Visa Requirements for Nicaraguan Citizens

Nicaraguan citizens can visit 93 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. This includes all 29 Schengen Area countries (90 days), United Kingdom (6 months), Japan (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Singapore (30 days), and most of Central and South America including Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. Other visa-free destinations include Malaysia, Philippines, and Turkey.

The US B1/B2 tourist and business visa costs $185 USD (approximately C$6,845 Córdobas) for Nicaraguan applicants. This non-refundable application fee is paid when scheduling your visa interview at the US Embassy in Managua. Additional fees may apply for visa issuance reciprocity depending on the specific visa category.

Nicaraguan citizens do not need a visa to visit the United Kingdom. Nicaraguans can stay in the UK for up to 6 months as a Standard Visitor without applying for a visa in advance. You will need a valid passport, proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, and evidence of return travel when entering the UK.

Nicaraguan citizens do not need a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Starting mid-2025, Nicaraguans will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) online before traveling to Europe. ETIAS costs €7 (approximately C$280) and is valid for 3 years. The application is processed within minutes to 72 hours.

Standard visa requirements for Nicaraguans include: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months showing sufficient funds, employment letter or business registration, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (required for some destinations), and cover letter explaining travel purpose. US visa applications also require completing the DS-160 form online.

The US B1/B2 visa approval rate for Nicaraguan applicants is approximately 70% to 78% based on recent fiscal year data from the US Department of State. Approval rates are higher for applicants with strong ties to Nicaragua, previous international travel history, stable employment, and clear documentation of property ownership or family connections in Nicaragua.

Yes, Nicaraguan citizens can obtain visas on arrival in several Asian countries including Indonesia (30 days), Cambodia (30 days), Laos (30 days), Maldives (30 days), Nepal (90 days), and Bangladesh (30 days). Visa-on-arrival fees typically range from $25 to $50 USD. Additionally, Nicaraguans enjoy visa-free access to Malaysia (90 days), Singapore (30 days), South Korea (90 days), and Japan (90 days).

Nicaraguan applicants face higher rejection rates for visas to the United States (approximately 22% to 30% rejection rate), Canada (around 25% rejection rate), and Australia (approximately 20% rejection rate). Common rejection reasons include insufficient financial documentation, weak ties to Nicaragua, unclear travel purpose, and incomplete applications. Building a strong travel history with visa-free destinations can help improve approval chances.

To maximize visa approval chances: apply at least 8 to 12 weeks before travel, provide 6 months of bank statements showing consistent income and savings, include tax returns and employment verification letters, document property ownership or business ties in Nicaragua, show previous international travel stamps (especially to visa-free countries), provide a detailed travel itinerary with confirmed bookings, and practice for your visa interview with clear and confident answers about your travel purpose and ties to Nicaragua.