EN 
ES Can the Foreign Ministry tell me no, even though I have all the documents?
The jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court has established that the Foreign Ministry cannot disregard the rights of a Colombian citizen to constitute and protect a family, even if there is a discretionary power to admit or deny visas. Sentence T-959 of 2000.
What can I do against the Foreign Ministry's decision? Can I file a tutela?
La regla jurisprudencial es que la tutela es un mecanismo que solo es utilizable cuando se esté causando un perjuicio irremediable. De lo contrario, para controvertir decisiones de este tipo, es necesario acudir a la jurisdicción de lo contencioso administrativo. Si requiere más información por favor escribir a familia@colombiadiversa.org Para mayor información sobre el trámite, requisitos y […]
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is any pattern of ongoing power and control established through a wide range of abusive behaviours within or outside the home by any partner or family member. Violent acts within a couple's relationship tend to worsen if not addressed in time. Forgiving does not [...]
How can I identify if I am a victim of domestic violence?
Domestic violence is committed through acts such as those listed below, when committed by and against a family member or partner: The use of physical violence such as hitting, slapping, shoving and in general any action that involves injury to the body. Penetration of the body with any object, touching [...].
What to do if you are a victim of domestic violence?
In case you have been or are being a victim of domestic violence we recommend you: Go to the Family Police Station of the locality or municipality in which you live and request an immediate protection measure to put an end to the violence, abuse or aggression. Or to avoid it when it is imminent. Have [...]
What protection measures can you give me?
According to article 17 of Law 1257 of 2008, which modified article 5 of Law 294 of 1996, the protection measures that can be ordered by the family commissioner, depending on the case, are: When their presence constitutes a threat to life, physical integrity or health [...].
What is a common-law marriage (UMH)?
The De Facto Marital Union (UMH) is the same free union, formed by two people who, without being married to each other and without legal formalities, create a permanent and singular community of life, in order to take care of and protect each other. The name Unión Marital de Hecho is due to the denomination given by the law [...].
What are the benefits of UMH?
It is a figure that recognises the existence of family ties from the cohabitation of a couple without the need to resort to any formal contract or agreement, since the union exists from the moment in which the cohabitation begins, not from the moment of its formal declaration. The declaration of the [...]
What is the difference between UMH and equal marriage?
Marriage and the UMH are the two figures existing in Colombian law through which the character of a family is recognised for a couple that would otherwise have no links with each other. Marriage is based on the celebration of a contract by which two people agree to [...]
If one of the two persons is a foreigner, can the foreigner have access to Colombian residency from UMH?
Yes, when a foreigner has a type M visa as the partner of a Colombian person, he/she must take into account several important differences compared to other visas for family ties: In order to apply for this visa, it is compulsory to accredit the common-law marriage, and the document that proves it [...].
