F8 rentista residency in El Salvador

Who this category is for

For people with documented passive income from abroad who will not work for pay in El Salvador. Salary from remote employment is not the same as passive rent; ask the DGME how your income type is treated before choosing F8.

General requirements for every temporary residence

Article 161 of the Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law sets the common file for all temporary residence applications. The category-specific documents below are added to it.

1. Application signed by the foreign applicant or a legal representative; if not signed in person before the authority, the signature must be notarised. [Regulation art. 161 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
2. Copy of every used page of the valid passport, with the original presented for verification. [Regulation art. 161 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
3. Original criminal record or police clearance from the country of origin or from the country where you lived during the last two years. [Regulation art. 161 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
4. Salvadoran police (PNC) clearance where it applies: if you have been physically in El Salvador for more than three months or entered more than twice in the past year. The authority may check it electronically. [Regulation art. 161 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
5. An employment support letter or certified employment contract only where your residence basis allows you to work. [Regulation art. 161 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]

Category-specific requirements (F8)

1. Original letter from the entity paying the income, showing stable income that meets the amounts set in Articles 144 and 145 of the Migration Law. Check the current figure on form F8; we do not quote one. [Regulation art. 166 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
2. Sworn declaration before a Salvadoran notary setting out the origin and amount of the income and your commitment not to perform paid work. [Regulation art. 166 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]

Conditional requirements

1. Income documents issued abroad must be apostilled and translated into Spanish, and letters without an expiry date are generally only accepted for up to a year. [Regulation arts. 149–151 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]

Rules for foreign documents

1. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled or legalised and, where not in Spanish, officially translated into Spanish. [Regulation arts. 149–150 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
2. Documents without their own expiry date are generally accepted for up to one year from issue; employment letters for 30 days. [Regulation art. 151 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
3. Government fees are non-refundable and paying them does not guarantee approval. [Regulation art. 152 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]

How the application works

1. Identify the correct residence category for your situation; an entry visa is not the same as residence.
2. Download the official F form for that category and read its complete, current requirements, timelines and fees.
3. Gather the general and category-specific documents, with apostilles and Spanish translations.
4. Lodge the application with the DGME and pay the government fees.
5. The authority reviews documents and background; it may request more information.
6. Only if approved is the temporary residence card issued. Renewal conditions vary by category and must be met each time.

[DGME — How can I become a temporary resident in El Salvador?]

Frequently asked questions

What counts as rentista income?

Stable income produced outside El Salvador and certified by the entity that pays it, such as rents, dividends or annuities. A pension points to F7 instead.

Can a remote worker use F8?

F8 requires a commitment not to perform paid work, and remote salary is active income. Discuss your situation with the DGME or a licensed lawyer before applying.

How much monthly income do I need?

The amount comes from Articles 144 and 145 of the law. We do not publish an unverified figure; read it on the current official F8 form.

Government sources

• DGME — Official DGME form F8 (PDF)
• DGME — Temporary residences (list of official forms)
• DGME — How can I become a temporary resident in El Salvador?
• Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)
• eRegulations El Salvador — investor residence procedure
• Legislative Assembly — Legislative Decree No. 531 (2026)
• Legislative Decree No. 531 — official PDF text