5.25 million COP is the new monthly income bar for Colombia visas
How the 2026 wage hike resets visa thresholds
Colombia's 2026 minimum wage (SMMLV) rose to 1,750,905 COP, with a transport allowance pushing the monthly package to 2,000,000 COP. Because residency and long-stay visas peg financial solvency to multiples of the SMMLV, those peso thresholds climbed automatically on Jan. 1, 2026. A 3x SMMLV requirement now lands near 5.25 million COP per month.
The government hasn't published a city-specific cost-of-living table tied to visa approval. National income multiples remain the legal standard, though consular officers do weigh whether a stated budget matches realistic rents in the chosen city.
What rents look like in 4 cities
City-level housing data from 2026 expat guides shows Medellín and Cartagena pulling ahead on cost, with Cali the cheapest of the four. Monthly averages in USD:
- Cartagena: 1-bed city center $917, utilities $155, internet $27
- Medellín: 1-bed city center $657, utilities $97, internet $28
- Bogotá: 1-bed city center $543, utilities $95, internet $29
- Cali: 1-bed city center $396, utilities $89, internet $26
Coliving rates used by remote workers run $650 to $1,300 in Medellín, $550 to $1,200 in Cartagena and $300 to $650 in Cali. Local reporting from Infobae and El Colombiano puts Medellín rents more than 13% higher than Bogotá, with a 36% to 37% cost-of-living jump over four years.
Who feels it and what to plan for
Tourists from visa-exempt countries, including the US, UK, EU and Canada, can still enter for up to 90 days without a visa, so the changes hit budgets rather than paperwork. Digital nomads applying for the Visa V Nómadas Digitales, created by Resolución 5477 de 2022, face the higher peso income floors when documenting funds.
Realistic 2026 housing-plus-utilities budgets for a solo nomad in a central area: $750 to $1,000 in Medellín, $650 to $900 in Bogotá, $900 to $1,200+ in Cartagena and $500 to $750 in Cali. Renewals filed this year should reflect the new SMMLV math, not 2025 figures.
Track ongoing visa updates and read our full Colombia guide for the complete picture.
Frequently asked questions
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