Entry rules, how long you can stay, and your options if you want to stay longer.
Not legal advice. Verify all information with official sources before travel.
Entry requirements
Select your passport region
Entry requirements
North America & EU
USA, Canada, UK, EU/Schengen, Australia, New Zealand
Visa-free
Tourist stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months beyond entry date
Entry at
SAL airport or land border
No visa required on arrival. Part of the CA-4 agreement, your 90 days is shared across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. A return or onward ticket may be requested at the border.
Stay length
How long can you stay in El Salvador?
Most passports get 90 days on arrival, shared across the CA-4 zone, not per country
Day 42 ←
Arrive
30 days
60 days
CA-4 warning zone
Day 90
The CA-4 Agreement
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua share a single 90-day tourist window under the CA-4 agreement. Your 90 days is counted across all four countries, not per country.
If you spend 45 days in Guatemala and then enter El Salvador, you have 45 days remaining, not a fresh 90. To reset, you must exit the entire CA-4 zone (e.g., travel to Belize, Mexico, or Costa Rica) and stay out for at least 72 hours.
Beyond 90 days
How to stay longer than 90 days
Four routes: from the simple to the serious
The most common approach for long-term travelers. Leave the CA-4 zone entirely, Belize or Costa Rica are popular choices, for at least 72 hours, then re-enter. You'll get a fresh 90 days.
Note: immigration officers have discretion. If you've done multiple consecutive border runs, you may be questioned or denied entry. Having proof of accommodation and finances helps. This is not a long-term solution.
FAQ
Common visa questions
Technically, tourist visas prohibit "working" in El Salvador, but remote work for foreign clients exists in a legal grey area that is widely practiced and not actively enforced. You are not taking a local job or competing in the local economy. That said, this is not legal advice, if you're planning to stay long-term, residency is cleaner. Many digital nomads have lived here for years on tourist entry without issue.
Last updated Aug 19, 2026.Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change, always verify current requirements with the El Salvador DGME, your country's embassy, or a qualified local immigration attorney before making travel or residency decisions.