Overview: Colombian Marriage Visa
QUICK SUMMARY-Colombian Spouse Visas
The Colombian marriage visa is formally referred to as a Migrant (M) visa or M-1 visa. While commonly used by expats with a Colombian spouse in a traditional male-female marriage, a Colombia marriage visa can apply to any legally recognized Colombian partner through marriage, civil union, or common-law permanent partner, regardless of gender .
The Colombian marriage visa is a multiple-entry temporary visa that allows you to live in Colombia for up to 3-years. However, traveling outside the country for more than six consecutive months will terminate visa validity.
Foreigners with valid marriage visas in Colombia can legally work or study in-country. Additionally, a foreign spouse can qualify for a permanent resident visa after two years with the M-1.
The marriage visa process is relatively straightforward, but some Colombian marriage laws differ widely from laws in the US or Europe. This article helps detail the steps to apply for a Colombian marriage visa and a few things you must know before getting married in Colombia.
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TIP 1. Understand Colombia's visa policy- A decade of experience living abroad taught me that a country's resident visa and permit situation can make or break a plan to move overseas. Chat with a Colombian visa attorney.
TIP 2. Learn about Colombia's health care system- You can relax knowing that the country has one of the Top Healthcare Programs in the world. Expats moving to Colombia long-term should purchase international health insurance to access the best hospitals and care.
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TIP 5. Pick up some Spanish Skills- The most common difficulty experienced by expats in Colombia is English being less common than expected. Only 4% of the country speaks English. You can get a free 7-day Spanish language crash course to make your move to Colombia easier.
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How To Find The Cheapest Flights To Colombia
INSIDER TIP : Colombian Spousal Visa- You may read about or hear references referring to a Colombian spouse visa or partnership visa. These are the same as the M-1 visa. However, do not get the terminology confused with the K-1 Fiance Visa or K-3 Spousal visa. US citizens use the K-1 fiance visa and the K-3 spouse visa to bring their Colombian partners TO the United States.
What Are The Steps To Get Married In Colombia?
Getting married in Colombia requires registration at a notary. A notary must register your marriage even if you decide on a full-blown Latin-style catholic church ceremony. The steps to getting married in Colombia are straightforward, but you still need to gather, translate, notarize, and apostille several legal documents.
The documentation can be confusing, so we're here to help! Download and follow this document checklist and infographic detailing the proper steps to follow and lists the documentation you need to get married in Colombia.
How-To Get Married In Colombia
Notary Selection
You'll need to contact the notary you want to use for your civil marriage. It's also essential to find a Colombian notary with experience with foreigners. This experience is critical to handling all of the paperwork and translations properly. Here is a list of Colombian notaries in Medellin and another list of notaries for Bogota.
Gather required documentation
The visa requirements may differ from notary to notary. Keep in mind that document requirements vary depending on your citizenship and previous marital status.
The documents required will likely include:
- Colombian passport and Colombian Cedula ID card
- Notarized copy of Colombian spouse's birth records (long form folio birth certificate) with a valid note for marriage status (estado civil) issued no later than 90-days prior.
- Apostilled foreign spouse's birth certificate not older than 90 days. Translated into Spanish by a certified Colombian translator.
- Certificate stating the foreign spouse is unmarried or single in their home country
- Foreign spouse's passport with valid visa or non-expired tourist stamp
INSIDER TIP : Verification of Eligibility to Marry- All foreigners must provide documented and notarized proof they have never married or are widowed or divorced.
US citizens getting married in Colombia can contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Colombia for an “affidavit of status” to show they are legally eligible for marriage.
If applicable, these additional documents may be required:
- If the foreign national doesn't speak Spanish, an official translator will be required for the wedding ceremony.
- A court inventory of assets is required if one of the spouses has minor children
- A civil registry is required if the couple has children together.
- If one of the parties has previously been married, a copy of the divorce records or proof of death of the previous spouse is required
Additional required documents for a Colombian church wedding or religious ceremony:
- A baptism certificate processed no later than three months from wedding date
- A confirmation certificate processed no later than three months from wedding date
- An official church single status certificate signed by a priest, with two close relatives of the wedding party attesting the couple has never been married by the Church.
- Annulment or other marriage invalidity documents are required if either of the couple was previously wed, invalidity document.
Submit the required documents to get married in Colombia
Be sure to photocopy everything before handing everything over to the notary--you never know when something might get lost or damaged in transit.
Remember, all documents must be
- No more than 90 days old
- Notarized, Apostilled, or otherwise legally authenticated
- Translated into Spanish by a certified Colombian translator
Notary review of documents
The notary must review your documents to ensure all the paperwork is complete and authenticated.
Schedule the civil wedding
Notaries charge roughly 200,000 COP or $45 USD for your common law marriage
Enjoy life with your new Colombian spouse
Congratulations on taking this big step!
What are the latest updates to the Colombian marriage visa [2022]?
The Colombia marriage visa was previously called the TP-10 visa. However, Migración Colombia made significant changes to its Colombian marriage visa policy after December 15, 2017.
The Colombian government now classifies a marriage visa in Colombia as a Migrant visa or M-1 visa. Aside from the name, the most impactful change from the older TP-10 marriage visa was allowing foreigners to apply for a permanent resident visa after only two years.
The current M-1 visa has a 3-year visa validity. The previous TP-10 visa had the same 3-year duration, but foreigners could not apply for a permanent residency until they completed the full three-year term.
INSIDER TIP : Converting Old TP-10 Marriage Visa to New M-1 Migrant Visa- Existing TP-10 marriage visa holders do not receive automatic upgrades to an M-1 marriage visa. Foreigners with TP-10 visas must still complete the original 3-year visa term before applying for a permanent resident visa.
Changes To Colombian Marriage Visa | Old Visa | Current Visa [2022] |
|---|---|---|
Visa Name | TP-10 | M-1 |
Visa Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Permanent Residency Eligibility | After 3 years | After 2 years |
Allowed To Work In Colombia | yes | yes |
Allowed to Study in Colombia | yes | yes |
Visa cost | $263 | $282 |
INSIDER TIP : Leaving Colombia With On An M-1 Visa- Even though an M-1 visa allows multiple entries into Colombia, you cannot stay out of Colombia with an M-1 visa for more than six months consecutively. Like all Colombia migrant visas, if you reside outside of Colombia for more than six months, your marriage visa is forfeit and considered expired.
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Other Names For Colombia's Migrant Visa by Marriage
Since 2017, the visa for foreign spouses of Colombian citizens changed from being called the TP-10 visa to the Migrant-1 visa. In addition to Migrant 1, you may also here reference M-1 marriage visa, foreign spousal visa, or Colombian spouse visa.
Colombian Marriage Visa - Procedure and Process
The first step to obtaining the M-1 visa is filing your online visa application form at the Migracion Colombia website. You will need electronic scanned copies of the required documentation listed in the section below.
If approved, you will receive a digital copy of your visa in your email. This electronic visa is not a valid visa. This e-visa is what you will need to show at the immigration office or consular service to get the actual visa printed on a blank passport page.
The remaining steps to complete the process differ depending on if you file your marriage visa application in Colombia or outside the country.
Completing The M-1 Migrant Visa Application Process In Colombia
After receiving online approval of your visa, you will need to have the visa attached to your passport. If you have already moved to Colombia, you must complete the visa application process in Bogotá. No immigration offices in any regional cities can complete your visa application.
All Colombian visas are issued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in Spanish) Bogota 3rd floor office on Avenida 19 # 98-03, Torre 100 Building.
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How To Apply For A Marriage Visa From The United States Or Another Country Outside Of Colombia
After submitting your foreign documents for review and completing the marriage visa application online, you just need to wait. Once your receive the visa approval notice, make an appointment at the nearest Colombian Embassy or Consulate to get the visa added to your passport.
Ensure you have a blank visa page and at least 6-months of validity before your passport expires. Once you have the marriage visa attached to your passport, you are ready to immigrate to Colombia.
What identification documents do I need for a Colombian marriage visa?
When applying for the M-1 marriage visa for Colombia, you must submit supporting documents with your online visa application. This required documents list can vary depending on your relationship status and the type of visa but generally includes the following:
- Marriage License- An apostilled and translated official copy of a foreign Certificate of Marriage or an updated copy of the Colombian Marriage Certificate issued no more than 90 days before the visa application.
- Foreign Passport- Valid passport with at least two blank pages. Photocopy of the original passport data page
- Proof of Legal Entry- Photocopy of your latest entry stamps into Colombia or, if you are applying at a Colombian consulate abroad, proof of legal entry into your current country of residence
- Previously Issued Visas- Copies of previously held Colombian visas (Rentista, Work, Student, Tourist Visa, etc.)
- Passport photo- With a white background 3x4 cm
- Colombian Cedula- Notarized copy of your Colombian spouse or permanent partner's National Identity Card (cédula de ciudadanía)
- Colombian Spousal Letter- Notarized letter from your Colombian permanent partner or spouse granting you permission and legal authority to apply for the marriage visa
- Colombian Medical Insurance Policy- International health insurance policy certificate showing you have an international health insurance policy that covers you
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To reduce visa processing time, before submitting your application, ensure required foreign documents are:
- Translated into Spanish by a certified Colombian translator
- Apostilled, notarized, and legalized by issuing foreign country
- Are no older than 90-days from submission date.
INSIDER TIP : Church Documents- Even if you are married at a church, you must still get a Colombian notary to register your union in a public escrutira after the religious ceremony. A church certificate is not a legal document for a valid visa in Colombia.
Additional Required Documents For A Colombian Spouse or Partnership Visa
Government officials have the final say on approving your marriage visa in Colombia. If officials doubt your relationship's authenticity, they may request additional documentation before approving your visa application.
Additional proof requested can include:
- Colombian Migration's Certificate of Migratory Movements for you and your Colombian partner- this document tracks when you entered and departed Colombia. This certificate verifies when you met, how long you have been together, and if you travel with your partner.
- Pictures of you and your spouse together with dates to support the Certificate of Migratory Movements
- Screenshots of conversations on SMS, Whatsapp, or social media with dates
INSIDER TIP :
Inventory of Assets of Colombian Parent- If your Colombian spouse or permanent partner has any minor children, you will need a judge to formally review your assets before the start of the relationship.
Each partner must use an attorney to declare all their starting assets in a formal declaration. The judge will review the legal ownership of assets to protect the minor child's financial rights and future well-being.
This legal review can take up to a month if any requirements are skipped, or the asset list is inaccurate. Our Colombian legal team can assist in ensuring this process is done the first time correctly.
Colombian Marriage Visa In-Person Interview
If Immigration authorities doubt the authenticity of your relationship, they hold the right to request an in-person interview of either the Colombian national or their foreign partner or both.
While there are no specific criteria, the following red flags may trigger an interview request:
- You only met your partner recently (less than 2 years)
- If the age gap between you and your partner is greater than 5-years
- When your Certificate of Migratory Movements or other documents don't show you have traveled together or spent much time together
INSIDER TIP : Domestic Partnerships vs. Legal Marriage- Our Colombian legal team's experience finds roughly one-third of Colombia's marriage visas will require an interview.
Additionally, while legally identical, recent domestic partnerships get more scrutiny than married couples.
Immigration officials may interview your partner separately to compare your answers to basic questions.
Typical Colombian Spouse or Partnership Visa interview questions include:
- What is your spouse or partner's middle name?
- When and where was your partner born?
- How did you meet?
- Where was your first date?
- Tell us about your most recent vacation together
- Describe your living conditions and arrangement
These are not meant to be trick questions. Immigration authorities simply want assurances of a real relationship.
How long does it take to get a marriage visa for Colombia?
You can receive your Colombian marriage visa within 14 business days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs typically takes one week to review your visa application and another week to process, add the visa to your passport, and submit your Foreign ID Card application or "Cédula de Extranjería."
Visa processing time can take up to 30 days if your visa application has any irregularities, is missing documents, requires an interview, or needs additional proof of relationship. Reduce your potential for missing documents by downloading our checklist.
How Long Can I Stay In Colombia on a marriage visa?
Colombia Marriage Visas are valid for between 1-3 years. You can renew the M-1 visa without leaving the country, but you must repeat the application process. You can reuse all the documents submitted in your original submission, except you will need an updated marriage certificate.
Regardless, if you have already lived in Colombia for two years under an M-1 marriage visa, you are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa. A resident visa does not require an updated marriage certificate.
Colombian marriage visa applications can also be filed at the Colombian Embassy or Consulate of your home country. Photo Credit
How much does a Colombia marriage visa cost?
The cost of a marriage visa in Colombia is $282 USD. This visa fee includes the study fee of $52 USD paid when you submit your application and a separate $230 USD visa issuance fee that is due if the visa is approved. The processing fee includes a $45 USD stamp tax.
The US dollar rate is for visa applications submitted in Colombia, the United States, or the rest of the world outside the European Union or Cuba. A marriage visa application submitted at a Colombia consulate in the EU or Cuba costs 40 EURO (study fee) and 177 EUR (processing fee and stamp tax) for a total of 217 EUR.
INSIDER TIP : Currency Conversion- While the visa fee amounts above are in USD or EUR, visa applicants pay all fees in Colombian pesos (COP) at the average exchange rate fixed every four (4) months by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Options for paying a Colombian marriage visa fee online
- Local bank transfer using Pagos Seguros en Línea (PSE)
- Online payment using a Mastercard or Visa credit card
If you don't want to pay for your visa online, you can pay in person after receiving the email confirmation with your application number
- At a Colombian Embassy or Consulate-General
- Using your bank account details (cuentas ahorros o corriente) at a Banco GNB Sudameris Colombian bank
- In cash using a Servibanca ATM in Colombia
Learn To Speak To Your Colombian Spouse In Spanish for FREE
What are the benefits of a Colombian spouse visa?
There are many benefits to obtaining a marriage visa in Colombia. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it allows the holder to legally reside in Colombia for up to three years. Also, M-1 visa holders can apply for a permanent visa after 2-years.
Additionally, foreign spouses get full work privileges, and as the M-1 is a migrant visa, foreign nationals get access to the Colombian healthcare system.
Can I extend my Colombia marriage visa?
No. The M-1 Marriage Visa for Colombia cannot be renewed or extended. You can re-apply for a new M-1 visa, but this requires repeating the entire application process all over again. I suggest starting your new M-1 application within 30-days of your current visa's expiration date.
However, if you have had your M-1 visa for TWO years (or THREE years if you still have the older TP-10 marriage visa), you are eligible to apply for a Resident Visa (R).
Key Takeaway: Colombian Spousal Visa
With gorgeous landscapes, vibrant cities, and beautiful people, it's hard to choose the best place to stay in Colombia. It's easy to see why expats fall in love with the country want to stay long-term. While the Colombian visa policy allows citizens of 107 countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, to live in the country for 180 days a year, many expats are looking for permanent visa options to stay longer.
For expats who don't qualify for a Colombian retirement visa or meet the financial requirements for an investor visa, foreigners with Colombian partners can look to Colombian marriage visas as another long-term visa option.
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FAQs: Getting Married In Colombia