! As of July 21, 2023, it is no longer necessary to present a COVID-19 vaccination card or a negative PCR test to enter Nicaragua through any of its borders. The Nicaraguan government has lifted these requirements, allowing visitors to enter the country without any pandemic-related restrictions.

Please note that the Nicaraguan government requires that all travelers from South America and the African continent who wish to visit the country must have an international yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Do I need to fill out a form to enter the country?

Non-citizens are required to fill out an online immigration form available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is recommended to fill out this form at least 7 days before arrival.

Visa-free entry

If you do not need a visa to enter the country, your total stay should not exceed 7-180 days (depending on the country you are entering from). Longer stays are possible, but you must apply for a visa or residence permit.

The list of countries whose citizens can enter Nicaragua under the visa-free regime can be found here.

You must meet certain requirements to enter Nicaragua, even if you do not need a visa:

• The purpose of your trip to Nicaragua should be plausible and clear
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure from the country
• You must be able to cover your own living and travel expenses
• You must have a confirmed return ticket to prove that you are ready to leave Nicaragua before the end of your authorized stay
• You must not pose a threat to security or public order

Citizens who are not eligible for entry under the visa-free regime are required to have a visa. A visa confirms the consent of the country's authorities to the entry and stay of a particular person on its territory.

Tourist visa

A Nicaragua tourist visa is issued to applicants who intend to visit Nicaragua for tourism and sightseeing purposes;

The list of countries whose citizens need to apply for a visa at the embassy can be found here.

Documents required to obtain a tourist visa for Nicaragua:

• Application form

• Two photos

• Passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from the country

• Travel itinerary (a copy of round-trip airline tickets, a document confirming the place of residence)

• Certificate of no criminal record;

Please note that the embassy may require additional documents.

Deadline for issuing a tourist visa to Nicaragua

The average processing time for a Nicaragua tourist visa is 3-15 business days. It depends on your country of visa application.

Nicaragua tourist visa fee

The visa fee for a Nicaragua tourist visa is 20-50 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or country of application.

Where to apply for a Nicaragua tourist visa?

You apply for a Nicaragua visa at visa centers, embassies or consulates, depending on what accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is not one in your country, you will need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate at your address.

Visa on arrival

The list of countries whose citizens can enter Nicaragua with a visa on arrival can be found here.

Documents required to obtain a visa to Nicaragua upon arrival

• Passport and a copy of the main page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from the country

• Any additional documents confirming the purpose of your trip (a copy of round-trip airline tickets, a document confirming the place of residence)

Nicaragua visa fee upon arrival

The Nicaragua visa fee upon arrival is approximately $50 USD. The fee may vary depending on your nationality.

Please note that even if you are exempt from obtaining a visa to enter Nicaragua, you still need to obtain a Nicaraguan tourist card upon arrival, which costs $10.

In addition, according to the CA-4 agreement between El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras, visa holders of these countries, regardless of citizenship, can travel to each of these countries without obtaining a new visa.