El Salvador
Last update 20 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of El Salvador
There is no Embassy in El Salvador. The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mexico is acredited for El Salvador.
The Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mexico
Address: Paseo de la Reforma 1990 Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, Del. Miguel Hidalgo c.p.11000, México D.F.
Telephone: +52 55 55963283; +52 55 55963295
Fax: +52 55 55961012
Office hours for visitors: Mon - Fri, 09.30 - 12.30 h
Telephone enquiries: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 14.00 h
Е-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/mexico
General information
General information
(1.) Security level:
(2.) Healthcare:
(3.) Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
(4.) Customs requirements:
(5.) Traffic on roads:
(6.) Practical advice:
(7.) Local currency:
(8.) Climatic characteristics:
(9.) Other:
Local currency
Salvadoran colon (SVC)
The American dollar and the national currency – colon, have an equal application.
Facts of interest
El Salvador won its independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation – in 1839.
The country is in a difficult situation after the 12-year civil war that was ceased after an for military and political reforms agreement signed between the government and the rebels.
The population is a mixture of mestizos (the major part), Caucasians and Indians. Very few Indian tribes have preserved their authentic culture. Most of them have been assimilated by the Spaniards.
Their limited number today can be explained partially by the uprising in 1932 when about 30 000 Indians were slaughtered by the army and also by the fact that in time of a census a large part of Indians do not wish to declare themselves as Indians.
Crime and security
Salvador is the second country in the world by number of killings per capita with 66 killings per 100 000 people, committed in 2011.
Take strict measures for your personal safety.
It is recommended that when staying in the country you should carry a copy of your ID document.
Legislation specifics
Possession and using of drugs is a crime that is severely punished by law.
Road traffic
It is recommended not to use public transport.
If necessary only small quantities of foreign currencies to be carried.
When travelling around the country it is better to be accompanied by people who are well familiar with the local conditions.
Healthcare
Vaccinations – there are no requirements. Should the sojourn in the country go on for more than 90 days it is recommended that a vaccine against A and B hepatitis shall be done.
There are cases of dengue disease, caused by mosquito bites.
Hygiene – the use of bottled water is recommended.
Climate
The climate is tropical, with highly typical dry (summer) and rainy (winter) seasons. The dry season goes on from November till April – May. The rainy period that is marked by hurricanes runs from June till November.
Travel papers and visas
The passport shall be valid for more than six months.
Bulgarian citizens travel visa-free when their sojourns shall be a maximum of 90 days.
The sojourn can be extended in the country by the migration authorities.
For further information on visa and other matters you can ask for assistance to the following telephones and e-mail addresses:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – „Consular matters”
Telephone: +503 2231 1000; +503 2231 2900
E-mail: [email protected]
Delegation of EU in El Salvador
Telephone: +503 2243 2424; +503 2243 8833
E-mail: [email protected]
Embassy of El Salvador in Italy
Telephone: + 39 06 8076605
Competitive service
Certifications and legalisations
El Salvadoris a signatory party of the Hague Convention for legalisation of public documents by an “Apostille”. When public documents are presented from those countries to Bulgaria and from Bulgaria to the specified countries, the sole requirement is that the Apostillised documents shall be translated to the respective language which translation has to be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country or by its diplomatic or consular department.
The procedure of certification and legalisation of documents by the specified countries, intended to be used in the Republic of Bulgaria, is as follows:
- the document shall be certified by the Foreign Ministry of the respective country;
- then it shall be certified by the Embassy of Mexico in the respective country;
- certification by the Mexican Foreign Ministry;
- certification by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mexico, providing services to those countries.
Issuance of ID documents
From the beginning of 2012, a system for taking biometric data was introduced at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Mexico which makes possible applications for issuing new passports to be accepted.
Every Bulgarian citizen staying in Salvador can submit an application to our Embassy in Mexico for issuing a passport, an ID card, a driving license and a temporary passport.
When a first ID card is issued, the mandatory requirement is to provide a birth certificate. In case of lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed ID cards and/or passports, a document from the police authorities shall be provided, explaining the facts related to the case.
For issuing temporary passports to a child born abroad, it shall be necessary to provide a certified local birth certificate with an affixed “Apostille” and the presence of both parents shall be required. For obtaining temporary passports in order to return to Bulgaria after the documents have been lost/stolen, a statement of findings from the police has to be provided, explaining circumstances related to the case (theft, robbery, taking by violence, etc.).
Emergency Travel Document
In the emergency cases (such as losing a passport ), Bulgarian citizens can seek assistance on the spot from the diplomatic office of an EU member state in order to obtain an Emergency Travel Document.