Marriage / Permanent Partner Visa (Visa M — Cónyuge o Compañero Permanente) — Colombia

The Marriage / Permanent Partner Visa (Visa M — Cónyuge o Compañero Permanente) is an official application form issued by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Cancillería). You use this form when you apply for a marriage-based status in Colombia. You must file the application with the immigration authority, which reviews and decides your case. Submitting the form does not guarantee approval. The application is commonly referred to as the marriage-partner visa process. You complete and submit the required documentation through the government’s designated system, including the Form formulario-unico-visa used for visa filings.

• Official Form Title: Marriage / Permanent Partner Visa (Visa M — Cónyuge o Compañero Permanente)
• Filing Authority: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Cancillería) / immigration authority If you plan to live in Colombia long term, review the requirements for the Resident Visa (Visa R) through the immigration authority. Each visa category has distinct criteria and a separate review process. Before applying, confirm current requirements directly with the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (Cancillería), since the immigration authority controls eligibility standards, documentation rules, and final approval decisions.

After two continuous years on a Migrant (M) visa as the spouse or registered permanent partner of a Colombian citizen, you can qualify for the Resident Visa (Visa R). The M visa relies on evidence. You must prove the legal relationship and that it’s genuine; there’s no minimum income requirement. Core eligibility for the spouse M visa: - Valid Colombian marriage certificate or registered unión marital de hecho.

• Letter of support from your Colombian partner.
• Evidence the relationship is real and ongoing.
• Completed Form formulario-unico-visa. Interviews are common. The immigration authority focuses on the authenticity of your relationship.

Timeline to Permanent Residency

The spouse category offers a faster route to permanent status than most other visa types.

Your eligibility depends on maintaining the relationship. If the relationship ends, your visa status can be affected because its validity is tied to that partnership.

After Visa Approval

If your visa is valid for more than three months, you must register with the Colombian Migration Registry within 15 days of entering Colombia or from the visa issuance date, whichever applies. Download the latest application form and instructions from the official Cancillería website before submitting your formulario-unico-visa to the immigration authority.

You pay a $65 study fee when the immigration authority reviews your application through the Form formulario-unico-visa. If approved, you then pay a $271 issuance fee for the visa.

You must pay the study fee before the immigration authority starts processing. You only pay the issuance fee after approval. Processing typically takes about 1 to 6 weeks once you submit a complete application. Incomplete filings can delay the timeline, since the immigration authority won’t finalize your case until you provide all required documents. If you apply for a Resident Visa (Visa R) based on marriage to a Colombian national, the same study and issuance fees apply unless the immigration authority updates its fee schedule. You can reduce delays by:

• Completing the formulario-unico-visa carefully.
• Uploading all required supporting documents at the time of filing.
• Responding promptly to any requests from the immigration authority. Accurate documentation and full payment at each stage help keep your case within the standard 1 to 6 week processing window.

You must complete the Form formulario-unico-visa in full and submit it to the immigration authority with all required supporting evidence. Fill out every required section of the form accurately. Do not leave mandatory fields blank. Sign the form where indicated before submission.

Include supporting documents that confirm your eligibility for the Resident Visa (Visa R) based on marriage. The immigration authority reviews both the form and the attached evidence together. Submit:

• A fully completed formulario-unico-visa.
• Your signature on the form where required.
• All required supporting evidence that matches the information in your application. Ensure that the information in your documents is consistent with what you state in the form. Incomplete forms or missing evidence can delay review by the immigration authority. Check each page before you submit. You are responsible for providing a complete and accurate application package.

The immigration authority typically issues a decision within approximately 1 to 6 weeks after you submit a complete application. You must file the Form formulario-unico-visa accurately and provide all required supporting documents at the time of submission. Incomplete filings delay review and may prevent the immigration authority from processing your case within the standard timeframe. Your status and corresponding rights depend on the visa granted.

If you receive a Resident Visa (Visa R), you must comply with the conditions attached to that resident classification as defined by the immigration authority. The immigration authority evaluates your application based on the documents and information you provide. You remain responsible for ensuring that all details are truthful and consistent throughout the process.

You should monitor your application status and respond promptly to any requests from the immigration authority. Delays in answering official communications can affect the timing of your decision.

You complete the Colombia marriage visa through a two-stage process that begins with your visa application and ends with the appropriate resident status.

Stage 1: Submit the Visa Application

You must complete the Form formulario-unico-visa and submit it to the immigration authority. Follow these steps in order: 1. Fill out the formulario-unico-visa with accurate personal and marital information. Review every entry for consistency with your supporting documents. Sign the application yourself as the foreign applicant.

The immigration authority will not process an unsigned application. Your signature confirms that the information you provided is true and complete. For current processing times and fees in USD ($), consult the official immigration authority source.

Stage 2: Obtain the Appropriate Resident Status

Once approved, you move to the resident phase under the Resident Visa (Visa R) category, if applicable to your situation. At this stage, you must:

• Ensure your visa details match your passport information.
• Comply with any instructions issued by the immigration authority. Each stage builds on the one before it. Errors or omissions in your initial submission can delay the transition to Resident Visa (Visa R) status.

You must qualify under the eligibility category defined by the immigration authority for a marriage-based Resident Visa (Visa R). You can apply if you meet the specific requirements set for your category and follow the official instructions before starting your case. The immigration authority reviews each application based on the criteria attached to that category. Before you begin, confirm that:

• You fit the eligibility category for a marriage-based Resident Visa (Visa R).
• You complete the Form formulario-unico-visa accurately.
• You follow the application instructions issued by the immigration authority for your category. The immigration authority will assess whether you satisfy the conditions tied to your requested visa classification. If you do not meet the criteria for the Resident Visa (Visa R), your application may not proceed under this category. Always review the official guidance from the immigration authority for your specific eligibility category before submitting the formulario-unico-visa.