Nicaragua Jubilado visa requirements
Nicaragua's jubilado residence is a temporary residence for retirees with a pension from abroad, renewed every 3 months to 1 year; since 2024 no law sets a minimum pension.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Nicaragua's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- No fixed minimum No law sets a minimum pension since Law 694 was repealed in August 2024. The migration regulation asks for a certificate of the origin and the monthly or yearly amount of your pension from the body that pays it; DGME decides. Law 1210; Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Temporary, up to 1 year, renewable Law 1228; Law 1210; Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Jubilado visa
Retirees with a pension from abroad apply to the Migration Directorate (DGME) for temporary residence in the jubilado subcategory. Since 2024 no law sets a minimum pension or age: the old pensionado law was repealed, and the residence is granted for 3 months to 1 year and renewed.
No law sets a minimum pension since Law 694 was repealed in August 2024. The migration regulation asks for a certificate of the origin and the monthly or yearly amount of your pension from the body that pays it; DGME decides.
Law 694, the pensionado and rentista law, was repealed by the General Tourism Law of August 2024. It had asked for a pension of $1,000 a month and a minimum age of 45, and gave duty-free import of household goods up to $20,000 and a VAT break on a car; those rules and breaks no longer apply.
A November 2024 reform of the Migration Law moved retirees (jubilados) and rentistas from permanent to temporary residence and repealed the articles that tied them to Law 694.
The 2012 migration regulation still asks for an approval from the tourism board (INTUR), a step from the repealed law; the reform ordered the regulation to be updated.
DGME can cancel residence for, among other grounds, taking part in political activity, paid work without authorization, or a temporary resident's absence of more than 6 months.
Jubilado visa documents
Every residence permit
- Residence application form
- Copy of the passport's data page and used pages, valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-size photos (4.5 x 3.5 cm), white background, no glasses or hat
- Birth or naturalization certificate from your country of origin
- Criminal record certificate covering the last 3 years from your country of origin or residence, authenticated by the Nicaraguan consulate and the Foreign Ministry, or a certificate from Interpol Nicaragua; under-18s are exempt
- Health certificate from the health authority of your country of residence or of Nicaragua
Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Certificate of the origin and monthly or yearly amount of your pension, from the authority, international body or public or private company that pays it
Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
How the application runs
- Gather documentsA pension certificate from your payer, your birth certificate, a criminal record certificate for the last 3 years and a health certificate. Documents issued abroad must be authenticated for use in Nicaragua.
- Apply at DGMEFile the application at a window run by the Migration Directorate (DGME), in person or through a legal representative. Keep your visitor stay extended while it is processed so you do not fall out of status.
- Wait for the decisionThe regulation gives DGME 30 working days from the application to grant or refuse the residence card. It may ask for more documents, and the file is closed if you miss its deadline.
- Pay the deposit and get your cardOnce approved, pay the guarantee deposit, set at the value of a return ticket to your country of origin or last residence, and collect your residence card within 60 days of approval.
- RenewTemporary residence lasts 3 months to 1 year and is renewed with DGME on showing you still meet the requirements. Being away more than 6 months without a documented health, study or family reason can cost you the residence.
Spouses and children
You can ask to include your spouse, children and parents when you apply. The law lets dependants within the second degree of blood relationship and first degree by marriage hold the same temporary subcategory.
Migration Regulation; Law 1228. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Nicaragua
Temporary residence as a rentista
For people living on a stable, permanent income from abroad, such as rents or investment returns. It is a temporary residence subcategory like jubilado, with no minimum amount in the law; the regulation asks for a certificate of the origin and amount of the income from the bank, insurer or company that pays it.
Law 1228; Migration Regulation. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Jubilado visa questions
What are the requirements for a retirement visa in Nicaragua?
Retirees apply to the Migration Directorate for temporary residence as a jubilado: the application form, passport, photos, birth certificate, a criminal record certificate for the last 3 years, a health certificate and a certificate of the origin and amount of your pension. A guarantee deposit equal to a return ticket is paid once approved.
How much income do I need to retire in Nicaragua?
No law sets a minimum since Law 694 was repealed in August 2024. You show a certificate of your pension's origin and monthly or yearly amount, and the Migration Directorate decides.
Does the Nicaragua pensionado program under Law 694 still exist?
No. Law 694 was repealed in August 2024, and its $1,000 pension minimum, age 45 rule and import tax breaks went with it. Retirees now apply for temporary residence as a jubilado under the Migration Law.
Is there an age limit for retiring in Nicaragua?
No minimum age is set in the current law. The age 45 rule belonged to Law 694, repealed in 2024.
