El Salvador

When traveling to El Salvador, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you must obtain work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to El Salvador, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Tour a company facility
• » Attend trade shows or seminar conventions

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for El Salvador?

Nationals of Canada, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in El Salvador. Additionally, holders of a valid Canadian, Schengen, or U.S. visa may enter El Salvador on visa-waivered status for business purposes.

If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain either a Consular Tourist Visa Class “B” or a Consulted Tourist Visa “Class C” (for restricted nationals) from a Salvadoran Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

El Salvador is a signatory of the Central America 4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement along with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In many cases, foreign nationals who enter any one of the CA-4 countries with a visa waiver or entry visa for a short stay are free to travel to any of the other CA-4 countries without obtaining additional documentation. Please consult with your immigration counsel before traveling to determine your eligibility.

What types of activities require work authorization?

Business visitors are generally permitted to engage in professional activities on a short-term basis without obtaining work authorization; however, they must not be remunerated in El Salvador. Permissible professional activities may include the following:

• » Technical repairs
• » Systems installation
• » Auditing
• » Consulting

 
Business visitors should consult with their immigration counsel for an individual assessment prior to travel to determine whether their intended activities are permissible without work authorization.

If I am traveling to El Salvador for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in El Salvador. The most common types of work authorization for El Salvador are:

• » Temporary Residence with Work Permit (work and residence authorization for local hires)
• » Temporary Residence - No Remunerated Activities (work and residence authorization for assignees who will remain on foreign payroll)

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no nationalities exempt from work authorization requirements in El Salvador.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.