How to Get Colombia Visa

Colombia allows civil unions or civil partnership. A civil partnership is considered to be common law marriage. In Colombia a civil partnership is known as a union libre or union martial de hecho. If you have lived with your partner for two consecutive years, then this constitutes a legal martial union in Colombia.

A written declaration in front of a notary documenting a civil union is required for marriage visa purposes. In Colombia, this declaration is called as declaracion union marital de hecho. It must be documented in a public escritura and this document can be used to get a marriage visa.

 Consider the civil union as an alternative to the full marriage as it does not require you to obtain the certificates. This process must be handled by an attorney through the court system, otherwise a notary will always ask for a birth certificate. So we always recommend or clients avoid having to obtain a birth certificate from your home country to save a money and time.

Colombia allows spouses to get prenuptial agreements before getting married. This is commonly known as which are known as capitulaciones matrimoniales.  You will need services of an experienced lawyer in Colombia who can craft a prenuptial agreement for you. Such an agreement must include asset dissolution clauses that can protect claims on future assets.

Symbolic Ceremonies are good for those who will not use a minister, father or other religious figure. You can have the symbolic ceremony even if all of the foreign papers are not if the notary cannot come to the ceremony so a professional presenter can fill in.

Colombia allows same sex civil unions or partnerships. So, partners in same sex relationship have the right to apply and obtain marriage visas in Colombia.

An authentic copy of the public deed, court order or conciliation act; or certificate of validity when applicable, issued no more than (3) three months in advance, where the existence of the de facto marital union is declared. The date of formalization of the document that supports the de facto union must be greater than one (1) year at the time of the visa application.

When the application for a visa as a permanent partner of a Colombian national is submitted to a Consular Office of the Republic, the valid document that proves the de facto marital union will be accepted in accordance with the laws of the place where its existence was declared with compliance with the formalities provided for foreign documents.

A letter signed by the Colombian permanent partner, in which he/she requests the visa for his/her partner; state that they maintain unique, constant, persevering and stable coexistence; and undertakes to inform the Visa and Immigration Authority of any change in the circumstances of the coexistence.

A simple photocopy of the Colombian citizenship card must be attached to the letter, along with the contact address, email and contact telephone number of the Colombian couple. The Visa and Immigration Authority may require additional evidence that demonstrates the effective existence of the link or summon a face-to-face, virtual or telephone interview, when it deems it necessary.

Special power granted to the foreigner to apply for said visa with diligence of content recognition and signature before a Colombian notary or consul;

A certificate of migratory movements of the foreigner and of his/her Colombian permanent partner issued by the Special Administrative Unit of Colombia Migration.

If you’ve had a previous Colombian visa such as a student or retirement visa, then a photocopy of this visa.

A photocopy of the first page of your valid passport showing your biographical data. The photocopy can be either in color or black and white.

A photocopy of the page of your passport showing last stamp of entry or departure of Colombia.