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🇭🇰Hong Kong (SAR China)
🇳🇮NicaraguaHK-NI

Hong Kong (SAR China) to Nicaragua visa requirements

HKSAR ordinary passport holders can enter Nicaragua visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. No visa is needed in advance, but a US$10 tourist card is purchased on arrival. As of 31 May 2026, holders of a Hong Kong SAR ordinary passport are visa-exempt for Nicaragua under the country's restructured visa framework (Disposicion No. 002-2026), which took effect on 16 February 2026. That decree reorganised foreign nationals into Category A (visa-exempt) and Category C (consulted visa requiring prior authorisation from Managua). Hong Kong is listed in Category A, alongside jurisdictions such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan and Australia, so HKSAR travellers may enter for tourism without obtaining a visa beforehand. The permitted stay is up to 90 days, extendable by a further 30 days for a fee at the immigration office in Managua. Although no visa is required, every visa-exempt traveller (with the sole exception of Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans) must buy a Tarjeta de Turismo / tourist card costing US$10 on arrival, and most travellers also pay a small exit fee when leaving. Standard entry conditions apply: a passport valid for at least six months, proof of sufficient funds, and onward or return travel documentation. Note that Nicaragua is in Central America, not the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. The decree is recent, eliminated the former visa-on-arrival channel for many nationalities, and is being enforced unevenly, so travellers should reconfirm with the nearest Nicaraguan consulate or their airline shortly before departure.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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 Hong Kong (PR)Living in Hong Kong (SAR China) as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (tourist card on arrival)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Multiple within the permitted stay
from issue date
Visa fee
US$10 tourist card on arrival (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None in advance; tourist card issued at the border
standard track
Validity
90 days from entry, extendable +30 days
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your eligibility
Verify you hold a HKSAR ordinary passport. Under Decree 002-2026, Hong Kong is in Category A (visa-exempt), so no advance visa is required for tourism.
· HKSAR ordinary passport· Category A
/02
Check passport validity and documents
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond arrival and has blank pages. Prepare proof of funds and onward/return tickets.
· 6 months validity· onward ticket
/03
Book return or onward travel
Nicaraguan immigration may ask for evidence of onward or return travel and accommodation, so keep these on hand at check-in and the border.
· return ticket· hotel booking
/04
Carry funds for the tourist card
Have US$10 in cash to buy the Tarjeta de Turismo (tourist card) on arrival, plus a small exit fee for departure.
· US$10 cash
/05
Pass immigration on arrival
At the airport or land border, present your passport, pay the tourist card fee, and receive an entry stamp granting up to 90 days.
· entry stamp· 90 days
/06
Extend if needed
If you plan to stay longer, apply for a 30-day extension at the immigration office (Direccion General de Migracion) in Managua before your initial 90 days expire.
· +30 days· Managua office
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Hong Kong (SAR China) -> Nicaragua · Visa-free (tourist card on arrival)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredHKSAR 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 the entry stamp
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
RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedConfirmed accommodation or address in Nicaragua
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedSmall cash amount for the airport exit fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel insurance covering the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
situational
RecommendedReconfirm rules with a Nicaraguan consulate close to departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
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
Visa feeUS$0No visa required for Category A (visa-exempt) travellers
Tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo)US$10Purchased on arrival; mandatory for all visa-exempt nationals
Airport exit fee~US$3Often included in the air ticket; payable on departure if not
Stay extension~US$20-30Optional; for an additional 30 days at the Managua immigration office
Total estimateUS$10US$13incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Extension in Managua
Same day to a few days
For stays beyond 90 days, apply at the Direccion General de Migracion in Managua before expiry.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Tourist card payment on arrival
Travellers must pay the US$10 tourist card; having exact USD cash avoids delays at the counter.
High
/02
Onward/return ticket check
Immigration and airlines may request proof of onward or return travel before allowing entry or boarding.
Medium
/03
Passport validity under 6 months
Passports with less than six months validity on arrival can be refused entry.
Medium
/04
Recent policy uncertainty
Decree 002-2026 is new and enforced unevenly; some staff or airlines may be unaware Hong Kong remains exempt.
Medium
/05
Overstaying the 90-day limit
Staying beyond the granted period without extension leads to fines on departure.
Low
/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
HK to Nicaragua route verified
Confirmed Hong Kong remains Category A (visa-exempt) for 90 days under Nicaragua's Decree 002-2026 effective 16 February 2026; US$10 tourist card on arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa for Nicaragua?
No. Under Decree 002-2026 (effective 16 February 2026), Hong Kong is in Category A (visa-exempt). HKSAR ordinary passport holders may enter for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days, but must buy a US$10 tourist card on arrival.
How long can I stay?+
Is there any cost on arrival?+
Is Nicaragua part of the Schengen area?+
What documents should I carry at the border?+
Could the rules change?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Hong Kong (SAR China) passport

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