How to Obtain Colombian Citizenship by Naturalization: Complete 2026 Guide

The current rule: Law 2332 of 2023

Law 2332 of 2023 repealed Law 43 of 1993 and now governs the acquisition, renunciation, loss and recovery of Colombian nationality. Cancillería clarifies on its official page that the applicable law depends on the payment date: Law 43 of 1993 for payments up to September 23, 2023, and Law 2332 of 2023 for payments from September 24, 2023.

Key points of the law:

• Nationality by adoption is "the sovereign and discretionary decision of the President of the Republic", delegated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (art. 6).
• Domicile is "regular presence in Colombia accompanied by the intention to remain in the national territory" (art. 4). Three continuous years with a valid resident visa prove that intention to remain.
• You do not have to give up your nationality: "naturalized persons are not required to renounce their nationality of origin or adoption" (art. 28).

How many years of residence you need

How it is counted: the years "shall be counted from the date of issuance of the resident visa" (art. 9). That is why the first step toward nationality is the R visa. If you do not have it yet, see our guide on article 90: R visa by accumulated time.

Interruption: "leaving Colombian territory for a period equal to or greater than one (1) year" interrupts the required domicile (art. 9, paragraph 2).

Documents Cancillería requires

According to the official naturalization page:

1. Copy of the resident visa (holder or beneficiary).
2. Copy of the valid foreigner ID card.
3. Plain copy of the biographical data page of the valid passport.
4. Reasoned letter, signed and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with: full name, foreigner ID number, profession, occupation and current nationality; city, address, phones and email in Colombia; authorization to consult your data with the authorities; and the reasons why you are applying for nationality. Cancillería publishes an official letter template.
5. Birth certificate with exact place and date, apostilled or legalized.
6. Proof of profession or trade: employment certificate no older than 3 months (employees); copy of the RUT (self-employed); Chamber of Commerce certificate no older than 6 months with NIT (partners or owners); or a statement from the relative, spouse or partner you depend on financially, with their documents.
7. If married to a Colombian: civil marriage certificate.
8. If you have a permanent partner: document proving the de facto marital union.
9. If you have Colombian children: each child's Colombian birth certificate.
10. High school, undergraduate or graduate diploma or certificate endorsed by the Ministry of Education; if you do not have one, you will take the knowledge exam.
11. If you belong to an indigenous community: document from your community's authority.
12. If you have a cognitive disability: certification from the competent professional.

Minor children: children under parental authority, domiciled in Colombia and holding a resident visa as beneficiaries, may be included by providing their visa, birth certificate (apostilled and translated if applicable), passport, the parents' documents and the application signed by those exercising parental authority.

The procedure step by step

1. Register the application online on Cancillería's procedures portal. Cancillería publishes an official registration guide (PDF).
2. Pay the fee: COP 808,558, by PSE (with an active account in Colombia), Visa or MasterCard (with a bank fee), Servibanca ATMs or Banco GNB Sudameris.
3. File the documents.
4. Check the status in the official status form.
5. Take the knowledge exam, unless exempt. The notice arrives at the email registered in SITAC one month in advance.
6. Interview, if the Ministry requests one at its discretion (art. 18).
7. Oath or solemn affirmation to complete the procedure (art. 21).

The knowledge exam

• Content: "knowledge of the Political Constitution, national history, culture and geography of Colombia", plus a Spanish test when it is not your mother tongue (art. 13).
• Attempts: "up to two times" (art. 13, paragraph 2). If you fail, you can retake it six months later if you notify the Ministry within the following three months (paragraph 3).
• Exempt (art. 13, paragraph 4): holders of a Colombian high school, undergraduate or graduate degree; people over 60; people with a cognitive disability; and indigenous people from border communities. Stateless persons are also exempt (art. 25).
• Official material: the study guide "Colombia, nuestra casa".
• Passing the exam does not imply naturalization.

Why nationality is denied

• Unsatisfactory immigration report: the Ministry may, "without the need for additional procedure, deny Colombian nationality by adoption" (art. 14).
• Judicial report: based on records, it may deny the application (art. 15).
• Discretion: it is a sovereign decision of the State (art. 6).
• New application: after a denial, you can only apply again two years after the decision becomes final (art. 29).

Oath, naturalization letter and later deadlines

Once nationality is authorized, the naturalization letter (carta de naturaleza) or registration resolution is issued, and the procedure is completed with an oath, or a solemn affirmation if your religious faith does not allow you to swear. Do not let it slip: if you do not take the oath within six months after the decision becomes final, the President or the Minister may revoke the letter by reasoned act; an extension may be requested (art. 30). The letter can be annulled in court if it was based on false documents (art. 31).

As a national by adoption you keep your nationality of origin (art. 28). The law sets some limitations for certain public offices (arts. 34 and 35).

Frequent mistakes in the nationality application

1. Counting time from arrival in the country instead of from issuance of the resident visa.
2. Trips of a year or more that interrupted domicile.
3. Letting the visa, ID card or passport expire during the procedure.
4. Uploading the diploma or exemption certificates late: they are not considered after the application is created.
5. Weak letter, without the reasons for the application or the data consultation authorization.
6. Outdated certificates: employment over 3 months or Chamber of Commerce over 6 months old.
7. Foreign documents without an apostille or official translation.
8. Not preparing for the exam and using up both attempts.
9. Not taking the oath in time (six months).

Official sources: Cancillería – Naturalization · Law 2332 of 2023, arts. 4, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 25, 28–31 · Official registration guide · Study guide "Colombia, nuestra casa" · Resolution 5477 of 2022. Informational content; does not replace individual legal advice.