A Colombian passport is a travel document issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) to Colombian citizens for international travel. To qualify for a Colombian passport, you must first become a Colombian citizen, either by birth, descent, or naturalization.
As one of the leading immigration agencies, Global Citizen Solutions strives to show the value of a passport beyond its mobility benefits. Our Global Passport Index measures a passport not only by how far it can take you, but also by factors such as quality of life and investment opportunities.
As South American countries become a more strategic long-term option for investors, this guide covers the benefits of a Colombian passport, the different pathways to citizenship, the types of passports available, the application process, and more.
Colombian Passport: Key Takeaways
The Power of a Colombian Passport
Colombia Passport Rankings
The Colombian Passport ranks 79th on the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions and gives visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries.
- Global Passport Index rank: 79th
- Visa Required: 39 destinations
- eTA or Visa on Arrival: 74 destinations
- Visa Free: 82 destinations
- Total Access: 156 destinations (Visa Free + eTA/Visa on Arrival)
Benefits of a Colombian Passport
- Global mobility and Schengen access: According to the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, Colombia ranks 79th overall, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 156 destinations, including the EU’s Schengen Zone, Singapore, Hong Kong, and most of Latin America.
- Mercosur residency benefits: As an associate member of Mercosur, Colombian citizens can apply for temporary residence in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru using only a passport or national ID. This residence is valid for up to two years and can be converted into permanent residence.
- Fast-track route to Spanish (EU) citizenship: As an Ibero-American national, a natural-born Colombian can apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of legal residency, versus the standard ten years for most other nationalities.
- Dual citizenship: Article 96 of Colombia’s Constitution allows dual and multiple citizenship. This means Colombians do not lose their citizenship if they become citizens of another country, and foreign nationals who become Colombian citizens are not required to give up their original nationality.
How to Get a Colombian Passport
Colombian citizenship can be acquired automatically by birth in Colombia, through descent from a Colombian parent, or by adoption by a Colombian citizen. It can also be obtained through naturalization.
The most important aspect interested applicants should keep in mind is that to qualify, applicants need to first hold a Resident (R) visa and meet the required residency period, which varies depending on their circumstances:
- One year for Latin American and Caribbean nationals by birth and stateless persons.
- Two years for Spanish nationals by birth, spouses or permanent partners of Colombian citizens, and parents of Colombian children
- Five years for most other applicants
Another detail our legal experts emphasise is that meeting the residency requirement only makes someone eligible to apply. But citizenship is granted at the government’s discretion, and a Colombian passport can only be issued once citizenship has been approved.
| Pathway | Who qualifies? | Time to citizenship | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| By birth | Anyone born in Colombia, regardless of their parents’ nationality | Automatic | Does not apply to children born to foreign diplomats or accredited officials serving in Colombia. |
| By descent | Children born outside Colombia with at least one Colombian parent | Automatic once registered | The birth must be registered with a Colombian consulate or civil registry. |
| By adoption | Foreign-born minors legally adopted by a Colombian citizen | Automatic once the adoption is finalised | Governed by Article 3 of Ley 2332 de 2023. |
| Naturalisation (1-year route) | Citizens by birth of a Latin American or Caribbean country, and stateless persons | 1 year | Applicants must hold a Resident (R) visa. This route only applies to citizens by birth, not naturalised citizens. |
| Naturalisation (2-year route) | Spanish nationals by birth, spouses or permanent partners of Colombian citizens, and parents of Colombian-citizen children | 2 years | Applicants must hold a Resident (R) visa and provide evidence of the qualifying relationship where applicable. |
| Naturalisation (5-year route) | All other foreign nationals, including most investor visa holders who later obtain a Resident (R) visa | 5 years | This is the standard naturalisation route for most applicants. |
Colombian Passport Types and Validity
Colombia issues three types of passports, and the type you need depends mainly on how often you travel and whether your situation is routine or urgent:
- Ordinary passport: The standard passport issued to most Colombian citizens for international travel. It is valid for ten years. Before traveling, make sure it has at least six months of validity remaining, as many countries require this for entry.
- Executive passport: Similar to the ordinary passport, but with more pages for frequent travelers who collect many visa stamps. It is also valid for ten years but costs more than an ordinary passport.
- Emergency passport: A temporary passport issued in urgent situations, such as if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged while abroad. It is valid for seven months and is intended as a short-term solution until you can apply for a new ordinary or executive passport.
Colombian Passport Fees in Colombia and Abroad
Passport fees are set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and vary depending on whether you apply inside Colombia or at a consulate abroad. These figures are from the official passport tariff resolution.
Fees in Colombia
| Passport type | Fee in Colombia | Fee in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | COP 116,600 + stamp duty | $86 |
| Executive | COP 256,400 + stamp duty | $175 |
| Emergency | COP 201,700 | $129 |
Fees abroad: Eurozone and Cuba
| Passport type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ordinary | €63 |
| Executive | €126 |
| Emergency | €90 |
Fees abroad: rest of the world
| Passport type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ordinary | $86 |
| Executive | $175 |
| Emergency | $129 |
From Colombian Residence to Citizenship
Foreign nationals cannot obtain a Colombian passport directly. A Colombian passport is only issued to Colombian citizens, so foreign nationals need to acquire citizenship first, through naturalisation, marriage, or descent, before a passport can be issued.
Naturalization, under Colombia’s nationality law, requires:
- Standard route: 5 years of continuous residence in Colombia, starting from the date your Resident (R) visa is issued. You must also meet the legal requirements, and citizenship is given at the government’s discretion.
- Reduced route: 2 years of continuous residence for nationals of certain Latin American, Caribbean, and Spanish-speaking countries, spouses or permanent partners of Colombian citizens, and parents of Colombian children. Applicants must also meet the legal requirements.
Naturalization is discretionary, meaning that meeting the residence period requirements only makes you eligible to apply for Colombian citizenship, but it does not guarantee citizenship will be granted.
Can the Colombian Investor Visa lead to citizenship?
The Colombia Investor (M-Visa) is a residency program, not a citizenship program. However, it can provide a pathway to Colombian citizenship over time because Colombia does not have a direct citizenship by investment program.
To qualify for the Colombia M-Visa, you must invest in either:
- Colombian real estate (M-10): A minimum investment of 350 SMMLV (around COP 613 million, or $155,000 to $165,000 at 2026 rates).
- A Colombian business (M-6): A minimum investment of 100 SMMLV (around COP 175 million, or $35,000 to $38,000 ).
Successful applicants receive a renewable temporary residence visa that is valid for up to three years.
If your goal is Colombian citizenship, the process looks like this:
- Obtain an Investor (M) Visa.
- After five years, you may become eligible to apply for a Resident (R) Visa.
- Once you have a Resident Visa, you must complete the required residence period before applying for naturalization. This is five years for most applicants, or less if you qualify under one of the reduced residency categories.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee Colombian citizenship. Naturalization is a discretionary decision made by the Colombian government, so making an investment does not automatically lead to citizenship.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
