El Salvador
Passports
Passport valid for
at least six months after day of departure required by all.Visas
Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days:
(a) nationals of countries mentioned in the table above;
(b) nationals of all British, French and Dutch overseas territories, and nationals of Hong Kong (when the passport is marked 'Nationality: British Citizen' only);
(c) nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tomé e Príncipe, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Vatican City;
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 12 hours by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.Note
Nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, China (PR), Colombia, Congo, Congo (Rep), Cuba, East Timor, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea (Dem Rep), Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Peru, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen need authorization from the immigration authorities in El Salvador and their visa processing time can therefore take up to three weeks. Applicants should apply in plenty of time.Types of visa and cost
Tourist and Business: US$30 (single entry); US$45 (multiple-entry, valid six months); US$60 (multiple-entry, valid 12 months).Validity
Tourist and Business: single entry, valid up to 30 days; multiple-entry, valid either six or 12 months. Visas can be renewed at the Immigration Office in El Salvador.Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.Application requirements
(a) Completed application form. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Valid passport. (d) For tourist visas, a photocopy of the return ticket is necessary or, if the tickets have not yet been purchased, an original letter from the travel agency stating that the tickets are being purchased, or a travel itinerary. (e) Fee, payable in cash (US$ only) or by cheque (in US dollars, made payable to 'Direccion General de Tesoreria'). Visa fees are non-refundable. Business: (a)-(e) and, if from a country listed above as requiring authorization from El Salvador, (f) Letter of invitation from the company being visited in El Salvador and a letter from the company the applicant is representing, both translated into Spanish.Working days required
Tourist and business visas are normally issued within 24 hours. If authorization from the Immigration Department in El Salvador is needed, processing time is approximately 21 days.Temporary residence
Apply to Ministry of Interior in San Salvador.
Test required for residency permits and those travelling on multi-entry visa
US$27.15 (including a US$2.65 Immigration Tax), payable in US Dollars or Colones. Children under two years are exempt, but do need to pay the Immigration Tax.
Embassy of El Salvador in the UK
Mayfair House, 39 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7JZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7436 8282.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Embassy of El Salvador in the USA
2308 California St, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 265 9671/2 (ext 248/244 - tourism section).
Website: www.elsalvador.orgTravel Advice
The Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano erupted on 2 October 2005. It continues to emit gases and the local inhabitants have not yet returned to the area. Local authorities have warned that the possibility of another eruption is fairly high. Visitors should follow media reports and keep in touch with the local authorities if intending to visit the area.
El Salvador can be affected by Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. The Hurricane season lasts from May to October.
There are very high crime rates in El Salvador. Travelers should take great care if traveling alone or at night.
The threat from terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
