El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply (5 Steps)

Remote workers and their family members can now live in El Salvador with the new El Salvador digital nomad visa. 

El Salvador is the latest country, as of April 2025, to introduce a digital nomad visa in South America. This digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their family members to live in El Salvador for up to four years.

The initial El Salvador digital nomad visa is issued for 1 year and is renewable for up to four. In some cases, applicants may be granted an initial 2-year visa. 

With the El Salvador digital nomad visa, you will not owe local income tax because foreign-earned income is not taxed in the country. However, if you were to purchase a house or register a business in El Salvador, you could become a tax resident and owe local taxes. 

El Salvador is known for its vibrant culture and affordable cost of living, making it an excellent destination for digital nomads. In the last couple of years, El Salvador’s violent crime rates have also dropped, which was a major concern for many entering and living in the country. 

While the El Salvador digital nomad visa is still so new, we will update this article with more information as applications are accepted and new information is released. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers (and sometimes their family members) to live temporarily in a foreign country.

To be eligible for a digital nomad visa, you must work as an employee, freelancer, or business owner for companies established outside of the country you wish to apply for a digital nomad visa. 

It’s important to understand that you may not participate in local business economic activity, such as applying for jobs or conducting local business, when you obtain a digital nomad visa.

The major benefit for some digital nomad visas is that they can lead to permanent residency. Some digital nomad visas also offer tax reductions or absolve tax liability completely, making them super advantageous for remote workers.

El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for El Salvador’s digital nomad visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your visa term ends
• Work Remotely  – You must work remotely for clients or a company established outside of El Salvador
• Earn $1,460 USD per month – You must meet the income requirement (this amount may increase with additional family members)
• Clean Criminal Record – You must present a clean criminal background check 
• International Health Insurance – You must have international health insurance coverage in El Salvador for the duration of your stay

If you meet these requirements, then you can start preparing your El Salvador digital nomad visa application! 

How to Apply for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa

As the El Salvador digital nomad visa was just introduced, the application process may change, but this is what we know so far. 

Step 1: Gather Documents

When completing your El Salvador digital nomad visa application, you must submit accompanying documents to prove that you meet the requirements. These documents include:

• Copy of Your Passport (all pages)
• Proof of Remote Work
• Bank Statements to Prove Income (12 months)
• Criminal Background Check
• International Health Insurance Policy

Your documents should be translated into Spanish if they are issued in another language. 

Step 2: Schedule Visa Appointment

At this time, you must schedule a visa appointment at an El Salvador consulate in your country of residence. 

Step 3: Attend Visa Appointment

At your El Salvador digital nomad visa appointment, you will submit all of your documents and visa applications and pay a government visa application fee. 

This fee can vary depending on which consulate you submit your application to, but it can be between $40 and $70 USD.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

It should take around 45 days to receive approval for your El Salvador digital nomad visa. You will be notified via email.

Step 5: Enter El Salvador

After your visa has been issued, you have 120 days to arrive in El Salvador. 

Once you have entered the country, you will have to visit an immigration office and apply for your temporary resident permit.

El Salvador for Digital Nomads

El Salvador is quickly becoming an attractive destination for digital nomads seeking a balance between affordability, adventure, and opportunity. 

The use of Bitcoin as legal tender has also positioned El Salvador at the forefront of financial innovation, attracting tech-savvy professionals and entrepreneurs who appreciate the country’s open attitude toward cryptocurrency and remote income.

Beyond its practical advantages, El Salvador offers a vibrant lifestyle. Digital nomads can spend mornings working from beachfront cafés with strong wifi and afternoons surfing world-famous waves, hiking lush volcano trails, or exploring colorful colonial towns. Its small size means you’re never far from a new adventure, yet cities like San Salvador provide all the urban conveniences — coworking spaces, modern malls, and international cuisine. 

In addition to this, the government is actively encouraging international visitors, and it’s clear why El Salvador is quickly becoming a hidden gem for digital nomads looking for somewhere fresh, exciting, and welcoming to call home.

Frequently Asked Questions