Nicaragua visa requirements by nationality (2026)
Since 16 February 2026, 69 nationalities can enter visa-free and 128 need a pre-approved visa authorized by Migration.
Immigration rules changed several times between 2024 and 2026, and the authorities apply them with wide discretion. Confirm your case with the immigration directorate (DGME) or a Nicaraguan lawyer before making decisions.
We could not read the disposition on a government site; the table is based on the text reproduced by Canal 4 and on law-firm analyses, which agree. The UK and Spain confirm visa-free entry for their citizens.
| Nationality | Category |
|---|---|
| United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Norway, Switzerland | A: visa-free |
| 22 EU countries, including Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands | A: visa-free |
| Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand | C: pre-approved visa |
| Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, China, India (ordinary passports) | C: pre-approved visa |
How to apply for a pre-approved visa
According to Consortium Legal, you email a special form with a copy of your passport (6 months’ validity) to solicitudes@mint.gob.ni; if approved, the DGME notifies you by email and the visa is stamped at a consulate. With Category C the initial stay is 30 days, extendable to 90, and it is valid for Nicaragua only, not the rest of the CA-4.
Sources: Disposition 002-2026 on visa categories (text reproduced by Canal 4); Consortium Legal, 2026 visa categories (secondary); UK FCDO travel advice: Nicaragua; Spanish Foreign Ministry travel recommendations.
Reviewed: 13 Nov 2026