Nicaragua Visa
Nicaraguan authorities have denied entry to or expelled foreigners, including NGO workers, academics, and journalists, for unclear reasons.
For visitors other than tourists, the Nicaraguan government recommends that you pre-register your trip by following the instructions available on the Nicaraguan immigration website (in Spanish only). See our website for additional information.
All travelers should have an onward or return ticket and evidence of funds to support yourself while in Nicaragua. You must carry a valid identity document at all times.
You must purchase a tourist card for $10 USD at the airport (exact change recommended), valid for up to a total of 90 days in any of the member countries of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement. Visitors remaining longer must obtain an extension from Nicaraguan Immigration.
Many travelers must show proof of yellow fever vaccination administered at least 10 days before travel in order to be permitted entry to Nicaragua. Please review the requirements on our website to see if you need this vaccination before your travel to Nicaragua.
If you use a passport of a different nationality than you did on prior trips to Nicaragua, Nicaraguan authorities may deny you entry.
Medical officials conduct a remote body temperature scanof all disembarking passengers at Managua’s airport. If you have been to West Africa or a region with medical epidemics, Nicaragua may quarantine you or not allow you to enter the country. For specific information, contact the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.
You must exit Nicaragua with the same passport used for entry. If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen while in Nicaragua, you will need to get a new entry stamp from Nicaraguan Immigration before you can depart.
There is a $42 USD departure tax, often included in the plane ticket price, or you can pay the tax at the airline counter when departing.
The Government of Nicaragua requires special notification for official travelers. All U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. government and their family members should inform the U.S. Embassy in Managua, regardless of whether they are entering Nicaragua by via car, plane, or boat and regardless of whether they are traveling on their official/diplomatic/regular passports.
See the U.S. Embassy website for information regarding departure requirements for children under 18 who also are Nicaraguan citizens.
Advanced Coordination Required for Volunteer Groups: You should email both the Embassy of Nicaragua in the United States (asistente.emb@embanic.org) and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (enlace@cancilleria.gob.ni) to inform them of your trip if you are leading one of the following types of trips, even if your group has worked in Nicaragua previously or has a local office:
Volunteer mission,
Charitable or medical brigade (the latter also need permission from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health), or
Assistance visit organized by NGOs, religious groups, schools, or any other group doing this type of work in Nicaragua.
For the latest visa and entry requirements, visit the Embassy of Nicaragua or Nicaraguan Immigration websites (Spanish only).
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Nicaragua.