How it works
One shared 90 days. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua share one limit. US citizens can travel between the four for up to 90 days in total.
The clock starts at your first entry. Your entry stamp into any of the four sets your CA-4 time. Crossing between them doesn't reset it.
One extension, total. To stay longer, ask the immigration office in the country you're in for a one-time extension before your 90 days run out. El Salvador grants up to 90 more days. Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua set their own length, so ask them.
Leaving the region. Leaving for Mexico, Belize or Costa Rica ends your current CA-4 stay. The officer decides your time on your next entry, so ask before you plan a border run.
Don't wait until you're over. Guatemala warns that late requests can bring fines or removal.
An example
You spend 60 days in Guatemala, then cross into El Salvador. You have 30 days left for all four countries, not a fresh 90.
Mistakes people make
- Thinking each country gives its own 90 days.
- Countries enforce it differently, and land borders are stricter than airports.
- Reading El Salvador's own 180 days in some guidance. The shared 90 still applies unless you get an extension.
Quick answers
Do Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua each give 90 days?
No. They share one 90-day limit, and crossing between them doesn't reset it.
Can I extend my CA-4 stay?
You can ask for one extension at immigration in the country you're in, before your 90 days run out.
Where this comes from
Government sources only. Read the rule yourself.
- El Salvador travel information, US State Department (explains CA-4)travel.state.gov ↗
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Migraciónigm.gob.gt ↗
- Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, El Salvadormigracion.gob.sv ↗
- Instituto Nacional de Migración, Hondurasinm.gob.hn ↗
- DGME El Salvador: Form F-44, extension of staytransparencia.gob.sv ↗
- Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración: Extension of the tourist visa (IGM 01-2026)extranjeria.igm.gob.gt ↗
- US State Department: Nicaraguatravel.state.gov ↗
What changed
11 Oct 2026. Sourced every line to official pages and cut three claims we couldn't source.
3 Oct 2026. First published. Checked against the US State Department and the immigration agencies of the four countries.
A plain-language summary of the official rules. It isn't legal advice. If your situation is unusual, confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified adviser.
