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froggy803
  7/25/2008 13:02 EST

HI Please let me know how things go I plan on doing the same thing by moving there in about 5 months. I'm not married to my Salvadoran boyfriend at this time but we are talking about marrying over there. Please let me know if you find any info about this.
Thanks
Rae

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pato23
  7/25/2008 15:46 EST

A tip, before you travel to El Salvador get your Birth Certificate certified at Salvadorian consulate nearest to your US birthplace (Apostillo)and also get a police good conduct report from your home town or city..otherwise you'd have to return to USA to do this. All documents must be translated here in El Salvador by a certified Salvadorian translator only..the system here is archiac and quite different from US or Canada...view http://www.proesa.com.sv/visa_req.html
and http://www.dirla.com/elsalvador2_2.htm
If not coming to work, you can apply for Rentista (Retired) status if you can prove $1,000US or more per month income such as Social Security from your home country.
The Embassy can only issue you a letter veryfing your US citizenship. The process is long and drawn out, best to have a Lawyer and Notary to handle paperwork. Salvadorian spouse or no Salvadorian spouse..takes about 6-7 months to get Temporary residency..required first.

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wgoodej1
  8/6/2008 11:48 EST

I assume you are speaking of permanent residency. I recommend applying for temporary residency first. It may help. The hassle about temporary residency is you have to reapply every year up to 3 years. After that, you only have to reapply every 2 years. By that time, you can apply for permanent residency.

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wgoodej1
  8/6/2008 11:51 EST

If you have a college diploma, you have to have an apostille attached to it as well.

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Atento
  12/10/2013 16:30 EST

Your birth certificate does not have to go to the El Salvador consulate anymore, but it MUST have the apostille by the Secretary of State in the state it was issued. (the state you were born in). Same goes for the medical report and police report.(Police Reports may be obtained from the (state)Bureau of Investigation.

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TravelDawg
  2/10/2014 16:12 EST

Permanent residency takes 4-5 years, but it's my understanding that you must have temporary residency during those 5 years to even consider applying for permanent residency. I do know you have to prove you have been married for 3 years or more before you can apply for a spouse visa, so bring a notarized marriage certificate!

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hught
  2/24/2014 12:01 EST

Becoming A Resident of El Salvador

When moving to El Salvador I found out very early on that I would need to apply to become a resident of the country in order to use the banks and for most other business transactions. I have listed here the process that I went through to apply for my resident status in El Salvador. I would recommend you hire a lawyer here in El Salvador, the whole process will cost about $1500.00 but I think it is well worth it. You can go to the U.S. Embassy El Salvador web site and see a list of lawyers.
The information provided here is intended to explain the general requirements for an American Citizen to become a legal resident in El Salvador, these requirements are for an American Citizen married to a Salvadoran spouse, for other cases you should contact Salvadoran Immigration. You may contact the Salvadoran Immigration at:
Dirección General de Migración (DGME) - Centro de Gobierno
9ª Calle Poniente / 15 Avenida Norte (Alameda Juan Pablo II)
Edificio de Migración
San Salvador
Tel: 2213-7700, Fax: 2271-1850
1. Application filled out by the interested party.
2. Apostille birth certificate (translated into Spanish, following Salvadoran regulations).
3. Apostille police records (translated into Spanish, following Salvadoran regulations).
4. The records should reflect residence of the applicant for the past two years in the country where he/she lived.
5. Sworn statement from the Salvadoran spouse stating that he/she has the means to assist his/her spouse economically or applicant’s evidence of income (pension, etc.).
6. Medical report from a Salvadoran physician stating that the applicant does not suffer from a contagious disease.
7. Two copies of the applicant’s passport or evidence of the applicant’s citizenship.
8. Fee, which will depend on the type of residence the applicant, is approved for.
American citizens should be aware that any documents (i.e.: birth certificate, marriage certificates, divorced decrees, police record checks, etc) presented to the Salvadoran government (GOES) must be “Apostille” from the country of origin, also all types of documents must be issued within the last sixty (60) days otherwise they are consider invalid.
I started my resident application in November of 2011, I received my temporary resident card in December 2011. I was issued another temporary card in January of 2013 and was issued my permanent card which is good for 4 years last week. After being a resident for 5 years you can apply for Salvadoran Citizenship if you wish or you can renew your resident status.
I hope this information is interesting and/or helpful to my followers. Please leave your comments, questions or suggestions and I will be sure to get back to you.
“lifeofagringoexpatinelsalvador.com”
[email protected]

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hught
  2/24/2014 12:11 EST

Temporary residency takes about 6 months if you meet the requirements, permanent residency takes 1-2 year, you can become a citizen after 5 years of residency.


Becoming A Resident of El Salvador

When moving to El Salvador I found out very early on that I would need to apply to become a resident of the country in order to use the banks and for most other business transactions. I have listed here the process that I went through to apply for my resident status in El Salvador. I would recommend you hire a lawyer here in El Salvador, the whole process will cost about $1500.00 but I think it is well worth it. You can go to the U.S. Embassy El Salvador web site and see a list of lawyers.
The information provided here is intended to explain the general requirements for an American Citizen to become a legal resident in El Salvador, these requirements are for an American Citizen married to a Salvadoran spouse, for other cases you should contact Salvadoran Immigration. You may contact the Salvadoran Immigration at:
Dirección General de Migración (DGME) - Centro de Gobierno
9ª Calle Poniente / 15 Avenida Norte (Alameda Juan Pablo II)
Edificio de Migración
San Salvador
Tel: 2213-7700, Fax: 2271-1850

1. Application filled out by the interested party.

2. Apostille birth certificate (translated into Spanish, following Salvadoran regulations).

3. Apostille police records (translated into Spanish, following Salvadoran regulations).

4. The records should reflect residence of the applicant for the past two years in the country where he/she lived.

5. Sworn statement from the Salvadoran spouse stating that he/she has the means to assist his/her spouse economically or applicant’s evidence of income (pension, etc.).

6. Medical report from a Salvadoran physician stating that the applicant does not suffer from a contagious disease.

7. Two copies of the applicant’s passport or evidence of the applicant’s citizenship.

8. Fee, which will depend on the type of residence the applicant, is approved for.
American citizens should be aware that any documents (i.e.: birth certificate, marriage certificates, divorced decrees, police record checks, etc) presented to the Salvadoran government (GOES) must be “Apostille” from the country of origin, also all types of documents must be issued within the last sixty (60) days otherwise they are consider invalid.

I started my resident application in November of 2011, I received my temporary resident card in December 2011. I was issued another temporary card in January of 2013 and was issued my permanent card which is good for 4 years last week. After being a resident for 5 years you can apply for Salvadoran Citizenship if you wish or you can renew your resident status.

I hope this information is interesting and/or helpful to my followers. Please leave your comments, questions or suggestions and I will be sure to get back to you.

“lifeofagringoexpatinelsalvador.com”

[email protected]

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hught
  2/24/2014 20:41 EST

I am sorry I put the old address for the Salvadoran Immigration office, it should be:
Colonia Escalon, Olimpica #3571.
The phone # should be2526-3421, 2213-7815, or 2213-7800.

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Princesita13
  3/4/2016 10:39 EST

Can you leave El Salvador (holidays) once you submit a temporary residency apication?
Just wondering if leaving while the application is being processed will cause a problem.

Thanks

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busman772
  3/8/2016 11:04 EST

I wouldn't take the chance.

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airesflora
  3/8/2016 11:20 EST

Most of what I brought to El Salvador, I later learned, could be purchased there. Yes, you pay much higher prices for the most part, but I'm not sure it's worth the hassle to do what I did.

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Krijama19
  4/3/2016 01:56 EST

I work in the states and live in El Salvador. I travel back and forth twice a month. Yes you can leave when in the process.

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busman772
  4/3/2016 09:44 EST

@Krijama19 not true in all cases as when my application was being processed my criminal record check passed the 90 day mark and migracion said no problem as long as I stayed in the country but if I left, I would have to get a new one.

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Krijama19
  4/20/2016 13:55 EST

@busman It is a fair point and you would know best. They look at your passport at the beginning of the process, but Im not done so dont know if they look at the end. My lawyer says no. That said, he also said that wose case travel wont void your application, only delay it as you may need to produce a new criminal check. Ok, yes, thats a total pain to do once muchless twice, but point is that 1) you can leave 2) it probably doesnt matter 3) even if it does it's not the end of the world. The main thing they want to know is that you are not a criminal, its not that you specifically cannot leave the country through the process. There are plenty of us who reside here but travel back and forth for business. Ill repost when I am done with the process :-)

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busman772
  4/20/2016 14:35 EST

Your lawyer "That said, he also said that wose case travel wont void your application, only delay it as you may need to produce a new criminal checkconfirmed" what migracion told me.

If I remember correctly, all documentation has a life of only 90 days so you not only need your home country CRA but also the Salvadorian one, medical certificate, birth certificate authentication, bank statements + letter etc.

Basically, start all over again.

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busman772
  4/20/2016 14:36 EST

Your lawyer "That said, he also said that wose case travel wont void your application, only delay it as you may need to produce a new criminal checkconfirmed" what migracion told me.

If I remember correctly, all documentation has a life of only 90 days so you not only need your home country CRC but also the Salvadorian one, medical certificate, birth certificate authentication, bank statements + letter etc.

Basically, start all over again.

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Krijama19
  4/20/2016 15:10 EST

you are confusing two things. The 90 days medical relates to how old the medical can be prior to submission. I get that you like to argue things busman,...that doesnt bother me but as I said, I am in the process, I travel to US monthly. When the process is done, Ill let the board know how I faired. The point of the board is to share facts/information for others interested v. debate. Thanks.

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Krijama19
  4/20/2016 15:15 EST

And if there is a way to share a photo/pdf I am more than happy to upload the current form from DGME. Its all pretty clear.

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busman772
  4/20/2016 16:18 EST

As you're still going through the process you haven't come across the curves migracion throws at you when you think everything is done, then you get another requirement added to the list.

You're doing a disservice to the board claiming to know it all when you do not. This is Latin America where nothing is cut and dried or the same for everyone!

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Krijama19
  4/21/2016 01:51 EST

Yea, buddy...for the third time, that's why I said I will update when through the process. Doesn't sound like you left the country through the process so you cant claim to know one way or another either can you? People go to forums with a general expectation that information is crowd-sourced.

I have lived here off and on for 17+ years, my wife is a private contractor to one of the top Ministers in the government. Generally folks who make that comment about Latin America just haven't figured it out. My experience specific to El Salvador is almost a rigid adherence to process and protocol. The challenge is they keep the steps compartmentalized across multiple people (simple example is having a seperate cajera from agent but some have many more touches than that) Also the processes are not publicly documented but that is changing (ie. in this case the aforementioned document "Instructivo F-22" that clearly explains this process but not everyone gets that document)

Finally, disservice to the Board is arguing with people to no-end as I see on so many of these posts. they bury the useful information people try to provide. So this is my last post until I complete the process. Carry on if you will.

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busman772
  4/21/2016 08:05 EST

No I did not leave the country because as I said 7 posts ago "@Krijama19 not true in all cases as when my application was being processed my criminal record check passed the 90 day mark and migracion said no problem as long as I stayed in the country but if I left, I would have to get a new one."

You are the one who keeps saying that is wrong, guess after 17 yrs here you still haven't figured out how Latin America works.

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JerryM
  6/26/2016 11:46 EST

no that is not right it is easy to get residency in el salvador

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JerryM
  6/26/2016 11:49 EST

you will need to be here to apply and there are three things from the states that you will need you can not do it without them

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JerryM
  6/26/2016 11:52 EST

the police report must from your state not home town

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JerryM
  6/26/2016 11:56 EST

all three of these documents must have the apostillo seal and it is the state seal of where you live I got mine from the secutary of states office

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busman772
  6/26/2016 17:28 EST

What would those 3 things be?

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moonraytours
  7/7/2016 11:55 EST

For me it was a long process but it's quicker then applying for residency in Guatemala. (tried that too my son is born there) My wife is from El Salvador and we have a child together. I applied as married to and father of. When I came to live in El Salvador I came in as a tourist ($10) There is no limit to how many times you can come in as a tourist but you have to leave every 90 days and come back 3 days latter. You must apply for temporary residency first and the good news is that you can do that as soon as you get here but you will need a criminal background check from the last country you lived in, an Apostate Birth Certificate which is like a full registered Birth Certificate from the US embassy or State Government that issues birth Certificates. and you will need some sort of proof of income while you live here other then work in El Salvador since a residency permanent or Temp does not give you a work visa. My suggestion when you get here is to go register for your NIT (tax ID) that will latter serve as proof for you living here albeit as a tourist and you don't need to be a resident to get one. They basically give tax numbers for free. All the documents you get from the US will be in English and you will need to do 2 things, The first is you need to get them translated by a certified translator in El Salvador, then you need to go to the Minsterio de Extranjeria to get it all certified by them. Once thats done then go to the Immigration in El Salvador on Olympic Blvd and request an appointment to hand them the paperwork. They will give you a form and you will pay an amount of money used to be like $35 not sure what it is now, and a date. During your "tramite" for temp residency you cannot leave the country without permission and if you do you forfeit the application and will have to reapply all over again. You also will not need to worry about your expired tourist visa as they will extend you during that time. Prepare for a lot of interviews and appointments every other month while they sift through your paperwork. Oh, you will also need a medical report from a doctor that you have no communicable disease which you can get here from a private doctor for a $15 "consulta" In any case the first thing you really should do once you get here is go to Olympic avenue to get up todate information and start the process of what paperwork you will need etc. Then go get the NI.T.By the way it took me 5 years to get my Permanent residency and you also have to pay to renew the card. once a year for temp and the first year of permanent then every 3 years and then every 5. After that period you can also apply for citizenship as well... in order to get a DUI. but up to you. The beauty is you can just pay your $10 and come in as a tourist forever if you want, really if your wife is from here she can open bank accounts under both names, even as a tourist you can buy property, pretty much do anything except get a El Salvador drivers license, vote, get envolved in any politics(not even as a resident) get a DUI, buy a gun or stay here for more then 3 months at a time without a 3 day separation. Beleve it or not you can as a tourist still go to salud Publico get free healthcare and drugs, drive with a US drivers license and your passport and get a NIT. :-) So unless it's really a big deal for you just remain under a tourist visa. The NIT will also serve in the departure airports if you only want to buy a one way ticket to El Salvador, as without some sort of proof you need to buy a return as well within the 3 month period. If you leave the country after the tourist visa expires it has to be outside of Central America.. So you just cant go to Guatemala for a weekend... you have to go to Mexico or Cuba (yes you can fly out of here direct to Cuba and request they don't stamp your US passport in Cuba) or back to the US if you want but it has to be out of Central America. Pretty sure that rule still applies. Good Luck and hope this helps you...

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busman772
  7/8/2016 09:42 EST

Very comprehensive response by moonraytours.

To clarify there are 27 different classes of residency visas ranging in price from $72.86 for Religisos to $328.57 for estar casado salvardoreña the one I need.

You can get a driver´s licence on the temporary visa.

It is advisable to hire a local immigration lawyer approximately $200 to help with the red tape.

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JimGM1
  8/14/2016 20:48 EST

Hoping to be brief.
You can also fly, drive, bus, walk, etc., to Belize, Costa Rica, Panama or any other country out of the C-4 (Guat., ES, Hon., Nica.) and do the 3 day thing.
MoonRay is correct as well about Cuba, Mexico and the NIT as a tourist. No time to comment of additional items, or the "wise-guy".
Will say there are some extremely safe places in ES and the people as a whole are superb and gracious.
Stay away from Mara's and Ms..., etc. areas. There are areas in SS and other parts of ES totally under their ruthless control. The great news is: The Military and the Police has begun an offensive that may actually have "some teeth".
Wishing all the best to all of you.

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JimGM1
  8/14/2016 21:35 EST

Sure would appreciate you calling out the 27 specific visas, 1 by 1. Perhaps there is one lurking somewhere in there that would be so simple, even a child would qualify.

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busman772
  8/15/2016 08:50 EST

Bueno dia Sr Troll if you really want to know the 27 classes of visas simply go to the migración office (which BTW is no longer on Olympic) and pick up the SERVICIOS DE: EXTRANJERÍA brochure which lists them all or go to their site http://www.seguridad.gob.sv

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JimGM1
  8/15/2016 16:50 EST

it would be so much better for all if you, having broached the 27 visas subject, would be so kind as you may well be somewhat short in this area, however show some kindness and list the 27 for sake of all of those who come upon this site and may be further interested in you sharing this information just this one time maybe.

Have a nice day if you have any clue whatsoever what a truly nice day is.

Otherwise have a day.

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brancan12
  9/19/2016 03:49 EST

That is correct, you can probably start to apply for residency in El Salvador after 3 years it is a long process and they can give you the run around

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busman772
  9/19/2016 11:43 EST

No need to wait 3 yrs, you can start the process anytime.

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huesos
  2/10/2017 18:32 EST

Can someone please describe what the NIT referred to is?

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prach
  8/16/2017 22:24 EST

hello, i have a question. How long did you wait to get permanent residncy in el salvador? I m living here from almost 2years but i saw your reply you said you got your temporary card in 2011and other in 2013 and you got pr in 2014? Can you tell me the time i have to wait to get permanent residnecy

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prach
  8/16/2017 22:32 EST

hello, i have a question. How long did you wait to get permanent residncy in el salvador? I m living here from almost 2years but i saw your reply you said you got your temporary card in 2011and other in 2013 and you got pr in 2014? Can you tell me the time i have to wait to get permanent residnecy

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