How Long Can a US Citizen Stay in El Salvador? 90 or 180 Days

The short answer, from the official sources, for the tourist time limit (the "CA-4 visa clock") that Chapter 19 explains. Checked November 2026.

The answer (as of November 2026)

• Visa: US citizens don't need a visa. The $12 tourist card was abolished in April 2025.
• Time limit: the immigration law allows tourists up to 90 days. Since January 2023, the government has let many tourists stay up to 180 days. The officer sets your time when you enter, so check the stamp in your passport.
• Extension: if you got 90 days, you can ask the immigration agency (DGME) for one extension of up to 90 more, at least five business days before your time runs out. If you got 180 days, there's nothing left to extend.
• Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua: under the CA-4 agreement, trips between these four countries don't reset your time. Only leaving the region does.
• Overstaying: missing the extension deadline carries a fine of 20% to 100% of a monthly minimum wage ($81.76 to $408.80).

Salvadorans, including those with a US passport that shows birth in El Salvador, have no time limit.

In the book: Chapter 19

The chapter covers everything around the clock:

• How to tell whether you got 90 or 180 days, and why it matters for your whole family
• What really happens to your time on trips to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and beyond
• The exit permit Salvadoran children need to travel with only one parent
• Your two choices when your time runs out, including the provisional residency that lets you stay, work, and travel while you wait
• What overstaying can lead to, beyond the fine

Official sources

• Presidencia de la República: tourist permits extended from 90 to 180 days (January 13, 2023) (in Spanish)
• DGME: tourist stay extension, form F44 (in Spanish)
• Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería (in Spanish; Art. 84 tourist stay, Art. 85 extension, Arts. 224 and 231 fines)
• Asamblea Legislativa: $12 entry card abolished (April 30, 2025) (in Spanish)
• CA-4">https://servicios.igm.gob.gt/uip/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Manual-Ca4.pdf">CA-4 procedures manual (archived copy) (in Spanish)