Freedom Visa

The Freedom Visa (also known as the Freedom Passport or Adopting El Salvador programme) is El Salvador's citizenship-by-investment programme that grants Salvadoran citizenship and a passport to foreign nationals who make a substantial financial contribution to government development funds. Established by Decreto Legislativo No. 918 of December 2023, which reformed Article 156 of the Ley Especial de Migracion y Extranjeria, the programme is administered by the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME) through an official online portal. It is the world's first citizenship-by-investment programme that accepts exclusively cryptocurrency as payment. The Salvadoran passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 136 countries and territories, including the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.

• Foreign national of any nationality
• Non-refundable contribution of USD 1,000,000 payable exclusively in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT)
• Non-refundable USD 999 registration deposit in BTC or USDT (credited toward the total contribution upon acceptance)
• Must pass comprehensive KYC (Know Your Customer) and due diligence screening
• Documentation demonstrating the legal origin and source of funds
• No educational or professional qualifications required
• No physical presence in El Salvador required at any stage

• Valid passport
• Government-issued photo identification (driver's licence or national ID)
• Certified birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Police clearance certificate from country of origin and any country of residence
• Curriculum vitae or personal profile
• Proof of residential address
• Proof of financial self-sufficiency (bank statements, asset documentation)
• Documentation of the legal origin and source of funds
• All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish

Citizenship is granted permanently and does not require renewal. El Salvador recognises dual citizenship, so applicants are not required to renounce their existing nationality unless their home country's laws demand it.

Spouses and dependent children under 18 (or under 25 if enrolled full-time in education) can be included in the primary applicant's application and receive Salvadoran citizenship simultaneously. Each additional family member requires a processing fee of USD 999 in cryptocurrency. Dependants must provide the same documentation as the main applicant, including valid passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearance certificates.

El Salvador operates a territorial tax system. Under Decreto Legislativo No. 969 (March 2024), all foreign-sourced income is fully exempt from Salvadoran income tax. The USD 1,000,000 contribution is not tax-deductible. Citizens residing in El Salvador are subject to 13% VAT (IVA) on local consumption. Capital gains on cryptocurrency are tax-exempt.

The entire process can be completed remotely through the official portal at adoptingelsalvador.gob.sv:

1. Gather and prepare all required documents, including apostilled and translated certificates
2. Complete initial registration and submit a non-refundable USD 999 deposit in Bitcoin or USDT through the official portal
3. Undergo KYC verification and comprehensive due diligence screening
4. Receive conditional approval (typically 4-6 weeks)
5. Make the full USD 1,000,000 investment contribution in BTC or USDT (the initial deposit is credited toward this amount)
6. Submit the final application package with all supporting documentation
7. Receive final approval from the DGME
8. Obtain citizenship documents and Salvadoran passport

The complete process takes approximately 2-4 months. The programme is limited to a maximum of 1,000 applicants per year.