Colombia/Venezuela: Nationality of a person holding a Venezuelan passport, born in Colombia from Venezuelan parents
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ9577 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Colombia/Venezuela: Nationality of a person holding a Venezuelan passport, born in Colombia from Venezuelan parents, 1 October 1991, ZZZ9577, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acbe74.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
As per our telephone conversation, please find attached a copy of the section on nationality and citizenship from the new (1991) Constitution of Colombia.
As indicated in previous responses, the Embassy of Colombia in Ottawa stated in a telephone interview with the IRBDC that the new Constitution's provisions on nationality and citizenship which, for example, guarantee the right to multiple nationality, will not go into effect until January 1992 (16 Oct. 1991). In the meantime, the Colombian authorities apply the policy of considering Colombian nationals as such even if they have acquired a second nationality (Ibid.). According to the Constitution, now in effect, people born in Colombia are considered Colombian nationals regardless of the parents' nationality, unless the parents are in Colombia performing diplomatic services for a country other than Colombia (Ibid.).
The same source stated that Colombian nationals are normally required a Colombian passport to enter Colombia. A person showing both a foreign passport and a Colombian "cédula" (I.D. card) when entering the country would likely have the "cédula" confiscated and be required to establish his/her nationality with the pertinent authorities (Ibid.).
A Colombian national can obtain a Colombian passport outside Colombia. If the person is lacking the money needed to pay for a regular passport, the authorities will issue a special passport valid only for one entry (Ibid.). For other cases in which the Colombian is unable or unwilling to obtain a regular passport from a Colombian authority (for example, a medical emergency, a deportation or a removal), the Colombian authorities deal directly with the other country's authorities for the issuing of a special one-use passport (Ibid.).
As indicated in previous responses, the Embassy of Venezuela in Ottawa stated in a telephone interview with the IRBDC that a person holding a Venezuelan passport - even if it has expired - is considered a Venezuelan national with the right to enter Venezuela (16 Oct. 1991). Nevertheless, there are cases in which the Venezuelan passport will indicate if the holder is not considered a Venezuela national by authorities (these passports are issued, for example, to foreign refugees who have been granted asylum in Venezuela) (Ibid.). The source also stated that a Venezuelan national does not need a passport to enter Venezuela, since a Venezuelan "cédula" indicating that he is a Venezuelan national would suffice.
Information on the subject, other than that being provided here and in other Responses to Information Requests, could not be found among the sources currently available to the IRBDC.
Bibliography
Embassy of Venezuela, Ottawa. 16 October 1991. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Embassy of Colombia, Ottawa. 16 October 1991. Telephone Interview with Representative.
