Central America
Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, and more
Countries
Latest Updates
Costa Rica Updates Migration Policy for Third-Country Deportees
Costa Rica has entered a migration agreement with the United States to accept and process 25 non-Costa Rican migrants per week. While primarily targeting transit migration, the move involves processing these individuals under local immigration laws and granting them temporary legal status, signaling a shift in national immigration administrative capacity.
U.S. Visa Bond Requirements for Nicaraguans
Nicaraguan citizens applying for U.S. B1/B2 visitor visas will be required to post a bond between $5,000 and $15,000. This change primarily impacts local partners, employees, or family members of expats in Nicaragua who intend to travel to the United States.
How Saint Lucia’s Non-Immigrant Visa Works for Honduran Nomads
Honduran passport holders can now apply for a one-year digital nomad visa to live and work remotely in Saint Lucia. Applicants must provide proof of remote employment, meet income requirements, and hold valid health insurance.
Inside El Salvador’s Remote Work Residency
El Salvador's digital nomad visa offers a one-year residency, renewable for up to four years, for remote workers earning at least $1,460 monthly. Key benefits include a total exemption from income tax on foreign-sourced earnings and the ability to use Bitcoin as legal tender.
Understanding Guatemala's Residence Options for Remote Workers
Guatemalan authorities have introduced a temporary freeze on certain visa processing categories as of March 2026. This development impacts pending applications and new submissions, requiring expats and long-term travelers to monitor their legal status closely.
US Expands Visa Bond Requirements for Travelers in Panama
The US has introduced a visa bond requirement for applicants from 12 specific countries, a move that directly impacts travel and immigration logistics through Panama. Travelers and expats from affected nations may face significant financial hurdles when applying for US visas or transiting through the region.
Costa Rica Rolls Out Immigration Filing at Post Offices
Foreign nationals can now submit select immigration applications at designated post offices in San Jose and Santa Ana. This pilot program introduces a more convenient filing method for a service fee ranging from approximately USD 10 to 25.
El Salvador Updates Minimum Stay Rules for Residents
A new bill aims to lower the annual residency requirement from 180 days to 90 days. This change would allow digital nomads and investors to maintain their legal status while traveling more frequently outside the country.
Inside Guatemala’s Digital Nomad Residency
Guatemala has introduced a temporary residency for remote workers and freelancers, eliminating the need for a local guarantor. The program features a 2-4 month processing time and a fee of approximately $225 USD.
Why Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa Remains a Top Residency Choice
Panama has finalized the minimum real estate investment for its Qualified Investor Visa at $300,000, ending previous temporary lower thresholds. The program continues to offer permanent residency within 30 to 60 days with a minimal physical presence requirement of one visit every two years.
Inside Honduras’s Independent Means Residency
Honduras provides a residency pathway for foreign nationals who can demonstrate a consistent monthly foreign income of at least US$1,500. The Independent Means Visa offers a validity period of one to five years, making it a viable option for remote workers and retirees seeking long-term stays.
Nicaragua Ends Visa on Arrival for Over 100 Nationalities
Nicaragua has overhauled its immigration policy, eliminating visa-on-arrival privileges and exemptions for several countries. Travelers from affected nations must now apply for visas in advance, leading to increased paperwork and longer processing times for entry.
Why Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa Remains a Top Tier Choice
Panama has finalized the 2026 requirements for its Qualified Investor Visa, maintaining the real estate investment threshold at $300,000. The program also offers residency through capital market investments or fixed-term bank deposits with updated compliance standards.
Nicaragua Updates Entry Rules for Mexican and Peruvian Travelers
Effective February 16, 2026, citizens of Mexico and Peru are now classified under Category C, requiring a pre-approved 'consulted visa' before arrival. Travelers from these countries must now use a new online form and email submission process to obtain entry authorization.
Costa Rica Updates DIMEX Card Rules
Costa Rica's immigration office (DGME) is experiencing significant delays in issuing DIMEX residence cards, with wait times reaching four months. To mitigate this, authorities are temporarily allowing the use of expired passports or DIMEX cards for official procedures, provided biographical details match existing records.
Inside Costa Rica’s Entry Rules and Visa Exemptions
Costa Rica has updated entry rules, requiring that stays for travelers exempt via US, Canadian, or Schengen visas do not exceed the remaining validity of those documents. Additionally, Honduran citizens are now reclassified as visa-exempt, though they must provide a police clearance certificate upon entry.
Panama Opens Permanent Residency Path for Long-Term Students
International students with six consecutive years of study in Panama can now apply for permanent residency. The new pathway includes a two-year provisional permit and waives the previously mandatory repatriation deposit.
How Honduras Exceptional Residency Works for Remote Workers
Honduras has introduced Ministerial Agreement No. 374-2025, lowering the barrier for foreign nationals to obtain residency. Applicants can now qualify with only 50% of standard income thresholds if they meet specific exceptional criteria, such as family ties or humanitarian grounds.