Renewing Tourist Visa in Nicaragua

[tleamond]

What are the options for renewing a tourist visa in Nicaragua these days?  A couple people I know are staying in Nicaragua for a little over 6 months.  They have already renewed their visa 1 time by sending their passports to Managua and paying a fee.  They are told that they cannot do that a second time.  In the past one could cross into Honduras or Costa Rica and renew by reentering the country – but I am told this is no longer an option (not sure why).  1) Can one renew by traveling to Honduras or Costa Rica for a short visit?  2) If they pass the 90 day mark (as allowed on their visa) are they likely to be stopped at the airport on the way out?

[Casa Silas B & B]

If they have already renewed once in country, then yes, they have to leave the country to get another 90 days. I have been told that Honduras does not count (nor does El Salvador or Guatemala) because of the "no tourist visa" requirement between these countries and Nicaragua.

You are supposed to leave Nicaragua for 72 hours, but some have been know to turn right around at the Costa Rican border (we have done it). Be advised that this option may not work-no guarantees that they will renew the 90 day tourist visa if you are not out of the country for 72 hours.

The other option is to pay at the airport on your way out of the country. Sometimes passport control notices you are over, sometimes they don't. If they do, they will tell you how many days you owe and will take your money and passports and process your paperwork as you wait. This happens right as you are entering the area where hand luggage is inspected (after check in). The cost is 20 Córdobas (about $1) per day you are over. Note that the day of the stamp is counted as day one. The last time we left the country, we knew we would be over by a few days so just paid 120 (6 days) Córdobas each at the airport rather than going through the pain of crossing a border. In other words, it's no big deal to be stopped at the airport and pay on your way out, but remember, they only take Córdobas.

[¡Un Buen Viaje! Jessica]

Great info, Casa Silas.

I'm still not clear on one thing. It is called a visa or a tourist card? I was under the impression that a visa is a specific document that one needs to obtain before traveling to a country that requires a visa, and a tourist card that you receive upon entering Nicaragua is something different. Can anyone clarify? Gracias, Jessica

[Joshua Berman]

It is a tourist card.

[erik nelson]

At San Carlos the migración people tell me it's okay to return the same day.  I've done so.  But I'd always ask beforehand, as rules change.

[scorsar]

Hi there. Does anyone have an update to this post? My family and I are planning to 'move' at least temporarily to Nicaragua, Granada.. We are Canadians, and I don't know how the three month tourist visa thing is going for people down there. For instance, could we just spend the weekend in Costa Rica every three months, and then come back in for the next three months? Does anyone have any experience with this? And i assume if you don't push the limit, (ie stay past your visa) that it would be easier to return..
As well, if you pursue your residency, i was told that at some point if you left Nicaragua you could request the funds back that you paid into that account? Again, has anyone heard about this?

Thanks for your help..
Stephen

[Joshua Berman]

could we just spend the weekend in Costa Rica every three months, and then come back in for the next three months?

yes, you could. you can also do it in Managua, at the Immigration kiosk in the Metrocentro Mall during business hours (just show up; they have no phone) and get the extension there.

[Papatara]

If you do decide to extend your tourist visa, I recommend that you do so before it is due to expire. On one occasion I let my visa lapse a considerable period (84 days I think!) before reporting to immigration (actually in Puerto Cabezas) to ask for an extension. The officer there seemed rather upset because apparently immigration policy apparently doesn´t allow them to extend a visa after it is out of date. They did eventually work it out for me, however.

Also when flying to the Atlantic Coast, be prepared to show your passport at the airport in Puerto Cabezas (also Bluefields and Corn Island I believe). If your tourist card is overdue, the immigration agent at the airport will require you to extend it at Immigration office there BEFORE you can return to Managua!

[erik nelson]

Scorsar, I'm Canadian too, and I just cross into Costa Rica for the day every three months. No hassle at all, though the crossing at Peñas Blancas can be tedious.  I sometimes go as far as San José in Costa Rica, in many ways a great city, and a fine option if you're living in Nicaragua and want to do some shopping.

[jimwalker]

All the info has been correct, and to confirm...one needs to either go to Costa Rica via San Carlos or Penas Blancas, or to Guatamala...I tried to extend mine by going to Honduras and Nica stamped me out for my $2. and Honduras said, no go....that I had to go to Tegucigalpa to extend since all of America Central, except Costa Rica has the 90 days....so back to Nica we came, now paid the $7 to get the new tourist card...but no stamp in the passport. Tried to get it, but they were clear and firm, and denied it. And then I was overdue, and Immigration at the airport reviewed the expired date and I convinced them that I was flying to San Carlos on my way to Costa Rica. Which I did the next week...and paid 20 cord a day fine, and got my new 90 days when I came back the next day.

[erik nelson]

jimwalker, Guatemala doesn't work either.  It's Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, or a flight.
I'm nervous about the number of postings on this forum that regard paying the fine as a simple way of extending a stay here in Nicaragua.
A fine is a punishment for breaking a law.  The law is that you have 90 days in the G4 (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala), and then you have to renew.  That's pretty simple.  Respect for Nicaraguan law ought to be automatic among us expats and tourists.  Breaking the law because we can afford the fine doesn't show the kind of respect we owe Nicaragua--a sovereign nation with the right to determine who crosses its borders, under what conditions.
No offense meant, to anyone.   Please, just think about this.

[Randall Wood]

I've done the "over the border to Costa Rica" trip.  I stayed long enough to have a sandwich and a Coke, then returned.  The military man at the border gate itself asked me with surprise, "Again?" when I was returning.  This was back in 2002.  I can only imagine that sooner or later they'll  decide to put an end to this trick, but for now it works.

With regard to respecting the law, I support it.  Questions of sovereignty aside, keeping in the good graces of the law gives the sovereign government of Nicaragua fewer opportunities to hassle or pressure you - it's a game you win just by following the rules and not giving them the opportunity to get the upper hand!

Happy travels - Randy