Nicaragua permanent residence

Article 29 of Law 761, as reworded by Law 1228 (La Gaceta No. 222, 29 November 2024), defines a permanent resident as a person authorised by the DGME to reside in Nicaragua, for a period from three months up to five years that can be renewed, with a legal or habitual domicile in the country. The subcategories are: immigrant; immigrant with capital; spouse, children and parents of those two; foreigners with ties of affinity or consanguinity with Nicaraguans (spouse, parents, minor children, persons with disabilities or adults declared incapable); and refugees.

People of Central American origin, and nationals of countries with which Nicaragua has dual-nationality agreements, can opt directly for permanent residence if reciprocity applies. Immigrants with capital or investors are those registered and certified by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MIFIC); investing in any lawful economic activity, or in certificates, securities or treasury bonds and national financial institutions, can lead to investor status (article 32).

Under article 122 as amended in 2024, five-year permanent residence costs CA$250 for immigrants and for relatives of Nicaraguans and CA$500 for the other permanent subcategories. Replacing a damaged or lost residence card costs CA$50 and stamping residence in a new passport CA$10. Refugees and stateless persons pay half of the permanent residence fees (article 125). Fees are in Central American pesos, payable in córdobas at the Central Bank's official rate.

Applicants also lodge the cash guarantee deposit of article 128, equal to a return ticket, unless they are exempt; MIFIC-certified investors and close relatives of Nicaraguans are among the exempt groups.

The residence card is renewed thirty days before it expires. A permanent resident who is away from Nicaragua for more than one year can have residence revoked, unless the absence is justified by health, studies or family problems. Other grounds in article 38 include political activity, unauthorised paid work, a final criminal conviction and failure to pay taxes that are not exempted. Investor residents must prove, at the close of each fiscal year, that their economic activity continues.

Article 53, as amended in 2024, lets foreign residents apply for Nicaraguan nationality after seven years counted from the date they obtained the permanent residence card, after renouncing their nationality of origin, without prejudice to applications the higher authorities decide on for economic, social, cultural, sporting, health or investment interest. Shorter routes exist for Central Americans, for spouses and partners registered in the civil registry, for parents of Nicaraguan children with two continuous years of residence, and for people who have set up an industry or activity contributing to development and have one year of permanent residence. Acquiring nationality costs CA$500.

DGME decisions in migration matters can be challenged through the administrative remedies of review and appeal under Law No. 290 (article 180).