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Resident Visa for Those Who Renounced Colombian Nationality

Your Guide to Obtaining Residency in Colombia After Renouncing Citizenship

  • Type of Visa: R.


  • Applicable To: Foreign nationals who, having been Colombian by birth or adoption, have renounced their Colombian nationality.


  • Duration: 5 years. The holder of the Permanent Resident (R) visa must apply for a transfer of their visa before it expires. This process should be carried out through the digital platform available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


  • General Requirements:


    • Copy of the main page of the passport where all the holder's information appears, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

    • Digital color photo with a white background measuring 4 centimeters high by 3 centimeters wide. You should be facing the camera and your head should be centered and complete. Both eyes should be open and the ears should be visible. There should be no glare in the photo, hair or other accessories should not be allowed to cover the face. The image format is JPG and must have a maximum size of 300 KB. NOTE: The photo must be current, different from that of the passport, previous visas and applications.

    • If the applicant is in Colombia at the time of applying for the visa, copy of the last stamp of entry or exit from Colombia or extension of stay or safe passage for visa application (whichever applies).

    • In the event that the applicant begins the visa process while in their country of residence (different from their country of nationality), they must present an identification document from their country of residence, for example: NIE, Visa, Driving License, etc.


  • Specific Requirements:


    • Renunciation of Colombian Nationality: A copy of the document evidencing the renunciation of Colombian nationality.


    • Historical Context: For those who lost Colombian nationality due to the application of Article 9 of the 1886 Constitution of the Republic of Colombia, a letter of naturalization from a foreign country or a document proving the acquisition of another nationality before 1991 must be presented.


    • Visa Application Letter: A letter requesting the Permanent Resident (R) visa explaining the means of subsistence available abroad for remaining in the country.


  • Benefits of this visa:  Reside and carry out any legal activity in Colombia, without the need to renew the visa in 5 years.


  • Allows to Work in Colombia?: Yes, as a permanent resident, the holder is allowed to work in Colombia.


  • Processing Time: Generally, from 2 to 5 weeks, but it may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each application.


  • Application Location: Can be applied for from within Colombia or from the applicant's country of residence or nationality.


  • Allows Beneficiaries? Yes, this visa allows beneficiaries according to the definition of Beneficiary Holder established in Article 3 of this Resolution.


  • Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:


    • Document Requirements: The documents (renunciation act and naturalization letter) must be properly apostilled or legalized. If they are in a language other than Spanish, they must be translated by an official translator.


    • Regularization of Status: Those who renounce their Colombian nationality while in Colombian territory must inform the Special Administrative Unit Migration Colombia of their new status as a foreigner. In such cases, their stay in the country will be considered regular, with a 90-day period to process the corresponding visa or to leave the country.



  • Additional Services:

    • Apostilles and official translations may be required.


  • Does it Allow You to Accumulate Time for Citizenship?: Yes, for foreigners who have stayed in the national territory as holders of a Permanent Resident (R) visa, the time can be accumulated toward applying for citizenship. For this type of visa, the accumulation of time is 5 years.


  • Relevant Link for More Information:

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