Nicaragua Residency By Investment Program | A Complete Guide

Program Overview:

Nicaragua has implemented a policy that grants immediate permanent residency to foreign investors. This provision applies to any individual who commits an investment exceeding US$30,000 into the operational facets of a company within Nicaragua.

It is imperative that the investment constitutes a substantive commercial endeavor. For instance, an investment of US$30,000 directed towards the acquisition of commercial real estate for the purpose of rental income and profit generation would qualify an applicant for Nicaraguan permanent residency. Conversely, the mere purchase of a residential property for personal occupancy would not fulfill the criteria for this visa category.

In addition to the aforementioned financial prerequisites, applicants must also satisfy the following fundamental conditions:

1. Demonstrate sound health and possess a pristine criminal record.

2. Remit a security deposit of US$400 per principal and dependent applicant into a local Nicaraguan banking institution.

Application Process:

The application process for the Nicaragua Permanent Residency  by Investment Program generally follows these steps:

1. Completing Your Investment:

To begin your application for the Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program, you’ll first need to enter the country on a valid visa. Once there, you can select your investment sector and finalize your investment.

After your investment is complete, you’ll submit an investor registration application to MIFIC (the Ministry of Commerce). MIFIC will conduct a review of your company, which typically takes around two weeks. They will approve your registration only after confirming that your company is genuinely operational.

2. Applying for your Visa:

Once you’ve received MIFIC’s registration certification, you can gather all necessary documents and submit your visa application to the Nicaraguan Immigration Department.

The required documents for this step include:

• Applicant Identification Documents: This includes passports for all primary and dependent applicants, passport-sized photos, and relationship verification documents such as birth certificates and marriage certificates.

• Application Forms: You’ll need to complete an application form and submit a letter outlining your investment and your intention to reside in Nicaragua.

• Proof of Investment: You must provide relevant documents, including your company’s registration certificate, local tax identification number, and the investment completion certificate issued by MIFIC.

• Medical Examination Certificate.

• Criminal Record Certificate: All adult primary and dependent applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from their previous country of residence.

• Proof of Visa Fee Payment: The visa fee for the Investor Permanent Residency Program is US$215 for the main applicant and US$200 for each dependent. Additionally, all primary and dependent applicants must pay a government fee of US$500 per person.

All documents originating outside Nicaragua must be notarized, and any documents not in Spanish must be translated into Spanish.

The entire approval process for the Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program typically takes approximately 4 to 9 months. During this period, the Nicaraguan Immigration Department may request an interview with you.