Visas, Tourist Stays and the CA-4 Area
Visa categories
| Category | What it means | Examples from the CA-4 list |
|---|---|---|
| A: exempt | No visa needed; entry with a valid passport | United States, Canada, EU countries, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South Korea |
| B: consular visa | Visa issued by a Salvadoran consulate without prior consultation | China (ordinary passports), India, Venezuela |
| C: consulted visa | Visa issued only after consultation with the DGME | Cuba, Armenia, North Korea |
Source: Asamblea Legislativa: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish); DGME: visa classification of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua1,2
The published CA-4 list is dated 23 January 2019, and some countries apply exceptions to certain nationalities. Check your nationality with the nearest Salvadoran consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.2,3
Tourist stays and extensions
- Tourists can stay up to 90 days, and the DGME can grant one extension of up to 90 days.
- Download form F44 (F45 for children and teenagers), complete it and email it to visas@migracion.gob.sv with the documents requested.
- If the file is in order, the DGME emails a link to pay online, then gives an appointment to stamp the extension in your passport.
- Staying longer than this needs a residence. See the residency pathfinder.
Source: Asamblea Legislativa: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish); DGME: extension of stay for tourists1,5
Visas for investors and business travellers
| Document | Fee | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent-traveller card for investors, business people or commercial representatives from category A countries, up to 3 years | $150 | F48 |
| Visa for investors, business people or commercial representatives from category B and C countries | $200 | F49 |
| Multiple non-resident visa, 1 to 3 years | $50 | F47 |
| Consulted visa, multiple entry | $75 | F46 |
| Consulted visa, single entry | $40 | F46 |
Source: Asamblea Legislativa: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish); DGME: visas and extensions, forms F44 to F541,6
These documents ease repeated entry but do not give residence. Investors who want to live in El Salvador apply for an investor residence instead.1
How the CA-4 area works
- Since 2005 the four countries have been parties to the agreement creating the Central American single visa for the free movement of foreigners, which sets the type of visa by nationality and passport type.
- Category A nationals can move overland between the four countries with their passport.
- Category C nationals need the visa of each country they enter.
- Category B and C nationals who hold residence in a CA-4 country can travel with their passport and residence card.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visas for foreigners; Guatemalan Migration Institute: CA-4 manual (PDF, in Spanish)3,4
Since 23 October 2023, the airport authority CEPA has charged an airport improvement fee of $1,000 plus 13% VAT to passengers from India and 56 African countries who pass through the international airport, as reported at the time. Check with your airline before you book.7
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit El Salvador?
Nationals in category A, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and Japan, do not need a visa. Category B needs a consular visa and category C a consulted visa.
How long can tourists stay?
Tourists can stay up to 90 days, with one extension of up to 90 days for a $25 fee.
What is the CA-4 area?
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua share one visa classification under the CA-4 agreement.
Sources
- Asamblea Legislativa: Special Migration and Aliens Law, Decree 286 of 2019 (PDF, in Spanish)
- DGME: visa classification of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (in Spanish)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: visas for foreigners (in Spanish)
- Guatemalan Migration Institute: CA-4 manual (PDF, in Spanish)
- DGME: extension of stay for tourists (in Spanish)
- DGME: visas and extensions, forms F44 to F54 (in Spanish)
- Diario El Mundo: El Salvador to charge $1,000 to passengers from African countries and India (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.