El Salvador country guide

Passive income · Last checked 2026-08-08

Residencia Temporal Rentista (F8)

Permanent, stable foreign monthly rent of at least four current commerce-and-services minimum wages

El Salvador’s F8 rentier residence is a one-year, multiple-entry temporary category for a person receiving permanent and stable monthly rent from abroad.

Country
El Salvador
Applicant basis
Permanent, stable foreign monthly rent of at least four current commerce-and-services minimum wages
Responsible authority
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
Official route status
Current official route
Information available
Detailed guide
Last checked
2026-08-08

Supported requirements

What the current source supports

  • Document permanent and stable monthly rent from abroad of at least four current minimum wages for the commerce-and-services sector, intended for subsistence in El Salvador.
  • Submit the F8 request, a copy of the valid passport and all used pages, and the original passport for comparison.
  • Provide an original police or criminal-record certificate from the country of origin or any country of residence during the two years before entry, with apostille or authentication and Spanish translation as applicable.
  • Provide current Salvadoran National Civil Police clearance after more than three months in El Salvador or more than two entries during the preceding year.
  • Provide the original certificate from the institution paying the rent and a notarized declaration stating the income source and amount and that the applicant will not perform remunerated activity.

Applicant scope

Who this route generally serves

Generally designed for
Applicants able to document stable, permanent foreign rent equal to at least four current commerce-and-services minimum wages.
Legal basis named by the authority
Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería, Articles 109(5), 110–113, and 145–148, with Article 119 amended by Legislative Decree 531 of 2026; and DGME packets F8 and F23.

Route lifecycle

What to confirm from application onward

Financial basis
At least four current monthly minimum wages for the commerce-and-services sector in permanent, stable rent from abroad. If two or more people accompany the principal rentier, Article 145 raises the total threshold to six current commerce-and-services minimum wages.
Government service fees
For the statutory one-year rentier term, F8 states USD 70 for a Central American applicant and USD 140 for a non-Central American applicant. F23 states renewal charges of USD 55 and USD 125 respectively. Payments are non-refundable; confirm the live charge and nationality treatment before paying.
Administrative service targets
F8 and F23 each state a maximum 45-working-day response period when all requirements are met. This is a service target, not an approval or processing guarantee.
Initial status
Temporary residence for one year with multiple entries under Article 109(5).
Renewal
Apply during the 30 calendar days before expiry. F23 requires the renewal request, passport comparison and updated copies where applicable, and a notarized declaration confirming the rent source, amount, family maintenance where relevant, and no remunerated activity.
Dependents
F8 supplies an accompanying process for a spouse or partner and children under parental authority. Relationship, identity, and applicable adult background evidence are required; approval is not automatic, and the six-minimum-wage total applies when two or more people accompany the principal.
Work rights
A rentier may not perform remunerated work, except specialized work or teaching for the State, municipalities, or autonomous official institutions as stated in Article 145.
Presence considerations
The rentier-specific Article 148 rule remains stricter than the 2026 general temporary-resident minimum: status is lost if absence exceeds six consecutive months or six months in intervals during one calendar year, unless justified.
Permanent residence
The statute permits a rentier to seek definitive residence through a separate application. Temporary rentier status does not automatically grant definitive residence.
Citizenship relationship
Naturalization is a separate legal process and is not established by rentier residence.

Official evidence

Sources for this route

General planning information only—not legal, tax, or investment advice. A listed route does not determine eligibility. Verify current rules with the responsible authority before acting.