Residency
Residency in El Salvador
Most foreigners start with temporary residence for 1 or 2 years, renewable up to 5 years, and can move to definitive residence after 1 to 3 years. Common routes are as a shareholder with $10,000 of paid-up shares, a pensionado with $1,226.40 a month or a rentista with $1,635.20 a month.
- Monthly foreign pension for a pensionado, 3 minimum wages
- $1,226.401,2
- Monthly foreign pension for a pensionado, 3 minimum wages
- Monthly foreign income for a rentista, 4 minimum wages
- $1,635.201,2
- Monthly foreign income for a rentista, 4 minimum wages
- Government fee for one year of temporary residence
- $1401
- Government fee for one year of temporary residence
The main routes
| Route | Minimum | First card |
|---|---|---|
| Shareholder (Art. 109.13) | $10,000 subscribed and paid in shares | Up to 2 years |
| Investor registered with ONI (Art. 109.1) | ONI registration of the foreign capital | Up to 2 years |
| Rentista (Art. 109.5) | $1,635.20 a month; $2,452.80 with 2 or more dependants | 1 year |
| Pensionado (Art. 109.6) | $1,226.40 a month | 1 year |
| Work permit with residence | Employer letter and Ministry of Labour opinion | Up to 2 years |
| Freedom Visa programme | USD 1 million contribution in Bitcoin or USDT, 1,000 places a year | Definitive residence |
Source: Legislative Assembly: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish); Adopting El Salvador: Freedom Visa programme portal1,3
Rules to know
- Pensionados and rentistas cannot take paid work, except for the State, municipalities or official autonomous institutions in specialised fields or teaching.
- Nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica can apply for definitive residence directly.
- Spaniards and nationals of Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas can move to definitive residence after 1 year instead of 3.
- Since 31 March 2026, temporary residents must spend at least 90 days a year in El Salvador.
Source: Legislative Assembly: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish); Jurisprudencia: Decree 531 of 2026 amending the Migration Law1,4
What every route needs
- A valid passport and a criminal record certificate for the last 2 years, apostilled or legalised.
- Proof of means, or the employer’s commitment letter if you will work.
- Foreign documents apostilled or legalised and translated into Spanish.
Source: DGME: temporary residence procedures and forms5
Government fees (Art. 325)
| Service | Fee | Central Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence, 1 year | $140 | $70 |
| Temporary residence, 2 years | $260 | $130 |
| Extension, 1 or 2 years | $125 / $240 | $55 / $100 |
| Definitive residence | $345 | $135 |
Source: Legislative Assembly: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish)1
Fees are not refunded if an application is refused. Lawyers, translations and apostilles come on top.1
Sources
- Legislative Assembly: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish)
- Executive Decree No. 11 of 2025: minimum wages from 1 June 2025 (Judicial Documentation Centre, PDF, in Spanish)
- Adopting El Salvador: Freedom Visa programme portal
- Jurisprudencia: Decree 531 of 2026 amending the Migration Law (in Spanish)
- DGME: temporary residence procedures and forms (in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.