El Salvador entry requirements for Romania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
No visa required
180 days
Max stay
180 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Romanian passport holders can enter El Salvador without a visa for up to 180 days per visit. This policy has been in place since 2024 and covers tourism, business, and short-term stays. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your Romanian passport must be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in El Salvador. Immigration officers at San Salvador airport check this at the counter. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from El Salvador | Immigration officers routinely ask for a return or onward ticket at the border. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight booking out of El Salvador within 180 days. Airlines may also check this before boarding. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in El Salvador. Officers at the airport sometimes ask where you're staying. A simple booking confirmation on your phone works. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Immigration may ask for proof of sufficient funds. Have a bank statement or credit card showing you can cover your expenses. No specific minimum amount is published, but $500–$1,000 USD is a safe range for a short trip. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Immigration officers at San Salvador airport check passport validity carefully. If you have less than 6 months left, you will be denied entry — no exceptions. Check your passport's expiry date before booking flights.
Keep your return ticket handy
Airlines may ask to see your return ticket at check-in, and immigration officers often ask for it. Save a screenshot or print a copy — don't rely on having internet access at the airport.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport in El Salvador
You'll land at Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) near San Salvador. Follow signs to 'Migración' (Immigration).
2
Queue at immigration
Join the line for foreign passports. Have your passport, return ticket (screenshot or printed), and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will ask your purpose of visit and length of stay.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry and the allowed stay (usually 180 days). Check the stamp before leaving the counter.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. You can usually walk through the green channel if you have nothing to declare.
Download El Salvador Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay180 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$30 USD
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than visa-free period.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay180 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost$50 USD
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
Residence visa (temporary)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$100 USD
Requires proof of income or investment; for longer stays.
retirement visa
Residencia Temporal por Pensionado
1 year, renewable
$100 USD
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,000 USD. Requires proof of pension and background check.
investor visa
Residencia Temporal por Inversión
1 year, renewable
$200 USD
For investors with a minimum investment of $50,000 USD in real estate or business. Requires proof of investment.
work visa
Residencia Temporal por Trabajo
1 year, renewable
$150 USD
For those with a job offer from an El Salvador company. Requires employer sponsorship and work contract.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 180 days or if visa is required. | $30 USD |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | $50 USD |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum fine cap of $500 USD. | $10 USD per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through El Salvador
No transit visa needed
Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at El Salvador airports, as long as they remain airside.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsMonseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL)
Health & vaccines for El Salvador
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussisEssentialMeasles-mumps-rubellaEssentialCOVID-19Essential
Health risks
DengueModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease; use repellent and mosquito nets.
ZikaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; pregnant women should take precautions.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Mosquito-borne; symptoms include fever and joint pain.
Malaria risk: low
Low risk in rural areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended for most travellers.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
San Salvador
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
Alameda Juan Pablo II y Calle Guadalupe, Centro de Gobierno, San Salvador
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for extensions and visa issues. Bring passport, photos, and fee.
San Miguel
Oficina Regional de Migración
Calle José Simeón Cañas, San Miguel
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for eastern El Salvador.
Practical information for RO travellers
Country basics
CapitalSan Salvador
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1 USD
Time zone
Local timeUTC-6
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+3h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTwo flat parallel pins (Type A) or two flat pins with a round grounding pin (Type B).
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or purified water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the 180-day visa-free stay is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave the country and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before your 180 days are up. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
Yes, an onward ticket to any country works — it doesn't have to be back to Romania. Immigration just wants proof you'll leave El Salvador within your allowed stay.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. Some airlines are stricter than others, but it's not worth the risk.
No, El Salvador does not require an arrival declaration or online form for Romanian passport holders. Just show your passport and answer the officer's questions.
No, the 180-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or short visits only. For work or study, you need to apply for the appropriate visa at an El Salvadoran embassy before traveling.
Overstaying can result in a fine (around $50–$100 depending on how long) and potentially a ban from re-entering for a period. Always leave before your stamp expires.
No mandatory vaccinations for Romanian passport holders. But it's wise to be up-to-date on routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, etc.). Yellow fever vaccine is not required unless you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.