The Colombia investment visa — officially the M-IN (Migrant - Investment) — is for foreigners who have made a qualifying financial investment in Colombia. It's one of the most straightforward paths to a long-term Colombian visa for people with capital to deploy, and it puts you on the track toward permanent residency.
The 2026 threshold is 350 SMMLV, which works out to approximately 612 million COP or around $161,000 USD. That number is higher than it was in 2025 because Colombia's minimum wage increased 22.7% effective January 1, 2026.
What counts as a qualifying investment
- Real estate: Direct property purchase registered in your name, with a Certificado de Tradicion y Libertad showing you as owner
- Colombian company equity: Shares or equity stakes in a registered Colombian company, documented through the commercial registry
- Colombian financial instruments: Certain Colombian government bonds, investment funds, and regulated financial products
- Foreign direct investment (IED): Registered capital contributions to a Colombian company, documented through Banco de la Republica registration
The most common path is real estate. Apartment purchases in Medellin, Bogota, or Cartagena frequently exceed the threshold in desirable neighborhoods.
The 2026 financial threshold
SMMLV 2026: approximately 1,749,848 COP. At 350 SMMLV: 350 x 1,749,848 = 612,446,800 COP — approximately $161,170 USD at 3,800 COP/USD.
If you invested before 2026 at a value sufficient under 2025 minimums (~500M COP) but below the 2026 threshold of ~612M COP, you may need an additional investment or to demonstrate value appreciation. Verify current valuation before applying.
Required documents
For real estate investments: Certificado de Tradicion y Libertad (recent, within 30 days), Escritura publica (public deed) of purchase, and proof of payment (wire transfer records, Colombian bank statements). For company equity: Certificado de Existencia y Representacion Legal from Camara de Comercio, shareholders register, and proof of capital contribution.
All applications also require: valid passport (6+ months validity), passport-style photo, and certified Spanish translations plus apostilles for foreign documents.
Visa terms and the residency path
The M-IN visa is typically granted for three years, renewable. Each year counts toward the five-year permanent residency threshold. After five continuous years on qualifying M visas, you can apply for the R (Resident) visa.
Renewals require demonstrating the investment is still maintained at or above the current threshold. As thresholds rise with minimum wage increases, a marginal investment today may fall below threshold at renewal time.
Key risks
Threshold drift: The threshold rises with every minimum wage increase. A 612M COP investment today may be below threshold in three years if it doesn't appreciate.
Third-party structures: The investment must be in your name or an entity where you have documented controlling interest. Investments through a Colombian partner's name generally don't qualify.
Working with an attorney
The M-IN visa has more documentation complexity than most categories. A Colombian immigration attorney ($300-700 USD) is worth the cost. If purchasing property specifically for the visa, coordinate the purchase and application timelines carefully — the Certificado de Tradicion y Libertad needs to be recent at the time of application.
Property market context
The 612M COP threshold in 2026 corresponds to: a comfortable 1-2 bedroom apartment in Medellin's El Poblado, a larger apartment in Laureles or Envigado, or a mid-range one-bedroom in Bogota's Chapinero or Usaquen. The property can be rented out while you're not in Colombia, producing income while maintaining visa qualification.