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El Salvador · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for El Salvador?

Entry rules for El Salvador by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked .

In brief

Citizens of 88 countries and territories can visit El Salvador without a visa, most for up to 90 days. 108 can apply for an eVisa or ETA online. Everyone else, 2 nationalities, needs a visa.

Visa-free
88
On arrival
0
eVisa or ETA
108
Visa required
2

About 5.9 bn people (73% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to El Salvador: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El SalvadorReport a change

Most commonIndiaUnited StatesHong KongPakistanVietnamSaudi ArabiaAll passports

El Salvador entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Visa-free90 days, extendable by 9085United States, Brazil, Russia, MexicoDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
Visa-free, with conditions90 days, extendable by 903Guatemala, Honduras, NicaraguaDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
eVisaNot stated108India, China, Indonesia, PakistanDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
Visa required90 days, extendable by 9067India, China, Egypt, PhilippinesDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
Visa required90 days, extendable by 9041Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, BangladeshDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
With another visa or permit90 days, extendable by 9067India, China, Egypt, PhilippinesDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador
Visa requiredAs granted2South Sudan, MacaoDirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvador

Visa-free for 90 days, extendable by 90: the US, Brazil, Russia and 82 more

85 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days, extendable by 90.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked CATEGORIA “A” = EXENTO DE VISAIn English: Category A = visa exempt

Visa-free for 90 days, extendable by 90 with conditions: Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

3 nationalities

National ID card is enough (CA-4).

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked Para el ingreso de ciudadanos de Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua pueden presentar su Documento de Identidad o pasaporte vigente y en buenas condiciones.In English: Citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua may enter with their identity document or a valid passport in good condition.

eVisa: India, China, Indonesia and 105 more

108 nationalities

Online Permiso Especial de Ingreso (PEI) instead of a consular visa; US$100; approved by the DGME director.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked Es un trámite migratorio dirigido a toda persona extranjera que desee viajar a El Salvador, que según su nacionalidad requiera de una visa consultada o visa consular para ingresar a territorio nacional y que no la poseaIn English: A migration procedure for any foreigner who wishes to travel to El Salvador and, by nationality, needs a consulted or consular visa to enter but does not have it

Visa required: India, China, Egypt and 64 more

67 nationalities

Consular visa (Category B).

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked CATEGORIA “B” =CONSULAR O SIN CONSULTAIn English: Category B = consular visa, no prior consultation

Visa required: Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and 38 more

41 nationalities

Visa only after prior authorisation by the DGME director (visa consultada, Category C).

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked CATEGORIA “C” =CONSULTADAIn English: Category C = consulted visa (prior authorisation)

With another visa or a residence permit, 90 days: India, China, Egypt and 64 more

67 nationalities

No visa with a US, Canadian or Schengen visa, or with temporary or permanent residence in a Category A (visa-exempt) country; the entry card fee is paid on arrival.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador (Reglamento de la Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería, art. 34), checked A las personas clasificadas en categoría “B”, con visa de Estados Unidos de América, Canadá o Schengen, se le dará el trato de categoría A.In English: Persons classified in Category B who hold a visa of the United States, Canada or Schengen will be treated as Category A (visa exempt).

Visa required: South Sudan and Macao

2 nationalities

Apply before you travel at an embassy or consulate of El Salvador, or the visa centre it names.

Nationalities not listed above: this follows from Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador's own lists, which name the exempt nationalities.

Source: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked Descargue aquí el listado de países que requieren visa para ingresar a El Salvador.In English: Download here the list of countries that require a visa to enter El Salvador.

Where to apply

Apply for the eVisa only on the official site, elsalvadorpei.migracion.gob.sv. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form. A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of El Salvador, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit El Salvador?

It depends on your passport: 88 nationalities are visa-free, 108 can use an eVisa or ETA and 2 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for El Salvador?

Yes, but online: Indian citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel; online Permiso Especial de Ingreso (PEI) instead of a consular visa; US$100; approved by the DGME director (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked 31 Oct 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for El Salvador?

No, not for a short stay. US citizens can visit El Salvador visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable by 90 (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador, checked 31 Oct 2026).

Can I apply for an El Salvador visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 108 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at elsalvadorpei.migracion.gob.sv.

Sources and changes

  1. Entry requirements FAQ (DGME)migracion.gob.sv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  2. Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvadordrive.google.com · checked 31 Oct 2026
  3. Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador (Reglamento de la Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería, art. 34)drive.google.com · checked 31 Oct 2026
  4. Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvadormigracion.gob.sv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  5. Countries that need a visa for El Salvador (DGME)migracion.gob.sv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  6. Permiso Especial de Ingreso, online (DGME)elsalvadorpei.migracion.gob.sv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  1. All groups checked against Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), El Salvador. No change since.

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