El Salvador Citizenship by Investment
A premium Latin American program offering rapid citizenship for high-net-worth investors. Strong regional access and an emerging strategic position.
Program at a Glance
Key facts for the El Salvador program
El Salvador's Freedom Visa is the only national investment-migration programme designed to be funded in Bitcoin or Tether, built with Tether's technology support and capped at 1,000 approvals a year. It is a premium, crypto-native route for high-net-worth investors aligned with the country's digital-asset positioning.
- Processing time
- ~6 weeks government processing (~10–12 weeks end-to-end)
- Visa-free travel
- 130+ destinations (Salvadoran passport)
- Minimum investment
- USD 1,000,000 (in BTC or USDT)
What to know
El Salvador's USD 1,000,000 Freedom Visa programme (launched with Tether in December 2023) is paid only in Bitcoin or USDT and capped at 1,000 approvals a year. Note an important distinction: the original government framing is a residency visa with a fast pathway to citizenship, while advisory firms market direct citizenship in ~6 weeks. We confirm the exact legal grant and current timeline with the CIP Unit before any client relies on it.
Figures are indicative and subject to change by the issuing authority. Speak with an Ancova advisor for current pricing, due-diligence requirements, and route-specific eligibility.
Investment routes
Ways to qualify for El Salvador
Freedom Visa contribution (BTC or USDT)
USD 1,000,000
A non-refundable contribution paid in Bitcoin or Tether toward El Salvador's economic development. A USD 999 per-applicant deposit is paid up front and credited toward the total once due diligence is passed.
Eligibility
Who qualifies
- Pass KYC / due diligence and background checks
- Pay the USD 999 initial deposit per applicant (in BTC or USDT) at application
- Make the USD 1,000,000 contribution in BTC or USDT upon acceptance
- No prior residency in El Salvador required
- No language test and no mandatory in-person interview (per advisory firms)
- Spouse and dependent children can be included on one application (each pays the USD 999 fee, not an additional USD 1,000,000)
The process
From brief to passport
- 1
Apply & pay the USD 999 deposit
Submit via the official portal and pay the per-applicant deposit in BTC or USDT.
- 2
KYC & due diligence
Undergo identity verification and background screening by the CIP Unit.
- 3
Make the USD 1,000,000 contribution
On approval, transfer the contribution in Bitcoin or USDT (the deposit is credited toward it).
- 4
Biometrics & passport
Attend a biometrics appointment to collect the passport and documents (firms cite ~6 weeks of government processing).
Why El Salvador
What this passport unlocks for the principal and family
Crypto-native acquisition
The only national programme designed to be paid in Bitcoin or USDT, aligned with El Salvador's digital-asset policy and built with Tether's support.
Speed, minimal obligation
Marketed as one of the fastest routes to a passport with no relocation; the ongoing requirement is generally a periodic visit (firms cite once every five years).
Scarce, exclusive allocation
Capped at 1,000 approvals per year, positioning it as a high-tier programme.
Visa-free highlights
- Schengen Area
- United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Most of Latin America
Advisory Approach
Discreet, compliance-led guidance from brief to passport.
The El Salvador route is reviewed against your family profile, existing nationalities, source-of-funds documentation, and long-term mobility goals. Ancova coordinates application preparation, due diligence, government liaison, and onward passport issuance.
- Eligibility review tailored to the principal and dependants
- Source-of-funds and source-of-wealth documentation support
- Liaison with approved agents and government channels
- Post-approval handling: oath, passport, and onward planning
This page is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Investment thresholds, processing times, and program terms change; confirm the current details with a qualified Ancova adviser before acting.
Everything You Need to Know
Need more clarity? Our team is here to provide tailored guidance and support.
The official programme (launched with Tether in December 2023) describes a Freedom Visa with a path to citizenship and a Salvadoran passport; advisory firms now market direct citizenship in ~6 weeks. Because the original framing is a residency visa leading to citizenship, we confirm the exact legal mechanism with the CIP Unit before relying on it.
A USD 1,000,000 non-refundable contribution in Bitcoin or USDT, plus a USD 999 per-applicant deposit (also in BTC or USDT) credited toward the total.
No. The contribution is made in Bitcoin or Tether (USDT) only; the programme was built around crypto payments.
Advisory firms cite around six weeks of government processing and roughly 10–12 weeks end-to-end; we verify actual timelines with the CIP Unit.
There is no prior residency requirement; firms indicate status is maintained by visiting at least once every five years. We confirm the current rule with the programme.
The programme is capped at 1,000 approvals per year.
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