Investor Permanent Residence

Nicaragua's Investor Permanent Residence (Residencia Permanente de Inversionista) is a permanent residency pathway for foreign nationals who invest capital in any lawful economic activity in the country. The program is established under Ley No. 761, Ley General de Migración y Extranjería (2011), with implementing regulations in Decreto No. 31-2012. It is administered by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) under the Ministerio de Gobernación. The investor category is one of three permanent residence subcategories alongside the pensionado and rentista pathways.

• Minimum investment of US$30,000 in real estate, a business, or government-designated agricultural or forestry projects
• Investments exceeding US$60,000 require certification by an authorized public accountant
• Certificate of Investment Registration (RUIE) from MIFIC's General Directorate of Foreign Investments (DGIE)
• Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity
• Birth certificate (apostilled or authenticated)
• Criminal record certificate covering the last 3 years (apostilled, valid for 90 days)
• Health certificate from a licensed physician
• Business plan, company registration, municipal business license, and tax registration (RUC)
• Notarized letter from a Nicaraguan guarantor (fiador)
• All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish

1. Completed migration application form (US$3)
2. Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
3. Birth certificate (apostilled or authenticated)
4. Criminal record certificate — last 3 years, apostilled
5. Health certificate from licensed physician
6. Two passport-sized photographs
7. RUIE certificate (Certificado Único de Registro de Inversión Extranjera) issued by MIFIC/DGIE
8. Certified copy of company constitution or merchant registration
9. Business plan
10. Documentary proof of investment (purchase deeds, lease agreements, equipment invoices, service contracts)
11. Municipal business license
12. Tax registration (RUC)
13. Notarized guarantor letter from a Nicaraguan citizen or permanent resident
14. Two airline quotations for guarantee deposit (return airfare)

The process has two phases. First, the applicant registers as a foreign investor with MIFIC by submitting an investment registration form, business plan, personal identification, corporate documentation, and proof of the minimum US$30,000 investment. MIFIC conducts a business inspection and, if everything aligns, issues the RUIE certificate. This phase takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks. Second, once the RUIE certificate is obtained, the applicant submits the full residency application at the DGME office in Managua. Total processing takes approximately 6 to 8 months. The application fee is US$250 for permanent residence plus US$3 for the application form.

RUIE registration under Ley 1240: Under Ley No. 1240 (in force 24 May 2025) and its implementing regulation Decreto A.N. No. 8902 (published La Gaceta No. 99, 4 June 2025), all foreign investments must register with MIFIC's DGIE to receive the Certificado Único de Registro de Inversión Extranjera (RUIE). The RUIE is required before accessing economic incentives or conducting any subsequent procedures with state institutions, including residency applications. The Reglamento establishes a minimum contribution of USD $50,000 for MIFIC/DGIE registration under Ley 1240; however, the US$30,000 residency minimum under Decreto 31-2012 remains unchanged, and applicants with investments between US$30,000 and US$50,000 may still qualify for investor residence if they obtain the requisite MIFIC endorsement. Existing foreign investments were required to register for the RUIE by 23 September 2025. RUIE-registered investors must submit quarterly reports on investment plan compliance and notify MIFIC within 30 business days of any material changes.

The permanent residence permit is valid for 5 years and is renewable. The cédula de residencia (residency ID card) must be renewed every 6 months in person at the DGME, effectively requiring the holder to be in Nicaragua at least twice per year. Failure to renew within the 6-month period may result in loss of residence status. There is no strict physical presence requirement to maintain the 5-year permit itself.

Spouse, minor children, and parents can be included in the investor's application. Each dependant requires police clearance (except minors), birth certificate, health certificate, passport copies, and an additional US$250 fee. Dependants receive the same 5-year permanent residence status as the primary applicant.

Nicaragua operates a territorial (source-based) tax system. Only Nicaraguan-source income is subject to tax regardless of residency status, and foreign-source income is not taxed. Tax residency is established by spending 180 or more days in Nicaragua in a calendar year. Resident progressive tax rates range from 0% to 30% on Nicaraguan-source income. Tax residents must file annual returns with the Dirección General de Ingresos (DGI), even if all income is foreign-sourced.

Investors holding permanent residence may apply for Nicaraguan nationality after two consecutive years of permanent residence, provided they have been physically present at least 180 days per year. Standard naturalization requires four years of legal residence.

Important — dual citizenship abolished: Nicaragua's 2025 constitutional amendments eliminated dual citizenship recognition, ratified in January 2026 and effective 2026. Foreigners who later acquire Nicaraguan citizenship must renounce their original nationality. Exceptions apply only to Central American nationals by birth residing in Nicaragua.