Becoming a citizen of Colombia: residence and dual nationality

Colombian nationality by adoption, called naturalización, is the end point of a long residence path. The rules changed with Law 2332 of 2023, which now sets the requirements and procedure for acquiring, losing and recovering Colombian nationality. For an American, the key questions are how many years of residence count, what the exam covers, and whether becoming Colombian affects US citizenship. The short answers: five years on a resident visa in most cases, an exam on the Constitution, history, geography and Spanish, and no conflict with US citizenship on either side.

Who can apply

Under Law 2332 of 2023, a foreigner applying for nationality by adoption must hold a valid Resident (R) visa and have been domiciled in Colombia continuously for the required period, counted from the issue of the resident visa. The Cancillería's naturalization page adds that your visa, Cédula de Extranjería and passport must stay valid throughout the procedure.

The time required:

• Five years of continuous domicile in general.
• Two years if you are married to, or the permanent partner of, a Colombian national, if you have Colombian children, or if your country of origin grants reciprocal treatment under the law's terms.

Because the clock starts with the R visa, the full path for most Americans is longer than five years. The R visa itself usually comes after years on a Migrant (M) visa. The Cancillería's table for the R visa by accumulated time requires five years on most M categories, such as worker, pensioner, investor or independent professional, three years as the spouse of a Colombian, and two years as the parent of a Colombian. See Colombian visa routes for Americans for that first stage.

Documents the law lists

Law 2332 sets out what goes with the application. In summary:

• A reasoned request letter (oficio motivado) explaining why you want Colombian nationality.
• Copies of your resident visa, Cédula de Extranjería and passport.
• Your birth record, apostilled or legalized and translated if issued abroad.
• Proof of your profession, activity or occupation in Colombia.
• Where the shorter period applies, proof of the family link, such as a Colombian marriage registration or your children's Colombian civil registry records.

US documents such as a birth certificate need an apostille from the issuing state's secretary of state and an official Spanish translation.

The knowledge exam

Applicants take an exam on the Colombian Constitution, national history, culture and geography. If Spanish is not your native language, the exam also tests Castilian Spanish. Law 2332 allows up to two attempts.

The Cancillería's nationality FAQ lists exemptions from the exam, including holders of a Colombian high school diploma (bachiller), undergraduate or postgraduate degree, and applicants aged 60 or older. For many Americans, the Spanish component is the real hurdle. Reading Colombian newspapers, following the Constitution's main articles and practicing formal written Spanish prepares you for both parts.

From approval to oath

If the application is approved, the government issues a Carta de Naturaleza, the naturalization document. Under Law 2332, the new national must then take an oath or solemn promise (juramento o protesta solemne) before the mayor's office of their place of domicile. Only after that step can you request a Colombian cédula de ciudadanía and a Colombian passport.

Keep your foreign residence documents valid until the oath and civil registration are complete, since your status as a foreigner continues until then.

Does Colombia allow dual nationality?

Yes. The Cancillería states that Colombians do not lose their nationality by acquiring another, under Article 96 of the Constitution and Article 34 of Law 2332 of 2023. Colombia does not ask naturalized Americans to renounce US citizenship as a condition in the current law.

Inside Colombia, dual nationals are treated as Colombians. The Cancillería says dual nationals must identify themselves as Colombian and that their entry, stay and departure from Colombia are done as Colombians. In practice that means entering and leaving Colombia with your Colombian passport or cédula.

What US law says

The US State Department's dual nationality guidance explains that US law does not require a citizen to choose between US citizenship and another nationality. A US citizen can acquire a foreign nationality without losing US citizenship, unless they apply for it voluntarily with the intention of giving up US citizenship. US citizens, including dual nationals, must use a US passport to enter and leave the United States.

The practical result for a naturalized Colombian-American is a two-passport routine:

• Leave and enter the US with the US passport.
• Leave and enter Colombia with the Colombian passport or cédula.
• Show the airline whichever passport covers the destination.

Tax and admin effects

Naturalization does not change your US tax position. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income wherever they live and must keep filing US returns, FBARs and other reports. Colombian tax residence depends on days in the country and other DIAN tests, not on citizenship, so a naturalized citizen living in Colombia is usually already a Colombian tax resident. See US taxes while living in Colombia.

Planning the timeline

A realistic sequence for an American without Colombian family:

1. M visa (for example worker, pensioner or investor), renewed without gaps.
2. After five years of continuous M holding, the R visa.
3. After five years of continuous domicile with the R visa, the naturalization application.
4. Exam, Carta de Naturaleza and oath.

Gaps break the chain. The Cancillería counts continuity only when each new visa was granted before the previous one expired, and an M visa ends automatically after more than 180 continuous days outside Colombia in each 365-day period. An R visa ends after two consecutive years of absence. Keep a dated file of every visa, cédula and entry record from the start.

Common reasons applications stall

• A break in the visa chain. If one M visa expired before the next was granted, the Cancillería does not treat the time as continuous, and the R visa clock restarts. The same logic applies to the R visa period counted for naturalization.
• Expired documents mid-process. The Cancillería asks that visa, cédula and passport stay valid throughout. Renew a US passport early through the embassy rather than during the application.
• Untranslated or unapostilled US records. Birth certificates and other civil documents from the US need the apostille of the issuing state and an official Spanish translation.
• Weak proof of activity. The law asks for proof of your profession or occupation in Colombia. Keep employment letters, tax filings with the DIAN, or pension records ready.

Before you file

Collect your migration movement certificate from Migración Colombia, which shows your entries and exits, and compare it against your own records. Any long absence will be visible to the reviewing authority. Prepare the reasoned letter in Spanish, stating your ties to Colombia, your work or income, and your family situation, and keep copies of everything you submit.

Common questions

How many years of residence does Colombian naturalization require? Five years of continuous domicile with a resident visa in general, reduced to two years for spouses or permanent partners of Colombians, parents of Colombian children and some reciprocity cases under Law 2332 of 2023.

Will I lose US citizenship if I become Colombian? No. The State Department explains that a US citizen can acquire another nationality without losing US citizenship unless they intend to give it up. Colombia also allows dual nationality.

Is there a Spanish test for Colombian citizenship? Yes. Applicants whose native language is not Spanish are examined in Castilian alongside the Constitution, history, culture and geography, with up to two attempts. Some applicants, such as those aged 60 or older, are exempt.