Colombian Nationality

lpdiver says on Feb 1, 2005, 17:48:

The Colombian embassy Indicates two years residency with a limit on out of country time...90 days I want to recall. This question intrigues me also.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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Gator says on Feb 1, 2005, 20:14:

First I assume it is like the USA so I am posting from that stand point. It was fairly simple to get-at least it was some years ago.

1. First step would be to visit the Colombian Embassy or consulate(s)
in England. The can, should be able to advise you on the paperwork.
2. If you qualify you would get a Visa Temporal Conyuge (spouse visa)
If you want to be something other than a house husban it becomes much more complicated, escecially for work.
3. Sr. gringoinbogota is correct-after three years with the TC visa you can apply for residency.
4. You have 180 days after arriving in colombia go go to the DAS (Administrative Department of Security) immigration department and apply for Cedula de Extranjeria, usually just refered to as a cedula. This is VERY important. If you plan to live in Colombia for an extended period you can't go to the damn bathroom without a cedula.

You need to check in England but I believe this is some of the paper work you will need:

REQUIREMENTS

1. Valid Passport with at least 3 available pages and valid for a minimum of 6 months.
2. Two (2) passport copies, including the information pages as well as all used pages.
3. Two (2) original (not photo copies) Visa Application Forms forms signed and completely filled out in duplicate.
4. Three (3) color passport-type photograph (1.5�x1.5�).
5. Certificate of Record Search. This is a police clearance certificate from the city of residency showing applicant's criminal record (if any) and is known as a "Certificate of Record Search."
This certificate must be updated (issued within the last six months), translated into Spanish and both versions (English and Spanish) must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the State where it was issued. This certificate is required ONLY if you do not hold a current Colombian visa.


6. Certified copy of the Marriage License or certificate. This certificate is known as Registro Civil de Matrimonio. This certificate must be translated into Spanish if originally issued in a language other than Spanish. Both versions (English & Spanish) must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the secretary of state of the State where it was issued. If issued in Colombia, a Colombian Public Notary must notarize it.

7. ORIGINAL of the certified (notarized) copy of the Colombian national ID Card (Cédula de Ciudadanía).

8. Original of the Letter from the Colombian citizen (spouse), requesting the visa. This letter must be translated into Spanish if originally issued in a language other than Spanish. Both versions (English & Spanish) must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE from the Secretary of State of the state where it was issued. If issued in Colombia, a Colombian Public Notary must notarize it.
9. In the event that the foreigner wants to exercise a different activity than staying at home or study, he/she must present the original documents which prove the enrollment in the specific activity, as for example, if the intention is to work: Original of the Colombian Ministry of Work's Certificate indicating company's current proportionality between national and foreign workers for the position hired according to what is established by the Substantive Work Code. Not applicable when applied by cultural groups, or public events such as athletic or artistic ones. This request is not requiered when the entity employer is an organ, entity, or institution of the Government.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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ixent says on Feb 2, 2005, 03:40:

2 years
Take a look at http://www.consuladodecolombia.co.uk/

Then click on "Doble nacionalidad". 2 years residence in Col it seems, plus loads of documents.

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Gator says on Feb 2, 2005, 06:39:

That Visa, the TC, is... valid for two year. At the end of that time (two years) it's back to DAS for a renewal which is really no problem other than dealing with a bureaucracy that rivals that found in 18th century Czarist Russia. Oh, the memory of the days when all they had were mechanical typewrites, like 30-year-old Underwoods, and all émployees were victims of some strange disease that only allowed two fingers to work the keys.

After you have had the TC visa for three years total you can apply for a resident visa.

Good look and hang in there.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Roncita says on Feb 2, 2005, 08:33:

Pauli, getting a spouse visa in the UK is incredibly easy. Not sure how long you need to wait to get nationality but ask at the Consulate. Reading Gator's list of requirements, double check at the Consulate whether you need to get an apostille from the Foreign Office for both English and Spanish versions of everything. I don't remember having to - especially because I met the girl who translated my docs into Spanish outside the Consulate so she could give me the translations before I went in to get the visa. I have a feeling I only had to get an apostille for the Police Clearance certificate - in English. (This can take up to 40 working days to get from the Police so I would apply for it ASAP. Doesn't usually take that long - I think mine took about 3 weeks - but you never know.) You definitely don't need one for the marriage certificate - the Consulate will automatically issue you with a Colombian marriage certificate anyway, so it doesn't need an apostille. Make sure you have at least 2 copies of the original certificate though because the Consulate keeps one.

You might already know this - after all you didn't ask about the visa. Can't help with nationality though.

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ShazCas says on Feb 2, 2005, 12:24:

The spouse visa I was reading about the spouse visa just the other day on the Consulate website for the UK. It looks easy, but I have two questions if anyone can help - does it allow you to work in Colombia in any profession / have your own business? Also it lasts two years, what happens after that, if you are still in Colombia? Ta for any help!

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Gator says on Feb 2, 2005, 13:32:

It is my Understanding... that if the document is NOT issued in Colombia it will need an apostille. Example, your divorce was from Spain, you lived for quite sometime in France (police certificate) and your birth certificate was from California all three would need an apostille. The TRANSLATION of those documents does not need an apostille. I don't think the consulate will automatically issue you a Colombian marriage certificate but I might not have understoop this reply from Roncita. But if the marriage certificate you present is from Colombia and has the necessary stamps from Colombia no apostille wold be needed for this document. The same would apply if the police certificate came from DAS in Colombia.

The best bet is visit the consulate. Usually the personnel are very helpful and will give you a list of EXACTLY what you need. Upon you initial visit bring any documents you have and they will tell you if they are acceptable.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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lpdiver says on Feb 2, 2005, 14:28:

Bifurcated paths It seems some of us are talking about this situation as if married to a Colombian national and others are assuming you are not married to a Colombian national. No?

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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Gator says on Feb 2, 2005, 14:35:

I guess Marriage.. is what he is looking for: pauli wrote, "I have heard that it is possible to get nationality after 2 years if married to a Colombian..."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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