F11 shareholder residency in El Salvador

Who this category is for

For founding shareholders of a Salvadoran company. Buying shares later, or buying a business, may be assessed differently; confirm with the DGME that your shareholding fits F11 before you incorporate.

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 (F11)

1. You founded a Salvadoran company and subscribed and paid shares of no less than USD 10,000, as referenced in the Regulation. [Regulation art. 173 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]
2. Certified copy of the registered deed of incorporation showing your subscription and payment, or the corresponding share certificate. [Regulation art. 173 — Regulation to the Migration and Foreigners Law (updated with D.L. 35 of 24 May 2019)]

Conditional requirements

1. This threshold comes from the 2019 consolidated Regulation; confirm the current requirement on form F11 with the DGME before relying on it. [DGME]
2. If you will also work in the company, employment documents only where your residence basis allows work. [Regulation art. 161 — 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

Is USD 10,000 the minimum for F11?

The Regulation refers to shares of no less than USD 10,000 subscribed and paid by the founding foreigner. Rules can change, so verify the current figure on form F11.

Can several founders each apply under F11?

Each applicant must show their own subscription and payment in the registered deed or a share certificate. Ask the DGME how jointly held capital is assessed.

Does F11 lead to citizenship?

No. F11 is temporary residence. El Salvador does not offer citizenship by investment; naturalisation is a separate legal process.

Government sources

• DGME — Official DGME form F11 (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