In 2025 the El Salvador digital nomad visa was launched.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the requirements, application process and everything else there is to know.
Overview of El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
- Duration: in principle, the visa is valid for two years. After that, you can renew for two more years for a total of four years. However, in practice the authorities only hand out renewable visas for one year at this point in time.
- Application: you can apply in person with an embassy or consulate, as well as online. Online application tend to have a quicker turnaround time and are easier to submit.
- Residency & citizenship: through the DNV you can work towards permanent residency and even citizenship.
- Taxation: digital nomad visa holders get an exemption from income tax.
- Cryptocurrencies: under the reign of president Bukele El Salvador tries to attract crypto investors with tax incentives and by accepting Bitcoin as legal tender.
El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
If you want to apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa, you need to meet certain requirements.
Let’s have a closer look to these eligibility criteria:
- Remote work: work remotely as an employee, freelancer or business owner for a company or clients outside of El Salvador. You can’t work for local clients or engage in the local job market.
- Minimum income: the minimum monthly income threshold for a single applicant is USD 1.460. If you want to take dependents, the amount increases.
- Valid passport: you need a passport which will be valid for at least six months beyond the expiration date of your digital nomad visa.
- Criminal background check: provide a clean criminal record from all countries you resided in during the last two years.
- Health insurance: have an international health insurance which covers you throughout your entire stay in El Salvador.
On the official website you can also find more information about the El Salvador DNV.
Costs and Fees for the Nomad Visa Program
The fees for applying for the El Salvador digital nomad visa will depend on a few factors.
If you apply online, the basic fee is USD 100. Yet, if you want to get express processing, you have to pay an additional USD 59,90.
Furthermore, consular fees can apply. These depend on the region and generally range from USD 70-140.
You will have to pay the application fee upon submitting your application online or in person.
In addition to the processing fee, you’ll also have to pay a fee of USD 55-240 for getting your temporary residence permit once you arrived in El Salvador (see below).
In case you decide to get help from a visa agent, you’ll also have to budget for their fees.
Application Process for the Digital Nomad Visa in El Salvador
If you want to apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa you’ll need to take the following steps.
Check Eligibility Criteria DNV El Salvador
The first step in the process is to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. We discussed these before.
If you don’t meet these criteria, you can save yourself the time applying as you won’t get the visa. In that case, you can always check other options in our worldwide list of digital nomad visas.
Gather Documents for El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
Next up you need to gather all the necessary documents that prove you meet the eligibility criteria.
These include:
- Valid passport
- Passport picture
- Completed and signed application form
- Proof of remote work (e.g. employment contract)
- Bank statements showing you meet the minimum income threshold for the past twelve months
- Criminal record
- International health insurance policy
If you want to take dependents, you’ll need proof of your connection (e.g. marriage or birth certificate).
Please note that the authorities can ask you to provide these documents in Spanish in case they’re in a different language.
Submit Application
After gathering all necessary documents, you are ready to submit your application.
You can apply online by filling out the application form. Here you can also upload all the supporting documents to prove you meet all the requirements.
The authorities normally handle online applications within 5-9 business days. In case you paid for the express option, your application should be reviewed within 24 hours.
Another option is to apply in person through a El Salvadoran consulate or embassy abroad. Note that you’ll have to contact the authorities of the office you want to visit to make an appointment. You can’t just walk in.
After submitting the application, the processing time is 15-60 days depending on the office where you filed your application.
Irrespective of how you applied, you’ll receive a notification of approval (or denial) via email.
Travel to El Salvador
Once your visa application was approved, you have 120 days to go to El Salvador.
There you need to convert your digital nomad visa into a temporary residency permit.
Furthermore, you’ll need to register with the Directorate of Immigration within 5 business days after arriving.
Renewal El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
Normally, the El Salvador digital nomad visa is valid for two years at a time. However, we see in practice that the authorities currently mainly hand out one year visas. Yet, as long as you keep meeting the requirements, you can get a visa extension up to a total of four years.
Please note that in order to keep your digital nomad visa active you need to be present in the country for at least six months.
However, in case your visa becomes inactive, you can always try to reapply for a new one as long as you still meet the other requirements.
My Tax Perspective on the El Salvador Nomad Visa
You become a tax resident of El Salvador if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Have your main source of income in El Salvador
- Spend more than 200 consecutive days in the country during a calendar year
As the digital nomad visa only let’s you work for foreign employers or clients, you won’t meet the first criteria. Nevertheless, you could still meet the second condition.
However, qualifying as a tax resident of El Salvador isn’t necessarily a bad thing because El Salvador applies a territorial tax system. Accordingly, you only pay tax on local source income (with some exceptions).
Furthermore, El Salvador is interesting for crypto investors. Capital gains on cryptocurrencies remain tax free and Bitcoin is accepted as legal tender.
Moreover, El Salvador explicitly exempts nomad visa holders from income taxes.
How is Life in El Salvador for Digital Nomads
If you’re considering to apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa, you need to know the following things:
- Cost of living: living in El Salvador is rather affordable and if you meet the minimum income threshold you can have a good lifestyle.
- Internet: El Salvador tends to offer good internet speed. Although this will heavily depend on your location.
- Climate: given its location it offers warm weather year round.
- Community: growing community of remote workers in San Salvador, Santa Ana and La Libertad.
Work With Me
If you need more help with figuring out the tax consequences of a potential move, reach out to me!