Colombian Naturalization for Foreigners 2026: Routes, Timelines and Law 2332 That Changed Everything

When Julia — German, 13 years in Colombia, a visa R holder since 2021 — received her Colombian citizenship card at the National Registry in January 2026, she cried. Not out of sentimentality: because the 13 years of procedures, visa renewals, visits to Migración Colombia and apostilled documents were over. She was Colombian. The naturalization process under Law 2332/2023 — the most important immigration reform in decades — had shortened timelines and simplified requirements for many of the groups Julia represented. But the 13-year path she walked was before the law. Foreigners starting today can expect a shorter path — if they know the details.

Colombian naturalization turns a foreigner into a Colombian citizen with all the rights and obligations of a native-born Colombian — including a Colombian passport, the right to vote and unrestricted access to the labor market. It is the end point of the immigration process for those who decide to make Colombia their permanent home.

Naturalization Routes Under Law 2332/2023

Law 2332 of September 25, 2023 established new routes and timelines for Colombian naturalization. The general route requires 5 continuous years of residence on a visa R (not M — the clock runs from when you obtain the visa R, not from your arrival in the country). The accelerated family route reduces the period to 2 years of residence for the spouse or permanent partner of a Colombian citizen. The route by origin applies to children of Colombians born abroad who did not automatically acquire citizenship. The bilateral agreement route applies to nationals of countries with which Colombia has a special agreement — Spain and Portugal have accelerated access (1 year of residence in Colombia for Spaniards under the 1979 agreement). The merit route applies to foreigners with exceptional contributions recognized by the Colombian State.

The Application Process

The naturalization application is processed before the Presidency of the Republic (Legal Secretariat) or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depending on the applicable route. Required documents include: a valid passport, visa R (or M for the family route), a certificate of immigration movements from Migración Colombia (showing continuous residence), a Colombian police certificate, an apostilled police certificate from the country of origin, and in some cases a Spanish-language and knowledge-of-Colombia exam (for the general route). The full process takes 6 to 24 months from filing the application.

Do you lose your original nationality?

Colombia allows dual nationality — Colombian naturalization does not require renouncing your original nationality. However, your country of origin may or may not accept dual nationality. Countries that explicitly allow dual nationality with Colombia include Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, Ecuador and many others. Germany, Norway and some other countries have restrictions on dual nationality that foreigners should check with their consulate before naturalizing. Colombian naturalization is documented with the carta de naturaleza (naturalization letter) and results in a Colombian citizenship card.

What Changes with Colombian Citizenship

With Colombian citizenship: a Colombian passport (visa-free access to more than 90 countries), the right to vote in Colombian elections, unrestricted access to the labor market without a visa category, the possibility of holding public office (with some exceptions for positions of trust), and full access to the public education and health systems. Citizenship is permanent — it cannot be revoked for absence, although Colombia does revoke citizenship in cases of documented fraud in the application.