Last checked 13 Nov 2026Written for US citizensSome rules are still being checked
In brief
Retirees need about $1,226 a month of pension, and people on foreign income about $1,635; both bar paid work. A third route is for shareholders of a local company.
Residency income fromAbout $1,226 a month of pension
Visa-free (US)Up to 90 days, extendable by 90
CitizenshipAfter 5 years of residence
Tax on foreign incomeNo: foreign income untaxed since 2024
Temporary residence for retirees
(residente temporal pensionado)
Who it's for: Retirees with a steady monthly pension from abroad who won't work for pay in El Salvador.
Money needed
A pension of about $1,226 a month (3 minimum wages)
How long it lasts
1 year, multiple entry, renewable
Leads to
Permanent residence after 1 year
Apply from
Inside El Salvador, usually after entering as a visitor
Processing time
Up to 45 business days once your file is complete; real waits Not yet verified
What you need
Passport: copies of every used page, with the original
Police record: from the US, apostilled and translated; a local one too after 3 months here
Pension proof: an original certificate from the payer showing the amount
Sworn statement: before a Salvadoran notary, on your income and that you won't work for pay
Papers from abroad: apostille plus a full Spanish translation
Fees: $140 for 1 year; renewal $125; permanent residence later $345
Family: marriage and birth certificates, passports and a partner's police record
Good to know
No paid work: except for the state or teaching; breaking this can cost $409–1,635 and your status.
Spend 90 days a year here: and don't leave for more than 6 months in a row.
Tax and import breaks: income from abroad is tax-free, plus duty-free household goods (up to $20,000) and a car every 5 years (up to $25,000).
Checked against the lawRules read in the migration law and the immigration office's form.
Still being checkedThe minimum-wage base, the 2020 forms and their fees, and the detailed regulation.
Sources (8)
Legal basis and exact figures
Still being checked: no 2026 minimum-wage decree found (press says none); the Reglamento of the Ley Especial (translation exemptions, extra requirements) not located; DGME forms dated 2020.
Money: pension of at least 3 x the monthly commerce-and-services minimum wage (art 144): USD 1,226.40 at USD 408.80 (DE 11/2025, from 01-06-2025). No higher amount for a pensioner's family.
Law: Ley Especial (DL 286/2019, consolidated to DL 531/2026) arts 81, 109(6), 110, 113, 119 (90 days a year, DL 531/2026, from about 31-03-2026), 144, 146-150 (absence over 6 months, art 148), 152(10), 162, 225(14), 232, 254-259, 325; DGME Instructivo F-07 (45 business days); statutory periods arts 254, 257 differ.
Fees: USD 140 up to 1 year, 260 up to 2 years; extension USD 125; definitive USD 345, renewed for 1-4 years at USD 65-205; lost card USD 25. Switching category within 4 years claws back the exemptions (art 147). Definitive residence (F-33) needs a Salvadoran bank certificate of monthly foreign funds and a DGII resolution.
Who it's for: People living on steady monthly income from abroad. You swear you won't do paid work here.
Money needed
About $1,635 a month ($2,453 with two or more people coming with you)
How long it lasts
1 year, multiple entry, renewable
Leads to
Permanent residence after 1 year
Apply from
Inside El Salvador, usually after entering as a visitor
Processing time
Up to 45 business days once your file is complete; real waits Not yet verified
What you need
Passport: copies of every used page, with the original
Police record: from the US, apostilled and translated; a local one too after 3 months here
Income proof: an original certificate from the payer showing the amount
Sworn statement: before a Salvadoran notary, on your income and that you won't work for pay
Papers from abroad: apostille plus a full Spanish translation
Fees: $140 for 1 year; renewal $125; permanent residence later $345
Family: marriage and birth certificates, passports and a partner's police record
Good to know
Remote workers: whether US pay for work done here counts isn't settled Needs review
Spend 90 days a year here: and don't leave for more than 6 months in a row.
Tax and import breaks: income from abroad is tax-free, plus duty-free household goods (up to $20,000) and a car every 5 years (up to $25,000).
Checked against the lawRules read in the migration law and the immigration office's form.
Needs reviewRemote work: the law and the sworn statement bar paid work in the country.
Sources (9)
Legal basis and exact figures
Still being checked: whether a salary from abroad for work done while living in El Salvador is 'renta' (art 109(5), 145); minimum-wage base and DGME form currency as for pensionado; Reglamento not read.
Money: at least 4 x the monthly minimum wage (USD 1,635.20), or 6 x (USD 2,452.80) with two or more companions (art 145; DE 11/2025).
Law: Ley Especial arts 109(5), 110, 113, 119, 145-150, 152(10), 162, 225(14), 254-259, 325; DGME Instructivo F-08 (sworn statement 'que no realizará ninguna actividad remunerada en el país'); fees USD 140, extension 125, definitive 345.
(residente temporal accionista no centroamericano)
Who it's for: People who set up a Salvadoran company and pay in at least $10,000 of its shares. The closest fit for freelancers.
Money needed
$10,000 paid in shares of a Salvadoran company
How long it lasts
Up to 2 years, multiple entry, renewable
Leads to
Permanent residence after 3 years
Apply from
Inside El Salvador, usually after entering as a visitor
Processing time
Up to 45 business days once your file is complete; real waits Not yet verified
What you need
Company: form it and pay in at least $10,000 of shares
Company deed: a registered copy showing your shares, or the share certificate
Passport: copies of every used page, with the original
Police record: from the US, apostilled and translated; a local one too after 3 months here
Fees: $140 (1 year) or $260 (2 years); renewal $125 or $240; permanent $345
Good to know
Work rights: whether you can work for the company or foreign clients is Not established yet
Spend 90 days a year here.
Family: they apply on a separate accompanying-family form Not yet verified
Checked against the lawCapital, length and permanent-residence rules, read in the migration law.
Not established yetWork rights, and tax on fees from foreign clients.
Sources (5)
Legal basis and exact figures
Still being checked: F-11 asks for residence 'con autorización para desempeñarme como accionista'; whether a separate work permit is needed (art 225(2)) not confirmed; company tax (art 16 vs art 3(4) LISR) and dividend tax not analysed; family form F9 not read.
Law: Ley Especial arts 109(13), 110, 113, 119, 152(4), 162, 254-259, 325; DGME Instructivo F-11, F-32. Company registration at the Registro de Comercio (CNR) not checked; notary and registry costs not quantified.
Status chips:Checked against the law means we read the official legal text. Not yet verified and Not established yet mean it isn't confirmed at the official source yet. Still being checked marks open questions; each route's Sources list names them.
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