FAMILIARES Y AMIGOS: LEAN BIEN ESTAS LEYES QUE HAN PASADO LOS SANDINISTAS SIN AVISARLE AL GOBIERNO AMERICANO.

LA EMBAJADA AMERICANA SEGUIRÁ INVESTIGANDO.
09:58 a.m.
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Reinaldo J. Perez


New Nicaraguan Immigration Rules Impact U.S.-Nicaraguan Dual Nationals-September 1, 2011

This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens with dual (American and Nicaraguan) nationality to recent changes to Nicaragua’s entry and exit requirements. The U.S. Embassy has received numerous reports from U.S. Citizens in the past two weeks that Nicaraguan immigration officials are requiring dual nationals to exit Nicaragua with a Nicaraguan passport, even if they entered Nicaragua using their U.S. passport.

Nicaraguan citizens, regardless of dual nationality, may be required to use a Nicaraguan passport for all travel to and from Nicaragua. We have also received reports that U.S. citizen visitors are not being allowed to enter Nicaragua if their passport is valid for less than six months.

These changes apparently are the result of a newly-enacted Nicaraguan citizenship law, about which the U.S. Embassy was given no prior notice. Our efforts thus far to request information and clarification from Nicaraguan authorities have been unsuccessful. Until such time as we are able to get more definitive, written information from the Nicaraguan government about these new requirements, the Embassy recommends that U.S.-Nicaraguan dual citizens residing in the U.S., who plan to visit Nicaragua, consult with the Nicaraguan Embassy in Washington or the nearest Nicaraguan Consulate, for more information about new entry requirements. The Embassy also recommends that, until further notice, all U.S. citizens (including those who do not also possess Nicaraguan citizenship) traveling to Nicaragua ensure their U.S. passport is still valid for at least 6 months.

Nicaraguan citizens can apply for a Nicaraguan passport through the Nicaraguan Embassy and Consulates in the United States or at any Nicaraguan Immigration office in Nicaragua. Further information on applying for a Nicaraguan passport may be found on the Nicaraguan Immigration website http://www.migob.gob.ni/dgme/. While expedited passport services are available for Nicaraguan passports, all Nicaraguan citizens must first be in possession of a national identification card, or “cedula,” before applying for a Nicaraguan passport. Given the strong demand for cedulas, which also serve as voter identification cards, in advance of the November 6 national elections, there have been reports of widespread delays in the issuance of Nicaraguan cedulas. We therefore recommend that dual national travelers take this into consideration before planning a visit to Nicaragua.

The U.S. Embassy will continue to seek clarification of these new rules from the Nicaraguan authorities, and as soon as we obtain a response we will update published consular information about Nicaraguan entry and exit requirements.
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The U.S. Embassy in Managua is located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua. The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2252-7100. For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer. The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov General information regarding consular services is available by calling 011-505-2252-7104. Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad", which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.