Residents of El Salvador must apply for an ETIAS visa waiver if they wish to visit the Schengen Zone, including countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. These requirements come into effect at the end of 2022 and mean that wannabee travelers must complete a quick online application before they fly.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Salvadorian Citizens
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) was implemented to protect countries within the Schengen Zone. All of these countries operate without internal borders. If you reside in one Schengen country, you can travel to another without a lengthy visa or visa waiver applications—it’s like traveling to another state or city.
Many tourists are afforded the same freedom, and the ETIAS is what makes sure that visitors don’t have long criminal records and have not been charged for offenses such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.
El Salvador citizens will need to complete an online ETIAS application form before they travel. The form takes fewer than 10 minutes to finish and authorization should be granted quickly thereafter.
To complete the form, you will need:
- A valid El Salvadoran passport (must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of travel)
- Secure internet access
- A valid email address
- A credit card or debit card
A €7 fee will be charged to all travelers over the age of 18, and once ETIAS authorization has been granted, it will remain valid for up to 3 years, or until the associated passport expires. ETIAS authorization can be used to visit the Schengen Zone for up to 90 consecutive days within any 180-day period.
Do Salvadorian Citizens Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver for Europe?
If you’re traveling to the Schengen Zone for tourist or business reasons, and you intend to spend less than 90 consecutive days there, you will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. It will allow you to land in one Schengen country before crossing borders and entering other Schengen countries.
If you need to spend more than 90 consecutive days there, you should apply for a Schengen Visa instead. The application process is a little more complicated, but it means that you can study and work in the region long term.
Where Do Salvadorians Go on Vacation?
In 2021, travel company Kuoni looked at travel search queries all over the world to discover which countries were near the top of every nationality’s bucket list. They discovered that many nations in South and Central America listed Peru as their “must-see” destination, including residents of El Salvador.
Peruvians themselves were searching for trips to Qatar. It seems that this rich middle-eastern country is one of the most sought-after travel destinations for Peruvian passport holders. However, it’s worth noting that the 2022 World Cup is being held in Qatar, and Peru is a nation of soccer lovers, so that likely played a massive role in their aspirational searches.
As for Salvadorians, they are likely attracted by the vast culture and history in Peru, including some of the world’s most mesmerizing attractions.
Can Salvadorian Citizens Travel to the US and Australia Without a Visa?
Peruvian citizens are a little unfortunate in that they are unable to travel to the US or Australia without a visa. The US is pretty strict when it comes to international travel and the same rules apply to most countries in Central and South America. Australia is usually a little more lenient, but that’s not the case here.
On the plus side, citizens of El Salvador can apply online for a visa to visit Australia and the process is usually straightforward.
Which Countries Can Salvadorians Visit Without a Visa?
In addition to ETIAS countries, Salvadorian passport holders can also visit large parts of the Americas without a visa or through a visa waiver program. The exceptions to this rule include Canada, the United States, Cuba, and Venezuela.
The United Kingdom is a little more welcoming, and Salvadorian passport holders can visit the UK without a visa for up to 6 months.