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Open to any nationality; categories include employee, investor, retiree, or family. Requires proof of income, background check, and medical certificate; renew annually at DGME.
Available to investors who establish a business with a minimum capital of US$10,000 or buy real estate; also available after 2 years of continuous temporary residency. Open to all nationalities.
Requires documented passive income of at least US$1,000/month from pensions, investments, or rental income. Open to all nationalities; renewable annually.
The CA-4 free movement agreement allows nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to enter El Salvador visa-free for up to 90 days. Work is not permitted without a separate permit.
El Salvador is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, allowing free movement within the region without border controls. Citizens of the US, EU, Canada, and most Latin American countries can enter El Salvador visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable for an additional 90 days. El Salvador gained international attention as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender and has introduced a Bitcoin-related residency incentive for investors.
Foreign nationals wishing to work in El Salvador must obtain a work permit from the General Directorate of Migration and Alien Affairs, typically sponsored by their employer. The process requires a valid employment contract, credential verification, and a clean criminal background check. El Salvador's growing tech and startup sector has increased demand for skilled foreign workers in recent years.
Spouses and minor children of temporary or permanent residents can apply for dependent residence permits through the General Directorate of Migration. Dependent permits are coterminous with the primary holder's residence and require proof of the family relationship through official documentation.
El Salvador uses the US dollar as its primary currency and levies personal income tax at progressive rates up to 30% on income above USD 52,000 annually. Corporate income tax is 30%. VAT is 13%. Notably, El Salvador passed legislation in 2021 exempting capital gains from Bitcoin transactions from taxation. The country has signed around 10 double taxation treaties.
Healthcare in El Salvador is a mix of public hospitals managed by the Ministry of Health and private clinics that offer higher quality care. San Salvador has several modern private hospitals such as Hospital de Diagnostico and Hospital Bloom. International health insurance is recommended for expatriates to ensure access to private facilities and potential medical evacuation coverage.
El Salvador's banking sector includes Banco Agricola, Banco Cuscatlan (Citibank affiliate), BAC, and Davivienda. Bitcoin became legal tender in 2021, and the government launched the Chivo digital wallet for Bitcoin transactions. Opening a traditional bank account requires a passport and proof of residence; Bitcoin wallets are available to anyone with a mobile phone.
El Salvador offers a Permanent Resident Investor Visa for investments of at least USD 150,000 in government-approved projects or businesses. Additionally, the country has introduced a Bitcoin investment residency pathway, allowing investors who transfer a minimum of 3 Bitcoin (approximately USD 150,000+) to obtain permanent residence. The country also offers a Rentista (passive income) residency for those with USD 750+ monthly in provable passive income.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investor Permanent Residency | — | No | No |
| Rentista Visa | — | No | No |