Five Real Estate and Residency Combinations for US$150,000 or Less
September 20, 2023
James Nuveen outlines five ways international investors can diversify both their property and mobility portfolios at the same time.
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
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Program Type:
Independent Means Visa
Processing Time:
3-6 months
Citizenship Timeline:
4 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
3 years
Physical Presence Required:
None (183 days per year for PR)
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
126 countries
Minimum Contribution:
None
On This Page
Program Overview
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
Nicaragua’s independent means visas give applicants a three-year path to permanent residency and a four-year path to citizenship simply by demonstrating a modest monthly income, from passive sources like rental income, dividends, or pensions.
Nicaragua enjoys a tropical, coastal climate, a low cost of living, and relatively low taxes.
Nicaragua is a popular retirement destination for a growing number of Americans, attracted in part by the country’s plentiful and inexpensive beachfront real estate.
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
How to Qualify
Nicaragua offers two different types of independent means visa: Pensionado and Rentista. The visas are essentially the same, but the Pensionado has a minimum age of 45 years old.
For each visa, the applicant must demonstrate a recurring, monthly passive income.
Pensionado visa applicants must show a US$600 monthly income while Rentista applicants must show a US$750 monthly income.
In each case, the requisite income must be demonstrated and approved by Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo (INTUR).
Additional fees and income requirements:
- An additional US$150 per month of income per dependent
- A US$200 application fee for each person included in the application
- A US$500 government fee for each person included in the application
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
Salient Benefits
- No investment or donation requirement
- Path to citizenship
- Lower cost of living
- Lower taxes
- Warm climate
- Short processing time
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Both the Pensionado and Rentista visas are initially issued as temporary residence permits with one-year validity. The visas are renewable annually as long as the applicant can still demonstrate the necessary income. After three years of continuous residency, the applicant is eligible for permanent residency.
After four years of continuous residency, the applicant may apply for citizenship through a notary. Spanish, Guatemalan, Honduran, and El Salvadorian citizens are able to claim citizenship after just two years of residency.
Dual citizenship is not recognized unless the applicant comes from a country with a special citizenship treaty with Nicaragua.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME).
Legislation upon which this program is based Law of Resident Pensioners and Retirees (Decree 628):
Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
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Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
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Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.