Your Guide to the Spouse of a Colombian Citizen Visa: Requirements and Benefits

Last updated on May 25, 2026

• Type of Visa: M.

• Applicable To: Foreigners married to a Colombian citizen.

  
  

• Duration: From 1 to 3 years.

  
  

• 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:

  
  

  • Authentic copy of the Civil Marriage Certificate (both sides) or the Public Deed. Note: The certificate must have been issued no more than 3 months prior and must be a true copy of the original.

  • Copy of the Colombian spouse's ID (Cédula de Ciudadanía).

  • 4 to 8 photos of the couple with dates. We suggest photos taken on different occasions and screenshots from social media.

  • Airline tickets and/or hotel reservations of trips made as a couple.

  • Bank transfers, joint accounts, joint contracts, screenshots of conversations. Any additional proof that can demonstrate the authenticity of the relationship.

  • Motivation letter signed by the Colombian spouse. This letter should be based on the facts of the relationship (Colombian Passport format), with the help of the applicants.

  • Certificate of Migratory Movements for both spouses, issued by Migración Colombia.

  • Special power of attorney signed by the Colombian spouse authorizing the foreign spouse to apply for the visa; the power of attorney must be duly authenticated (Colombian Passport format).

  • Allows to Work in Colombia?: Yes, this visa allows you to work in Colombia.

    
    

• Benefits of this visa: This visa allows its holder to reside, work and carry out any legitimate activity in the country, as well as join the Colombian Social Security System. Likewise, as mentioned before, by having this visa continuously and uninterruptedly, for 3 years, the holder has the possibility of applying for a Resident Visa in Colombia.

  
  

• Processing Time: Generally, from 2 to 5 weeks, but it may vary.

  
  

• Application Location: Can be applied for from within Colombia or from your country of residence or nationality.

• Allows Beneficiaries? Yes, this visa allows beneficiaries, including children under the age of 25.

  
  

• Can Reapply for this Visa? Yes, it is possible to reapply for this visa.

  
  

• Government Fees for Visa Application. These fees are charged directly through a specific link provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and can be paid using a credit or debit card:

  • Visa Study Fee: $54 USD.

  • Visa Issuance Fee: $270 USD.

  • Cédula de extranjería: $294.000 COP.

    
    

• Our fees: For detailed information on the application process, including government fees, our service costs, and what’s included, visit our dedicated landing page for this visa.

  
  

• Additional Services you may need:

  
  

  • Apostilles and official translations may be required.

  • Marriage registration in Colombia may be required.

  • A power of attorney to get married in Colombia may be required.

  • Processing of migratory movements for both spouses may be required.

    
    

• Does it allow you to accumulate time for residency?: Yes, for foreigners who have stayed in the national territory as holders of a Migrant (M) visa, the accumulation time for the spouse visa is 3 years.

  
  

• Relevant Aspects and Frequently Asked Questions:

  
  

  • Application Requirements: The applicant must provide evidence of a genuine marital relationship.

    
    

  • Place of Application: Although the visa application is online (there is no way to do it in person), it is recommended that you be in the place from where you will present the visa in person. You can apply while in Colombia, as long as you are in a regular situation in the country (if you have been in Colombia for less than 3 months on a tourist permit or if you have requested an extension of your tourist permit and have been in the country for less than 6 months, or if you have been on a tourist permit for more than 5 months but want to apply for a special permit). You can also apply from your country of nationality or residence, as long as you have a valid identification document in that country.

    
    

  • Marriage Certificate: It is important to note that the marriage certificate presented must be the Colombian one. There are two options: you can present the Colombian Civil Marriage Certificate if you were married in Colombia (this certificate must be a true copy of the original, issued within 3 months prior to the visa application), or if the couple was married abroad, the marriage must be registered in Colombia. This can be done at a Colombian Notary or at the Colombian Consulate in the country where you reside. (You must check the specific requirements of each notary or consulate; generally, they will require an apostilled or legalized marriage certificate translated into Spanish by an official translator and identification documents).

    
    

  • Certificate of Migratory Movements: This document is processed personally or through a representative at any Migración Colombia office. It must be for both spouses, and depending on the case, it should be requested for 5 or 10 years.

    
    

  • Power of Attorney: The power of attorney granted by the Colombian spouse to the foreign spouse for processing this visa is a special power that must be duly authenticated.

    
    

• Restrictions when applying for this type of visa: The marriage must be genuine and not solely for immigration purposes. Additionally, if the couple divorces, the visa will automatically become invalid.

  
  

• Regulation governing this type of visa: Resolution 5477 of 2022, Section 3, Article 67.

  
  

• Representation: Although the law does not require you to be represented by a lawyer for this type of process, a lawyer with a valid Colombian professional license can represent you through a power of attorney, duly authenticated.

  
  

• Relevant link for more information:

  • https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/v/conyugenacional

    
    

• Free Tools and Content from Colombian Passport to prepare your application:

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  • What Does the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Evaluate in Your Spouse Visa Application?

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  • Permanent Partner Visa vs. Spouse Visa in Colombia: What’s the Difference?

  • Spouse Visa in Colombia: What You Can Actually Obtain by Marrying a Colombian