Residencia definitiva
permanent residence, form F-32 and related forms
El Salvador grants permanent residence (residencia definitiva) under Art. 152 of the Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería. Most foreigners qualify after three years of temporary residence. Central Americans by birth qualify straight away, and Spanish and Hispanic-American nationals after one uninterrupted year. Separate forms cover pensioners (F-33) and spouses or partners of Salvadorans (F-34).
1 entry rule for El Salvador based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in El Salvador
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
47
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–30%
Income tax (national)
VAT (IVA) 13%
Annual income up to about USD 4,064 exempt; 30% above about USD 22,857.
Living
1
Happiness
#35 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Temporary residents who have held status for the required time, Central Americans by birth, retirees, and spouses or partners of Salvadorans.
Eligibility
Three years' temporary residence
You need to have held temporary resident status for the three years before you apply.
- Legal basis: Art. 152
Official wording
Temporary residents who have held that status for the three years before applying (Art. 152).
Spanish and Hispanic-American nationals
If you are of Spanish or Hispanic-American origin, you need one uninterrupted year as a temporary resident.
- Applies to temporary residents
Official wording
Temporary residents of Spanish or Hispanic-American origin after one uninterrupted year.
Central Americans by birth
Can apply after entering regularly, without prior temporary residence, or as temporary residents.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLapsed residents with long stay
- Document checklistApplication signed by the foreigner or representative
- FeesPermanent resident - non-Central American (up to one year)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 3 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in El Salvador
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to El Salvador
- Visit & tourismVisit entry: visa-exempt, consular visa, visa consultada or online Special Entry Permit
- Work permitsResidencia temporal con autorización para trabajar
Permanent residence in other countries
- TunisiaOrdinary residence visa and card
- Trinidad & TobagoResident status
- UkraineImmigration permit, permanent residence and citizenship by admission
- United StatesDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- UruguayResidencia legal – Temporaria, Permanente, Mercosur, and Hoja de Identidad Provisoria
- UzbekistanPermanent residence
