Central America-4 Border Control Agreement
Encyclopedia
The Central America-4 Border Control Agreement was a treaty signed in June 2006 between the Central American nations of El Salvador
, Guatemala
, Honduras
and Nicaragua
, establishing the free movement across borders between the four signatory states of its citizens without any restrictions or checks. Foreign nationals who enter one of the signatory countries can also travel to other signatory states without having to obtain additional permits or to undergo checks at border checkpoints. Similar to the Schengen Agreement
in Europe
, the CA-4 Agreement establishes a harmonised visa regime for foreign nationals travelling to the area.
was not recognised by the other three CA-4 member states, a united statement was issued on 29 June 2009 that land borders between Honduras
and the other CA-4 member states would be closed for 48 hours.
As well as holders of official travel documents issued by the following organisations:
In addition, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders are exempt from holding a visa when entering Nicaragua
only for a maximum stay of 90 days, though a Tourist Card must be obtained at a cost of USD5.
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, establishing the free movement across borders between the four signatory states of its citizens without any restrictions or checks. Foreign nationals who enter one of the signatory countries can also travel to other signatory states without having to obtain additional permits or to undergo checks at border checkpoints. Similar to the Schengen Agreement
Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on 14 June 1985 near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community. It was supplemented by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement 5 years later...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the CA-4 Agreement establishes a harmonised visa regime for foreign nationals travelling to the area.
2009 temporary suspension of the agreement for Honduras
Since the new administration following the 2009 Honduran coup d'état2009 Honduran coup d'état
The 2009 Honduran coup d'état, part of the 2009 Honduran constitutional crisis, occurred when the Honduran Army ousted President Manuel Zelaya and sent him into exile on June 28, 2009. It was prompted by his attempts to schedule a non binding poll on holding a referendum about convening a...
was not recognised by the other three CA-4 member states, a united statement was issued on 29 June 2009 that land borders between Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and the other CA-4 member states would be closed for 48 hours.
Foreign nationals eligible for visa-free entry
Nationals of the below countries holding an ordinary, diplomatic, official or service passport do not require a visa in advance to travel to any CA-4 country for a maximum stay of 90 days :| (visa-exempt for Honduras only) (visa-exempt for Honduras only) | (except British National (Overseas) British National (Overseas) British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens... passport holders) |
As well as holders of official travel documents issued by the following organisations:
- European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
- Organization of American StatesOrganization of American StatesThe Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
- United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Tourist card
The following foreign nationals holding ordinary, service, diplomatic or official passports are also exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa prior to arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days, though they are obliged to purchase a Tourist Card upon arrival to the CA-4 area for the countries that require it (USD10 in El Salvador, USD5 in Nicaragua):| (both U.S. Citizens and Nationals) (visa-national for El Salvador though) |
In addition, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders are exempt from holding a visa when entering Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
only for a maximum stay of 90 days, though a Tourist Card must be obtained at a cost of USD5.
Special exemption for diplomatic and service passport holders
In addition, diplomatic and service passport holders from the following countries can enjoy visa-free travel to the CA-4 area:| (visa-national for El Salvador though) |