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Many of our clients constantly ask us about becoming Colombian citizens by marrying their Colombian partners. The process is pretty straightforward, yet there are some essential steps that you need to take to gain citizenship successfully.
With this in mind, we’ve laid out our comprehensive guide on how to get Colombian citizenship by marriage.
Colombian citizenship requirements
If you’ve been married to a Colombian and have held an R-type resident visa for at least two years, you are eligible to apply for Colombian citizenship.
Like most other countries, Colombia allows you to hold dual citizenship between itself and your current place of citizenship, so there’s no need to worry about renouncing your nationality. Besides having Colombian heritage, this is also the quickest route to acquiring Colombian citizenship. For instance, becoming a Colombian citizen by working there means holding an M-type work visa for at least five years.
As in most North American and Western countries, you must pass a citizenship test. The test contains several questions on Colombian history, geography, and constitutional law. The test is in Spanish and includes a verbal section to assess your level of spoken Spanish. However, exceptions are made for applicants over 65 or with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized Colombian university.
When applying for the citizenship test, the assessor at the migración office will quickly evaluate your intentions behind becoming a Colombian citizen. This counts towards accepting or denying your application before or after the test.
Colombian citizenship benefits
When you become a Colombian citizen, you’ll be able to move freely between members and associate members of the Mercosur trade agreement (every landlocked South American country apart from Suriname and French Guiana). This means you won’t need your passport, only your Colombian ID (la cédula) to cross borders.
On top of this, you’ll no longer need to apply for Colombian visas, saving some time-consuming trips to Migración. In addition, after 5 years of being a naturalized citizen of Colombia, you can also find work in Mercosur countries without needing a visa, pending a government background check.
Colombian marriage visa requirements
If you’re struggling with the ins and outs of the Colombian marriage system, or if your marriage type or circumstance is special, read up on how to get married in Colombia. Once you’ve married your partner, you should have your marriage certificate and be able to apply for the R-type marriage visa.
Firstly, you must apply for your visa on the Cancillería website. Here are the following documents that you’ll need before and during the application:
Start with a Colombia Marriage Visa
If you’re unsure at any point in your marriage visa application process, consult an experienced visa specialist agency. They can help you navigate requirements, prepare documentation, and ensure you’re ready for interviews. Their expertise can alleviate stress and improve the chances of your application’s success.
Final Thoughts
Getting Colombian citizenship by marriage is ideal if you want to secure your future with your spouse in Colombia or the Mercosur region.
It will not only provide you with peace of mind when traveling between Colombia and your country of national origin but also allow you to benefit from freedom of movement within South America.
So, if you’re looking to become a Colombian citizen and want to ensure the success of your application, contact Expat Group. We’ve already helped hundreds of foreign nationals like yourself get Colombian visas, set up businesses, and gain citizenship. Book an appointment or contact us for more information.
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19 Responses
I’m an American married for almost 4 years to a Colombian Citizen. We both reside in the U.S. I want to move to Colombia but my husband does not. He’s happy here in the U.S. I’m an African American woman and I hate it here in the U.S. I cannot convince him to help me get my Visa so that I can live and work (I’m a writer) in Colombia. I earn my own money and owned my home here in the U.S. before I met him. I will be selling or renting my home. Can you all tell me how I can become a Colombian Citizen. My husband has been in the U.S. for 24 years non-interrupted. He has not been in his home country for 24 years.
I have a Cédula that expires next Sept. after the first year. My passport then expires next October… Can I get a Colombian passport when my Cédula expires BEFORE my current passport expires?
I have a dual citizenship U.S. /Colombia. I live with my wife in the U.S. Although I’ve been to Colombia I don’t have a residence there. My wife is a US citizen. I wanted to know what she needs to do to become a Colombian citizen. She would do fine on a citizenship test. She speaks Spanish and knows some Colombian history through my family.
We recommend your wife apply for the Marriage Visa, as it enables her to accumulate time toward a Resident Visa. To obtain Colombian nationality, she must first hold a Migrant Visa (Marriage Visa in this case) for 2 years, followed by a Resident visa for another 5 years. After completing these requirements, she may qualify for citizenship, allowing her to apply for nationality.
Contact us for professional, experienced, and accurate advice from start to finish with your particular case:
🌐 https://expatgroup.co/spouse-visa/
📲 https://wa.me/19547993692
Hi. Can i get a Colombian resident and acquire a passport with know how to speak Spanish
To obtain a Colombian passport, you must first hold a migrant visa for 5 years, followed by a Resident visa for another 5 years. After completing these requirements, you may qualify for citizenship, which will allow you to apply for a passport.
Reach out to us for assistance with your migratory needs. We’ll review your case, guide you to the appropriate visa for your residency in Colombia, and provide you with the best possible advice.
📲 https://wa.me/19547993692
Hi my father is Colombian an married my mother in Colombia but I was born in the us how can I obtain my dual citizenship
Colombia permits dual citizenship, allowing Americans with a Colombian parent to obtain citizenship by providing the applicant’s birth certificate from the country of birth, duly apostilled or legalized and translated if necessary, along with proof of the parent(s)’ Colombian nationality.
If you’d like help with the paperwork, apostille, translation, or in-person registration process, our trusted partner, Intercol can guide you through each step. Contact them confidently!
https://medellinguru.com/directory/intercol/
Hello. My wife has dual citizenship in the US & Colombia. We have been married for 7 years. After we go to Colombia and apply for a R-visa, during the next 2 years before applying for Colombian citizenship, do i need to stay in Colombia for certain time periods or can we return to the US for those 2 years and continue to work in the US or do i need to stay in Colombia those 2 years? Also I am a US Military Veteran, does that interfere with anything?
Thanks
If you are married to a Colombian citizen and have a resident visa (R) through marriage, you can apply for Colombian nationality after 2 years of continuous residence in Colombia. You must not be absent for more than 6 consecutive months during that time, so permanent residence in the USA is not possible if you want to apply for citizenship after 2 years.
As a U.S. military veteran, your condition does not impact the process. However, it is advisable to seek assistance with your visa application or the citizenship process. At expatgroup.co, we provide expert advice and help you step by step. Contact us!
📲 https://wa.me/19547993692
I m married to a Colombian. We currently live in the US. I want to get my residency through marriage in Colombia. After 2 years, I can apply for citizenship and take all the tests. However, how much time in those two years do I have to spend in Colombia? Can I enter every 6 months for a week or two?
To obtain Colombian citizenship through marriage, you must have a spouse visa for 2 years and not be outside the country for more than a total of 180 days or more than 6 consecutive months. Do you have questions? At expatgroup.co, we are experts in the process and can assist you. Contact us!
📲 https://wa.me/19547993692