How to open a business account in Colombia: steps and documents

Snapshot

To open a business account in Colombia, the company must first be registered with the Camara de Comercio and hold a RUT with a NIT from the DIAN. With the certificate of existence and legal representation, the statutes, the RUT and identification for the legal representative, the company applies to a bank, which runs SARLAFT checks before opening the account. A foreign legal representative usually needs a valid Colombian visa and a Cedula de Extranjeria.

First step: Register the company with the Camara de Comercio and obtain the RUT with a NIT from the DIAN.
Core documents: Certificate of existence and legal representation, statutes, RUT, shareholders composition, and legal representative identification.
Compliance step: SARLAFT checks, with enhanced review where ownership or control is foreign.
Foreign representative: Usually a valid Colombian visa and a Cedula de Extranjeria. Verify with the provider.

Fees and features as of 21 April 2026Last reviewed 21 April 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

Opening a business account in Colombia follows the company registration. First register the company with the Camara de Comercio, most often an S.A.S., a Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada, then obtain a RUT with a NIT from the DIAN. Gather the certificate of existence and legal representation dated within the last 30 days, the statutes, the shareholders composition, and identification for the legal representative. Apply to a bank such as Bancolombia, BBVA Colombia or Davivienda, which runs SARLAFT checks before opening the account. A foreign legal representative usually needs a valid Colombian visa and a Cedula de Extranjeria. Steps and documents below are shown as of 21 April 2026, so confirm with the provider.

Steps to open a business account in Colombia

The process is sequential, because the bank opens the account in the name of a registered company. Completing the registration and tax steps first makes the bank application straightforward.

Register the company with the Camara de Comercio. For an S.A.S. this is usually a private document with the statutes. You receive the certificate of existence and legal representation, which the bank will ask for dated within the last 30 days.
Obtain the RUT with the NIT from the DIAN. The RUT identifies the company for tax and is required to open the account. It can often be processed alongside the commercial registration.
Choose a provider and gather the documents. Compare the cuota de manejo, transfer and card fees, and the services you need such as payroll, foreign currency or cash handling.
Apply and pass SARLAFT checks. The bank verifies the company, the legal representative and the beneficial owners, with enhanced review where ownership or control is foreign, then opens the account.

Documents banks usually ask for

Have these ready before you apply, since a complete file speeds up the SARLAFT review. Verify with the provider

The certificate of existence and legal representation from the Camara de Comercio, dated within the last 30 days, and the statutes or articles.
The RUT showing the NIT, the shareholders or partners composition, and the financial information the bank requests such as expected turnover and source of funds.
Identification for the legal representative and beneficial owners. A foreign legal representative usually needs a valid Colombian visa and a Cedula de Extranjeria.

After the account is open

Once open, the account is held in pesos with the means to send and receive local payments, including instant payments through the Bre-B system run by the Banco de la Republica. If the business receives or sends foreign currency, those operations fall under the exchange regime, so a declaracion de cambio applies and a registered cuenta de compensacion may be used. Plan for the four per thousand tax on outgoing payments and IVA on bank commissions. Confirm the current terms and reporting duties with the provider, as of 21 April 2026.

Compare business accounts available in Colombia

These providers accept business customers in Colombia. Fees and eligibility shown as of 21 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about opening a business account in Colombia

What do I need to open a business account in Colombia?

You generally need the company registered with the Camara de Comercio, the certificate of existence and legal representation dated within the last 30 days, the RUT showing the NIT, the statutes, the shareholders composition, and identification for the legal representative. Banks then apply SARLAFT checks. Confirm the current list with the provider, as of 21 April 2026.

Can a foreigner open a business account in Colombia?

A company registered in Colombia with a RUT and a NIT can open an account, and a foreign legal representative usually needs a valid Colombian visa and a Cedula de Extranjeria. Banks apply enhanced SARLAFT checks where ownership or control is foreign. Verify your situation with the provider before applying.

How long does it take to open a business account in Colombia?

It varies by provider and by how complete your documents are. Once the company is registered and the RUT is issued, account opening can take from a few days to a few weeks depending on the SARLAFT review and any foreign ownership. Confirm current timelines with the provider, as of 21 April 2026.

Do I need to register the company before opening an account?

Yes. A company account in Colombia requires the entity to be registered with the Camara de Comercio and to hold a RUT with a NIT from the DIAN. Banks open the account in the name of the registered company, not in the name of an unregistered business. Confirm the steps with the provider and a qualified adviser.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 21 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.