🇺🇸United States

🇳🇮NicaraguaUS-NI

United States to Nicaragua visa requirements

Q: How much does it cost to enter Nicaragua?

A USD 10 tourist card is paid in cash on arrival. When leaving you pay a USD 10 exit stamp and a USD 42 airport exit tax, though the exit tax is usually included in your airline ticket.

Q: How long can I stay in Nicaragua?

Up to 90 days. This limit is shared with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras under the CA-4 agreement. You can apply for a 30-day extension at the immigration office in Managua.

Q: Do I need to apply for anything online before I travel?

For tourism, no advance online application is required; you complete arrival procedures at the border. Travelers entering for non-tourism purposes should pre-register on Nicaragua's immigration website.

Q: What documents do I need at the border?

A valid US passport, USD 10 cash for the tourist card, an onward or return ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds. Bring proof of accommodation as well.

Q: Is it safe and easy for US citizens to enter Nicaragua?

Entry is generally straightforward, but it is at the discretion of immigration officers. The US maintains an elevated travel advisory and Nicaragua has denied entry to some travelers, so check the current advisory before you go.

US ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in Nicaragua. You may stay up to 90 days. On arrival you pay a USD 10 tourist card fee in cash. No advance visa or eVisa is required for short tourist visits. United States ordinary passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Nicaragua for tourism and business stays of up to 90 days. There is no visa, eVisa, or pre-arrival approval required for a short tourist visit. However, every traveler must pay a USD 10 tourist card (tarjeta de turismo) fee in cash at the port of entry, and a separate USD 10 exit stamp plus a USD 42 airport exit tax (the exit tax is usually bundled into airline tickets). Passports should be valid for the length of stay, and immigration officers may request proof of onward/return travel and sufficient funds. Nicaragua is part of the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, meaning the 90-day allowance is shared across all four countries. Stays can be extended for an additional 30 days for a fee at the immigration office (Migración) in Managua. Note that the US State Department maintains an elevated travel advisory for Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan government has, in some cases, denied entry to or expelled travelers it perceives as critics; entry is at the discretion of immigration authorities. Carry the same passport for entry and exit, and bring exact USD cash for the tourist card fee.

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 →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free entry with USD 10 tourist card on arrival

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days (shared across CA-4 countries)

per entry

Entries

Single entry per arrival; re-entry resets within CA-4 limits

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 10 tourist card on arrival (cash)

consular fee only

Processing time

Issued on arrival (no advance application)

standard track

Validity

90 days from entry; extendable +30 days for a fee

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your passport is valid

Ensure your US passport is valid for the duration of your stay; six months beyond entry is recommended to avoid issues with airlines.

· Passport· Valid for stay

/02

Book onward or return travel

Arrange a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers and airlines may ask for proof before allowing boarding or entry.

· Return ticket· Proof of onward travel

/03

Prepare USD 10 in cash for the tourist card

Bring USD 10 in cash (exact change recommended) to pay the tourist card (tarjeta de turismo) fee at the port of entry.

· USD 10 cash· Tourist card

/04

Complete the immigration arrival form

Fill out the immigration/customs arrival form. Non-tourist travelers should pre-register on the Nicaraguan immigration website; tourists complete arrival procedures at the border.

· Arrival form

/05

Pay the fee and receive your entry stamp

At immigration, present your passport, pay the USD 10 tourist card fee, and receive an entry stamp granting up to 90 days.

· Entry stamp· 90 days

/06

Keep funds for exit fees

Set aside USD 10 cash for the exit stamp; the USD 42 airport exit tax is usually included in your airfare. Exit on the same passport you entered with.

· USD 10 exit· USD 42 exit tax

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Nicaragua · Visa-free entry with USD 10 tourist card on arrival

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedUS passport valid for length of stay (6 months recommended)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredUSD 10 cash for tourist card on arrival (exact change)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredOnward or return ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RequiredCompleted immigration arrival form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RecommendedUSD 10 cash for exit stamp

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedProof of accommodation / address in Nicaragua

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate (only if arriving from a risk country)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RecommendedTravel insurance covering medical care

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedCheck current US State Department travel advisory

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.

Official sourcesUS Department of State - Nicaragua International Travel Information Visa policy of Nicaragua - Wikipedia U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua - Immigration Laws

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) on arrivalUSD 10Paid in cash at the port of entry; exact change recommended

Exit stampUSD 10Paid in cash when departing

Airport exit taxUSD 42Usually included in airline ticket price

Stay extension (+30 days)VariesPaid at Migración office in Managua if extending beyond 90 days

Total estimateUSD 10 — USD 62incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

On arrival at port of entry

Immediate

Tourist card issued and entry stamp granted at the border when you pay the USD 10 fee. No advance application needed for tourism.

Stay extension at Migración (Managua)

Same day to a few days

For staying beyond 90 days, apply in person at the immigration office for a 30-day extension for a fee.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Visa-free bilateral arrangement

US ordinary passport holders are on Nicaragua's visa-exempt list for tourism and business stays of up to 90 days.

High

/02

Tourist card fee applies

Visa-exempt visitors must still purchase a USD 10 tourist card on arrival; it is not a visa but a mandatory entry fee.

High

/03

CA-4 regional agreement

The 90-day limit is shared among Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras under the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement.

Medium

/04

Discretionary entry / advisory

Entry is at the discretion of immigration officers, and Nicaragua has denied entry to some travelers; an elevated US travel advisory is in effect.

Medium

/05

Exit fees at departure

A USD 10 exit stamp and USD 42 exit tax apply when leaving, the latter usually bundled into airfare.

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

United States of America to Nicaragua route verified

Confirmed visa-free entry for up to 90 days for US ordinary passports against the US State Department country page and Nicaragua visa policy; USD 10 tourist card on arrival, USD 10 exit stamp, and USD 42 exit tax noted.

/09 — The questions