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Essential Sample Letter for Applying for Your Spouse Visa (Type M) in Colombia

2025-04-11

Are you married to a Colombian citizen and dream of establishing your home in Colombia? The Spouse Visa, classified as Type M (Migrant), is the legal path to make it possible. One of the crucial steps in this process is writing a request letter addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores). This letter isn't just a formality; it's your opportunity to tell your story and demonstrate the authenticity and strength of your marital bond.

At Colombian Passport, we understand this process can raise questions. That's why we've prepared this guide and a sample letter to help you structure your application clearly and effectively. Remember, while this template is an excellent starting point, every story is unique, and your letter must reflect your personal reality.

Why is This Letter So Important?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to verify that your marriage is genuine and not a union of convenience entered into solely for immigration benefits. The letter, usually written by the Colombian spouse, allows you to:

Formally Submit the Request: Identifies both spouses and clearly states the purpose of obtaining the visa.
Narrate the Relationship History: Explains how you met, how your relationship has evolved, and the details of your marriage.
Demonstrate Cohabitation and Life Project: Describes your life together, routines, future plans in Colombia, and the intention to settle permanently.
Contextualize Documents: Serves as a summary that accompanies and gives meaning to the evidence you attach (marriage certificate, photos, etc.).

Key Elements of the Application Letter:

A well-structured letter should include:

Date and Addressee: Current date and addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sender's Information: Full name, Cédula number (Colombian ID), address, phone number, and email of the Colombian spouse.
Clear Subject Line: Indicating it is a request for a Type M – Spouse Visa.
Identification of Both Spouses: Full names, nationalities, and identification numbers (Cédula and passport).
Statement of Facts ("Hechos"): This is the most personal section. Include:
- A declaration under oath of effective and permanent cohabitation.
- Detailed story of how and when you met.
- Development of the relationship and time spent together.
- Marriage details (date, place).
- Description of current life together (where you live, routines, shared activities).
- Explanation of future plans in Colombia (work, studies, buying property, reasons for choosing Colombia).
- Mention of previous visits by the foreign spouse to Colombia (if applicable).
- Any other relevant detail strengthening the authenticity of the bond (children in common or from previous relationships living together, financial management, etc.).
Formal Request: Reiterate the petition to grant the Type M Visa to the foreign spouse.
Mention of Attachments: List the documents attached as proof (civil marriage certificate, photos, bank statements, lease agreements, etc.).
Closing and Signature: Formal closing and signature of the Colombian spouse with their Cédula number.

Sample Application Letter for Spouse Visa (Type M)

Below is a generic template. Remember to adapt it completely to your specific situation, replacing the information in brackets [] with your actual data and adding the specific details of your story.

[City of Residence of Colombian Spouse], [Date: Month Day, Year]

To:
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores)
Special Administrative Unit Migración Colombia / Visas and Immigration Coordination
(Verify the exact department to address based on the online or in-person process)
Bogotá D.C.

**SENDER'S INFORMATION (COLOMBIAN SPOUSE):**
FULL NAME: [Full Name of Colombian Spouse]
CÉDULA DE CIUDADANÍA (Colombian ID No.): [Cédula Number] issued in [City of Issuance]
PHONE: [Phone Number]
ADDRESS AND CITY: [Full Residence Address in Colombia]
EMAIL: [Contact Email Address]

**SUBJECT:** Request for Type M Visa – Spouse of Colombian National for [Full Name of Foreign Spouse]

Dear Sirs/Madams,

I, [Full Name of Colombian Spouse], of legal age, a Colombian citizen, identified with Cédula de Ciudadanía No. [Cédula Number] issued in [City of Issuance], residing at [City and Residence Address], acting in my capacity as the spouse of Mr./Ms. [Full Name of Foreign Spouse], a citizen of [Nationality of Foreign Spouse], identified with passport No. [Passport Number of Foreign Spouse], hereby respectfully request before your office the processing and issuance of the TYPE M VISA – SPOUSE OF COLOMBIAN NATIONAL for my spouse, based on the following:

**FACTS**

1.  I declare under oath (or under penalty of perjury) that I cohabit effectively, permanently, and singularly with my spouse, Mr./Ms. [Full Name of Foreign Spouse], constituting a true community of life.
2.  Our story together began on [Approximate or Exact Date], when we met [Brief description of how you met: place, situation, means, e.g., "through mutual friends," "on a trip to...", "via an online platform..."].
3.  Since [Month/Year], we formalized our romantic relationship, which has been characterized by [Briefly describe the nature of the relationship: love, mutual support, respect, communication, etc.]. We have been sharing our lives for [Number] years/months.
4.  We contracted civil/religious/foreign authority marriage on [Date of Marriage] in [Place of Marriage: Notary Office/Church/Consulate/Court, City, Country], as evidenced by the attached Civil Marriage Registry/Certificate.
5.  Currently, we live together in [Main City/Cities of Residence]. Our life as a couple involves [Briefly describe routine and shared life: sharing expenses, household chores, social activities, travel, supporting personal/professional projects, etc.].
6.  Our joint life project is focused on settling definitively in Colombia, due to [Explain reasons: Colombian spouse's job, foreign spouse's retirement, family proximity, opportunities, etc.]. [If applicable, mention cohabitation with other family members: "My son/daughter lives with us...", "We plan to be close to my family in..."].
7.  Obtaining this visa is essential to [Explain importance: "be able to consolidate our home without interruptions caused by tourist stay limits," "allow my spouse to fully integrate into life in Colombia," "provide us with stability as a family"].
8.  [Optional: If applicable, mention specific plans] We plan to [Example: "purchase our own home," "start a business together," "enable my spouse to formally seek employment"].
9.  [Optional: If the foreign spouse has visited Colombia before] My spouse has visited Colombia on [Number] occasions, during which [Briefly describe positive experiences or adaptation, if relevant]. However, the limitations of the tourist visa/entry permit prevent us from maintaining continuous cohabitation.

**REQUEST**

Based on the facts presented and the evidence attached, I respectfully request that you review our application and, if the legal requirements are met, grant the TYPE M VISA – SPOUSE OF COLOMBIAN NATIONAL to my spouse, [Full Name of Foreign Spouse].

**SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS / EVIDENCE**

I attach the following documents to this application as proof of our relationship and compliance with requirements:

* Copy of the Colombian Civil Marriage Registry (or foreign certificate duly apostilled/legalized and translated if applicable).
* Copy of the Colombian spouse's Cédula de Ciudadanía.
* Copy of the foreign spouse's Passport.
* Photographs from different times in our relationship (wedding, trips, family events, daily life).
* [List other relevant documents you are attaching: Joint lease agreement, joint bank statements or those showing mutual support, residence certificates, plane tickets from trips together, etc.]
* [Any other document required by current visa regulations].

I appreciate your attention to this request in advance and remain at your disposal for any additional information or interview you deem necessary.

Sincerely,

(Signature)
_________________________
**[Full Name of Colombian Spouse]**
C.C. No. [Cédula Number] issued in [City of Issuance]

**Additional Tips for Your Letter:**

* **Be Sincere and Specific:** Don't use generic language. Tell *your* story with honest details.
* **Maintain a Respectful Tone:** Address the authorities formally.
* **Consistency:** Ensure that what you state in the letter matches the dates and information in the documents you attach.
* **Review Spelling and Grammar:** A well-written letter makes a better impression.
* **Attach Strong Evidence:** Photographs, records of trips together, joint bank accounts (if they exist), lease agreements in both names, etc., are crucial to support your claims.

While this template gives you an excellent starting point, every case has its peculiarities. If your situation is complex, you have doubts about specific requirements, or you simply prefer expert support to ensure your application is successful, do not hesitate to contact us.

Do you prefer an expert to help you with the process?

At Colombian Passport, we understand that people might not want to hire lawyers for their Colombian visa procedures. However, more and more people prefer hiring lawyers like us rather than facing this process alone.

Why is it better to hire an immigration lawyer than to apply for a visa on your own?

Because it's not easy:

Complexity: Although gathering the requirements might seem easy for most, preparing them correctly and submitting them in the required format and timeframe often needs extra help.
Platform Usability: The platforms of the Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Migración Colombia are not user-friendly. Experience is required to use them correctly.
Discretionary Power: Colombian law allows officials to deny a visa even if an applicant meets all requirements. It's discretionary. As lawyers, we file hundreds of visas and understand the potential discretionary criteria at each consulate worldwide or within Colombia, and we prepare accordingly.
Requests for Information (Requerimientos): Many visa applications receive requests for more information. Responding on time and appropriately often requires legal expertise: explaining insurance policy notes, clarifying migration movements, handling EPS affiliations, etc.
Increased Scrutiny: Colombia is trending, and many people want to live here. This is great news for the country, but it requires Colombian Foreign Ministry officials to apply greater scrutiny to applications and manage a heavy workload. Therefore, understanding their situation and submitting perfect applications is key.
Risk of Inadmission: Visas can be "inadmitted" (inadmitida). This means they aren't rejected outright, but they haven't been granted, and you must re-submit the application. This can be a months-long process where expert guidance is better for managing documentation and procedures.
Strategic Decisions: Immigration decisions need to be made: whether to leave the country, travel dates, which insurance policies to buy, which visa type to apply for, etc. These decisions can determine the success of your application. Having an expert by your side to help make the right choice is always better.

At Colombian Passport, we are ready to advise you at every step of your Spouse Visa process in Colombia.