Tomás Restrepo
Partner and director of the immigration department
- Specialist in Business Law
- Has led Nexo Legal's immigration practice since 2020
For foreigners with a resident visa
Colombian citizenship: how to become a citizen
Colombian citizenship by naturalization is for you if you live in Colombia with a resident visa.
You can apply after 5 years with it, or 2 years if your spouse, your partner or your children are Colombian.
Handled by Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration departmentReviewed on November 9, 2026
4.8 on Google · 251 reviewsImmigration, tax and real estate under one roofOffice in El Poblado, Medellín
Do you qualify for Colombian citizenship?
This is what the law asks of you (Law 2332 of 2023).
- A valid resident visa. You hold it when you apply and keep it until the decision, as the main holder or as a beneficiary.
- 5 years with your resident visa, or 2 if your family is Colombian. They count from the day that visa was issued, while you live in Colombia. It is 2 if your spouse, permanent partner or children are Colombian, or if your country gives reciprocal treatment.
- Knowledge exams. On Colombia's Constitution, history, culture and geography, and Spanish if it is not your native language.
- A clean record. Cancillería asks Migración Colombia, the national intelligence agency and the DIAN for your migration, judicial and tax record.
- A year away breaks the count. If you leave Colombia for 1 year or more before you apply, your time is interrupted (art. 9).
The years that decide it
- With a resident visa5 yearsCounted from the day your resident visa was issued.Source: Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9
- If you are married to or the permanent partner of a Colombian, have Colombian children, or your country gives reciprocal treatment2 yearsAlso with a resident visa.Source: Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9
Checked on November 12, 2026.
Before you apply
- It is a discretionary decision. The Minister of Foreign Affairs makes it, on behalf of the President (art. 6).
- You do not give up your nationality (art. 28). Whether you keep yours depends on what your country allows.
- Treaties can change the periods between Colombia and your country (arts. 2 and 9).
How to get Colombian citizenship in 4 steps
The documents set the pace, so we ask for the slowest one first.
We count your time
We count your years since your resident visa was issued, and your time abroad, before we ask you for any document.
If you are not there yet, we tell you the date you can apply.
We gather the documents with you
We start with the documents that come from abroad, such as your birth certificate.
We tell you which ones need an apostille and a translation.
We file your application
With Cancillería.
Unless you are exempt, you take the exams where you live.
We follow your application to the oath
Once your naturalization is granted and published, you take the oath at your city's mayor's office (art. 21).
Then we tell you how to request your Colombian citizen ID card.
You may also need
Services our clients add to their citizenship application.
A case we see often
- The start
A mother of a Colombian child got her resident visa.
Soon after, she traveled abroad.
- The advice
She asked if trips abroad would affect her 2-year count.
Under the law, a year or more away breaks that count (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9).
- The result
She could not return in time and spent over a year abroad.
Her visa stayed valid, but the time she had built up may not count.
The visa was still valid.
The count toward citizenship was not.
Planning long trips while you build up time toward citizenship? Write to us before you travel and we will review your dates. →
Colombian citizenship requirements: the documents
This is what the law asks for naturalization (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 9):
- A request letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Copies of your resident visa and your valid foreigner ID card
- Your passport
- Your birth certificate
- A document showing your occupation
- Proof of your Colombian family, if you apply on that basis
- Your Colombian diploma, if it replaces the exams
- The document that exempts you from the exams, if it applies
How recent each document must be, the apostille and the translation depend on your case.
At Nexo Legal, in Medellín, Tomás Restrepo, partner and director of the immigration department, gives you the exact list for your case, reviews each document and files your application. Our fee for Colombian citizenship is COP 2,976,539.
What happens after you are naturalized
The oath
You take the oath within 6 months of the decision, or ask Cancillería for more time, giving a reason (art. 30).
Your visa and your family's
Your resident visa ends on its own once you become Colombian (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 109).
If you were the main holder, your beneficiaries' visas end too, unless they are naturalized with you (Law 2332, art. 11).
Entering and leaving Colombia
In Colombia, you enter, stay and leave as a Colombian, with your Colombian documents (art. 34).
Taxes
If you spend more than 183 days in Colombia within 365, you become a tax resident, whatever your nationality. Taxes for foreigners →
Questions people ask us about Colombian citizenship
How long does naturalization take?
There is no set timeframe. The law sets no deadline for the decision (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 19), which also depends on reports from other entities (arts. 14 to 16).
If Cancillería finds something missing, you have 6 months to complete it, and you can ask once for 3 more (art. 12).
Can I keep my current citizenship?
Yes. Colombia accepts dual and triple citizenship: you do not have to give up your nationality of origin, or one you acquired later (Law 2332 of 2023, art. 28).
Whether you keep your other nationalities depends on those countries' laws.
Do my years on M visas count?
No. The years count from the day your resident visa was issued (art. 9).
Your M visas lead to the resident visa, and the count starts there.
Is there a faster way, or citizenship by investment?
There is no citizenship by investment in the law.
Only the President can exempt someone from the requirements, on a recommendation that shows why it suits Colombia (arts. 22 and 23).
Asking for that exemption does not mean it is granted (art. 23).
Can I live abroad most of the year and still qualify?
The years count as domicile: living in Colombia with the intention of staying (art. 4).
Living here occasionally, seasonally or as a visitor is not domicile (art. 4).
If you are away 1 year or more before you apply, that breaks your time (art. 9).
And if you are away 2 years in a row, your resident visa ends (Resolution 5477 of 2022, art. 88).
Who is exempt from the exams?
Those with a high school diploma or a university degree from a Colombian institution, those over 60, people with a cognitive disability and members of Indigenous communities that share a border territory with Colombia (art. 13).
A degree from abroad validated in Colombia does not exempt you.
You can take the exams twice, 6 months apart.
Can my children become Colombian with me?
Yes, if they are minors living in Colombia as beneficiaries of your resident visa: we include them in your own application (art. 10).
Adult children with a beneficiary resident visa can apply at the same time as you (art. 11).
I am from Spain or Latin America. Is it 1 year?
Not under the 2023 law, which replaced the earlier 1-year rule (art. 54).
The time drops to 2 years when Colombia verifies reciprocal treatment from your country of origin (art. 9).
What happens if my application is denied?
You can apply again 2 years after the denial becomes final (art. 29).
If it was archived for missing documents, you can start again after 1 year (art. 12).
My father or mother is Colombian. Do I need naturalization?
No. If you were born abroad to a Colombian father or mother, you are Colombian by birth once you live in Colombia or are registered at a Colombian consulate (art. 3).
That is a registration, not a naturalization.
Don't see your case?
Tell us about it. In a free 15-minute call, we assess it and send you a proposal.
In-depth questions? 1-hour consultation: COP 400,000 (about USD 121).Outside what we do? We refer you to someone who does.
Citizenship costs, besides our fees
They go to Cancillería and the document issuers.
Colombian citizenship
Fixed fees
- Cancillería's naturalization feeCancillería · Nov 9, 2026COP 808,558about USD 245
Apostilles and translations
For documents issued abroad
- Apostille of a U.S. state document, such as your birth certificateUSD 160
- Apostille of a U.S. federal document, such as the FBI checkUSD 180
- Certified translation into Spanish, per pageUSD 15
We do not process apostilles ourselves.For U.S. documents, we can refer you to a company that does, at these prices.Elsewhere, each document is apostilled in its own country, and the price varies.
Your proposal adds them up for your case, together with our fees.
Who handles your case
Your application is handled by the firm's immigration area, led by Tomás Restrepo.
- 3partners lead the legal, tax and immigration areas
- 22professionals in corporate, private, employment, intellectual property, immigration and tax law
- Medellínour own office
What our clients say
4.8
Based on 251 reviews
Google
Maria Isabel SNovember 12, 2026
Great human quality, the team was always there to solve all my questions. 100% recommend it
Nikola Tarasiuk CorreaOctober 26, 2026
Great service! Tomás who was taking care of my case was very responsive and helpful with every step of the process. Highly recommended :)
Kent MennemSeptember 17, 2026
Nexo Legal provides great services. They are extremely responsive and efficient! Highly recommended.
Joshua HarrisSeptember 14, 2026
They have been super helpful with me through multiple rounds of figuring out my visa and paying taxes. Nexo is who I go to for all my legal needs
Ken KanouseSeptember 6, 2026
I have used Nexo Legal for filing mine and my wife's Colombian income taxes the past 3 years. While I am retired and Colombia doesn't tax my retirement income, the filing still needs to be done. Each year the tax accountant requests the necessary information early so they can be filed accurately on time. They are very easy to work with, and I'd recommend using them for all you accounting and legal needs.
Chris HumphreyAugust 20, 2026
I’ve trusted Tomas and Nexo team on multiple visa applications and would highly recommend them when considering your next legal needs
daniela sanchezAugust 4, 2026
Great experience atty Tomas was very helpful in walking me through every step of the way and keeping me calm and stress free . I would highly recommend this firm with my eyes closed 🙂
Mark HarringtonJuly 31, 2026
Tomas handled my wife's visa application very professionally and was always available to address any questions or issues. Five stars
Arthur WalstonJuly 29, 2026
This was my first time working with The Nexo Firm. I have nothing but high regards for this Firm and specially for Tomas Restrepo. Tomas helped me with my visa process and communicated with me on the progress from start to finish. Plus, his English is very good so there is no language barrier. So, if your traveling aboard and you need help with the visa process, I highly recommend The Nexo Firm and Tomas Restrepo!
Shivaya GuraveJuly 22, 2026
Camila recently helped me obtain my RUT tax registration then did the necessary paperwork and filed my Colombian tax for 2025. Fast, reasonable price, in flawless English. I highly recommend her and Nexo Legal.
nicca louisJuly 7, 2026
All the way from NJ, USA this firm helped me revolve matters in Columbia so fast! I'm appreciative and glad I got the chance to work with them because I would still be fighting this legal battle if I did it on my own!
LilyJuly 6, 2026
Camila was a great accountant to work with and made filing taxes in Colombia as a digital nomad super easy! Thank you
See all 251 reviews on Google →
Client stories on video
What will happen after you fill out this form?
After you send the form, our team reviews your case and a specialist contacts you, usually within the hour during business hours, to clarify details and outline the next steps.
Nexo Legal is a private law and accounting firm, not a government office. Naturalization is decided by Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and tax matters by the DIAN; no lawyer can guarantee the result.