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Nicaragua

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
19,495
Top destination, 2023
Spain
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
17,035
UK visas issued, 2025
24
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
15.0%
NationalityNIISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<NINICARAGUA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
NI5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Nicaragua need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Nicaragua move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Spain13,891
  2. United States3,980
  3. Mexico537
  4. Canada270
  5. Germany254
  6. Italy86
  7. Chile68
  8. Netherlands62
  9. Switzerland58
  10. Sweden55
  11. Japan48
  12. France44
  13. Belgium38
  14. Finland38
  15. Austria12

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

11k23k200020032006200920122015201820212023
11k23k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200021,311
200119,992
200211,102
20034,631
20044,751
20054,608
20066,834
20078,400
20087,138
20097,309
20107,371
20117,779
20126,552
20136,312
20146,648
20157,322
20168,497
201710,115
201815,616
201922,634
202013,224
202112,961
202222,157
202319,495
Share going to the top destination
71.3%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Nicaragua who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Costa Rica423,401
  2. United States295,024
  3. Spain98,452
  4. Panama23,672
  5. Mexico18,139
  6. Canada10,768
  7. Guatemala10,131
  8. Honduras8,086
  9. El Salvador8,063
  10. Venezuela1,838
  11. Italy1,626
  12. Australia877

Living abroad by year

453k905k19901995200020052010201520202024
453k905k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990445,757
1995487,148
2000494,067
2005545,324
2010609,093
2015633,892
2020749,552
2024905,251
Living abroad, 2024
905,251
Change since 2000
+83.2%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
46.8%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Nicaragua by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B214,031
  2. H2A1,344
  3. C1/D490
  4. B1246
  5. F1223
  6. C1174
  7. J1106
  8. H2B56
  9. H1B53
  10. G446

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

8,75518k201720182019202020212022202320242025
8,75518k20172019202120232025
Data table
20179,559
201812,970
201912,653
20207,623
20214,911
202217,195
202317,470
202417,510
202517,035
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR1406
  2. IR2229
  3. IR5198
  4. F1147
  5. FX103
  6. F492
  7. F2A66
  8. F349
Immigrant visas, FY2025
1,466
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
21
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Nicaragua who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Nicaragua with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

2,1104,2202015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,1104,220201520172019202120232024
Data table
20153,320
20163,490
20173,070
20183,060
20193,820
20202,570
20214,220
20223,750
20233,870
20244,180
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens2,790
  2. Family-sponsored preferences590
  3. Refugees and asylees550
  4. Employment-based preferences120
  5. Other classes100
  6. Diversity visa lottery40
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)1,430
  2. Specialty occupations (H-1B)210
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)200
  4. Spouses and children140
  5. Other temporary workers120
  6. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)90
  7. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)60
  8. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)30
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Nicaragua)
4,180
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Nicaragua)
4,180
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
89,130
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Nicaragua (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Nicaragua (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Study12
  2. Family8
  3. Work3
  4. Visitor1

Visas issued by year

2550201020122014201620182020202220242025
2550201020132016201920222025
Data table
201025
201124
201212
201315
201421
201534
201622
201731
201834
201950
202015
202129
202229
202334
202424
202524
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
5
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Nicaragua, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20257151501352750
20247752201053600
20239052101202650
2022645951203050
202166045603350
2020375200600
20194802030950
201844010151250
20173701520900
201630500550
201530005850
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Nicaragua, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

122006–072009–102015–162018–192023–242025–26
122006–072009–102015–162018–192023–242025–26
Data table
2006–071
2007–081
2009–101
2010–111
2015–161
2017–181
2018–191
2022–232
2023–242
2025–261
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
1
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Nicaragua living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

541082012201420162018202220242025
541082012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201270
201372
201477
201588
201690
201786
201884
201988
2022101
2023106
2024105
2025108
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident49
  2. Spouse or Child of Japanese National23
  3. Long-Term Resident9
  4. Student9
  5. Dependent6
  6. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services5
  7. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident2
  8. Professor2
  9. Instructor1
  10. Highly Skilled Professional1
Residents, December 2025
108
In work-related statuses
9
Share in work-related statuses
8.3%
Students
9
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Nicaragua

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Nicaragua, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Spain2820621.4%
Italy9900.0%
Germany3300.0%

Applications by year

50992009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
5099200920122015201820212024
Data table
200994
201097
201192
201288
201399
201492
201560
201643
201761
201838
201947
202015
202125
202242
202357
202440
Refusal rate, 2024
15.0%
Refusal rate, 2019
0.0%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Nicaragua in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family3,673
  2. Work2,948
  3. Other reasons1,880
  4. Education1,030
First permits by country
  1. Spain8,702
  2. Italy135
  3. Germany132
  4. France117
  5. Ireland83
  6. Sweden78
  7. Portugal64
  8. Switzerland50
  9. Netherlands48
  10. Finland24
  11. Norway21
  12. Belgium19
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card3
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)22
  3. Researchers7
  4. Other paid activities2,916
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
31
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
7,364
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
789
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
590
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
40,772
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
5,346
Changed status into work, 2025
387
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
2
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Nicaragua in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025522001
Sweden2025578322213
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202519316
Austria202515411
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark2
  2. Sweden8
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Nicaragua

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Nicaragua, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Argentina1——
Brazil1——
Chile1——
China1——
Colombia1——
Costa Rica1——
Ecuador1——
El Salvador1——
France1——
Germany1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Luxembourg1——
Mexico1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Peru1——
Russia1——
Spain1——
Türkiye1——
Countries
20
Missions
20
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Nicaragua, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

2,6235,246200020032006200920122015201820212024
2,6235,246200020052010201520202024
Data table
2000320
2001336
2002376
2003439
2004519
2005616
2006698
2007740
2008820
2009770
2010825
2011914
20121,016
20131,081
20141,140
20151,198
20161,268
20171,395
20181,505
20191,686
20201,855
20212,150
20223,227
20234,662
20245,246
Remittances received, 2024
US$5,246 million
Share of GDP, 2024
26.6%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Nicaragua, 2023
2.3%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

All corridors from Nicaragua

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Nicaragua → Spain
  • Nicaragua → United States
  • Nicaragua → Canada
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more