If you decide to stay in Nicaragua on a long-term basis you will need to decide which residency visa to apply for and provide the necessary documentation to your immigration office in Nicaragua. In order for your application to be successful all documentation must be approved by the consulate.
Regardless of the type of residency visa you apply for, you will need to supply the following documentation:
Some specific visas need certain additional documentation:
Regarding foreign investors: the law states that if you run a business, invest a minimum of $30,000 in the Nicaraguan economy or form a company, you can apply for a 5-year foreign investor residency permit.
Along with the necessary documentation you will need to prove that you plan to reside in Nicaragua for at least six months, unless you can specify otherwise (i.e. for health reasons). Note that these six months do not have to be consecutive.
For further information regarding your individual circumstance, check the official government website .
Please note that all documentation should be authenticated by the Nicaraguan consulate in your home country and translated if required. This means that if you plan to stay long-term you should prepare yourself adequately before you leave. Even foreigners who have been residing in Nicaragua for years on a tourist visa will need to provide documentation from their home country.
It is also worth finding out the expiration date of your notarised documentation, meaning that if you plan to start the application process, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.
As with most visa application processes, it’s difficult to give an exact estimate of how long the process will take. The general time scale is anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
Once your application has been accepted you may have to wait up to two weeks to receive your permanent residency visa (residente permanente) and your permanent residency card (cédula).
You will need to renew your residence card every five years.