El Salvador

Temporary Residency for Rentistas

El Salvador's Temporary Residency for Rentistas (Residencia Temporal para Rentistas) is the immigration category used by digital nomads, remote workers, and other foreign nationals who receive stable income from abroad and wish to reside in the country. Established under the Ley Especial de Migracion y Extranjeria (Decreto Legislativo No. 286 of 2019), the program is administered by the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME). It targets anyone who earns their income entirely from outside El Salvador, including remote employees, freelancers, business owners with foreign clients, and those living on investment returns, rental income, or dividends. Following the March 2024 reform of the Income Tax Law, all foreign-sourced income is fully exempt from Salvadoran income tax, making this residency particularly attractive to location-independent professionals.

• Foreign national receiving permanent and stable monthly income from sources outside El Salvador
• Minimum monthly income of USD 1,460 (four times the monthly minimum wage for the Commerce and Services sector)
• USD 2,190/month for families of three or more members (six times the minimum wage)
• Valid international health insurance for the duration of the stay (minimum USD 50,000 coverage recommended)
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required
• Must not engage in paid employment in El Salvador (narrow exceptions for work with the State or official institutions)

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Passport-sized photographs
• Certified criminal background check from country of origin and any country of residence in the past 2 years (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
• Proof of foreign-sourced income covering at least 12 months (bank statements, employment contracts, invoices, or payslips)
• International health insurance policy
• Notarised declaration of income source and commitment not to work locally
• All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator
• Proof of housing in El Salvador may be requested

The residency is issued for 1 year initially. It can be renewed for equal 1-year or 2-year periods, up to a maximum of 5 years of total temporary residency. Renewal must be requested within 30 calendar days before the current permit expires and requires updated proof of income and valid health insurance.

Applications can be submitted in person at the DGME office in San Salvador or at El Salvador embassies and consulates abroad. For in-country applications, the process must be initiated within 120 days of entry into El Salvador. The steps are:

1. Gather all required documents, including apostilled and Spanish-translated criminal background checks, income proof, and health insurance
2. Submit documents and the applicable fee to the DGME (in-country) or consulate (abroad)
3. The DGME evaluates the application, verifies documents, and may schedule an interview
4. Upon approval, receive a temporary residency card valid for the approved period

Processing takes approximately 45 business days from submission of a complete application. Application fees are USD 140 for non-Central American applicants (initial 1-year residency) and USD 70 for Central American applicants.

Spouses and dependent children may accompany the primary applicant under the Temporary Residency to Accompany category (Residencia Temporal para Acompañar, Form F9). Each dependant must submit their own criminal background check, health insurance documentation, and certified birth or marriage certificates. The income threshold increases for applicants with dependants -- families of three or more require a minimum monthly income of USD 2,190. Dependants' residency cards expire on the same date as the primary applicant's permit.

El Salvador operates a territorial tax system. Since the March 2024 reform (Decreto Legislativo No. 969), all foreign-sourced income is fully exempt from Salvadoran income tax. This means remote workers earning entirely from abroad pay no income tax in El Salvador. Local consumption is subject to 13% VAT (IVA). Capital gains on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are also tax-exempt.

After completing the maximum temporary residency period, holders may apply for permanent residency. The timeline depends on nationality: Central Americans may apply directly, Hispanic Americans and Spanish nationals after 1 year of temporary residency, and other nationalities after 3 years of temporary residency.

Rentista residents must not be absent from El Salvador for six consecutive months or for a cumulative total of six months within a single calendar year. Failure to meet this minimum presence requirement may result in loss of resident status. The permit allows multiple entries and exits throughout its validity, provided absence limits are respected.

Links

• https://www.migracion.gob.sv/servicios/residencias-temporales/
• https://www.migracion.gob.sv/noticias/como-puedo-convertirme-en-residente-temporal-en-el-salvador/
• https://investinelsalvador.gob.sv/residency-requirements/

Other Digital Nomad Visas in North America