For digital nomads looking to move to Central America, the El Salvador digital nomad visa might be something that will interest you. El Salvador is one of those countries increasingly becoming a popular destination for digital nomads for many reasons. Aside from the affordable cost of living, nomads love El Salvador for its gorgeous beaches, friendly locals, and vibrant culture. Some of the most popular cities for digital nomads in El Salvador are Santa Ana, San Salvador, and La Libertad.
If you have been to El Salvador but want to stay longer to explore the country further, consider applying for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa. The visa allows you to stay in the country for up to two years. After two years, you can renew it for two more years, allowing you to stay in the country for four years!
One of the essential requirements for obtaining the El Salvador digital nomad visa is the ability to work remotely. You are required to provide proof of this. Of course, there are many other requirements you need to fulfill before they give you this visa. Read on to find out more about the El Salvador digital nomad visa.
About the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
As the name suggests, the El Salvador digital nomad visa is a visa for digital nomads. Digital nomads can refer to anyone living a nomadic lifestyle and relying on technology to work remotely.
While El Salvador offers visa-free entry to nationalities of many countries, the stay is usually limited to only a few months. Such an option may not work for digital nomads who need to stay longer in a country to be able to focus on work while exploring El Salvador during their free time.
Thus, to attract more digital nomads to visit the country, the government of El Salvador introduced the digital nomad visa. Those eligible can stay in the country legally for up to two years. If the two years are over, and they decide to stay longer, they can renew the visa for two more years.
Applying for the El Salvador digital nomad visa will cost you $2,825. That includes taxes, government fees, lawyer fees, translations, and all paperwork. If you want to renew, you will pay $450.
Of course, as with any visa, there are requirements to meet to be eligible for the El Salvador digital nomad visa. Aside from being able to show proof of remote work, you need to submit additional documents.
Digital nomads who plan to bring their family into the country, such as spouses and kids, can include them in their application. However, there are additional documents to submit.
More info can be found here: https://elsalvadorcip.com/services/digital-nomad-visa/
Eligibility for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
As already mentioned, to be eligible for the El Salvador digital nomad visa, you must be someone working remotely. Also, you must earn a monthly income of at least $1,460. In addition, the company you work for should be outside El Salvador.
Students, freelancers, and entrepreneurs conducting business outside the country can also apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa.
Requirements for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
If you believe you are eligible for the El Salvador digital nomad visa and want to apply, the first step is to prepare the requirements. Refer to this list:
- Valid passport – you must also submit a scanned copy of all passport pages.
- Proof of income – you need to submit proof of income from a job abroad, earning at least $1,460 monthly.
- Proof of contract and payment – you need to submit a notarized copy of your employment contract. It should be notarized by a Salvadoran lawyer at an embassy or consulate or with any lawyer in El Salvador if you're already in the country.
- Police record – you must submit a police record, which you will obtain from where you lived in the past three months. It must be apostilled.
- Power of attorney – those applying through an agency must submit a power of attorney, giving them the authority to apply for the visa on your behalf. It should be through a Salvadoran lawyer at an embassy or consulate or with any lawyer in El Salvador if you're already in the country.
Applying for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
Once you have all the requirements, it's time to send in your application. Here are the steps:
- Book an appointment with the El Salvador embassy or consulate – the first step is to book an appointment with the nearest El Salvador embassy or consulate.
- Fill out the El Salvador digital nomad visa application form – you can download the form online, print, and fill it out completely.
- Gather the documents – prepare the documents stated above and submit them to the El Salvador embassy or consulate. You can also apply online through an agency. But you must include a power of attorney if done online.
- Wait for an answer – the turnaround time for visa processing is 45 days. You will receive an email regarding the status of your visa. Once approved, you can fly to the country and live as a digital nomad in El Salvador.
Living as a Digital Nomad in El Salvador
There are many benefits to living as a digital nomad in El Salvador. The biggest advantage is the cost of living. On average, the cost of living in El Salvador is 42% cheaper than in the United States. Therefore, your money can go a long way while living in El Salvador.
Of course, the cost of living in El Salvador will depend on where you base yourself. Most digital nomads live in San Salvador, the country's capital city. Here, digital nomads can spend around $1,981 per month. A one-bedroom studio in the city center costs an average of $400 per month, cheaper than in many other major cities worldwide.
Aside from the affordable cost of living, another advantage of living as a digital nomad in El Salvador is the weather. You can enjoy warm weather all year round and find yourself at the beach during your work break.
If you love surfing, you'll love El Salvador even more. The country's year-round waves have made it to become one of the world's top destinations for surfing. Some of the best beaches for surfing include Playa El Tunco, Punta Roca, and Las Flores.
Aside from surfing, you'll find many other things to enjoy in El Salvador when you're not working. The country is rich in history and is home to many UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins, which you can discover while living there as a digital nomad.
If you love nature and are into hiking, you'll find many hiking trails to conquer during the weekend. Some of these trails take you to a volcano, such as the Santa Ana volcano, a popular spot for mountain climbing. The hike to the top is relatively easy and offers stunning views of a tranquil lake.
When living in San Salvador, you will find plenty to explore during your work break. You can visit many museums, botanical gardens, and bustling markets. In addition, the cafe culture in San Salvador is thriving, so you can bring your laptop and work in cafes between exploring. There are also a few co-working spaces with excellent internet and workspaces.
Other Visa Options to Enter El Salvador as a Digital Nomad
If you are not eligible for the El Salvador digital nomad visa for some reason, or if you do not plan to stay in the country for two years, you can explore other visa options to enter El Salvador as a digital nomad.
As per the visa policy of El Salvador, citizens of over eighty countries are allowed to enter the country without a visa and stay for a short period, usually a maximum of 90 days or three months. These include those from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and many European countries.
It's worth noting that the three-month stay is only applicable for tourism purposes. It's not technically ideal for digital nomads. If you are a digital nomad who plans to live longer in the country, you better apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa.
FAQs on the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
How Much Will It Cost to Apply for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa?
The cost to apply for the El Salvador digital nomad visa will vary depending on where you will send your application. If you will apply through an agency online, the approximate cost is $2,825. That includes taxes, government fees, lawyer fees, translations, and all paperwork needed.
How Long Can I Stay in El Salvador while Holding the Digital Nomad Visa?
The El Salvador digital nomad visa will allow you to stay in El Salvador for up to two years. If you want to extend your stay, you can pay a renewal fee of $450. It will let you stay in the country for two more years.
How Long is the Processing Time for the El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa?
The turnaround time for the processing of the El Salvador digital nomad visa is 45 days. You will receive an email regarding the status of your visa.
More Central American Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
El Salvador is not the only Central American Country with a digital nomad visa. The others are: Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize. You can check out our full list of digital nomad visas here:
