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Colombia Marriage (Spouse) Visa

The Colombia Marriage (Spouse) Visa is a Migrant-category visa issued by Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) to the spouse or permanent companion of a Colombian national. According to official Cancillería guidance, this condition — spouse or permanent companion of a Colombian national — is one of several qualifying grounds under which a foreigner can apply for a visa allowing temporary residence in Colombia based on the marital relationship. The visa relies primarily on evidence of the marriage or de facto marital union rather than a separate income requirement, though Cancillería may still request proof that the household can support itself. After a continuous, uninterrupted period as the spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national, the applicant may become eligible to apply for Colombia’s Qualified Resident’s Visa. As with all Colombia Visa categories, the final decision on approval rests solely with the competent Colombian consular authorities.

Eligibility

Based on official Cancillería guidance, applicants for a Marriage (Spouse) Visa must generally:

  • Be legally married to, or in a recognised de facto marital union (permanent companion) with, a Colombian national.
  • Hold a valid passport or travel document, in good condition, with a minimum of two blank pages.
  • Provide a civil registration or equivalent document showing the marital relationship, duly legalised or apostilled, as applicable.
  • Where the de facto marital union applies and the application is presented at a Colombian consulate, provide the valid document evidencing the union according to the laws of the country where it is recognised, legalised or apostilled as appropriate.
  • After holding this visa continuously and uninterruptedly for 3 years, become eligible to apply for Colombia’s Qualified Resident’s Visa (USD 300).

Government Visa Fees

Colombia’s Migrant-category Marriage Visa fee schedule is published by Cancillería and may be updated periodically.

Fee TypeAmount
Marriage/Spouse Visa (Migrant category), study and issuance feesVaries; confirm current fees with Cancillería or the relevant Colombian Consulate
Qualified Resident’s Visa (after 3 continuous years as spouse/partner)USD 300
INR EquivalentInformation may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances

Fees are paid in Colombian pesos at the average exchange rate fixed periodically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and study fees are generally non-reimbursable regardless of the outcome.

Processing Time

According to Cancillería’s online visa system, Marriage (Spouse) Visa applications are generally processed once the file is marked for study, with reported timelines of approximately 5 to 30 calendar days for many applications, depending on the completeness of documentation, particularly the apostille and translation of civil documents. Applicants should have their marriage certificate or union documentation properly legalised well in advance of applying to avoid delays.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport or travel document, in good condition, with a minimum of two blank pages
Completed visa application form (submitted online through Cancillería's official visa portal)
Recent colour photographs, meeting Cancillería's specifications
Civil registration or equivalent document (marriage certificate, or de facto marital union document), duly legalised or apostilled, as applicable
Sworn Spanish translation of any foreign-issued civil documents
Evidence supporting the genuineness of the relationship, where requested (proof of cohabitation, joint accounts, or similar supporting documentation)
Copy of the Colombian spouse's identification (cédula)
Payment of the applicable visa study fee

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm your marriage or de facto marital union is legally recognised and gather the relevant civil documentation.
Have foreign-issued documents apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
Access the official online application at tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co and select the Migrant (M) category with "Spouse/Permanent Partner of Colombian National" as the condition.
Complete the application form and upload your passport, photographs, and marital relationship documentation.
Pay the applicable visa study fee.
Await review of your application by Cancillería.
If approved, pay any applicable issuance fee.
Receive your approved e-Visa by email and keep it accessible during travel.
After 3 continuous, uninterrupted years on this visa, consider applying for Colombia's Qualified Resident's Visa.

Important Notes

This visa relies primarily on the marriage or recognised union rather than a specific income requirement, though Cancillería may still ask for proof the household can support itself.
Foreign-issued marriage certificates or union documents generally require both an apostille and a sworn Spanish translation.
After 3 continuous, uninterrupted years holding this visa as spouse or permanent partner, the holder becomes eligible for Colombia's Qualified Resident's Visa (USD 300) — a shorter path than the standard 5-year route for other visa categories.
Colombia does not offer Visa on Arrival; this visa must be obtained through the standard application process.
Visa study fees are generally non-reimbursable, even if the application is refused.
Providing false or incomplete information regarding the marital relationship may result in refusal.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Colombia Marriage (Spouse) Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of your legal marriage, and compliance with the visa and immigration requirements prescribed by the Colombian authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with spouse visa application forms, passport documentation, marriage certificates, sponsor documents, accommodation details, financial documents, travel insurance (where applicable), and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every application to help minimize errors, reduce delays, and ensure your documentation meets the applicable spouse visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Colombia Marriage (Spouse) Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Colombian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Colombia Marriage (Spouse) Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who qualifies for Colombia's Marriage (Spouse) Visa?
The spouse or permanent companion (de facto marital union) of a Colombian national qualifies, provided the relationship is duly documented and, where issued abroad, properly legalised or apostilled.
2. Does Colombia recognise unmarried partners for this visa?
Yes. A de facto marital union (permanent companion) is recognised alongside formal marriage, provided the applicant can present valid documentation of the union according to the laws of the relevant country.
3. How long do I need to hold this visa before I can apply for permanent residency?
After 3 continuous, uninterrupted years as the spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian national, you become eligible to apply for Colombia's Qualified Resident's Visa, a shorter path than the standard 5-year residency route.
4. Do I need to prove a minimum income for this visa?
Not specifically — the visa relies primarily on the marriage or union itself, though Cancillería may still request evidence that the household can support itself financially.
5. What happens to foreign-issued marriage certificates?
They generally need to be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator before being accepted by Colombian consular authorities.

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