Colombian citizenship is now more popular than ever, especially among startups, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs seeking to acquire Colombian nationality.
Colombia has become a stable country with a fast-growing economy, a safe environment, and excellent living conditions. The country boasts a strong passport, granting visa-free access to 151 countries, including the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.
The cost of living in Colombia is affordable, with a high quality of life. Healthcare is of very good quality and free for citizens, and education is also free for all citizens. Relocating to this beautiful country is certainly worthwhile.
How to Get Colombian Citizenship?
You can get Colombian Citizenship by one of those methods & ways:
- Naturalization
- Marriage
- Decent
- Birth
- Investment
Colombian Citizenship by Naturalization
To obtain Colombian citizenship by naturalization, you need to live in Colombia for an extended period, learn the Spanish language, build connections with the country, secure a job with a livable income, and become an integral part of Colombian society.
In summary, the requirements are:
– Obtain a resident visa
– Live in Colombia for 5 consecutive years
– Learn to speak, read, and write in Spanish
– Have no criminal record
– Understand Colombian laws
– Ensure no absence from Colombia exceeds 1 year during the 5-year period
These are the minimum eligibility requirements for naturalization. When applying for citizenship, additional documents will be required, which will be explained in the “How to Apply” section of this article.
Colombian citizenship can be obtained more quickly if you are a national of any Latin American country; in this case, you only need to live in Colombia for one year. Additionally, if you are a Spanish citizen, you can obtain Colombian citizenship within two years.
Colombia citizenship by investment
A person can not obtain Colombian citizenship through investment; they can only acquire a residence permit through investment, not citizenship.
Investors must go through the naturalization process to become Colombian nationals. There is no direct route to citizenship through investment alone. However, if their child is born in Colombia or they marry a Colombian national, the citizenship process will be shorter, and the required residence period will be reduced.
None of the South American countries offer citizenship by investment programs. Such programs, which are akin to selling passports, lack both local and global support.
Most South American countries, except Bolivia and Venezuela, have visa-free access to European Union countries, so selling passports would provoke a strong global reaction.
Colombian citizenship by Marriage
A foreigner who marries a Colombian national can be naturalized after two years. If you want to obtain Colombian citizenship through marriage, you will need to live together as a family in Colombia for two years.
You must learn the Spanish language, be able to read and write in Spanish, and understand the laws, regulations, current political affairs, and traditions of Colombia.
You can not automatically become a Colombian national by marrying a Colombian citizen. You must go through the naturalization process, learn the language and culture, and integrate into society.
Read more: How to Get Argentina Citizenship?
If you are married to a Colombian national you are eligible to apply for Colombian citizenship after tow years. It can take 3 to 8 months to process your citizenship.
You are required to marry to a Colombian citizen in Colombia and register your marriage and get marriage certificate. After marrying to Colombian national you should apply for a long term residence visa your date of stay will count from this visa.
Colombia citizenship by birth
If you are born in Colombia, you are Colombian. Colombia adheres to the principle of jus soli, meaning that any person born in Colombia automatically becomes a Colombian national, regardless of their parents’ nationality.
The good news is that foreign parents also become eligible for Colombian citizenship. When the child reaches two years of age, the parents can apply for Colombian citizenship as well.
It does not matter which visa you hold in Colombia; as long as you are living there legally, when your baby is born in Colombia, you will receive a residence permit, and your baby will receive a Colombian identity card.
After two years, you will also be eligible to apply for Colombian nationality, giving you the chance to find a new home, new friends, and new opportunities.
Colombia citizenship by Decent
In 2024, Colombia grants citizenship by descent to individuals with at least one Colombian parent, regardless of where they are born. Children born abroad to Colombian parents can acquire Colombian nationality by registering their birth with Colombian authorities, either at a consulate or within Colombia.
To apply, individuals must provide proof of their parent’s Colombian nationality, such as a birth certificate or passport. Once approved, they gain full citizenship rights, including the ability to obtain a Colombian passport.
This pathway preserves Colombian heritage across generations, allowing descendants of Colombians born abroad to maintain legal ties to the country through citizenship by descent.
How to apply for Colombian citizenship?
To apply for Colombian citizenship, you should first know that after getting married, you need to apply for a migrant visa. This visa will grant you a temporary residence permit for two years. After two years, you can apply for a permanent residency permit.
Once you are eligible, you must gather all the required documents and visit the immigration office to submit your application for citizenship.
You need to collect these documents:
1. Official Application:
– Addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
– Include the applicant’s name, Foreign Resident ID Card number, occupation, country of origin, current nationality, and Colombian address.
– Explain the reasons for seeking citizenship.
– Provide the applicant’s previous address before becoming a resident of Colombia.
– Authorize police, tax, and other background checks.
2. Extension to Children (if applicable):
– Request to extend citizenship to children under custody.
– Submit proof of the children’s civil status, signed by both parents (or proof of sole custody if applicable).
3. Required Documents:
– Certified photocopy of a valid Foreign Resident ID Card and Resident Visa.
– Proof of place and date of birth (notarized passport page or birth certificate).
– Legalization of documents by the Colombian Consul or apostille.
– Proof of occupation:
– Employer’s certificate for employees.
– Tax registration, income tax return, and certification of withholdings for independent professionals.
– Chamber of Commerce certificate for business owners.
– Statement of financial dependency from a relative or spouse if applicable.
4. Tests and Exemptions:
– Demonstrate basic knowledge of Colombia’s Constitution, history, geography, and Spanish language.
– Tests administered at the Governor’s Office.
– Exemptions for high school/university graduates and individuals over 65 years old.
– Natives of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the Spanish test.
5. Additional Documentation (if applicable):
– Marriage certificate (if married to a Colombian).
– Proof of domestic partnership if applicable.
– Birth certificates of Colombian children.
– Military service compliance (for eligible males under 50).
6. Photos:
– Provide five recent photographs (4×5 cm) with a blue background.
7. Document Authentication:
– Apostille required for documents from countries that are part of the Apostille Convention.
– Official translations into Spanish for documents in other languages.
8. Application Fee:
– 350,000 Colombian pesos (COP) payable after notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
9. Application Deadline:
– Submit any requested documents within six months to avoid application cancellation.
You need to submit these documents to immigration authorities they will review your application and finalise it within 3 to 8 months.
