The S.A.S. is Colombia's standard entity for foreign entrepreneurs and investors. We handle the entire formation — from drafting the bylaws to your first invoice. No Colombian partner required. Operational in 7–10 business days.
Over 90% of new Colombian companies are S.A.S. entities. Here is why it is the standard choice for foreign investors and remote business owners.
No minimum capital. Unlike older entity types, the S.A.S. (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada, Ley 1258/2008) has no statutory minimum capital requirement. You can incorporate with whatever capital suits your business plan. This makes it ideal for startups, solo founders, consulting businesses, and digital commerce — not just large-scale investors.
100% foreign ownership, single shareholder. A Colombian S.A.S. can be wholly owned by a foreign national or foreign entity. There is no requirement for a Colombian partner, local director, or minimum board composition. One shareholder and one legal representative — who can be the same person — is all that is required.
Limited liability. Shareholders are only liable to the extent of their capital contributions. Personal assets are protected from company debts and obligations — a fundamental protection for any business owner.
Flexible governance. The bylaws (Estatutos) can be tailored to your specific structure: share classes, transfer restrictions, dividend policy, and governance rules are fully customizable within the limits of Colombian commercial law.
Investor visa pathway. Holding shares in a Colombian S.A.S. valued at 100 SMMLV or more (approximately USD 28,000 at 2025 rates) qualifies you for a Type M Investor visa — the path to legal long-term residency in Colombia.
Our formation package covers every step from drafting to your first invoice. We handle all government interactions and filings so you don't have to.
Drafted for your specific commercial purpose — share structure, governance, activity codes — not copied from a generic template.
Filing with the local Cámara de Comercio, payment of registration fees, and issuance of the Certificado de Existencia.
Tax ID registration, activity code selection, tax regime assignment, and configuration of your ongoing DIAN obligations from day one.
DIAN-compliant electronic invoicing activation, software setup, and your first invoice generated — ready to bill clients in Colombia and abroad.
We manage the bank account opening process with a Colombian bank, including document preparation and in-person or remote representation where permitted.
Mandatory Banco de la República registration for foreign shareholders — protecting your right to legally repatriate profits and recover capital.
A clear five-step process. We manage all government interactions and keep you informed at every stage. Most formations are completed in 7–10 business days.
We review your business model, shareholder structure, and visa objectives to determine the optimal S.A.S. configuration and activity codes.
Our legal team drafts the bylaws, powers of attorney, and all formation documents tailored to your situation — reviewed and approved by you before filing.
Documents are filed with the Chamber of Commerce. Your S.A.S. legally comes into existence and you receive the Certificado de Existencia.
We register your S.A.S. with the tax authority, obtain the NIT/RUT, select activity codes, and configure your tax obligations and electronic invoicing.
Corporate bank account opening, Banco de la República foreign investment registration (Form 11), and Beneficial Ownership Registry (RUB) filing. You are fully operational.
When a foreigner owns shares in a Colombian S.A.S., two additional regulatory requirements apply beyond standard incorporation:
Banco de la República registration (Form 11). Every capital contribution by a foreign shareholder must be registered as foreign investment. This is the mechanism that legally protects your right to repatriate dividends and recover capital when you exit. Without this registration, transferring profits abroad is technically irregular. We handle this filing as part of our standard formation package.
Beneficial Ownership Registry (RUB). All Colombian companies must register their ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) in the national RUB registry. This is a SAGRILAFT anti-money laundering requirement under Ley 1778. We complete this registration and advise on ongoing update obligations.
We structure every incorporation with these downstream regulatory requirements in mind — not as add-ons, but as integral parts of a compliant formation.
Not necessarily. Provided you can grant us power of attorney (notarized and apostilled from your country), we can complete the entire formation on your behalf remotely. You will typically need to be present in Colombia to open the bank account in person — though some banks now allow remote opening with additional documentation.
Our formation package starts from USD 1,200, including government fees (Chamber of Commerce registration, RUT setup, electronic invoicing). This covers all standard steps to operational status. Additional services — such as foreign investment registration, bank account assistance, or Investor visa processing — are quoted separately based on your specific requirements.
Yes. In a Colombian S.A.S., the same individual can serve as sole shareholder and legal representative simultaneously. There is no requirement for a separate officer, local resident director, or board. This is one of the key advantages of the S.A.S. structure for solo foreign founders.
The main taxes are: corporate income tax (35% on net profits for most entities), IVA (VAT, 19% on applicable goods and services), retención en la fuente (withholding tax on payments), and ICA (municipal industry and commerce tax, variable by municipality and activity). Actual tax obligations depend on your activity type, revenue, and applicable regime. We provide a full tax briefing as part of the formation consultation.
Not automatically — but it is the prerequisite for the Investor visa. To qualify for the Type M Investor visa, the value of your shares in the S.A.S. must equal at least 100 SMMLV (approximately USD 28,000 at current rates). The visa is applied for separately after incorporation. We often handle both the S.A.S. formation and the visa application as a combined engagement.
Message us on WhatsApp or book a free consultation. We'll walk you through the process, timeline, and costs — no obligation.