Temporary Residency for Pensioners

El Salvador's Temporary Residency for Pensioners (Residencia Temporal para Pensionados) is the immigration category designed for foreign retirees and pension recipients who wish to reside in the country on the basis of a stable pension income from abroad. Established under the Ley Especial de Migracion y Extranjeria (Decreto Legislativo No. 286 of 2019), the programme is administered by the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (DGME). It targets foreign nationals who receive a permanent and stable pension from a public or private fund abroad. Following the March 2024 reform of the Income Tax Law (Decreto Legislativo No. 969), all foreign-sourced income -- including pension income originating abroad -- became fully exempt from Salvadoran income tax, making this residency particularly attractive to foreign retirees.

• Foreign national of any nationality receiving a permanent and stable pension from abroad
• Minimum monthly pension income of USD 1,226.40 (three times the monthly minimum wage for the Commerce and Services sector)
• Higher income threshold for families of three or more members, based on multiples of the minimum wage
• Valid international health insurance for the duration of the stay
• No educational or professional qualifications required
• Must not engage in paid employment in El Salvador (narrow exceptions for work with the State, municipalities, or official autonomous institutions)
• No minimum age requirement

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Passport-sized photographs
• Certified criminal background check from country of origin and any country of residence in the past 2 years (apostilled and translated into Spanish)
• Proof of pension income (pension certificate, pension statements, bank statements showing regular pension deposits)
• International health insurance policy
• Notarised declaration of income source and commitment not to work locally
• Proof of housing in El Salvador may be requested
• All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator

The residency is issued for 1 year initially. It can be renewed for equal 1-year or 2-year periods, up to a maximum of 5 years of total temporary residency. Renewal must be requested within 30 calendar days before the current permit expires and requires updated proof of pension income and valid health insurance. A 15-day grace period is available if the deadline is missed.

Spouses and dependent children may accompany the primary applicant under the Temporary Residency to Accompany category (Residencia Temporal para Acompanar, Form F9). Each dependant must submit their own criminal background check, health insurance documentation, and certified birth or marriage certificates. The income threshold increases for applicants with dependants. Dependants' residency cards expire on the same date as the primary applicant's permit.

El Salvador operates a territorial tax system. Since the March 2024 reform (Decreto Legislativo No. 969), all foreign-sourced income -- including pension income from abroad -- is fully exempt from Salvadoran income tax. Local consumption is subject to 13% VAT (IVA).

Applications can be submitted in person at the DGME office in San Salvador or at El Salvador embassies and consulates abroad. For in-country applications, the process must be initiated within 120 days of entry into El Salvador.

1. Gather all required documents, including apostilled and Spanish-translated criminal background checks, pension income proof, and health insurance documentation
2. Submit documents and the applicable fee to the DGME (in-country) or consulate (abroad)
3. The DGME evaluates the application, verifies documents, and may schedule an interview
4. Upon approval, receive a temporary residency card valid for the approved period

Processing takes approximately 45 business days from submission of a complete application. Application fees are USD 140 for non-Central American applicants (1-year residency) or USD 260 (2-year residency), and USD 70 for Central American applicants (1-year) or USD 130 (2-year).

After completing the maximum temporary residency period, holders may apply for permanent residency (residencia definitiva). The timeline depends on nationality: Central Americans may apply directly, Hispanic Americans and Spanish nationals after 1 year of temporary residency, and other nationalities after 3 years of temporary residency.

Since 31 March 2026 (Decreto Legislativo No. 531), temporary residents -- including pensionados -- must be physically present in El Salvador for at least 90 days per year, whether continuous or intermittent, to retain their residency status. This replaced the previous rule, which cancelled residency for absences exceeding three consecutive months or four accumulated months in a year. Failure to meet the 90-day presence requirement results in cancellation of the residency, except where the resident can demonstrate a duly accredited fortuitous event or force majeure (caso fortuito o fuerza mayor) before the DGME. The permit allows multiple entries and exits throughout its validity, provided the 90-day annual presence is met.