Nicaragua
General visa requirements for travelling to Nicaragua. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Tourist visa (Visa Consultada - China, Iran, Syria)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- Several weeks to 2 months
- Fee
- Varies by embassy
- Validity
- 30 days, extendable to 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Only ordinary passport holders require visa consultada. Diplomatic and official passport holders from China have separate bilateral agreements.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Ordinary passport holders from China, Iran, and Syria. Diplomatic/official passport holders may be exempt under bilateral agreements.
Eligible countries: China, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Syrian Arab Republic
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-style photographs (4x5 cm), original color photos
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements and proof of financial means; Minimum amount: Sufficient financial means
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or host letter; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 36
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Visa Consultada Application
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather all required documents.
-
Document submission
Apply at Nicaraguan embassy with all documents.
-
Processing wait
Wait for authorization from Managua immigration authorities.
-
Visa collection
Collect approved visa.
Tourist visa (Asian Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days cumulative across CA-4 countries
- Entry
- Single entry
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia passport holders enjoy visa-free access. Diplomatic passport holders from Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia have separate agreements.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia.
Eligible countries: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Malaysia, Singapore
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.
Tourist visa (Latin American Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days cumulative for CA-4 members
- Entry
- Single entry
Latin American visa-free countries. Costa Rica, Belize, Dominica, and Dominican Republic included. Bolivia diplomatic passport holders have separate agreements.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Dominica, and Dominican Republic.
Eligible countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.
Tourist visa (Former Visa-on-Arrival (Now Visa Consultada Required))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- Several weeks
- Fee
- Varies by embassy
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
These countries previously had visa-on-arrival for $50 USD if holding valid US/Canada/Schengen visa. As of February 16, 2026, visa-on-arrival eliminated and replaced with visa consultada requirement. Cameroon, Haiti, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Vietnam ordinary passport holders specifically mentioned.
Eligibility
-
Visa history
Previously allowed visa-on-arrival for $50 USD if holding valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa. As of February 16, 2026, visa-on-arrival eliminated and replaced with visa consultada requirement.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Passport-style photographs
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, employment letters; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 36
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Visa Consultada Application
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare all documents including passport with valid US/Canada/Schengen visa.
-
Document submission
Submit application to Nicaraguan embassy or consulate.
-
Processing wait
Wait for visa consultada authorization from Managua.
-
Visa collection
Collect visa from embassy.
Tourist visa (North American & Oceania Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days cumulative across CA-4 countries
- Entry
- Single entry
Part of CA-4 agreement. 90 days cumulative across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are exempt from the $10 tourist card fee. U.S. citizens benefit from a bilateral agreement waiving the 6-month passport validity requirement but passports must still be valid for entire stay.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Eligible countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.
Tourist visa (Visa Consultada (Category C))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- Several weeks to months
- Fee
- Varies by embassy
- Validity
- 30 days, extendable to 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Visa Consultada (Category C) implemented February 16, 2026 via Decree 002-2026. Previously these countries had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. Airlines and carriers deny boarding without valid visa consultada. Diplomatic/official passport holders may be exempt if bilateral agreement exists. Transit visas for these nationals allow up to 5 days.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens from 128 countries requiring prior authorization from Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería in Managua.
Eligible countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Central African Republic, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, Peru, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Zimbabwe
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-style photographs (4x5 cm), original color photos without head covers
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements, employment letters, or sponsorship; Minimum amount: Sufficient financial means
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Hotel booking or letter from host in Nicaragua; Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 36
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Visa Consultada Application
-
Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Collect all required documents including passport, photos, police certificate, and financial proof.
-
Document submission
Submit application to Nicaraguan embassy or consulate (cannot be issued without Managua approval).
-
Processing wait
Wait for consulate to obtain authorization from immigration authorities in Managua.
-
Visa collection
Collect approved visa consultada from embassy/consulate.
Tourist visa (European Union Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days cumulative across CA-4 countries
- Entry
- Single entry
All EU member states citizens enjoy visa-free access under Nicaragua's 2026 visa policy. Diplomatic, official, service or special passport holders are exempt from the tourist card fee.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of all 27 European Union member states enjoy visa-free access under Nicaragua's 2026 visa policy.
Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.
Tourist visa (CA-4 Free Movement Agreement)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- Immediate
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days, extendable to 120 days
- Entry
- Multiple entry
CA-4 Border Control Agreement members. Citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are exempt from the $10 tourist card fee and enjoy unrestricted movement. Extensions possible up to 120 days.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras under the CA-4 Border Control Agreement. Valid passport or national ID card accepted.
Eligible countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 0; Validity months: 0
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Present valid ID or passport at border.
Tourist visa (Other Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Additional visa-exempt countries including Israel, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Angola, Albania, Solomon Islands, and Moldova.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of Israel, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Angola, Albania, Solomon Islands, and Moldova.
Eligible countries: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Moldova (Republic of), Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Turkey
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.
Tourist visa (EFTA Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- On arrival
- Fee
- $10 USD (Tourist Card)
- Validity
- 90 days cumulative across CA-4 countries
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Eligible countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
-
Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Cash, credit card, bank statements; Minimum amount: Sufficient funds to cover stay
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash payment at airport or border; Amount: $10 USD
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Prepare valid passport and proof of onward travel.
-
Fee payment
Pay $10 USD tourist card fee upon arrival.