Colombian Citizenship
Last activity 16 November 2023 by PhilCo58
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Anyone considering applying for Citizenship should be aware that the requirements changed in September.
Previously the requirements were dictated under : Ley 43 de 1993
Now details are dictated under:
Ley 2332 de 2023 (https://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisju … p;amp;dt=S)
Probably the biggest change is that the exemption from taking the exam has risen from the age of 65 to 70, anyone who applied before the new law came in, is still covered under the old law.
You can find the text of Ley 2332 de 2023, here:
I have read and reread that document and I am not seeing the change from 65 to 70. Is it written and I am missing it or is this something your lawyer has told you?
@PhilCo58 Checking with my lawyer and also reading the text you referenced with your link - both are saying the test is not required for those over the age of 60 (not 70 as you stated). So it was actually lowered from 65 to 60.
Perhaps that was a typo on your part or your situation is different for some reason.
@twinwolf
I stand corrected, you are right, it is 60 as my Wife says, I have selective hearing, I thought she said 70.
Better news for those younger applicants, it doesn't effect me as I am covered under the 1993 law, albeit after 6 months I am beginning to wonder if they will ever make a decision, or in the current climate, whether I now want it.
It was good news for me, I am 66 and was counting on not taking a test. I started applying for citizenship over a year ago but for some reason they just permanently archived my application and I had to start over. This time I have a lawyer helping me (somebody to make sure I don't miss something again). The ever changing visa laws and current climate make it difficult to plan and build a solid future.
I really dont understand why anyone (at least from a Western developed country) woud want to becoma Colombia citizen.
Tax reasons alone are an issue.
It was good news for me, I am 66 and was counting on not taking a test. I started applying for citizenship over a year ago but for some reason they just permanently archived my application and I had to start over. This time I have a lawyer helping me (somebody to make sure I don't miss something again). The ever changing visa laws and current climate make it difficult to plan and build a solid future.
-@twinwolf
Thats another reason not to look at anything beyond an "R" visa at present
For someone new, that hasnt spet considerable time living here, I would suggest coming here only less than 6 months a year at most
@nico peligro Is tax different for citizens vs non citizens?
-@Zooldrool
Mostly there is no difference - you are considered a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days total in any 365 day period in Colombia. If you are a tax resident Colombia claims the right to tax your world-wide income no matter your nationality (no different from the USA). There are some twists if you have Colombia-sourced income, but depending on how much it is you may not be liable for any income tax.
This site is a good one to learn more about Colombia's convoluted tax laws:
https://www.gerencie.com/impuesto-a-la- … rales.html
A basic explanation in English of taxation in Colombia is here:
@nico peligro
If you have decided you want Colombia to be your home, why continue paying for, and having the headache of applying for Visas? If I get my Citizenship, I don't think I will be opting for the passport.
Anyone have a link to any up to date information about Colombian visa program. I in Southeast Asia and cannot find an embassy in this country for Colombia. I keep hearing there are changes and long waits but where online can I apply for a visa or should I just get one at the airport. I am from the USA so I was hoping I could just a VOA like I did last time i visited 2 years ago.
@Digitarius
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_d … f_Colombia
If you are travelling on a USA passport you don't need a visa for stays less than 90 days. You can get 90 days and an extension of 90 days. Depends on what your intentions are.
lpd
@Lpdiver I thought so. That's what I a few years ago when I visited. Thanks! Which should I apply for if I want to stay a year or more. The M visa doesn't seem like the right one. Thanks for the link but the embassy in Jakarta still doesn't show up. I wonder if they closed it. When I do search I get third party sites that say no link to embassy available which is strange.
@Digitarius
https://indonesia.embajada.gov.co/
It worked fine for me. What visa do you want to apply for? That's a good question. I would do the six months as a tourist and investigate in country.
lpd
@Lpdiver It worked this time. I notice on the application, for the V visa, there is a quesiton asking what address I will use in Colombia and a phone number. Of course I don't have one so what should I put there? It won't let me go further if I leave it blank. I looked in the instrucions but they just say fill it in. What is expected if I clearly don't live there..
@Digitarius
Why are you filling out an application for a visa when you don't need one?
lpd
@OsageArcher I think, if you are a citizen of a country like Canada for instance, that has a tax treaty with Colombia, similar to what all foreigners have with Mexico, it would remove all doubt as to where you were a "Resident" of for tax purposes, if you stayed more than 183 days
Maybe not.
LIke you said, 183 days is what ther rules generally say, but becoming a "Citizen" you get treated like a local ...not a temporary expat that could leave at anytime
@Digitarius
Why are you filling out an application for a visa when you don't need one?
lpd
-@Lpdiver
Good point. Wait until you get the first 90 day extension and have an address
@PhilCo58
Why would you want to apply for citizenship here when the gold standard is
the Cedula RES VISA ?
@Tail Gunner Because you have to keep renewing the Visa at an increasing cost, anyway it might become a mute point, with the current crop of changes, I might be bailing!
@Tail Gunner
In a renewal situation, it lacks permanence. At any point your visa renewal could be denied or additional restrictions added to it, regardless of the past. The fact that Colombia changed the R visa and many of the visa rules should be a warning that things can and will change quickly for any visa holder. Citizenship solves many issues for those wanting permanence.
@PhilCo58
I have lived here for going on twenty years and to subject myself to what goes on here concerning the laws that govern the citizens of this beautiful country NO THAKKS i will continue to pay the fee for my RES VISA . Better safe than sorry
@PhilCo58
I have lived here for going on twenty years and to subject myself to what goes on here concerning the laws that govern the citizens of this beautiful country NO THAKKS i will continue to pay the fee for my RES VISA . Better safe than sorry
-@Tail Gunner
Care to share 2 or 3 reasons NOT to be a Colombian citizen? Help the rest of us out with some new knowledge?
Not sure that I will still be here when they finally make a decision one way or the other. On FB Expat page someone said it took 3 1/2 yrs before the Cancillería approved his nationality, and another 6 months to get an appointment with the Governor to swear allegiance! I guess that's more money down the pan.
@PhilCo58 One extreme or another.."Citizenship" or "Bailing"
If you want another passport, there are other way easier options , Panama, Mexico, Carribean Islands, portugal
If you are looking at a citizenship because the visa process is geting more tiresom and costly, citizenship wont necessarily get rid of your issues
Look at Venezuela. all the "citezens" eavng on mass.
Not looking for another Passport, in fact decided I won't apply for one even if Nationality is granted. But youre right two extremes, applying was made before this Government took Office. Bailing will be a last resort, depending on how things go, it's a case of being prepared, just in case.
@ChineduOpara I tried a yr and a half ago to get my retirement visa online I tried 4 times each time they timed it out I gave up I wish I could get to Colombia Canada is so messed up now can't afford to live here anymore you're lucky
@ChineduOpara I tried a yr and a half ago to get my retirement visa online I tried 4 times each time they timed it out I gave up I wish I could get to Colombia Canada is so messed up now can't afford to live here anymore you're lucky
-@brettfairweather
Have you already visited Colombia and maybe lived here for a little bit?
@PhilCo58
I have been here going on sixteen years . LUV IT have a wonderful wife and life BUT rather than subject myself to a PROBABLE situation regarding the laws here taking the little bit of time to renew my R-VISA is not a problem for me .
@PhilCo58
My wife; a Coombian citizen, is expected to enter and leave Colombia using her Colombian passport. If granted Colombian citizenship would not the same rules apply?
lpd
@Lpdiver
Not unless it's a Colombian law I don't know about, if you have dual Citizenship you should be able to use either, if I use my UK passport, I guess it would mean joining the longer queue!
@brettfairweather It isnt that cheap in Colombia anymore for Canadians , espescially if you are on piddly OAS and CPP
With the low dollar and inflation here, it has gotten about 25% to 30% more expensive here than a year ago for people on the Canadian dollar
Still, generally 1/3 of Canada, unless you are talking about Poblado in Medellin or somewhere similar to live
@PhilCo58
From countryreports.com.
Do I need a passport or visa to enter? All U.S. citizens who do not also hold Colombian citizenship must present a valid U.S. passport to enter and depart Colombia. According to Colombian law, U.S-Colombian dual nationals MUST present a Colombian passport to enter and exit Colombia.
lpd
According to Colombian law, U.S-Colombian dual nationals MUST present a Colombian passport to enter and exit Colombia.
lpd
-@Lpdiver
That doesn't effect me, but I'll check if it applies to UK/ Colombian nationals. I wasn't going to get a Colombian passport, but if I get Nationality, and have to get one I will... thanks for the info
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