El Salvador
General visa requirements for travelling to El Salvador. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Digital Nomad Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 45 business days
- Fee
- Application fee varies
- Validity
- 2 years (initial 12 months, renewable for additional term)
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Digital Nomad Visa introduced in 2025-2026. Valid for initial 12 months, renewable for additional term. Foreign-earned income not taxed in El Salvador. Holders cannot work for Salvadoran companies. Family members can be included with adjusted income requirements.
Eligibility
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Nationality
Citizens of USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, EU member states, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.
Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America
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Financial
Minimum monthly income of $1,460 USD from foreign sources. For families of 3+ persons, minimum increases to $2,190/month. Income must be from foreign sources; employment in El Salvador not permitted.
Minimum funds: $1,460 USD monthly
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Employment
Must work remotely using digital tools for foreign employer or clients. Cannot be employed by Salvadoran companies.
Required status: Remote work for foreign employer or clients
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Bank statement
Minimum balance: $8,760 USD; Months required: 6
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
How to apply
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Document gathering
Prepare all required documentation including proof of remote work for foreign employer or clients, employment contract or client contracts showing foreign-sourced income, bank statements demonstrating required income ($1,460 USD monthly; $2,190/month for families of 3+), police clearance (apostilled), international health insurance valid in El Salvador, and professional CV demonstrating remote work experience.
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Online application
Submit digital nomad visa application online.
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Document submission
Upload supporting documents through online portal.
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Processing wait
Wait for application review and approval. Processing typically takes up to 45 business days.
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Visa collection
Receive digital nomad visa approval.
Work / Immigration visa (Pensionado (Retirement) Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 75 business days
- Fee
- Application processing fee
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable annually
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Pensionado visa designed for retirees. Valid 1 year, renewable annually. Family members (spouse, children, parents) can be included. After 5 years of legal residency, can apply for citizenship. More affordable than Rentista visa option.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America
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Financial
Minimum monthly pension income of $1,095 USD from government or private source. Must maintain pension income throughout residency.
Minimum funds: $1,095 USD monthly pension
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Age
Typically for retirees age 55 and above.
Min age: 55
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 4; Specifications: Recent color photos
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Bank statement
Minimum balance: N/A; Months required: 6
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
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Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
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Birth certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
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Marriage certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Gather pension documentation and supporting documents: valid passport, proof of guaranteed monthly pension income of $1,095 USD minimum, bank statements showing pension deposits for last 6 months, official pension verification letter from pension provider, criminal background check (apostilled), medical examination certificate, birth certificate (apostilled and translated to Spanish), marriage certificate if spouse included (apostilled), and 4 passport-size photos.
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Document submission
Submit application to Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
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Processing wait
Wait for application review. Processing typically takes up to 75 business days.
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Visa collection
Receive pensionado visa approval.
Work / Immigration visa (Rentista (Independent Means) Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 75 business days
- Fee
- Application processing fee
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable annually
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Rentista visa for those with passive income. Higher income requirement than Pensionado visa. Valid 1 year, renewable. Path to citizenship after 5 years of legal residency. Family members can be included.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Eligible countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America
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Financial
Minimum monthly passive income of $1,460 USD from investments, rental income, or other passive sources. Income must be from passive sources; cannot be from active employment.
Minimum funds: $1,460 USD monthly passive income
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 4; Specifications: Recent color photos
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Bank statement
Minimum balance: N/A; Months required: 6
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Investment statements, rental agreements, or other proof of passive income; Minimum amount: $1,460 USD monthly
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
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Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
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Birth certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
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Source of wealth
Must be notarized: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Collect proof of passive income and supporting documents: valid passport, proof of minimum monthly passive income of $1,460 USD from investments, rental income, or other passive sources, bank statements demonstrating passive income for last 6-12 months, documentation of income sources (investment statements, rental agreements, or other proof), criminal background check (apostilled), medical examination certificate, birth certificate (apostilled and translated to Spanish), and 4 passport-size photos.
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Document submission
Submit application to immigration authority.
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Processing wait
Wait for application processing. Processing typically takes up to 75 business days.
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Visa collection
Receive rentista visa approval.
Work / Immigration visa (Work Permit with Temporary Residence)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 730 days
- Processing time
- 120 business days (2-4 months)
- Fee
- Varies by processing
- Validity
- 1-2 years, extendable up to 5 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Work permit combined with temporary residence permit. Processing time typically 2-4 months after submission. Valid for 1-2 years initially, renewable up to 5 years. Foreign employees must be sponsored by registered Salvadoran employer.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All foreign nationals with confirmed job offers from Salvadoran employers.
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Employment
Must have confirmed job offer from Salvadoran employer. Employer must be registered in El Salvador and sponsor the application.
Required status: Confirmed employment offer from registered Salvadoran employer
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 4; Specifications: Recent color photos
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements or employer guarantee; Minimum amount: Not specified
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Validity months: 6
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Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
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Vaccination certificate
Required vaccines: Yellow fever; Validity months: 120
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Birth certificate
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Academic transcript
Provide academic records for the course, qualification or training route.
Must be notarized: Yes; Must be translated: Yes
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
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Document gathering
Collect all required documents including employment contract, police clearances from El Salvador, country of residence, and home country (apostilled), medical examination certificate, yellow fever vaccination proof, educational certificates (authenticated), CV, birth certificate (apostilled and translated to Spanish if needed), passport photos, and proof of funds.
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Online application
Employer initiates work permit application with Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (General Directorate of Migration and Immigration).
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Document submission
Submit complete application package to immigration authority.
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Processing wait
Immigration authority reviews application. Processing typically takes 2-4 months after submission.
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Visa collection
Receive work permit and temporary residence authorization.