About
Why El Salvador.
El Salvador launched the world's first crypto-native citizenship-by-investment program in 2023 with the Adopting Bitcoin Investment and Migration Law, building on its 2021 designation of Bitcoin as legal tender.
The "Freedom Visa" requires a $1,000,000 contribution in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT) transferred to the government wallet via an approved exchange. Approvals are capped at 1,000 per year to preserve exclusivity.
The Salvadoran passport offers 131 visa-free destinations including most of the Schengen Area and most of Latin America. The UK currently requires a visa for Salvadoran nationals. Processing is 4-8 weeks, among the fastest globally.
Beyond passport mobility, El Salvador offers zero capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for citizens and residents (Article 5 of the Bitcoin Law). For crypto-native HNWIs, the two fit together neatly.
Investment routes
How the investment works.
2 routes are available. Pick the one that fits your goals.
Donation
Freedom Visa: Bitcoin or USDT donation
From
$1,000,000
Non-refundable contribution of $1,000,000 in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT) to the El Salvador government, under the 2023 Freedom Visa program. Limited to 1,000 applicants per year.
- RecoverableNo, non-refundable
Benefits
What this citizenship gives you.
Crypto-native pathway
The world's first citizenship program accepting Bitcoin (BTC) as the contribution currency. It builds on the 2021 law that made BTC legal tender.
Visa-free Schengen + Latin America
131 visa-free destinations including most of the Schengen Area and most of Latin America. The UK requires a visa for Salvadoran nationals.
Fast processing
4-8 week processing, among the fastest CBI programs globally.
Family included
Spouse, children, and parents can all be added.
Limited annual allocation
Capped at 1,000 approvals per year, which preserves exclusivity.
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Main applicant
- ✓At least 18 years old
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✗Not born in: IR, KP
Family members eligible
- ✓Spouse
- ✓Children
- ✓Parents
Process
How it works, step by step.
Total: ~4-8 weeks for clean files.
- 1
Engagement
2 weeksKYC and crypto-wallet verification.
- 2
Donation transfer
1-2 weeksBTC or USDT transferred to the government wallet via approved exchange.
- 3
Application submission
1 weekApplication lodged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 4
Review and approval
3-5 weeksBackground checks and approval-in-principle.
- 5
Decree and passport
2 weeksNaturalisation decree issued; passport issued in El Salvador (single visit).
Documents
What you'll need to prepare.
8 documents required. All must be apostilled and (where applicable) translated.
- 1Notarized passport copy
- 2Birth and marriage certificates (apostilled)
- 3Police clearance
- 4Medical certificate
- 5Crypto wallet verification or USDT/BTC source-of-funds
- 6Investment confirmation
- 7Photographs
- 8Application forms
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Is the program really crypto-only?
How is the BTC valued?
Is this a serious citizenship?
Why 1,000 annual cap?
Is BTC tax-free in El Salvador?
Legal basis
Adopting Bitcoin Investment and Migration Law (2023) and Article 92 of the Salvadoran Constitution
