Up to 90 days under the CA-4 agreement, which counts your combined time in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Salvadoran law allows visa-exempt nationals up to 180 days more broadly, but the CA-4 90-day limit is what is typically enforced for the region.

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🇺🇸United States

🇸🇻El SalvadorUS-SV

United States to El Salvador visa requirements

Q: Is there still a $12 tourist card fee?

No. El Salvador's Legislative Assembly abolished the $12 Migratory Entry Card (TIM) fee in May 2025, so entry is now free. Some older sources, including the U.S. State Department page, may still list the $12 fee.

Q: What is the CA-4 agreement?

It is a border-control pact among El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. US citizens can move freely among the four countries, but the 90-day allowance is shared across all of them rather than reset at each border.

Q: How much passport validity do I need?

El Salvador formally requires the passport to be valid at the time of entry with one blank page. Carrying at least six months' validity is the safest practice.

Q: Can I extend my stay?

Yes. You may request a one-time extension to remain in the CA-4 region beyond 90 days from local immigration authorities (DGME) before your authorized stay expires.

US ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for tourism in El Salvador. You enter visa-free, and since May 2025 the old $12 tourist card (TIM) fee has been abolished, so entry is free of charge. You may stay up to 90 days within the CA-4 region (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua combined). El Salvador grants US passport holders visa-free entry for tourism. On arrival you no longer pay anything: the $12 Migratory Entry Card (TIM) fee was eliminated by El Salvador's Legislative Assembly in May 2025 as part of a migration-law reform aimed at attracting tourism and investment. The U.S. State Department page still references the legacy $12 card, but Salvadoran government and news sources confirm the fee has been scrapped. The practical stay limit for US tourists is 90 days under the Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement, which pools your allowance across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; immigration law more broadly allows visa-exempt nationals up to 180 days. Your passport should be valid at entry (carry 6 months' validity to be safe) with at least one blank page, and you should be ready to show proof of onward/return travel and sufficient funds. No advance application, eVisa, or pre-registration is required for a short tourist visit.

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 →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 (no visa or tourist card fee)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days (CA-4 region combined)

per entry

Entries

Multiple within authorized period

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 0 (TIM tourist card fee abolished May 2025)

consular fee only

Processing time

None - granted on arrival

standard track

Validity

Stay authorized at entry; passport valid at entry (6 months recommended)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your passport is valid

Ensure your US passport is valid at the time of entry and has at least one blank page. Six months' remaining validity is the safe standard, though El Salvador formally requires validity only at entry.

· Passport· 1 blank page

/02

Book onward or return travel

Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. Keep your itinerary accessible.

· Return ticket· Proof of funds

/03

Fly in - no visa or pre-registration needed

US citizens are visa-exempt for tourism. There is no eVisa, ETA, or online form to complete before arrival.

· No visa· No pre-registration

/04

Clear immigration at the port of entry

Present your passport at Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) or a land border. Since May 2025 there is no tourist card fee to pay.

· On arrival· No fee

/05

Receive your entry stamp

You will be admitted for a tourist stay. Note the CA-4 90-day allowance is shared with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

· Entry stamp· 90-day CA-4 clock

/06

Extend if needed

To stay in the CA-4 region beyond 90 days, request a one-time extension from local immigration (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria) before your authorized period ends.

· Extension· DGME

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> El Salvador · Visa-free entry (no visa or tourist card fee)

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedValid US passport (6 months' validity recommended, valid at entry minimum)

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

RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for your stay

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

recommended

RecommendedAccommodation details / address in El Salvador

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

recommended

RecommendedAwareness of CA-4 90-day shared limit

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

recommended

RequiredDeclare cash over USD 10,000 on entry/exit

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

situational

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

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.

Official sourcesU.S. Department of State - El Salvador International Travel Information U.S. Embassy in El Salvador - Travel Requirements El Salvador Abolishes $12 Tourist Entry Fee (El Salvador in English)

Application link included: Visa policy of El Salvador (Wikipedia)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visaUSD 0Visa-free for US citizens

Tourist card (TIM)USD 0USD 12 fee abolished May 2025

Departure / airport taxIncludedTypically bundled in airfare

Total estimate0 — 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

On arrival (visa-free)

Immediate at the border

US citizens are admitted without any visa or fee; just clear immigration at the port of entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism / short visit

US passport holders are visa-exempt for tourism and admitted on arrival.

High

/02

Visiting friends and family

Same visa-free channel applies to social visits within the authorized stay.

High

/03

Short business meetings

Brief, non-remunerated business activity is generally covered by visa-free entry; longer or paid work needs a separate permit.

Medium

/04

Regional CA-4 travel

Travelers combining El Salvador with Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua share one 90-day allowance.

Medium

/05

Transit / cruise stop

Short transits and port calls fall under the same visa-free admission.

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

United States of America to El Salvador route verified

Confirmed visa-free entry for US citizens via U.S. State Department and Salvadoran sources. Updated to reflect abolition of the USD 12 tourist card (TIM) fee in May 2025; entry is now free.

/09 — The questions