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6 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Special Entry Permit (Permiso Especial de Ingreso)
The Permiso Especial de Ingreso (PEI) is an online entry authorisation for visa-required foreign nationals who cannot obtain a consular or consulted visa through normal channels because there is no accessible Salvadoran consulate, due to distance, or by force majeure. Applicants register and apply at the official portal elsalvadorpei.migracion.gob.sv, upload supporting documents and pay before the request is reviewed and validated by the DGME. The published fee is USD 100. Once granted it permits short-stay entry of up to 90 days; it is a travel-authorisation substitute for a visa and does not grant work, study or residence rights.
Online PEI account and applicationAccount created and application completed at elsalvadorpei.migracion.gob.sv.
PassportValid passport with sufficient remaining validity, uploaded to the portal.
Passport photographRecent digital passport-style photograph.
Supporting documentsEvidence of purpose, funds and accommodation as requested in the portal.
PEI fee paymentUSD 100 paid online through the portal before review.
Tourist Visa
El Salvador Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo)
Nationals of visa-exempt countries (Group A, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU/Schengen states and most Latin American nations) enter El Salvador for tourism by purchasing a Tourist Card at the port of entry for USD 12. The card permits a stay of up to 90 days, which can be extended at the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME). Because El Salvador is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, the 90-day allowance is shared across all four countries on a single entry. The card does not authorise work, study or residence. Holders of a valid United States, Canadian or Schengen visa may also use this route.
Government fee
$12
Processing time
1 day
Max stay
90 days
Validity
90 days
Document checklist (4)
PassportValid passport in good condition; some nationalities are admitted with at least six months' validity.
Tourist Card paymentUSD 12 paid in cash on arrival at the port of entry to obtain the Tarjeta de Turismo.
Proof of onward or return travelOptionalTicket showing departure from the CA-4 region within the permitted stay.
Proof of funds / accommodationOptionalEvidence of means to support the visit and a booking or host address, on request.
Tourist Visa
El Salvador Consulted Visa (Visa Consultada)
Nationals of countries placed in El Salvador's most restricted category (Group C) require a Visa Consultada, where the application is referred by the consulate to the DGME and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in San Salvador for prior authorisation before a visa is issued. It applies to nationalities subject to additional security review and admits the holder for short visits of up to 90 days once approved. Processing is longer because the request must be consulted with central authorities. The visa is for visit purposes and does not confer work, study or residence rights.
Max stay
90 days
Document checklist (6)
Form F-46 (Visa Consultada)Official consulted-visa application form lodged with a Salvadoran consulate.
PassportValid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
Police / criminal record certificateCertificate of no criminal record from the applicant's country of residence.
Proof of purpose and fundsInvitation, itinerary and evidence of financial means for the visit.
Proof of onward/return travelOptionalTicket showing departure within the authorised stay.
Tourist Visa
CA-4 Free Movement Entry (Central America-4)
Under the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement, citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua move freely into El Salvador for up to 90 days without a visa or passport, presenting only their national identity document. The 90-day period is counted across the combined CA-4 area, so time spent in any of the four member states draws down the same allowance. This entry is for visit and tourism purposes only and does not by itself grant work authorisation or residence; longer stays or employment require a change of migratory status with the DGME.
Max stay
90 days
Validity
90 days
Document checklist (3)
National identity document (DUI/cedula)Valid national ID card of Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua; a passport may also be used.
CA-4 entry stampSingle stamp covering movement within the four-country zone.
Proof of purpose of visitOptionalEvidence of the visit purpose, on request at the border.
Tourist Visa
El Salvador Consular Visa (Visa Consular)
Nationals classified by El Salvador as requiring a visa (Group B) must obtain a Visa Consular at a Salvadoran embassy or consulate before travelling for tourism, family visits or short business. The visa is issued directly by the consular post for nationalities whose entry can be authorised at consular level, and admits the holder for up to 90 days. The fee depends on the consular post and the nationality's reciprocity schedule. The visa does not permit work or study and does not lead to residence; longer or working stays require a temporary residence application with the DGME.
Max stay
90 days
Document checklist (6)
Visa application formCompleted consular visa application submitted to a Salvadoran embassy or consulate.
PassportValid passport, typically with at least six months' validity beyond travel.
Proof of purpose of travelItinerary, invitation or booking confirming tourism, visit or business.
Proof of financial meansBank statements or similar evidence of funds for the stay.
Proof of onward/return travelOptionalTicket showing departure within the authorised stay.
Business Visitor Visa
Temporary Residence for Business Persons
El Salvador grants temporary residence to foreign business persons and commercial representatives (forms F-5 and F-6) who carry on or represent a commercial enterprise in the country. Like other temporary residences it is granted for up to two years and is renewable, and authorises the holder to conduct the declared business activity. Applicants document their commercial role, the company involved and a clean criminal record. Successive renewals lead to eligibility for definitive residence. This is distinct from a short business visit, which a visa-exempt national can do on the Tourist Card.
Work: Authorises the declared business activity in El Salvador.
Study: Residents may study.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence.
Family: Dependants apply as accompanying persons (F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (6)
Form F-5 / F-6 applicationTemporary residence as business person or commercial representative form.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Company / commercial documentationRegistry documents and evidence of the applicant's role in the enterprise.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Not yet researched
Transit Visa
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Temporary Residence for Students
Foreign nationals enrolled at a recognised Salvadoran educational institution apply to the DGME for temporary residence as a student (form F-10), granted for up to two years and renewable for the duration of the studies. The applicant must show admission or enrolment at the institution and means to cover tuition and living costs. The residence is tied to continued enrolment and does not by itself authorise employment. Students may later change to another migratory category if they take up work or other activity.
Study: Authorises enrolled study at the named institution.
Residency: Renewable while studying; may transition to other categories that lead to definitive residence.
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-10 applicationTemporary residence as student form signed by the foreign national.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Proof of enrolment / admissionLetter or certificate of admission from a recognised Salvadoran educational institution.
Proof of financial meansEvidence of funds to cover tuition and living expenses (or a sponsor).
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance for adult applicants, legalised/apostilled.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
2 routes
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Available
In effect since April 2025: remote workers earning at least USD 1,460/month from outside El Salvador get a visa valid up to 2 years, renewable for 2 more; online application fee USD 100.
Foreign nationals taking up employment in El Salvador apply to the DGME for a temporary residence with work authorisation (form F-3), granted for up to two years and renewable for an equal period. The category covers transnational and migrant workers sponsored by a Salvadoran employer and authorises lawful employment for the named employer or activity. After successive temporary-residence periods the holder may apply for definitive (permanent) residence; nationals of Hispanic-American or Spanish origin follow a shorter path. The permit requires a job offer or employment relationship and a clean criminal record.
Work: Authorises employment for the sponsoring employer/activity named in the permit.
Study: Residents may study while holding the permit.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence after the required period (shorter for Hispanic-American/Spanish-origin applicants).
Family: Dependants may apply as accompanying persons (form F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-3 applicationTemporary residence with work authorisation form signed by the foreign national and/or employer.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Employment contract or job offerContract or letter from the Salvadoran employer describing the role and remuneration.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from the country of origin or residence, duly legalised/apostilled.
Health certificateMedical certificate as required by the DGME.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME residence and card fees.
Not yet researched
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
4 routes
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Definitive Residence by Investment/Donation in Government Programs
A reform of article 152 of El Salvador's Ley Especial de Migracion y Extranjeria allows foreign nationals who contribute to the country's economic, social and cultural development, through a donation or investment in a government-designated program or a sustainable investment project, to obtain definitive (permanent) residence through an agile, expedited DGME procedure. The required amount is set by the specific government program rather than a single fixed figure in the migration law. Definitive residence grants the right to live and work in El Salvador on equal terms with Salvadorans, and the reform also opens a route to naturalisation for qualifying contributors.
Work: Definitive residents may carry out any lawful activity, including employment.
Study: Definitive residents may study.
Residency: This grants definitive (permanent) residence directly and opens a route to naturalisation for qualifying contributors.
Family: Family members may be included per the program and DGME rules.
Document checklist (6)
Definitive residence applicationDGME application under the investor/donor route, with legal representative or attorney as applicable.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Proof of participation in the government programEvidence of the qualifying donation or investment in the designated program or sustainable project.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance showing no criminal record, legalised/apostilled.
Identity documentsSupporting identity documentation as required by the DGME.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Citizenship by Investment
El Salvador Freedom Passport (Citizenship by Bitcoin Investment)
El Salvador's Freedom Passport program, enabled by the December 2023 reform of the Ley Especial de Migracion y Extranjeria allowing naturalisation for contributors to government development programs, offers citizenship in exchange for a non-refundable contribution of USD 1,000,000 paid in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT) to a government development fund. It is the first crypto-denominated citizenship-by-investment scheme. The government caps approvals at 1,000 applicants per year and applicants must pass Know Your Customer and due-diligence checks; there is no physical residency requirement to keep the citizenship once granted. Applicants apply through authorised agents. Spouses and dependent children can be added for an additional per-person amount. Figures should be confirmed against the official program terms before relying on them.
Work: Citizens may live and work in El Salvador without restriction.
Study: Citizens may study without restriction.
Residency: Confers citizenship directly; El Salvador permits dual citizenship and imposes no physical-residency requirement to retain it.
Family: Spouse and dependent children can be added for an additional per-person contribution per the program terms.
Min. investment
$1,000,000,000
Document checklist (6)
Application via authorised agentSubmission through an agent authorised under the Freedom Passport program.
PassportValid passport of the main applicant (and of each included family member).
KYC / due-diligence documentationSource-of-funds, identity and background-check documents for government due diligence.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance establishing no criminal record.
Proof of qualifying contributionEvidence of the USD 1,000,000 contribution in BTC or USDT to the government fund.
Temporary Residence for Persons of Independent Means (Rentista)
Foreign nationals who can support themselves from a stable passive income (such as rents, investments or annuities) rather than a pension may apply for temporary residence as a rentista (form F-8), granted for up to two years and renewable. The applicant documents the source and regularity of the income, which must be sufficient to live in El Salvador without local employment. Successive renewals lead to eligibility for definitive residence. No single fixed minimum-income figure is published in the migration forms; income is assessed case by case.
Study: Residents may study.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence.
Family: Dependants apply as accompanying persons (F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-8 applicationTemporary residence as rentista form signed by the foreign national.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Proof of passive incomeCertified evidence of stable rents, investment income or annuities, legalised/apostilled.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Health certificateMedical certificate as required by the DGME.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Business Investor Visa
Temporary Residence for Investors
Foreign nationals who establish or invest in a business in El Salvador apply to the DGME for temporary residence as an investor (form F-4), granted for up to two years and renewable. The applicant must document the investment and the legal existence of the enterprise. The category authorises the holder to manage and reside on the basis of the investment and provides a path to definitive residence after the required renewal periods. El Salvador does not publish a single fixed minimum-investment figure for this category in the migration forms; the threshold is assessed against the investment and corporate documentation submitted.
Work: Authorises managing and working in the applicant's own invested enterprise.
Study: Residents may study.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence.
Family: Dependants apply as accompanying persons (F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-4 applicationTemporary residence as investor form signed by the foreign national or legal representative.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Proof of investmentEvidence of capital injected and bank/accounting records of the investment.
Company registration documentsEscritura de constitucion / commercial registry documents showing the enterprise's legal existence.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Not yet researched
Residence by Real Estate
1 route
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Retirement Visa
Temporary Residence for Pensioners
Foreign retirees who receive a pension from a government, employer or pension fund abroad may obtain temporary residence as a pensioner (form F-7), granted for up to two years and renewable. The applicant must prove a stable, regular pension income sufficient to support themselves in El Salvador. After the required renewal periods, pensioners may apply for definitive residence (form F-33). El Salvador's migration forms do not publish a single fixed minimum monthly pension figure; the income is assessed against the documentation submitted.
Study: Residents may study.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence as pensioner (F-33).
Family: Dependants apply as accompanying persons (F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-7 applicationTemporary residence as pensioner form signed by the foreign national.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Proof of pension incomeOfficial certification of a stable pension from a government, employer or pension fund, legalised/apostilled.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Health certificateMedical certificate as required by the DGME.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Not yet researched
Working Holiday Visa
1 route
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Spouse / Partner Visa
Definitive Residence as Spouse/Partner of a Salvadoran
Foreign nationals married to, or in a recognised cohabiting union (union no matrimonial) with, a Salvadoran citizen may apply directly for definitive residence (form F-34). Definitive residents have the right to remain in El Salvador indefinitely and to carry out any lawful activity on equal terms with Salvadorans, including employment. The applicant must prove the genuine marriage or union and a clean criminal record. This is a family-based fast track that does not require first holding a temporary residence, and it supports later naturalisation.
Work: Definitive residents may carry out any lawful activity, including employment.
Study: Definitive residents may study.
Residency: This is itself definitive (permanent) residence and supports later naturalisation.
Family: Based on the marriage to a Salvadoran; minor children may be included separately.
Document checklist (7)
Form F-34 applicationDefinitive residence as spouse/partner of a Salvadoran form.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Marriage certificate or proof of unionSalvadoran marriage certificate or documentation of the recognised cohabiting union.
Salvadoran spouse's documentsDUI/identity document of the Salvadoran spouse or partner.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Not yet researched
Family Reunification Visa
Dependent Relative Visa
Ancestry / Repatriation
2 routes
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Religious Worker Visa
Temporary Residence for Religious Professionals
Clergy, missionaries and other religious professionals assigned to a recognised religious organisation in El Salvador may obtain temporary residence as a religious professional (form F-16), granted for up to two years and renewable. The applicant must show an assignment or invitation from the sponsoring church or religious body and that the organisation will support them. The residence authorises religious work for the sponsoring organisation. Successive renewals lead to eligibility for definitive residence.
Work: Authorises religious work for the sponsoring organisation.
Study: Residents may study.
Residency: Renewable temporary residence leads to definitive residence.
Family: Dependants apply as accompanying persons (F-9).
Max stay
730 days
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (7)
Form F-16 applicationTemporary residence as religious professional form.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Letter of assignment / invitationLetter from the sponsoring religious organisation confirming the assignment and support.
Proof of organisation's legal statusEvidence the religious body is legally recognised in El Salvador.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
Proof of fee paymentReceipt for the applicable DGME fees.
Permanent Residence
Definitive Residence for Pensioners
Foreign retirees who have completed the required temporary-residence period as pensioners (or who otherwise qualify) may obtain definitive residence as a pensioner (form F-33). Definitive residence grants the right to remain in El Salvador indefinitely and to carry out any lawful activity on equal terms with Salvadorans. The applicant must continue to demonstrate stable pension income and a clean criminal record. For applicants of other origins the standard ladder is temporary residence renewed before moving to definitive residence; Hispanic-American and Spanish-origin applicants follow a shorter path.
Work: Definitive residents may carry out any lawful activity, including employment.
Study: Definitive residents may study.
Residency: This is definitive (permanent) residence and supports later naturalisation.
Family: Dependants may be included per DGME rules.
Document checklist (7)
Form F-33 applicationDefinitive residence as pensioner form.
PassportOriginal valid passport plus full copy for verification.
Prior temporary residenceEvidence of the qualifying temporary-residence period as a pensioner, where applicable.
Proof of pension incomeOfficial certification of a stable pension, legalised/apostilled.
Criminal record certificatePolice clearance from country of origin or residence, legalised/apostilled.
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