Colombia Updates Income Requirements for Residency Visas
Colombia's projected minimum wage increase for 2026 will directly raise the financial thresholds for various residency and retirement visas. Expats should prepare for higher monthly income requirements and increased costs for services tied to the legal minimum wage.
Colombia Updates Income Requirements for Residency Visas
The income floor for Colombian visas has shifted significantly following a 23% increase in the national minimum wage (SMMLV). Effective January 1, 2026, the base monthly salary rose to COP 1,750,905, a move intended to address rising living costs. Because most Colombian residency permits tie their financial requirements directly to multiples of the minimum wage, this change raises the barrier for entry for remote workers and retirees.
However, the situation is currently in flux. On February 13, 2026, the Council of State provisionally suspended the wage hike decree following legal challenges from employer groups. This creates a period of uncertainty where income thresholds may fluctuate between 2025 levels and the new 2026 mandates while the court conducts a full review.
Who is affected
The hike impacts any applicant pursuing a visa that requires proof of economic solvency.
- Digital Nomads: Must now show a remote income of at least COP 5,252,715 (approx. USD 1,400) per month over the last three months.
- Retirees: The Pensionado visa requirement has risen to 3 SMMLV, matching the nomad threshold.
- Rentistas and Students: Those relying on passive income or sponsors must prove at least 10 SMMLV (approx. COP 17,509,050).
- Investors: Property investment thresholds have climbed to COP 612 million, while direct business investments now require roughly COP 1.14 billion.
Tourists entering on standard 90-day stamps remain unaffected unless they intend to pivot to a long-term migrant status within the country.
What to do
If you are preparing a visa application, aim to exceed the new 2026 thresholds to avoid potential rejections during this period of legal volatility. You will need to provide bank statements, contracts, or pension letters from the last three to six months. Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
While the Council of State's suspension may pause the higher requirements temporarily, Migración Colombia typically processes applications based on the nomad news active at the time of submission. Expect total government fees to range between USD 250 and USD 500, with processing times sitting between one and three months.
Read our full Colombia guide for the complete picture.