Do China passport holders need a visa to visit SV?

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit El Salvador. China is in El Salvador's Categoría B (visa consular), so you must apply for a visitor/tourist visa at a Salvadoran consulate or embassy before you travel. There is no visa-free entry, no visa on arrival, and no genuine government eVisa channel for Chinese ordinary passports. As of May 2026, China is classified under El Salvador's Categoría B ("visa consular"), meaning Chinese ordinary passport holders must obtain a visitor visa from a Salvadoran diplomatic mission before arrival. El Salvador broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognized the People's Republic of China in 2018, but no mutual visa-waiver agreement exists for ordinary passports - only diplomatic and official passport holders enjoy reciprocal short-stay exemptions. El Salvador's visa policy splits nationalities into three groups: Categoría A (visa-exempt, e.g., US/EU, up to 90-180 days), Categoría B (consular visa, e.g., China, India, Bolivia, Cuba), and Categoría C (visa consultada, requires prior DGME authorization, e.g., Afghanistan, Pakistan). Some third-party agencies advertise an "El Salvador eVisa" for Chinese citizens; this is an unofficial facilitation product and the authoritative route is a consular visa. Once admitted, foreign visitors purchase a USD 12 tourist card on arrival and may stay up to 90 days within the CA-4 area (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua). Apply at least 3-4 weeks before travel; fees are non-refundable even if refused. Always confirm the current category list with the El Salvador immigration authority (DGME) or the Salvadoran consulate, as classifications can change.