Colombian citizenship

Colombia is a Latin American country that manages to overcome a difficult past and restore economic growth. After the advent of the digital nomad visa and the tangible change in the global economic and political context, the country has become popular among expats and entrepreneurs interested in business development with an eye to the American market. A detailed description of the programs for obtaining a Colombian passport is devoted to Article 96 of the Constitution of the Republic of Colombia and Article 34 of the Law "On Citizenship" No. 2332.

Ways to obtain citizenship

A child of a citizen or a person with permanent residence of the country can receive a Colombian passport under a simplified scheme, regardless of where the child was born. Another category of applicants for simplified passport processing are children adopted by Colombians.

If a foreigner does not fall into the two categories listed above, his possible path is citizenship by naturalization. This option is available to:

• Official spouses of Colombians.
• Parents of Colombian minors.
• Holders of Spanish passports. 

If the applicant does not have a direct relationship with Colombian citizens or a Spanish passport, he will need one of the residence permits from which, according to the law, it is allowed to transfer to the category of citizens.

The Digital Nomad

Starting in the fall of 2022, you can move to Colombia and eventually get a passport using a freelancer visa. The applicant enters the country on a two-year Visitor (V) visa, then transfers from it to a short-term residence permit. After that, the freelancer issues a medium-term residence permit, if it falls under the grounds from the Migrant (M) list. After living in the country for 5 years, the right to permanent residence appears, and after another 5 years, you can declare your desire to become a citizen and get a passport.

A freelancer visa is granted on the basis of a remote work contract and an extract on a monthly official income equal to at least three Colombian subsistence minimums for each family member.

Financially independent foreigner

This category includes pensioners and people living on passive income. For example, owners of real estate, from the delivery of which they manage to receive from $ 1,020 per month (according to data for 2024).

A residence permit for financially independent foreigners is valid for 3 years. It is allowed to switch to a resident visa and live in Colombia for 5 years to apply for citizenship.

Official employment in a local company

The basis for this option of transition to citizenship is an employment contract with a Colombian employer. During the entire term of the contract, it will be impossible to change the company and position.

A working residence permit is issued for 3 years. It allows the transportation of children under the age of 25 and official spouses. Such a residence permit is extended every year. Five years later, the authorities allow you to apply for citizenship.

For investments

This method of obtaining a Colombian passport is considered relatively fast, but requires financial investments from the applicant. The minimum amount of investments is from $130,000. The total duration of residence in the country under a residence permit for an investor to permanent residence is 5 years. The method is discussed in more detail below.

The advantages of Colombian citizenship

For those wishing to move to Latin America, Colombian citizenship is becoming one of the best options. Most of the relocators are primarily attracted by global mobility and a Colombian passport is a great way to travel freely and explore the world. In addition to the vibrant culture, rich history and fast-growing economy, the following advantages of residence in this state can be distinguished:

• Visa-free travel to 148 countries. This list includes the European Union, the United Kingdom and South America. In the global passport ranking, Colombian is ranked 35th. 
• Wide opportunities for commercial activities. According to statistics for 2022, Colombia was ranked 25th by the international organization GEM in the ranking of comfortable countries for entrepreneurship. Among the states of South America, Colombia ranks first in terms of economic growth. 
• The relatively low cost of living. Living in Colombia is cheaper not only against the background of the EU and the USA, but also cheaper than in Argentina, Chile and Brazil. 
• Citizenship will be inherited by the children. They will not have to go from a visa through a residence permit to a passport in the same way as their parents. 
• There are no permanent residence requirements. You can travel the world and visit your homeland often without risking losing your Colombian resident status.
• Free employment in MERCOSUR countries. Increasing demand in an ever-growing labor market.

Dual citizenship

Colombia is among the States that do not force holders of their passport to renounce their first citizenship. This right is described in the National Citizenship Law.

Renunciation of citizenship in most countries of the world is a bureaucratic and lengthy procedure. Colombia makes it possible to do without it. Moreover, new citizens of the republic can have not one, but two passports of other countries. Colombian dual citizenship opens the way for international mobility, entrepreneurship and the achievement of various goals.

Citizenship by Investment Program

The residence permit for a foreign investor visa is valid for 3 years. After 5 years of residence, you can request a permanent residence permit. Here are the main requirements that should be fulfilled for this:

• To invest at least 650 minimum wages in the Colombian economy (in 2024, this amount is $221 thousand).
• To purchase real estate for a minimum amount equal to 350 minimum wages ($119 thousand).

Additional documents will require medical insurance and an account statement in the bank with the movement of funds 3 months before the filing date.

Important

To extend a residence permit issued for investments, you will need to show that investments in the economy or real estate have not been withdrawn. In addition, the candidate must undergo a security check for the absence of a threat to the state and the population. 

Recent reforms of the citizenship program

In September 2023, the Government of Colombia adopted Law No. 2332, which defines the guidelines, requirements, procedures for obtaining, renouncing and restoring citizenship. The regulatory act has put into effect provisions extending the conditions to both citizens by birth and foreign persons seeking to obtain a Colombian passport.

In particular, the new law defined new requirements for the assignment of residency by right of birth, updated the procedures for naturalization and obtaining dual citizenship.

The innovations included provisions concerning the assignment of a residence permit for investments. Until 2022, candidates were immediately eligible for a Resident (R) visa, which was valid for 5 years. In 2024, in order to move to permanent residence, an investor must first apply for an M visa and renew it every year for 5 years. Only after that comes the right to request the assignment of the status of a citizen.

Step-by-step application process

After five years of residence in Colombia, holders of an R resident visa collect citizenship documents. They are expected to take citizenship exams, during which they will have to prove their knowledge of local laws, the basics of history and culture. It is also important for candidates to take the Spanish language exam.

Important

You can sign up for testing on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. A failed exam is allowed to be retaken in six months.  

The process of obtaining Colombian citizenship involves going through several stages. In general, the procedures may vary slightly depending on the applicant's personal circumstances and current regulations. The standard program involves the following steps:

Important

People aged 60 and older, holders of secondary and higher education diplomas obtained at local government institutions, and persons with cognitive disabilities are exempt from tests and interviews.

List of documents

The application is submitted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. The checklist of documents submitted for verification is as follows:

• A valid passport.
• A copy of the permanent resident's visa.
• A letter signed by the applicant indicating the motive for obtaining citizenship and describing the details: name, place of work, position and everything that is important for a particular case.
• A copy of the local identity card of a foreigner residing in Colombia.
• Documents confirming official employment.
• One photo in color. 

The application for citizenship is sent for verification online along with the attached documents. Apostille is affixed to the documents and translated into Spanish. The state fee for submitting an application is $180.

Consideration and decision

The terms of verification of documents are individual, related to the individual characteristics of the applicant and compliance with the grounds for granting citizenship to the applicant. Applicants receive information about the consideration of their application on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The average processing time is from 6 to 12 months. It is important that by the time the decision is notified, the candidate has the results of testing for knowledge of the language, history, constitution and culture, as well as receipts for payment of visa fees 350,000 Colombian pessos (equivalent to $ 90).

Cons of Colombian citizenship

Despite the fact that Colombia is considered a very popular tourist destination and a place of concentration of migrants, the residency of this country has a number of disadvantages.

• The unstable economic situation. The country is among the developing countries and is facing the consequences of drastic political changes. This is reflected in business and the inflation rate. 
• Medium/low security level. Before purchasing real estate and choosing a place to stay, you should check with experienced realtors the status of the area and avoid areas where representatives of the drug business are especially active. 
• The high cost of acquiring citizenship by investment. For accelerated passport registration, you need to have free money in the amount of $ 119,000 or more.