Last checked 13 Nov 2026Written for US citizensSome rules are still being checked
In brief
Retirees and people on foreign income now get temporary residence only, with no amount set in law. Investor residence may be permanent, but its minimum isn't known.
Residency income fromNo amount set in law since 2024
Visa-free (US)Up to 90 days, extendable to 180
Citizenship7 years after a permanent residence card
Tax on foreign incomeNo: US pensions, Social Security and interest aren't taxed
Temporary residence for retirees
(residencia temporal, jubilados)
Who it's for: Retirees with a pension from abroad, certified by the paying country. Temporary only since the 2024 reform.
Money needed
Not settled: no current minimum in law Not established yet
How long it lasts
3 months to 1 year, renewable
Leads to
No route to permanent residence found Not established yet
Apply from
Inside Nicaragua, at the immigration office Not yet verified
Processing time
30 business days in the 2012 rules; current practice Not yet verified
What you need
Passport: valid at least 6 months
Pension proof: a certificate of its origin and amount
Police record: from the US, certified by a Nicaraguan consulate Not yet verified
Health certificate: from your country of residence
Deposit: the value of a return ticket home, after approval
Residence card: collect it within 60 days of approval
Fees:Not established yet
Good to know
No work right: employers must ask for a card that allows work.
Citizenship clock: temporary years don't count toward the 7 years.
Old benefits ended: the 2024 repeal removed the retiree tax and import breaks.
Checked against the lawCategory and length, read in the 2024 reform.
Not yet verifiedRead in reproduced copies; the immigration office's sheet isn't confirmed.
Still being checkedMinimum amount, fees, documents and absence limits.
Sources (11)
Legal basis and exact figures
Still being checked: minimum pension after the Ley 694 repeal (DGME sheet unreadable); art 122 fees; apostille vs consular authentication; whether any route leads to permanent residence; current absence ground (2024 consolidated art 38(9): over 6 months).
Historical only: Ley 694 (2009) required US$600 a month; leads say US$1,000 from 28/02/2019 (not verified). Ley 694 repealed by Ley 1210 art 38(4), Gaceta 141, 02/08/2024; Ley 1228 derogated Ley 761 arts 30 and 31.
Law: Ley 761 as reformed by Ley 1228 arts 24, 25(11), 25(13), 29, 32, 38, 128, 151(1); Reglamento Decreto 031-2012 arts 55, 60, 63 (63.5 criminal record authenticated by the Nicaraguan consulate and MINREX), 80 (still refers to INTUR).
(residente inversionista / inmigrante con capital)
Who it's for: People investing in a lawful Nicaraguan business or state securities, registered with the trade ministry.
Money needed
Set by the trade ministry; no figure found Not established yet
How long it lasts
3 months to 5 years, renewable Not yet verified
Leads to
May be permanent from the start Not yet verified
Apply from
The trade ministry first, then the immigration office
Processing time
30 business days for the residence decision; the ministry's time Not yet verified
What you need
Investment: make it and register it with the trade ministry, then get its certificate
Passport: valid at least 6 months
Police record: from the US, certified by a Nicaraguan consulate Not yet verified
Health certificate: from your country of residence
Deposit: the value of a return ticket home, after approval
Fees:Not established yet
Good to know
Family: a spouse, children and parents can be permanent residents too.
Faster citizenship: 1 year of permanent residence for founding an industry, at the state's discretion.
No citizenship by investment: grants are discretionary.
Checked against the lawWho qualifies, read in the 2024 reform.
Not established yetThe minimum investment and the fees.
Still being checkedWhether you get permanent or temporary status.
Sources (8)
Legal basis and exact figures
Still being checked: MIFIC minimum (leads cite about US$30,000 under Ley 344, not verified); permanent ('inmigrante con capital', art 29(2)) vs temporary status; DGME and MIFIC checklists.
Law: Ley 761 as reformed by Ley 1228 arts 29(2)-(3), 32, 53(1), 53(5), 128; Reglamento arts 55, 58 (permanent residence 5 years), 63. 2024 consolidated art 38(7): permanent residence revocable after more than a year abroad.
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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