Immigration law is regulated by the Political Constitution and the Immigration Law, in addition to other decrees and regulations issued by the authorities in immigration matters in the country, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Special Administrative Unit of Migration Colombia.
This branch of law deals with matters such as:
Regulation of entry and exit of foreigners:
Establishes the procedures and requirements for the entry and exit of foreigners from Colombian territory. Includes obtaining visas, work permits and other documents.
Permanence of foreigners in Colombia:
Establishes the conditions and requirements for the temporary or permanent stay of foreigners in the country and the requirements for the renewal of work and residence permits.
Expulsion of foreigners:
Establishes the causes and procedures for the expulsion of foreigners who fail to comply with immigration regulations or commit crimes within Colombian territory.
Protection of human rights of migrants and refugees:
It establishes measures to guarantee the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees, including access to health, education and labor services, as well as the protection of the rights of migrant women and children.
International cooperation and collaboration in migration matters:
Establishes mechanisms for international cooperation and collaboration, including repatriation agreements, information exchange and collaboration with other countries in the management of migratory flows.
Migration law, immigration law and immigration law are terms that are often used synonymously but have certain differences.
It is the set of rules that regulate the entry, stay, departure and conditions of foreigners within the Colombian territory. Includes all regulations related to immigration control and the treatment of foreigners in Colombia.
It refers specifically to the laws and regulations that apply to persons wishing to enter Colombia and settle permanently. Establishes the requirements and procedures for obtaining permanent residency, including the necessary documentation and application deadlines.
It focuses on the legal status of foreigners in Colombia, both those in transit and those residing in the country. It includes all regulations related to the protection and defense of the rights of foreigners, including those related to the defense of human rights, access to public services, social security, education and work.
According to statistics from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), in 2019 the number of foreigners in Colombia was 1,738,661 (3.5% of the total population of the country), in 2020, it was 1,800,003 (3.6% of the total population), in 2021 it was 1,864,471 (3.8% of the total population).
During the last few years there has been a significant increase of Venezuelan foreigners in Colombia due to the economic, social and political crisis experienced by Venezuela. There has also been an increase in the arrival of foreigners, mainly from countries such as the United States, Spain, Brazil and Mexico.
- Murillo, A. (2021, August 14). Authorities in Migratory Matters. com. https://encolombia.com/derecho/leyes/politica-integral-migratoria/autoridades-materia-migratoria/#:~:text=El%20Ministerio%20de%20Relaciones%20Exteriores%20como%20autoridad%20rectora%20en%20materia,control%2C%20verificaci%C3%B3n%20migratoria%20y%20extranjer%C3%ADa
- Cárdenas, N. (n, d.). Migration statistics. https://www.dane.gov.co/index.php/estadisticas-por-tema/demografia-y-poblacion/estadisticas-de-migracion
- Law 48 of 1920 – Alien Law. (1920, November 3). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley%5F0048%5F1920.htm Copiar