If one of the two persons is a foreigner, can the foreigner have access to Colombian residency from UMH?

Yes, when a foreigner holds a type M visa as the partner of a Colombian national, he/she must take into account several important differences compared to other visas for family ties:

1. In order to be able to apply for this visa, it is compulsory to prove the common-law marriage, and the document that proves it must have been formalised at least one (1) year before submitting the application to the immigration authority.
2. Unlike the type M visa as a spouse, which is granted for a period of up to three (3) years, the type M visa for Common Law Marital Union is granted for only one (1) year. Each year a new visa application must be submitted, demonstrating once again that the Common Law Marital Union is still in force and that the conditions that gave rise to the visa are maintained.

It is important to clarify that, although the visa is requested on an annual basis, the time spent with this visa is accumulated for the purpose of applying for the resident visa (type R). Once the foreigner completes five (5) continuous years with a type M visa as a permanent partner, he or she may apply for residency, as long as the union continues to be in force and the other legal requirements are met. For more information, please consult: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/visas/larga-estancia