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Nicaragua Visa for Canada Citizens 2026

Visa Free

Canadian citizens can enter Nicaragua visa-free for stays of up to 90 days, with days shared across the CA-4 Central America agreement countries.

Guide last updated September 30, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Valid Canadian passport with at least 6 months' validity remaining
  • No visa required for stays up to 90 days
  • Completed tourist card/entry form purchased on arrival (typically around USD 10, often bundled into airport fees)
  • Proof of onward/return travel
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay
  • Travel health insurance is recommended, not mandatory
  • No biometrics required beyond a standard photo/fingerprint scan used at some airports

Visa types

  • No visa is needed for short Canadian visits. For other stays:
  • Residency categories (pensionado, rentista, investor): for those settling long-term, applied for through Nicaragua's immigration authority (Migracion y Extranjeria)
  • Extension of stay: available inside Nicaragua for tourists wanting to remain beyond 90 days, subject to CA-4 rules
  • Most Canadian tourists and business travelers need neither.

Entry conditions

  • Stay is capped at 90 days total across the CA-4 zone (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) — moving between these four countries does not reset your 90-day count
  • Employment is not permitted under visa-free/tourist entry
  • Pay the tourist card fee (approximately USD 10) at the airport or land border on arrival
  • To extend beyond 90 days, apply at a Migracion office inside Nicaragua before the stay expires, or exit the entire CA-4 zone and re-enter
  • Overstay fines apply per day beyond the permitted stay

Fees & processing time

  • Tourist card fee: approximately USD 10, paid on arrival
  • No visa fee since Canadians don't need a visa
  • Stay extensions inside Nicaragua cost roughly USD 20-40 depending on the length requested, processed same-day to a few days at a Migracion office
  • No express visa service applies since no visa is required for entry

Tips for Canada travelers

  • Carry small USD bills for the tourist card fee and any airport charges, as change can be limited
  • Remember that time spent in El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras counts toward your 90-day CA-4 limit
  • Canada has no resident embassy in Nicaragua for all services; the Canadian Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, provides consular support along with an honorary consul in Managua
  • Confirm current Global Affairs Canada travel advisories, as some regions warrant increased caution
  • Keep a copy of your tourist card/entry stamp, as it may be requested when checking into accommodation or exiting the country

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.