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🇫🇷France
🇳🇮NicaraguaFR-NI

France to Nicaragua visa requirements

French passport holders do NOT need a visa for Nicaragua. They can enter visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. A mandatory Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo) costing US$10 is purchased on arrival, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months. As of 30 May 2026, France (FR) ordinary passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Nicaragua for tourism and short visits of up to 90 days. France is classified in Category A (visa-exempt) under Nicaragua's revised visa framework, Disposición Administrativa No. 002-2026, which took effect on 16 February 2026. That major overhaul moved roughly 128 nationalities into a new Category C "Consulted Visa," but the European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan and Australia all explicitly retained visa-free status, so French travelers are unaffected. On arrival, all visa-exempt visitors (except citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) must purchase a Tourist Card / Tarjeta de Turismo for US$10. The 90-day stay can be extended once at a Nicaraguan migration office for an additional period for a fee. Entry conditions: passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of onward/return travel, and proof of sufficient funds. Note that Nicaragua is in Central America, not the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply to entering Nicaragua (ETIAS applies to Nicaraguans visiting France, the reverse direction).
VISA-FREETOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free entry (Category A) with US$10 Tourist Card on arrival
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry per Tourist Card (renewed/re-purchased on each entry)
from issue date
Visa fee
US$10 (Tourist Card, paid on arrival)
consular fee only
Processing time
Immediate at the port of entry
standard track
Validity
90 days from entry; extendable once for an additional ~30 days for a fee
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport meets the validity rule
Ensure your French ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date in Nicaragua and has at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
· 6 months validity· Blank page
/02
Prepare supporting travel documents
Have a confirmed onward or return ticket and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, as immigration officers may request these on arrival.
· Return/onward ticket· Proof of funds
/03
Carry US$10 in cash for the Tourist Card
Bring US$10 in cash to pay for the mandatory Tarjeta de Turismo (Tourist Card) at the immigration counter; US dollars are the standard currency for this fee.
· US$10 cash· US dollars preferred
/04
Arrive and purchase the Tourist Card
On arrival at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (Managua) or a land border, present your passport, pay the US$10 Tourist Card fee and receive your entry stamp for up to 90 days.
· On arrival· Up to 90 days
/05
Keep entry documents during your stay
Retain your stamped passport and Tourist Card receipt; you may need them when checking into hotels or at internal checkpoints.
· Keep receipt
/06
Extend if you need more than 90 days
If you wish to stay beyond 90 days, apply for an extension at a Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria office in Nicaragua before your authorized stay expires; a fee applies.
· Apply before expiry· Migration office
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
France -> Nicaragua · Visa-free entry (Category A) with US$10 Tourist Card on arrival
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredFrench ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page for stamps
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredUS$10 cash for the Tourist Card on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedConfirmed return or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedAccommodation/hotel booking details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedTravel/health insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from an at-risk country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
situational
ConditionalOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Visa policy of Nicaragua - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo)US$10Mandatory for all visa-exempt visitors; paid in cash on arrival
Tourist visaUS$0Not required for French citizens (Category A, visa-exempt)
Stay extensionApprox. US$20-50Optional; paid at a migration office to extend beyond 90 days
Total estimateUS$10US$10incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
France is in Category A (visa-exempt)
Under Disposicion Administrativa No. 002-2026 (effective 16 Feb 2026), EU member states including France retain visa-free access to Nicaragua.
High
/02
Short tourist stay within 90 days
Visits for tourism up to 90 days fall squarely within the visa-free allowance for French nationals.
High
/03
Tourist Card covers the entry permit
The US$10 Tourist Card replaces the need for a pre-arranged visa for short visits.
High
/04
Bilateral and EU-wide exemption retained
The February 2026 overhaul targeted other regions; Western/EU passports were explicitly preserved as visa-exempt.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
France to Nicaragua route verified
Confirmed France remains visa-exempt (Category A) for Nicaragua after the 16 Feb 2026 Disposicion Administrativa No. 002-2026 overhaul; up to 90 days with a US$10 Tourist Card on arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a visa to visit Nicaragua?
No. French ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt (Category A) and can enter Nicaragua for tourism for up to 90 days. They only need to buy a US$10 Tourist Card on arrival.
How long can I stay in Nicaragua without a visa?+
What is the Tourist Card and how much does it cost?+
Did Nicaragua's February 2026 visa changes affect French travelers?+
How long must my passport be valid?+
Does ETIAS or the Schengen 90/180 rule apply to Nicaragua?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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