When traveling to Nicaragua, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Nicaragua, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

• » Attend business meetings
• » Buy goods for sale outside the country
• » Attend a trade show or seminar convention

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Nicaragua?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a Visa Exemption (Category “A”) on arrival, and are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel in order to enter and conduct business activities in Nicaragua. If your nationality is not eligible for a Visa Exemption, you must obtain either a Consular/Frontier Visa (Category “B”) or a Consulted Visa (Category “C”) (for restricted nationals) from a Nicaraguan Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

Nicaragua is a signatory of the Central America 4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement along with Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. In many cases, foreign nationals who enter any one of the CA-4 countries with a visa waiver or entry visa for a short stay are free to travel to any of the other CA-4 countries without obtaining additional documentation. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility.

What types of activities require authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Nicaraguan law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Nicaragua, even if conducted for a short duration.

• » Hands-on technical activities
• » Auditing
• » Consulting

If I am traveling to Nicaragua for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Nicaragua. The most common forms of work authorization in Nicaragua are:

• » Work Permit (work authorization for up to one year)
• » Work Permit and Temporary Residence Card (work authorization for stays longer than one year)

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

Nicaragua does not offer work authorization exemptions.

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2020 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.