Residency pathfinder
The main routes side by side, with minimums, forms and fees.
$10,000 Paid-up shares in a Salvadoran company for founder or shareholder residence
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Residency
Living and Working in El Salvador
Find your route to residency, then the practical guides: healthcare, schools, driving and the cost of living.
Residency
Living and Working in El Salvador
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Investor residence
The Investment Law route, ONI registration and form F4.
$1,635,200 4,000 monthly minimum wages at $408.80, the Investment Law threshold
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Shareholder or legal representative
The $10,000 share route, form F11 and the merchant route.
$10,000 Shares subscribed and paid by the foreign founder or shareholder
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Rentista (independent income)
$1,635.20 a month from abroad, form F8 and the benefits.
$1,635.20 Monthly foreign income, 4 minimum wages for commerce and services
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Pensionado (retiree)
$1,226.40 a month of pension, form F7 and the benefits.
$1,226.40 Monthly foreign pension, 3 minimum wages for commerce and services
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Work permits
The Ministry of Labour opinion, form F3 and the 90% rule.
30 working days Legal deadline for the Ministry of Labour opinion; silence counts as favourable
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Dependants
Spouses, partners, children and parents, and form F9.
4th degree Relatives by blood who can accompany a resident; 2nd degree by marriage
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Permanent residence
After 1 or 3 years, the forms, the renewal and absences.
3 years Of temporary residence before most foreigners can apply
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Freedom Visa
USD 1 million in BTC or USDt, 1,000 places a year.
USD 1 million Total contribution in Bitcoin (BTC) or USDt
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Visas and the CA-4 area
Visa categories, 90-day stays and the CA-4 area.
90 days Tourist stay, with one extension of up to 90 days
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Moving to El Salvador
Documents, residence, customs and first steps.
90 days Provisional residence while the DGME processes a file, renewable
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Cost of living
Food basket, rents, utilities, fuel and wages.
$269.15 Urban food basket per household a month, September 2026
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Healthcare and insurance
ISSS cover for employees and private insurance.
7.5% Employer ISSS contribution on salary up to $1,000 a month
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International schools
IB, American, German and French schools.
5 IB World Schools listed in El Salvador
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Driving licence
Exchanging a foreign licence at SERTRACEN.
$57.82 Fee to exchange a foreign licence
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Citizenship and naturalisation
Routes to nationality, F39, fees and dual nationality.
5 years Residence for naturalisation, temporary and definitive combined
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Embassies
Apostilles, consulates and foreign embassies.
Free Apostille of a Salvadoran document
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Immigration lawyers
When you need a lawyer or notary, and how to check one.
CSJ Supreme Court of Justice authorises lawyers and notaries
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The migration office (DGME)
Offices, opening hours, forms and contacts.
8 DGME branches offering all services
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Business directory
Immigration and Relocation Specialists
Companies listed in the InvestSalvador.com directory, featured members first. Choose a type of company, or search by city and keyword.
Abogados Corp
San Miguel
Abogados Corp is a legal services firm established in El Salvador in 1973 as an individual professional practice and later organized as a legal entity. It provi...
Aleman & Soto Abogados
San Salvador
Aleman & Soto Abogados is a law firm in San Salvador, El Salvador, serving businesses and individuals. Its legal practice covers commercial, civil, labor, crimi...
Atypical Group
San Salvador
Atypical Group is a legal and organizational consultancy in San Salvador, El Salvador. It provides legal, accounting, and organizational support to micro and sm...
Benjamín Valdez & Asociados
Antiguo Cuscatlán
Benjamín Valdez & Asociados is a multiservice firm based in Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador. It provides legal, administrative, and accounting servi...
Bufete Cóbar
San Salvador
Bufete Cóbar is a law firm based in San Salvador, El Salvador, with 20 years of experience. It provides legal advice and services in corporate law, compliance,...
Bufete Guerrero & Asociados
San Salvador
Bufete Guerrero & Asociados is a law firm in San Salvador, El Salvador, led by Federico Guerrero and reporting more than three decades of legal experience. It a...
Espino Nieto Law
San Salvador
Espino Nieto Law is a law firm based in San Salvador, El Salvador, founded in 1960. It advises corporate clients on the development of their businesses and prov...
Gescorp
Antiguo Cuscatlán
Gescorp is a legal services firm operating in El Salvador. It provides legal advice and describes its work as drawing on knowledge of the laws. The firm serves...
Next step
Get the Paperwork Right First Time
Immigration lawyers, relocation agents and translators, in the InvestSalvador.com directory.