El Salvador Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens: El Salvador

Note: Requirements can change quickly due to immigration policy updates. Verify again right before you travel.

Passport & Visa Requirements

• Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into El Salvador.
• Blank pages: At least one blank passport page is required for entry and exit stamps.
• Visa: No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less for tourism or business.
• Tourist card: Travelers must purchase a tourist card (Tarjeta de Turista) upon arrival for US$12, valid for 90 days.

Entry Procedures

• Onward/return ticket: Proof of onward or return travel is required at the time of entry.
• Length of stay: U.S. citizens are generally admitted for up to 90 days. Extensions can be requested from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
• CA-4 Agreement: El Salvador is part of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4) along with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The 90-day limit applies to all four countries combined. Leaving the CA-4 region resets this period.

Health & Vaccinations

• Routine vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required for travelers arriving from the U.S.
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• COVID-19: No testing or vaccination proof is currently required (as of 2025).

Traveling with Minors

• Parental authorization: Minors under 18 who are Salvadoran citizens, or dual nationals, must present additional documentation (such as parental consent) when leaving the country. While not always required for U.S. minors, carrying a notarized letter of consent is recommended if traveling with only one parent or alone.

Additional Restrictions & Considerations

• Currency declaration: Amounts over US$10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared to customs on entry or exit.
• Security advisory: The U.S. Department of State currently lists El Salvador as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
• Stay extensions: Requests to extend stays must be filed before the 90-day period expires at the immigration office in San Salvador.