El Salvador citizenship by cryptocurrency is an innovative program known as the El Salvador Freedom Passport (or Freedom Visa in its original version). It allows foreigners to obtain a Central American passport in exchange for digital assets, primarily Bitcoin and USDT. As a result, the El Salvador Freedom Passport became the world's first legal opportunity to naturalize through a cryptocurrency investment.
The basis for this citizenship program was El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as an official form of payment in 2021. Specifically, the Bitcoin Law (Ley Bitcoin) was passed, requiring all businesses to accept the cryptocurrency alongside the US dollar.
Since then, the Salvadoran Treasury has been purchasing one Bitcoin daily for the budget as part of its overall economic policy. And in 2023, the government introduced a citizenship-by-investment program.
Key features of the El Salvador Freedom Passport program:
Minimum investment: $1,000,000 in Bitcoin or USDT
Processing time: 6-8 weeks
Visa-free access: over 130 countries (including the Schengen area)
Tax benefits: 0% capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions
Dual citizenship: permitted by El Salvadoran law
APEX Capital Partners has 35 years of experience assisting investors in second citizenship programs and holds the necessary licenses to operate. APEX also holds a valid license for the El Salvador Citizenship by Cryptocurrency program.
The Uniqueness of the El Salvador citizenship Program
The El Salvador Freedom Passport program offers simple wallet-to-wallet cryptocurrency transfers, with no need to convert to fiat. Unlike traditional programs on the market, which offer a choice between purchasing real estate, contributing to the government in foreign currency, or creating jobs, digital asset owners now have a tool in their own format.
It should be noted that the goal of the Salvadoran authorities is to attract investment and position the country as a technologically advanced jurisdiction for the international crypto community.
Advantages of the El Salvador program:
The world's first and currently only citizenship program accepting cryptocurrency as an investment.
Remote application submission
Application documents are accepted electronically
Simply show a crypto wallet as the source of funds.
To initiate the review process, you only need to pay $1,000 of the investment amount and a $1,000 fee for each family member in the application.
Cryptocurrency transfers are processed only after the application is approved.
No residency requirement
Fast application processing (6-8 weeks from submission to passport receipt)
Option to invest in stablecoins (USDT) to reduce volatility risks.
APEX Capital Partners estimates that this approach could influence the development of other citizenship-by-investment programs. Over time, the market will be forced to adapt to the growing demand for digital assets.
El Salvador Citizenship. Applicant Requirements:
Must be 18 years of age or older
Must not have a criminal record for serious crimes
Not on any international sanctions lists
Legal source of funds for investment (crypto wallet)
Family: Who can be included in an application for El Salvador citizenship?
Spouse
Children under 18
Benefits of an El Salvadoran Passport and Citizenship
Obtaining El Salvador citizenship through the El Salvador Freedom Passport program offers investors a number of significant advantages.
Visa-free entry
First of all, an El Salvadoran passport provides visa-free access to over 130 countries worldwide. This includes Schengen countries, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and most Latin American countries. In recent years, El Salvador has been actively expanding its network of visa-free travel agreements, increasing the value of its citizenship for international travel.
No relocation required
It's also worth noting that there are no physical presence requirements—after receiving citizenship, there's no need to reside in the country or regularly visit it to maintain your status. This makes the program attractive to businessmen and investors who lead an international lifestyle.
No need to renounce other citizenships
El Salvadoran law fully recognizes multiple citizenships, allowing investors to retain their original citizenship. APEX regularly advises clients seeking to diversify their options by obtaining a second passport without renouncing their first.
Banking
A particularly valuable advantage for investors is that El Salvador citizenship provides access to the country's banking system, as well as to international financial institutions on favorable terms.
Investment requirements for obtaining El Salvador citizenship using cryptocurrency
Contrary to the loud claims of many founding countries about accepting cryptocurrency transfers, only El Salvador actually offers this option. We're sharing information about this program as a licensed agent. The participation fee is $1 million in cryptocurrency (USDT or Bitcoin transaction) – a non-refundable contribution to the country's development.
For example, at a Bitcoin exchange rate of $80,600, you'll need 12.4 BTC to reach the required investment amount. APEX recommends maintaining a 5-10% reserve above the minimum amount to account for possible exchange rate fluctuations, especially when using Bitcoin.
Application Costs:
Government fees: $1,000 per applicant
Legal support services
Document translation and notarization costs
Down payment of just $1,000 of the $1,000,000 total in Bitcoin or USDT upon application
The principal investment amount is transferred after the application is approved via a direct transfer from the investor's crypto wallet to the El Salvadoran government's crypto wallet.
Bank and crypto exchange fees: vary by platform, but typically range from 0.5-2% of the transfer amount.
If a candidate doesn't have a crypto wallet, APEX will assist with all processes. We will also provide all candidates with the necessary legal support for preparing and submitting applications to the El Salvador program.
