HOW TO GET AN EL SALVADOR RESIDENCY: BITCOIN PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, COSTS & MORE

In 2021, El Salvador made global headlines by becoming the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. But it didn’t stop there. To attract Bitcoin investors and digital nomads, El Salvador launched a Bitcoin-based residency program — an innovative path to permanent residency and even citizenship, powered by your sats.

If you’re a Bitcoinaire looking for a crypto-friendly country to call home, here’s how to get El Salvador’s Bitcoin residency, including all the requirements, costs, benefits, and how to apply.

Why Consider Bitcoin Residency in El Salvador?

1. No Capital Gains Tax on Bitcoin
   As Bitcoin is legal tender, there are no capital gains taxes when you spend, trade, or hold BTC in El Salvador.
2. Pro-Bitcoin Government
   The government actively supports Bitcoin adoption, education, mining, and infrastructure.
3. Sovereign Exit Plan
   If you’re looking for a Plan B, El Salvador offers a fast-track residency program based on Bitcoin — no need to invest in real estate or start a business.
4. Bitcoin Circular Economy
   With hotspots like Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte), many vendors and businesses accept BTC, making daily life possible on a Bitcoin standard.
5. Path to Citizenship
   With continued residency, you can apply for citizenship after just 5 years, with no requirement to give up your original nationality.

What Is the Bitcoin Residency (Freedom Visa)?

El Salvador’s Bitcoin residency program, also called the Freedom Visa, was launched in December 2023 to attract high-net-worth Bitcoiners who want to support the country’s Bitcoin economy and gain legal residency.

It is a donation-based residency program where eligible applicants contribute Bitcoin (or USDT) to El Salvador’s government in exchange for a 1-year residency permit, renewable, with a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Requirements for Bitcoin Residency

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Clean criminal background check
• Birth certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of funds (to show you can support yourself)
• BTC or USDT donation of $1,000,000
  (Yes, that’s 1 million USD equivalent in BTC or USDT. This is a donation, not an investment.)
• Application form from the official government portal
• Optional: Letter of intent or motivation (why you want to live in El Salvador)

Note: The donation goes into El Salvador’s “Bitcoin Freedom” fund, which supports development and infrastructure.

Application Process

1. Apply Online
   Submit your application through the official Freedom Visa website.
2. Provide Documents
   Upload the required documents, including background check, passport, and translated/apostilled materials.
3. Make the Donation
   Once approved, you will be asked to send your BTC or USDT to a government-designated wallet.
4. Receive Visa & ID
   After the donation is confirmed, you’ll receive a residency permit valid for 1 year, and can collect your residency ID card in El Salvador.
5. Renew & Upgrade
   After one year, you may renew the visa or upgrade to permanent residency, depending on your status.

Costs of the Bitcoin Residency

Benefits of the Bitcoin Residency

• Fast-track to permanent residency & citizenship
• No tax on BTC gains or usage
• Legal protection and status to live, invest, and bank in El Salvador
• VIP status in a Bitcoin-native nation
• Access to Salvadoran banking, real estate, and business systems
• Citizenship eligible in 5 years without renouncing your existing citizenship

Important Notes

• This program is limited to 1,000 applicants per year.
• The donation is non-refundable.
• If you’re not ready for a $1 million donation, you can still apply through other residency paths (e.g. investor visa, retiree visa) and use Bitcoin in daily life.

Final Thoughts

El Salvador’s Bitcoin residency isn’t just a visa — it’s a statement. It’s an invitation for freedom-minded individuals to help build the world’s first Bitcoin nation while securing legal residency and eventual citizenship.

Whether you’re a long-time HODLer, entrepreneur, or someone seeking financial sovereignty, El Salvador is leading the way with its crypto-forward policies. If you believe in Bitcoin’s future and want to live somewhere that shares that vision, El Salvador might just be your new home.