Indians will now have to pay over Rs 94,000 in tax when traveling to El Salvador

El Salvador has introduced a $1,000 (Rs 83,240) fee for passengers traveling from Africa or India as part of its efforts to address irregular migration through the Central American nation, according to a Bloomberg report. The decision, announced by El Salvador's port authority on October 20, mandates that individuals using passports from India or more than 50 African nations will be subject to this fee.

The collected funds are earmarked for the enhancement of the country's primary international airport.

El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, recently met with Brian Nichols, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, to discuss various topics, including the issue of irregular migration.



According to a Bloomberg report, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has encountered a record-breaking 3.2 million migrants across the United States in the fiscal year 2023, which concluded in September.

Migration from Africa and other regions to the United States often involves transiting through Central America. Including Value Added Tax (VAT), the total additional cost for travelers from the affected countries amounts to $1,130 (Rs 94,024). The new fee became effective on October 23, driven by the increased use of El Salvador's primary international airport, as stated by the authorities.

To enforce this measure, airlines are now obligated to report daily to Salvadoran authorities on passengers originating from a list of 57 countries in Africa and India. Notably, Avianca, a Colombian airline and one of the major users of the airport, has initiated the practice of notifying travelers from the designated countries about the mandatory fee, which must be paid before boarding flights to El Salvador.