El Salvador at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Not eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Designated; extension decision pending |
| Where visas are processed | U.S. Embassy San Salvador processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to El Salvador right now
- TPS for El Salvador was designated through September 9, 2026. As of mid-October 2026 DHS had not announced whether it will be extended, so check uscis.gov for the latest.
- The Central American Minors program is suspended, and Family Reunification Parole ended on January 14, 2026.
- No country-specific entry restrictions were in place as of October 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from El Salvador
Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsTPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countriesAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRemoval defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration courtEB-3 green cardEmployer-sponsored green card through PERM labor certificationB-1/B-2 visitor visaVisit the U.S. for business, tourism or family
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from El Salvador visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. El Salvador is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from El Salvador get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on El Salvador nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between El Salvador and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from El Salvador enter the green card lottery?
El Salvador was not eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, and someone born in El Salvador may still qualify through a spouse born in an eligible country.
Where do people from El Salvador have their visa interview?
U.S. Embassy San Salvador processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in El Salvador?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Americas
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.