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🇰🇷South Korea
🇳🇮NicaraguaKR-NI

South Korea to Nicaragua visa requirements

South Korean ordinary passport holders can enter Nicaragua visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days. No advance visa or eVisa is needed; you simply purchase a US$10 tourist card on arrival. As of June 2026, South Korea is a Category A (visa-exempt) nationality for Nicaragua under Provision/Decree 002-2026, which took effect on 16 February 2026. That decree restructured Nicaragua's entry rules into Category A (visa-exempt) and Category C (Consulted Visa required), revoking visa-free access for roughly 128 nationalities. South Korea retained visa-exempt status and is explicitly named on the Category A list alongside Japan, the US, Canada, the UK, and most EU states. Korean tourists may stay up to 90 days, extendable by 30 days for a fee at the immigration office in Managua. At the port of entry, travelers must purchase a US$10 tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo) and may be asked to show an onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry is required. Nicaragua launched an electronic visa portal in March 2026, but this is for Category C (consulted-visa) nationalities, not for visa-exempt Koreans. Nicaragua is in Central America and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.
VISA-FREETOURISMFLEXIBLE 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 South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea 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 (multiple visits permitted, new card each entry)
from issue date
Visa fee
US$10 tourist card on arrival (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
Immediate on arrival
standard track
Validity
Stay valid 90 days from entry; passport must be valid 6+ months
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport validity
Ensure your South Korean ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into Nicaragua and has a blank page for the entry stamp.
· 6-month validity· ordinary passport
/02
Book onward or return travel
Arrange a confirmed onward or return air ticket. Immigration officers may ask to see proof that you will leave Nicaragua within the permitted period.
· return ticket
/03
Prepare proof of funds and accommodation
Carry evidence of sufficient funds for your stay (cash, card statements) and your hotel booking or host address, as these can be requested at the border.
· proof of funds· accommodation
/04
Carry US$10 cash for the tourist card
On arrival at the airport or land border, buy the Tarjeta de Turismo (tourist card) for US$10. Pay in US dollars; have small bills ready.
· US$10 cash· tourist card
/05
Clear immigration and receive your stamp
Present your passport and tourist card. The officer grants visa-free admission for up to 90 days for tourism. Keep the card and stamp for departure.
· 90-day stamp
/06
Extend if needed
If you wish to stay beyond 90 days, apply for a 30-day extension at the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria in Managua before your initial stay expires; a fee applies.
· 30-day extension· Managua
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Korea -> Nicaragua · Visa-free entry (Category A) with US$10 tourist card on arrival
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth Korean ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond entry
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page
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
RequiredConfirmed onward or return 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
RecommendedHotel reservation or host address in Nicaragua
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 vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
OptionalPrinted itinerary and contact details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
optional
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$10Purchased in cash on arrival; required for visa-exempt visitors
Tourist visa feeUS$0No visa required for South Korea (Category A)
Stay extension (beyond 90 days)Approx. US$20-25Optional; paid at immigration office in Managua for a 30-day extension
Total estimateUS$10US$35incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Korea is on Nicaragua's Category A visa-exempt list
Decree/Provision 002-2026 (effective 16 February 2026) explicitly names South Korea among visa-exempt nationalities for tourism.
High
/02
Up to 90 days permitted for tourism
Visa-exempt Korean visitors may stay up to 90 days, extendable by 30 days for a fee.
High
/03
US$10 tourist card required at entry
All visa-exempt visitors must purchase the Tarjeta de Turismo on arrival.
High
/04
eVisa portal does not apply to Koreans
Nicaragua's March 2026 electronic visa portal serves Category C (consulted-visa) nationalities, not visa-exempt South Korea.
Medium
/05
Onward ticket and funds may be checked
Border officers can request proof of return travel and sufficient funds.
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
South Korea to Nicaragua route verified
Confirmed South Korea remains Category A visa-exempt under Nicaragua Decree 002-2026 (effective 16 Feb 2026): 90-day visa-free tourist stay with US$10 tourist card on arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Korean citizens need a visa for Nicaragua?
No. South Korea is a Category A visa-exempt nationality. Korean ordinary passport holders can enter visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days; you only pay a US$10 tourist card on arrival.
Did Nicaragua's 2026 visa overhaul affect South Korea?+
How long can I stay in Nicaragua without a visa?+
What is the tourist card and how much does it cost?+
Do I need to use Nicaragua's new electronic visa portal?+
What passport validity is required?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Korea passport

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