Nicaragua 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) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | No travel ban; affected by the 2026 immigrant visa pause (set aside by a court, under appeal) |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Terminated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Managua processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant 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 Nicaragua right now
- TPS for Nicaragua was terminated effective September 8, 2025; a district court briefly blocked the termination, but the Ninth Circuit let it take effect in February 2026 while litigation continues. Since April 2, 2026, Nicaraguan B-1/B-2 applicants may have to post a visa bond, a program made permanent in August 2026. It was on the State Department's list of 75 countries whose nationals' immigrant visas were paused from January 21, 2026; a federal court set the pause aside on August 21, 2026, and the government's appeal was still pending as of October 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Nicaragua
Marriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseK-1 fiancé(e) visaBring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry and stayFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsAsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRemoval defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration courtTPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countries
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 Nicaragua visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Nicaragua nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua enter the green card lottery?
Nicaragua was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Nicaragua have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Managua processes both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Nicaragua?
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.