Find the right El Salvador Visa for your trip with price, requirements, and application time

El Salvador Visa Policy

Unless you are from a visa-exempt country, you need a visa to visit El Salvador. Visas are issued to foreigners at diplomatic missions abroad, and all visitors must have a valid passport for a minimum of 6 months, whether they are from visa-free or non-visa-free countries.

The government allows visitors from close to one hundred jurisdictions to visit El Salvador without a visa and stay for up to 180 days. These visitors must hold proof of funds, but this requirement is not demanded from Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Costa Rica citizens. 

The proof of Funds is meant to cover their document processing and living expenses throughout their time in the country. 

The same is the case for those transiting through El Salvador to another country.

El Salvador Tourist Card

The tourist card is designed for foreigners coming as tourists. This card is not required from those with a valid El Salvador visa, nor do citizens from the European Union and the EEA require one as they enjoy visa-free entry, but citizens of Bulgaria and Romania don’t enjoy such privileges, so they must obtain the tourist card like the others.

The Central America BCA

As a visitor to El Salvador, you should be aware of the Border Control Agreement between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. These countries recognize visas issued by other members of the BCA agreement so that you can visit these countries with an El Salvadorian visa. If you wish to visit these other countries, you should apply for this BCA visa for free entry and exit.

Key Information About El Salvador And Travel Tips

Application Fees: Application fees are required for all visas, including extensions. How you pay the fee will be determined by the embassy or consulate you are applying through for the visa. For extension, payments will be made to the immigration department once you are already in the country.

High Crime Region: El Salvador has a history of serious crimes and is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Foreigners are advised to visit at their discretion and must be conscious of their safety at all times. Avoid walking around at night and step away from isolated areas at any time of the day.

How To Apply For An El Salvador Visa

To obtain an El Salvador visa, you must submit an application to the embassy or consulate nearest to you. If there isn’t a foreign mission in your location, look for a licensed visa agent that handles applications on behalf of the El Salvadorian government and submit your documents to them. The application processing takes a few days to weeks, depending on the processing speed of the agency.

You will be asked to submit a signed and completed application form alongside other relevant documents. 

Applications also require application fees; otherwise, your documents will not be processed.

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You can visit El Salvador any time of the year as long as you meet the requirements for foreign visitors. The Central American country is open to visitors all year round for different purposes, but you may need a visa if you are not from a visa-exempt country.