Vietnam to Nicaragua visa requirements

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Nicaragua. Vietnam is not on Nicaragua's visa-exempt list and falls under the Category C "consulted visa" (visa consultada), which requires prior authorization from Nicaraguan immigration before travel. Following the February 16, 2026 immigration reform, this process was digitized and can now be requested and downloaded online, but it must be secured in advance, not on arrival. As of June 2026, a Vietnam (VN) ordinary passport holder cannot travel to Nicaragua visa-free. Vietnam is classified under Nicaragua's Category C "consulted visa" (visa consultada), the category that was significantly expanded by the immigration reform that entered into force on February 16, 2026. Under this category, the traveler must obtain prior authorization from Nicaragua's General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs (Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria) before boarding. The reform eliminated the former Category B consular visa, moved most non-exempt nationalities into Category C, and Nicaragua launched a digitized "consulted visa" process in March 2026 that can be requested and downloaded online via authorized channels. Processing typically takes around 30 calendar days (longer in complex cases), and travelers are advised to apply roughly 45-60 days before departure. The consular fee is generally in the US$30-50 range, separate from the US$10 tourist entry card paid in cash on arrival. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months, and travelers should carry a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. Note: Nicaragua is in Central America and is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Because this is a "consulted" (pre-authorized) visa rather than a true visa-on-arrival or self-issue eVisa, and because sources confirm prior authorization is mandatory, the conservative and correct verdict is visa-required.