighing for the entry and exit of goods.
When applying or submitting an application to a Free Trade Zone user operator, you must demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Decree 2147 of 2016.
Submit the other requirements or documents required by the special rules that regulate the activity to be carried out or the service to be rendered.
What steps should I follow to establish an area as a Special Permanent Free Trade Zone?
Contact MINCIT (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism) for the recognition of the user
Review the viability of the free trade zone
File the documents
Wait for the official response from the responsible entity
Where can I go?
You can carry out this procedure virtually, and acquire information through the platform zfpr.mincit.gov.co
What is the cost of this procedure?
No Cost
How long does it take?
180 working days
What regulations must I comply with?
Law 1004 of 2005 (Ordinary Law)
Decree 2147 of 2016, article 26 and articles 28 to 43 depending on the type of free zone. This decree was modified by Decree 278 of 2021.
Address: Cl 28 # 13A - 15, Bogotá, Colombia.
Postal Code: 110311
Office hours: 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m
Switchboard Telephone: (+57) 601 606 7676
Toll-free hotline: 01-8000 944 570
Anti-corruption hotline: 01-8000 958 263
Institutional Email: info@mincit.gov.co
Judicial notifications: notificacionesjudiciales@mincit.gov.co