Colombia's Top Immigration Law Firm

Colombian Marriage Visa

We have been advising individuals on how to visit, live, and do business in Colombia for over a decade. We can advise you on how to get your Colombian Marriage Visa, or sometimes known as a spouse visa, and take the stress of the application process away.

Colombian Marriage Visa

How We Help

Get Married in Colombia

We can help you and your partner get married in Colombia.

Prenuptial Agreements

We make sure and your assets are protected prior to getting married.

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Marriage Colombia

We Specialize in Providing Guidance and Counsel to Those Seeking to Get Married And Move To Colombia

Whether you're looking to eventually become a Colombian Citizen, or you just want to spend a long period of time in the country, we can advise you on the best process.

Personalized Support

From your first question, to the day you get an approval stamp, you'll have personalized support.

We’ve worked with over 1,200 foreigners through their immigration process

Our law firm specializes in immigration law which means we have been working with foreign travelers just like you for over a decade.

Our Team Lives, Works, and Was Born in Colombia.

Unlike other firms, our team was born in Colombia and speaks fluent english.

We will advise you in the Best Practices

Applying for a Colombian Visa isn't easy. Luckily we have over a decade of experience to advise you through the process.

Your Partners

Daniela Cordoba
Founder and Lead Attorney

Daniela Cordoba is a lawyer specializing in immigration and commercial law. Daniela Cordoba has helped individuals and businesses live and operate in Colombia for over a decade. She also has training in compliance with the respective accreditations to serve as Compliance Officer.

Mike Funkhouser
Co-Founder and Client Support Lead

Mike co-founded Colombian Visa Services after moving to Colombia from the United States and finding the process of obtaining a visa difficult and frustrating. Daniela helped make the process so simple and stress-free that he partnered with her to provide the to help others.

Over 1,400 clients

For the past decade we have been helping travelers move to Colombia.

Personalized Support

We work with you 1:1 throughout your entire process.

Fluent in English and Spanish

You don't have to worry about having to translate, our team is fluent in English and can help you with whatever you need.

Marriage Visa overview

Applying For the Colombian Marriage Visa

Learn more about how to apply for the Colombian Marriage visa, the process, and timelines.

Colombia Marriage Visa Overview

- The Colombian Marriage visa is a Migrant Visa that is granted for 1-3 years at a time. It is granted to individuals who are married to Colombian nationals.

- The visa is is a path towards a resident visa and dual citizenship for foreigners.

-  The visa allows foreigners to work, study, and and live in Colombia.

Getting married in Colombia

Who Qualifies For The Visa

Individuals who are married to a Colombian national qualify for the Colombian Marriage Visa.

If you were legally married in Colombia, your marriage will already be registered in Colombia and you can apply right away. If you were married outside of Colombia, you will need to first register you married in Colombia.

Marriage Colombia

How To Apply For the Marriage Visa

To apply for the marriage visa in Colombia:

1. First you'll need to get married or register your married in Colombia.

2. Then you will need to gather your documentation for the visa application. This includes migratory movements, an application letter, special power of attorney, and your marriage certificate, etc.

3. Once you have all of your documentation you can apply for the visa. The government entity has 30 days to respond to your application.

Colombia Marriage
Requirements

Requirements To Apply for a Colombian Marriage Visa

These are the specific requirements to apply for a Colombian Marriage Visa however you may be required to submit additional documentation.

A Valid Passport

Copy of the last entry stamp from Colombia in your passport (the seal they put when you entered the country that says 90 days)

Colombian Marriage Civil Registry (If Married In Colombia)

Authentic copy of the Colombian marriage civil registry, issued within the 3 months prior to the visa application.

Application Letter

Application letter signed by the Colombian spouse, in which they request the visa for the foreign spouse.

Special Power of Attorney

Signed and authenticated at the notary by the Colombian spouse

Migratory Movements

Certificate of migratory movements of the foreigner and their Colombian spouse.

Contact an Immigration Attorney Today

Requirements

How To Get Married In Colombia

These are the specific requirements to apply for a Colombian Marriage Visa however you may be required to submit additional documentation.

Contact the notary to schedule an appointment for a civil marriage.

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Present the following documents to the notary to get married in Colombia.

- Photocopy of your Colombian spouse’s cedula.
- The foreigner's cedula or their passport.
- The Colombian spouse’s birth certificate
- The foreigner's birth certificate
- Certificate of single status and if you have been divorced a recent divorce certificate.


*All documents need to be less than 90 days old and all official documents from the foreigners home country need to be apostilled and officially translated.

Attend the Ceremony At the Notary

Attend the Ceremony at the notary where you will be officially married.

Why Our Clients Love Us

We spend the time to get to know you and your story so your application is perfect the first time.

US Fiance and Marriage Visas

Interested in living with your partner in the United States? We also specialize in helping Colombians reunite with their spouse and their families in the United States which means you can work with one law firm for all of your family's needs. Learn more about the different options available and the timelines by speaking to one of our attorneys today!

family colombia

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions about the marriage and marriage visa process in Colombia.

Can I get A Colombian Visa if I marry a Colombian?

Yes, you can potentially get a Colombian visa if you marry a Colombian citizen. When a foreign national marries a Colombian citizen, they may be eligible to apply for a marriage visa, which is also known as a Spouse Visa in Colombia.

The process and requirements for obtaining a family visa may vary based on the type of marriage (civil or religious) and the specific circumstances of the case. Generally, the following steps are involved:

Marriage Registration: First, you need to legally marry your Colombian partner in Colombia or in your home country. Make sure to have the official marriage certificate.

Applying for a Family Visa: After marriage, you can apply for the family visa at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Colombian consulate in your home country. You will need to provide the necessary documentation, which may include:
• Valid Passport
• Official Marriage certificate 
• Application Letter
•Migratory Movement Documents
•Other supporting documents as required

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Do I Need a Visa To Get Married In Colombia?

A foreigner does not need a visa to be married in Colombia. However, after officially marrying a Colombian National, they can apply for a Marriage Visa.

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How Fast Can You Get Married in Colombia?

The process of getting married in Colombia can be relatively quick, but the timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific requirements of the local authorities. Generally, it can take as little as 15 days if you already have all of your documentation.

However, suppose you don't have your documentation. In that case, you'll need to obtain a recent copy of your birth certificate, a certificate of no marriage and have these documents officially apostilled and translated. In this case the process of obtaining your documents alone can take weeks.

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Is Gay Marriage Legal In Colombia?

Yes, gay marriage is legal in Colombia. The country legalized same-sex marriage in April 2016, following a ruling by the Constitutional Court. This decision affirmed that same-sex couples have the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples, allowing them to legally marry and receive all associated legal benefits.

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Does Colombia Recognize Marriages From Other Countries?

Yes, Colombia recognizes legal marriages in other countries. In order to register your marriage in Colombia, you'll first need to have your marriage certificate apostilled and officially translated. Then you can bring this document to a notary in Colombia to have the marriage officially recognized in Colombia.

Therefore, in order to apply for a visa if you were married abroad, you first need to register the marriage in Colombia.

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What Is Needed To Get Married in Colombia?

To be be married in Colombia, essential documents include a Certificate of No Marriage and a Birth Certificate from your home country.

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What Types of Marriage Exist in Colombia?

There are 3 different types of marriages in Colombia:

Civil Marriage: This is the most straightforward type, conducted by a notary or a judge. It requires a 7-day waiting period after submitting the necessary documentation.

Common Law Marriage: Recognized for couples living together for at least two years. The declaration for a visa based on common law marriage can be made one year after obtaining the official declaration.

Religious Marriage: Can be held in conjunction with a civil marriage and tailored to personal and religious preferences. Timelines vary based on ceremony plans and civil documentation processes.

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How to Get a Marriage Visa in Colombia

To obtain a Colombian Marriage Visa, often referred to as the “M-1 Visa,” you must be legally married to a Colombian national. The visa application process requires submitting essential documents, including a valid passport, a recent passport-style photograph, a marriage certificate or proof of civil union certified in Colombia, and an application letter signed by the Colombian spouse. Additional documentation such as a special power of attorney, migratory movement certificates, and a copy of the Colombian spouse’s national ID may also be needed. The visa allows foreigners to remain in the country for 1-3 years of and can be a pathway to employment, long-term residency, and dual citizenship in Colombia.

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How Long Is The Marriage Visa Granted For?

The marriage visa in Colombia is a Migrant type visa and  is granted for 1-3 years at a time. The visa is renewable.  

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How to Renew The Marriage Visa in Colombia?

The renewal process for the Colombian marriage visa is almost exactly the same as your original application. You will need together updated documentation and letters as well as include your current visa and cedula.

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How long does the marriage visa take to process?

Legally, the government entity has 30 days to respond to your application.

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Can You Get Permanent Residency Through Marriage in Colombia?  

After being married and holding a migrant visa for 3 years, you can apply for a resident visa in Colombia. The Resident visa will be granted for 5 years at a time.

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Can You obtain Citizenship Through Marriage in Colombia?

Yes, after holding a Colombian visas for 5 years (3 years on a Migrant visa and 2 years on a resident visa) a foreigner can apply for citizenship in Colombia.

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