Nicaragua
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
Restrictions on entry to Nicaragua
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Nicaragua based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Nicaragua does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The Nicaraguan Ministry of Interior website details the requirements for entry by air and land. None of the documents required in either case makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant. However, a yellow fever vaccination card is required.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Nicaragua
It is unclear whether Nicaragua imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.
The website of the Directorate General for Foreigners and Migration (Dirección General de Extranjería y Migración) includes among the requirements for the Temporary Residence Application a Health Certificate issued by the authority of your country of residence or the Nicaraguan health authorities. This health certificate must be translated into Spanish by an authorised translator before a notary with more than 10 years of notarial practice. It is not clear if such health certificates include HIV disclosure or testing.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Nicaragua
It is unclear whether Nicaragua imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
The website of the Directorate General for Foreigners and Migration (Dirección General de Extranjería y Migración) includes among the requirements for the Permanent Residency Application a ‘health certificate, issued by a competent authority of their country of origin or previous residence, signed or authenticated, or from the Nicaraguan health authorities’.
It is not clear if such health certificates include HIV disclosure or testing.
Treatment access in Nicaragua
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Nicaragua. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
IOM reports that Nicaraguan legislation stipulates that health services and education are public and free of charge for the entire population, without distinguishing between migrants and nationals. Accordingly, Article 46 of Nicaragua’s Constitution establishes equal rights for all persons; Article 27 provides that “[f]oreigners have the same rights and duties as Nicaraguans, with the exception of political rights and other rights established by law”; and Article 59 declares that all Nicaraguans have equal right to health.
Under Article 11 of the General Law on Migration and Foreigners (2011), foreigners ‘shall enjoy the same individual and social rights and guarantees to which Nicaraguans are entitled under the Constitution’. In addition, Article 8 of the General Law on Health (2002) promotes equitable and free treatment for vulnerable people, whom it defines as persons without the means to meet the minimum needs for their human development; however, the Law does not refer specifically to migrants as such vulnerable persons. In practice, access to public health services is free and universally available to everyone on the national territory. Migrants must show a passport or a resident permit to identify themselves.
Migrants have guaranteed access to health care, free of charge, in line with the principles of universality and solidarity. There are no specific regulations or provisions for their inclusion.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Nicaragua page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | No |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | No |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | No |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
