Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency

Those who invest US$30,000 in real estate, a new local business, or in government-designated forestry or agricultural projects are eligible for immediate permanent residency in Nicaragua.

Participants in the program are also eligible for a two-year expedited path to citizenship, provided they can speak and write Spanish, have maintained their investment, and can pass an integration test.

Though no specific physical presence requirement is formally mandated, those aiming for eventual naturalization are advised to spend at least a month in Nicaragua each year to demonstrate ties to the country.

Program participants have three ways to qualify for permanent residency as investors:

• US$30,000 investment in real estate

• US$30,000 investment in a new business

• US$30,000 investment in agricultural or forestry projects approved by the government

Additional fees:

• US$500 in government fees per applicant

• US$215 processing fee for the main applicant

• US$200 processing fee for each dependent

• Low minimum investment amount required
• Path to citizenship
• Minimum physical presence requirement
• Lower taxes
• Lower cost of living
• Warm climate
• Short processing time

The investor visa is a permanent residence permit valid for 5 years. Although there is no physical presence requirement to renew, applicants are advised to spend some time in the country to show a connection.

Applicants who have spent at least 180 days a year in Nicaragua for two consecutive years are eligible to to apply for citizenship. The investment must still be held at the time of application.

The applicant will need to pass a test on Nicaraguan culture and history, which is conducted in Spanish.

Nicaragua does not recognize dual citizenship. A 2025 constitutional amendment further restricts dual nationality, though exceptions apply for nationals of certain Central American countries with bilateral treaties.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Applications for this program may be directed to Direccion General de Migración y Extranjería .

Legislation upon which this program is based General Law of Migration and Immigration (Ley General de Migración y Extranjería) Law No. 761, of March 31, 2011.