Obtain Colombian citizenship after two years of residence

guacharaca says on Oct 20, 2008, 09:49:

Here is the web site for the curious;

http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/wps/portal/!ut/p/.cmd/cs/.ce/7_0_A/.s/7_...

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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Bill Turley (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 20, 2008, 09:53:

adrienne79 says on Oct 20, 2008, 09:59:

Bill are you sure about that? I know many people with dual citizenship currently.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 20, 2008, 10:24:

Patrick says on Oct 20, 2008, 10:30:

US allows dula citizenship

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/dual_citizenship.html

Don't blame me I voted for Ron Paul!

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miamimike says on Oct 20, 2008, 10:35:

From Patrick's aove link:


"US Dual Citizenship: The U.S. government allows dual citizenship. United States law recognizes U.S. Dual Citizenship, but the U.S. government does not encourage it is as a matter of policy due to the problems that may arise from it. It is important to understand that a foreign citizen does NOT lose his or her citizenship when becoming a U.S. citizen. An individual that becomes a U.S. citizen through naturalization may keep his or her original citizenship. However, as some countries do not recognize dual citizenship, it is important to consider it carefully before applying for U.S. citizenship.

Dual citizenship is a complex issue and it is important that you understand that there also***** obligations and not only benefits that comes with being a dual citizen. Being a citizen of two countries means that you need to obey the laws of both countries, including paying taxes and serving in the military (if required by any of the countries). *******The "United States Dual Citizenship Guide" explains these issues in detail."

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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Patrick says on Oct 20, 2008, 10:51:

Your problem is not Colombian Citizenship / US Citizenship. Your real problem is taxation. Both the US and Colombia tax world wide income, you may be letting yourself in for dual taxation as well as dual citizenship. You should get professional advice before taking the plunge.

Don't blame me I voted for Ron Paul!

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adrienne79 says on Oct 20, 2008, 10:56:

Thanks Patrick.

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lpdiver says on Oct 20, 2008, 11:41:

Unless one is interested in serving public office in Colombia, what is the advantage to Colombian citizenship? Perhaps some employment opportunities?

ts

"cook some rice!"

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ujay says on Oct 20, 2008, 11:46:

you take out Colombian citizenship,you will get no help here from the usa embassy,you could end up with 2 years in the army and your kids as well ,then there is the problem with the colombian passport.
there is no advantage at all in getting Colombian citizenship

http://www.jukelightning.com

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expatriate says on Oct 20, 2008, 11:48:

Dual citizenship is most definitely allowed. Most of the members of the current U.S. administration are dual Israeli-U.S. citizens.

In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile.

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lpdiver says on Oct 20, 2008, 11:50:

I don't know why you would say that you will get no help from the USA embassy. I have several other passports and had a passport stolen in Colombia. The embassy was very helpful too me.

In my case I am past the age for military duty. I could pay someone to take my place if I wasn't overage. I just don't know why it would be worth the time and effort and money in my case.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Gary Bala says on Oct 20, 2008, 12:39:

USA does not encourage but does allow dual citizenship.

I myself am a dual citizen with USA and India.

Yes, a person can hold dual citizenship with USA and Colombia.

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kenblanquito says on Oct 20, 2008, 12:45:

The last investigation that I carried out in the UK, for example, was that one could theoretically possess British and Colombian nationalities; a privilege that my born-Colombian wife has had for several years. However, the British Home office stated that if I were to apply for Colombian nationality, "I could not be guaranteed protection by the British Crown when I am in Colombia if I possessed both".. Probably the same rule for wifey, but she is not bothered by that. Therefor, I will probably remain here with a residence visa only unless the Laws of the UK change and leave me in a less compromising position.
I have been told that I need to hold, on a continuous basis, a spouse visa for 5 years before I can apply for citizenship here.

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rhydewithdis (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 20, 2008, 13:17:

Tejeringo says on Oct 20, 2008, 13:41:

$8k thats really cheap , why dont you go to Philippines is over 15K there.

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Gator says on Oct 20, 2008, 13:45:

It is allowed-Mrs. Gator has dual citizenship. Bill, this became effective with the new Colombian constitution of 1991. What it did was allow dual citizenship to take place and recognized dual citizenship in Title III, Chapter 1, article 96. Prior to the 1991 Constitution Colombian citizens were not allow to have dual citizenship.

http://www.minrelext.gov.co/Servicios/extranjero non hispano.asp(Pardon the half-arsed translation but you get the idea. Except for voting permanent residence serves the purpose.)

REQUISITES TO OBTAIN citizenship non HISPANIC FOREIGNERS

NON HISPANIC foreigners who request citizenship will be able to present the request before the government or before the Department of Foreign Affairs.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
the Law 43 of 1993, indicates as requisite to obtain citizenship, to be domiciled in Colombia for a term of 5 years continuos immediately previous to the date of presentation of the request (if he/she is not married with Colombian national), or for two (2) years (if the foreigner is married with Colombian national). Understand that a foreigner is domiciled when he/she has a RESIDENT'S VISA, by what the period is counted from the date in which visa was granted.
To fulfill the requisites established in the Law 43 of 1993 and the Decree 1869 of 1994, the following documents will have to be contributed to this office.:

1. Brief gone to mister Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, in which they request Colombian citizenship for adoption, will have to contain:

a) Name, document of identity, fatherland and current nationality of the petitioner.
b) City of domicile and direction of his residence.
c) Reasons on which his request is based.
d) Declaration of his last domicile before having established itself in the country.
e) Authorization to request certificate of the Administrative Department of Security(DAS) to give to the Department of Foreign Affairs, of criminal records or of good conduct or to enclose the same certificate sent recently by the D.A.S.
f) If the petitioner will have children under his custody, he/she can ask it to extend the nationality to them, for which it is necessary to present the tests regarding the marital status of the younger sons to whom one must extend the nationality. The request will have to do jointly for the parents and in case the custody is exercised for one of them one will haveAuthenticated photocopy of the Certificate of current status of foreigners.
3. Suitable document sent by competent authority of his fatherland, in which the date is verified and place of birth or authenticated photocopy of the current passport. to credit the above mentioned circumstance. Also furnish birth certificate or civil record of birth in accordance with the article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that is to say, authenticated by the Consul of Colombia 4. Certificate of good conduct observed for interested his fatherland or the last country different from Colombia where it has resided for five (5) years.
5. To credit definition of his military situation in the fatherland, by means of certification sent in such a sense by the competent authority (unless it has deposited Colombia being under-age or that, in the moment to present the request it has more than 50 years. In the opposite case, the petitioner will have to define his military situation in Colombia on having obtained the nationality it requests
6. Authenticated photocopies of the last two income statements or certificate of retention in the source if he is a dependent worker or his accreditation of income on the part of public book-keeper.CPA)
7. To credit profession or office (in case of being an associate or owner of industrial or commercial establishment to collect certificate of the Chamber of commerce in which there consists the social object of the above mentioned entity or certificate of the company where it works), or in his shortcoming written Declaration of the person or spouse where economic dependency consists.
8. To posess a basic knowledge of Castilian, of the Political Constitution of Colombia and general knowledge of Native History and Geography of Colombia, examinations that it will have to present in the respective Government, according to the arranged for the 9th, numeral articles 4th and 9th encore of the Law 43 of 1993. There are exceptions to this requisite those who verify to have obtained graduate's title or to have studied university education in Colombia. 9. Civil record of marriage if married (a) with Colombian (a) 10. Record of birth of the Colombian children.
11. Six (6) photos 4x5
It is important to remember that all the photocopies must be authenticated by notary. The documents sent in the exterior must be authenticated by Colombian Consul and his signature of debit be legalized as it distinguishes itself in the 3rd point. In his shortcoming the document must include the stamp of Apostille, in accordance with the “ Convention on abolition of the requisite of legalization for public foreign documents ”. Finally, any document that one finds in a language different from Spanish will have to be translated officially.
It is necessary to point out that, in accordance with the established in the article 11 of the Law 43 of 1993, if passed six (6) months of requested some requisite, not contributed, will presume that the foreigner does not have interest to acquire the Colombian nationality and therefore, will arrange himself the file of the records.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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TobyBoy says on Oct 20, 2008, 17:32:

Gator's posting is great. I know many people (inc. self) who possess two and even three or four passports -all quite legal and in order. BUT each country has their own rules.

There are MANY USA/Colombian citizens.

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Monita Linda says on Oct 20, 2008, 17:40:

AS LONG as you don't tell -- they don't care.

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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caracol says on Oct 20, 2008, 20:22:

...so if I understand right, my TEMPORAL visa that allows me to live and work here is NOT a RESIDENTS visa and counts for nothing in the amount of time here if I want to make it permanent? Not that I really want the citizenship, just don't want the hassle of having to renew and pay for the temporal visa every year....

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vicshere says on Oct 20, 2008, 20:25:

after having the TEMPORAL for 3 years ....you can apply for a RESIDENTS visa then wait 2 years ( if you are married to a Colombian) or 5 years if not married to a Colombian...then apply for nationality...and wait about 5-8 months for nationalty

listo

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2008, 05:11:

vicshere says on Oct 21, 2008, 08:23:

humm gator? chime in

listo

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Noelito40 says on Oct 21, 2008, 09:14:

I quite liked the idea of dual citizenship until I came to the bit about "serving in the military (if required)" so thanks but no thanks...

Noelito

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lpdiver says on Oct 21, 2008, 09:36:

Noelito...you can pay someone to fill that obligation...so I have been told.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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caracol says on Oct 21, 2008, 15:16:

...so where does it say what type of TEMPORAL visa I have? Didn't know there was more than one type...

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Lowell says on Oct 22, 2008, 07:20:

After 3 years here on a "Spousal Visa", I now have my permanent residency visa. Now I just need to report to DAS every 5 years. I guess that's so they know if I've been a good person in Colombia. I've done all of this without an attorney and in my 2 visits to MRE, I've been out with new visa in hand in less than 2.5 hours. I'm in line by 6:30 a.m. Always take multble notarized copies of everything and be SUPER polite and don't appear huffy or pushy. Even with facial expressions and demeandor while waiting.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2008, 08:25:

vicshere says on Oct 22, 2008, 08:37:

Jorge I think its more like 50 years of age....after 50 they don't bother with military compliance

listo

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lpdiver says on Oct 22, 2008, 08:37:

Lowell...I'd be willing to wager that you were dressed appropiately as well.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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vicshere says on Oct 22, 2008, 08:41:

lowell no way shorts flip flops and a t shirt....al gringo hehehehe

listo

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