Visitors to Nicaragua must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.
Visa policy map
Visa exemption Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Nicaragua without a visa for stays up to the duration listed below. All visitors must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for next destination. The stay may be extended for a fee of USD 2 per additional day.Disposición N° 002-2026 Cambio de Categorías Migratorias de Visa para Ingresar a NicaraguaNicaragua impone visado para México y otros 127 países en medio de presión de EU por migración (in Spanish)Nicaragua overhauls its visa policy
90 days European Union member states ID ID ID
90 days within any 180 days
90 days within a calendar year
30 days
30 days within any 180 days
ID - May enter with an ID card if come from a country that is part of the CA-4 Agreement.
Date of visa changes 1 May 1987: Finland 19 March 2009: Russia (resumed) 1 April 2009: Ukraine 31 October 2018: Venezuela (resumed) 26 November 2021: Cuba 26 July 2023: Kazakhstan 16 February 2026: Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Moldova, Philippines
Cancelled: 2005: Russia (was resumed in 2009) 17 November 2017: Iran 11 January 2021: Venezuela 16 February 2026: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Croatia, Cuba, Estonia, Fiji, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu
Electronic visa (e-Visa) Citizens of other countries are eligible to obtain an e-Visa.
The country launched the electronic visa portal in March 2026.
Transit Transit without a visa is generally allowed for travelers who normally require a visa but are transiting within 24 hours and hold onward tickets.
Citizens of Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cameroon, China, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and Yemen are required to obtain a transit visa.
Tourist card Citizens from all visa-exempt countries are required to obtain a tourist card (US$10) on arrival. Exempt are the citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports issued to any country.
Central America-4 Border Control Agreement The Central America-4 Border Control Agreement is a treaty between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. A visa issued by one of the four countries is honored by all four of the countries. The time period for the visa, however, applies to the total time spent in any of the four countries without leaving the CA-4 area.
Visitor statistics Most visitors arriving in Nicaragua were from the following countries of nationality:
Country 2015 2014 2013 276,767 263,927 273,015 275,406 267,320 243,039 167,448 146,071 163,758 155,701 143,303 150,963 90,296 85,283 94,957 35,260 39,370 33,832 22,223 24,553 24,676 19,030 15,666 14,947 17,392 16,155 13,936 14,737 15,596 10,604 Total 1,386,481 1,329,663 1,229,410
See also
Central America-4 Border Control Agreement Visa requirements for Nicaraguan citizens
References