Naturalization via marriage. Better to apply from UK or Colombia

Cayari · 2025-08-28T11:35:09+02:00

Explore the best options for applying for Colombian naturalization via marriage while relocating from the UK to Colombia. Get insights on visa processes.

Cayari New member

Member since 27 March 2023

CayariNew memberYesterday 09:35:09

Hi everyone,

I am moving聽 to Colombia from UK with my Colombian wife (who is a UK citizen) in November

I want to apply for naturalization to become a Colombian citizen based on my marriage to her

My question is: is it better to apply for the first visa in the process in the UK before going, or

once in Colombia?聽 If the latter, do I have to apply in Bogota or could I apply closer to where we are going to be based in the south in one of the regional centres (Neiba, Popayan, Cali).

Many thanks for your time!

Cayari New member

Member since 27 March 2023

CayariNew memberYesterday 09:49:35

aha looks like i can do it all online now ?聽聽can it really be this easy lol

medellinguru.com/marriage-visa/

mtbe Contributor

Member since 24 February 2015

mtbeContributorYesterday 20:44:57

187

You have to get a marriage visa first, which is good for 3 years, although some people have only received a marriage visa for 1 year.

You can apply online.聽 I've done it in the past, but in 2023, they made a lot of changes that make it difficult, so I used an immigration lawyer for my last one (Langon Law in Medellin).聽 Well worth it.聽 In my opinion, it's better to do it within Colombia.

Once you get the marriage visa, you need to be in country for 3 years before you can apply for residence visa.聽 I'm not sure if you need residence visa first, before applying for citizenship, or if you can do it directly from you marriage visa.聽 I'm sure someone here can help with that.

Being in country for 3 years means you can't be out for more than 6 months at a time within those 3 years.

For the citizenship, you still need to take a test (if under 60 yrs old), all in Spanish.聽 Pass rate, I've read, is something like 20-30%.

Be careful in those areas you mentioned.聽 There were recent bombings in Cali, and Popayan is a hot bed of marxist activities.