Workers from Colombia.
SENA qualifications and the lowest cultural distance in Latin America

Yes. Colombian citizens can enter the Schengen area visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but that does not grant the right to work. Legal employment requires a type A work permit issued by the voivode and a national D visa filed at the Polish Embassy in Bogotá. We prepare the entire file on the employer's side.

Realistically 3 to 5 months from signing the contract to the first day at work. The labour market test and type A permit usually take 6 to 12 weeks, apostille and sworn translations another 2 to 4 weeks, and the visa procedure in Bogotá 4 to 8 weeks. Colombia is a party to the Hague Convention, so documents are legalised by apostille – which shortens the paperwork stage noticeably.

Spanish is the native language and the basis of communication. Some candidates from Bogotá, Medellín and the service sector speak conversational English, but we never assume it by default. In practice the model that works is a bilingual crew leader plus workstation instructions in Spanish – we assess each person's level on a video call.

In most cases yes – the district governor issues a statement that local recruitment is not possible. Exemptions cover occupations on the regional shortage list, which often includes welders, machine operators, mechanics, drivers and construction trades. We check this at the start because it drives the schedule.

The backbone is SENA – the state vocational training institution, one of the largest in Latin America, covering welding, mechanics, electrical trades, maintenance, logistics, catering and agriculture. Técnico and Tecnólogo diplomas are issued after a practical exam and can be verified in the SENA register.

We verify SENA diplomas with the issuing body, obtain an apostille and provide sworn translations. For welders we run weld samples with visual assessment before departure and close the EN ISO 9606-1 exam after arrival in Poland. For operators we handle UDT permits, and for drivers licence exchange and initial qualification.

Industrial manufacturing and maintenance, welding and steel structures, construction, logistics and warehousing, food processing, plus horticulture and greenhouses. Colombia is the world's second largest cut flower exporter, so candidates from the Bogotá savanna have genuine greenhouse experience under EU export standards.

Candidates are direct, courteous and strongly team-oriented – they respond well to a supervisor who explains the purpose of a task rather than only issuing orders. The work culture is close to European: a Catholic holiday calendar, a similar weekly rhythm and a habit of formal employment. This is one of the origins with the lowest cultural distance from Poland.

Employer or agency provided accommodation is the standard. We arrange the flight from Bogotá or Medellín, airport transfer, housing that meets sanitary requirements, registration, a PESEL number and a bank account. A coordinator is present for the first formalities and the health and safety training.

A type A permit is usually issued for up to three years and can be extended. After arrival the worker can apply for a single permit for residence and work, which keeps employment continuous without leaving Poland.

Yes. We work only with partners operating under Colombian labour law and the supervision of the Ministerio del Trabajo, applying a zero recruitment fee policy for workers. That protects the employer from reputational risk and from turnover driven by candidate debt to intermediaries.

The budget covers Polish administrative fees, the visa and service fee in Bogotá, apostille, sworn translations, medicals and insurance, the flight and relocation, onboarding and the agency fee. The transatlantic flight is the largest transport item, so arrivals are planned in groups. We quote per specific role and headcount – with no hidden items.