Residency and immigration

Guides to Moving to El Salvador

What the law says and what the immigration office asks for, with the article behind every fact. Written from the real questions we receive.

Complete guide

El Salvador Residency: How It Works, What It Takes, What It Costs

The starting point: temporary and permanent residency, the most requested categories, common requirements, official fees, timelines and where to file.

Read the guide → Foreign income

Rentista or Self-Employed? Residency When Your Income Comes From Abroad

For people who live on investments or work for clients abroad: rentista minimums in dollars, what self-employed residency requires and when each one fits.

Read the guide → Families

Moving to El Salvador With Your Family: Which Residency Each Person Needs

Main applicant, spouse and children: which residency each needs, school, travel permits for minors and when you become tax-resident.

Read the guide → Before you travel

Documents for El Salvador Residency: What to Apostille Before You Travel

What to apostille before leaving, how translation works, the one-year limit on documents and how to get criminal records in the US, Colombia and Spain.

Read the guide → Entry and stay

From Tourist to Resident: Applying for Residency While Already in El Salvador

If you arrive as a tourist: the 90 days, the CA-4 region, the US$25 extension, changing status from inside and provisional residency while it is processed.

Read the guide → The long term

Permanent Residency and Citizenship: How Long It Takes by Origin

From temporary to permanent and from permanent to Salvadoran: timelines by origin, form F-32, renewals, permitted absences and the 2026 amendment.

Read the guide → What's new

Immigration Changes 2025-2026: What Actually Changed

The 2026 amendment (90 days a year, loss of citizenship, children), the repealed tourist card, direct permanent residency and the diaspora law.

Read the guide →

Legal Desk

From the Legal Desk, for your residency

The services these guides point to, with a licensed lawyer or notary from our network. Each one has its scope, timeline and price published, VAT included.