On February 13, 2026, the Ministry of the Interior issued Provision 002-2026, updating the official list of countries whose citizens do or do not require a visa to enter Nicaragua. This provision came into effect on February 16 of this year.
This update is particularly relevant, as no general document systematizing immigration categories for entry based on the visitor’s nationality had been published since 2015. In this regard, the document is a key reference for foreign citizens planning to travel or reside in Nicaragua, as well as for companies and advisors who manage international mobility.
Among the most relevant adjustments, the provision establishes that Mexican and Peruvian citizens holding ordinary passports are now classified as Category “C” foreigners, which means that they must apply for a visa in advance to enter the country, subject to direct approval by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners.
Likewise, the Ministry of the Interior has enabled a new procedure for applying for entry visas (Category “C”), applicable to citizens of these nationalities.
The procedure consists, in general terms, of:
- Completing a special form with the applicant’s personal information and travel details.
- Sending this form, together with a scan of the passport’s biodata page (with a minimum validity of six months), to the institutional email address: solicitudes@mint.gob.ni
- Once the visa has been authorized, notification will be sent by email so that the applicant can go to the corresponding Nicaraguan consular office to have the visa stamped in their passport.
The implementation of this procedure represents a significant optimization of the visa application process, as it reduces unnecessary trips to consular offices, which in the past entailed significant logistical and operational costs, especially for foreigners located in countries without nearby consular representation.
From a practical perspective, these changes reinforce the importance of planning trips to Nicaragua further in advance, as well as verifying the applicable immigration requirements in a timely manner, preferably with the assistance of a lawyer specializing in immigration law, in order to avoid delays or inconveniences when entering the country.
Link to Provision No. 002-2026: https://www.mint.gob.ni/migracion/disposicion-n-002-2026-cambio-de-categorias-migratorias-de-visa-para-ingresar-a-nicaragua/
Link to requirements for category C visa applications: https://www.mint.gob.ni/requisitos-de-visa-de-ingreso-para-visitantes-de-otras-nacionalidades/