El Salvador 2026 Entry Guide: Eligible Countries & Official Requirements

 

If you are planning to visit El Salvador in 2026 for tourism, business, or the growing Bitcoin economy, you must first verify your eligibility for the Special Entry Permit (PEI) and the mandatory Airport Improvement Fee. This comprehensive list includes all 106 nations eligible for the electronic entry process.

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List of 106 Eligible Countries for El Salvador E-Visa / PEI (2026)

The following nationalities are eligible to apply for an official entry permit online:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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Detailed Entry Protocols & The $1,130 USD Surcharge

El Salvador’s 2026 migration policy focuses on national security and infrastructure development. The most critical update for travelers is the International Airport Improvement Fee.

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What is the $1,130 USD Airport Fee?

This is a mandatory government tariff of $1,130 USD (including 13% VAT) applied to citizens of specific regions (primarily Africa and India).

• Purpose: The fee is used to fund the modernization of the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) and to manage transcontinental migration flows.

• Application: This fee applies even if you are only transiting through the airport without leaving the terminal.

• Payment: It must be paid online via credit card before boarding. Airlines will check for this digital receipt at your final transit hub.

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Country Categories for 2026 Admission

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Category 1: Countries Subject to the $1,130 Fee + PEI

Citizens from these nations must pay the infrastructure surcharge and obtain a Special Entry Permit (PEI) prior to arrival.

Nationalities: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, DR Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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Category 2: Countries Subject to PEI Only (Exempt from $1,130 Fee)

These nations require a digital permit to enter El Salvador but are not required to pay the $1,130 surcharge.

Nationalities: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

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Important Exemptions: Strong Visa Holders

In 2026, a significant bypass exists for many travelers. Regardless of your nationality in the lists above, you may be exempt from the standard e-visa/PEI application if you hold a:

• Valid Multiple-Entry Visa for the USA, Canada, or the Schengen Area.

• Note: While this exempts you from the visa process, the $1,130 Airport Fee may still be applicable based on your passport's origin. Always verify with your airline.

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How to Prepare for Your Trip

1. Check Documents: Visit our required documents page for a full checklist.

2. Submit Fees: Ensure all government tariffs are paid 72 hours before your flight.

3. Review Pricing: Stay updated on potential fee adjustments by checking our visa types and prices gallery.