Table of Contents
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.
Book an appoimentwith one of our experts
