El Salvador

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of El Salvador’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in El Salvador set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Salvadoran Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter El Salvador, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can travel to El Salvador for tourism or business for up to 180 days without a visa.

You can extend your stay by contacting the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration. 

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Salvadoran government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Salvadoran Embassy in the UK.

If you overstay your visa, you may have to pay a fine before leaving the country.

Applying for a visa

If you need a visa, contact the Salvadoran Embassy in the UK.

Travelling between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua   

You can travel between El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua for up to 90 days without a visa. The CA-4 Agreement also includes Honduras, however British Nationals must have a visa to visit Honduras. If you’re entering Honduras, read the entry requirements. Read the travel advice for:

• Guatemala
• Nicaragua

The 90-day period starts when you enter any of these countries and does not restart when you cross borders. You’ll have to go through immigration checks at borders.

If you’re expelled from one of these countries, you’re also excluded from the other 3. If you overstay, you may get a fine.

Vaccine requirements

To enter El Salvador, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s El Salvador guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of El Salvador. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into El Salvador    

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more.

Transit fee for Indian and African nationals

Indian nationals or nationals from any African country travelling through El Salvador must pay a 1,130 US dollar fee. See transit fee for Indian and African nationals.

British dual nationals will not have to pay the fee if they travel on their British passport.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in El Salvador

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)

Tourist police

Telephone: +503 2224 2705 

Email: info@politurelsalvador.com

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in El Salvador
• dealing with a death in El Salvador
• being arrested or imprisoned in El Salvador
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO  

Help abroad   

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.  

Help in the UK   

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.   

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)   

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates   

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.   

Follow FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in El Salvador on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.