Colombian Marriage Visa 2026: Stricter Reviews, Higher Risk, New Rules

In Colombia, couples have the option to enter into a civil union or partnership, which is also known as a common law marriage. This type of union is referred to as a “union libre” or “union martial de hecho”. If a couple has lived together for two consecutive years, then this constitutes a legal martial union in Colombia. 

If you require a marriage visa, it is necessary to obtain a written declaration of the civil union in front of a notary. This declaration is called a “declaracion union marital de hecho” and must be documented in a public “escritura”. This document can then be used to obtain a marriage visa. 

Choosing a civil union may be an alternative option to full marriage, as it does not require obtaining certain certificates. However, it is important to note that this process must be handled by an attorney through the court system, as a notary may require a birth certificate. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid obtaining a birth certificate from your home country, which can save you time and money.

In certain cases, it may be necessary for both applicants to appear in person for the first time if the visa application is being processed within the country. This may involve matters related to personal appearance.

If you prefer not to involve a minister, father or any other religious figure in your ceremony, then a symbolic ceremony would be a great option for you. Even if you don’t have all the required foreign papers, you can still have a symbolic ceremony. In case the notary is not available to attend the ceremony, a professional presenter can step in to officiate the ceremony.

According to the latest visa resolution 5477, it is mandatory for all Migrant visa holders to spend at least 180 days in Colombia to maintain the validity of their visa. If you are absent from Colombia for more than 180 days, your visa may be revoked by Migracion Colombia officials upon your return. However, if you are granted entry with a stamp, you may be allowed to enter the country as a tourist after your visa is cancelled.

If you are a parent living in Colombia and need to take stock of your assets, it’s important to approach the process with care. This can be a time-consuming task that may take up to a month if not done correctly. However, our office can assist you with expediting this process so that you can get it done more efficiently.

It is necessary to provide a copy of the first page of your current passport which displays your biographical details. You may provide a photocopy of either the color or black and white version.

If you have been issued a visa for Colombia before, such as a student or retirement visa, you will need to provide a photocopy of this visa.

It is important to provide a copy of the page in your passport that shows the last entry or departure stamp from Colombia as proof of legal entry.

You may obtain a Migration Certificate from Migracion Colombia, which will provide a record of your entries and exits from Colombia within the past 5 years.

To apply for the visa, you’ll need a notarized letter from your Colombian spouse or permanent partner, granting you legal power to do so.

Notarized copy of the cedula of the Colombian spouse or permanent partner.

For your passport application, you’ll need a clear photo of your face with a white background. The photo should be 3 cm wide and 4 cm high, and saved as a maximum 300 kb jpg file for online submission.

To apply for a Colombia Marriage Visa , you will need to provide your marriage certificate or a notarized copy of it. The certificate must have been issued within 90 days prior to your Colombia visa application.

A Colombian Marriage Visa is a family-based migrant visa granted to foreigners legally married to a Colombian citizen. It allows residence in Colombia and is issued based on the validity of the civil marriage, not income level. The most common risk is assuming that a marriage certificate alone is sufficient; in reality, civil registry accuracy, apostilles, and certified translations are essential. Errors in names, dates, or marital history often trigger discretionary review or document requests that delay approval.

Yes, holders of a Colombian Marriage Visa may work without requiring a separate work authorization, provided the visa is valid and correctly issued. A common compliance issue occurs when applicants begin working before the visa is approved or assume approval is automatic. Employment must begin only after visa issuance, and working outside the visa’s validity period is unauthorized under immigration regulations.

Yes. Any marriage certificate or prior divorce record issued outside Colombia must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a qualified translator. One of the most frequent causes of delay is submitting translations that are incomplete or inconsistent with the original document. Applicants often underestimate how strictly civil registry data is reviewed.

Denials are typically based on document inconsistencies, insufficient proof of marital validity, or unresolved civil status issues. Many denials are preventable by correcting civil records in advance and ensuring apostilles and translations align perfectly. Reapplying without addressing the underlying issue usually leads to repeated refusal.

Yes, applicants may authorize a representative through a properly legalized power of attorney. Errors often occur when powers of attorney are signed but not apostilled or when the scope does not clearly include immigration procedures. Understanding how to prepare this document correctly is critical, particularly for applicants abroad. More details can be found in guidance on using a Colombian power of attorney.

Document sets vary by case, but typical requirements include passport biographic page, proof of legal entry, the Colombian spouse’s ID, a marriage certificate issued recently (often within a defined window), and relationship support evidence. The biggest risk is submitting documents with mismatched names, outdated civil certificates, or missing apostilles/legalizations. Prevent this by collecting core civil records first, legalizing/apostilling them correctly, then completing Spanish translations before uploading.