Will the minimum wage be reduced in 2026? The Council of State suspends the increase: Effects on your Colombian Visa
2026-02-13
Hi, I’m Camila Ocampo.
If you’ve been following the news today, you likely saw that the State Council (Consejo de Estado) has provisionally suspended the 2026 minimum wage increase.
(The document is currently unavailable; I suppose it's because of high demand and the file isn't loading, but you can read the news here).
This has naturally sparked a wave of questions: Do I need to show less income for my visa? Is the investment threshold lower now?
As your legal strategist, I want to provide clarity so that this judicial uncertainty doesn't turn into a visa denial.
What Actually Happened?
The State Council didn't rule the increase illegal permanently; rather, they ordered the Government to issue a transitory decree within 8 days. Until that new decree is signed and published, the current rate remains the active benchmark for all official procedures.
How Does This Affect Your Visa Application Today?
Based on Resolution 5477 of 2022 and our current expertise, here are the three critical points:
No Retroactivity: If you’ve already paid your application fees or your visa is already approved, you are safe. The law protects "consolidated legal situations."
The Current Rate Still Rules: Until the new number is official, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) continues to evaluate applications based on the suspended decree. Don't wait for a "discount" that might be marginal; waiting could cause your current permit to expire.
Officer Discretion: Remember, granting a visa is a discretionary act. During legal gray areas, immigration officers tend to be more rigorous. My advice? Never apply with the bare minimum.
My Strategic Recommendation
If you are applying for a Retirement (Pensionado) or Digital Nomad visa (which requires 3x SMLMV), I suggest keeping your proven income above $1,450 USD per month. This cushions you against minimum wage fluctuations and the inherent volatility of the COP/USD exchange rate.
At Colombian Passport, we monitor these changes 24/7 so you don’t have to. Don’t let a technicality derail your dream of living in Colombia.
Is your income enough to clear the 2026 hurdle? Use our 'Safety Margin' calculator to verify your status today.