Paperwork in Nicaragua
It is worthwhile discussing here the bureaucracy of Nicaragua. It is not easy to get things done here regardless of how you do it. Please be patient and try not to get frustrated. Try to become a citizen in the USA since 9/11 and you would find it just as difficult if not almost impossible.
Some people will tell you it is much easier if you use a lawyer, some will tell you to take a friend with you that is fluent in Spanish, some use businesses that specialize in just handling Nicaraguan documentation and some will tell you to use what we call an “expediter” that makes things happen for enough money. We have had friends use each and every way and none are a guarantee that you will get through the requirements any faster. The top lawyers here make $150 an hour and they can’t even seem to get things accomplished any quicker though most lawyers are rather inexpensive.
A position with the government is very desirable here and that bureaucrat can use his authority to make it difficult or easy for you. Be friendly and odds are that things will go smoother. Spanish fluency is a must unless you have other people do the legwork for you. Any required documentation from your home country should be gathered long before you arrive in Nicaragua. Requests to a insurance company, bank, former employer, etc. from Nicaragua will be met with resistance if not ignored. Calls are not returned because the other party does not know how or is not allowed to make international calls. Mail service from Nicaragua takes weeks and overnight mail service is very expensive.
Depending on your definition of corruption, it does exist here as it does to some extent in all countries. This is a poor country and officials do make some of their pay from “special fees”. Our opinion is that there is less corruption now since Daniel Ortega was elected but it still greatly exists. When we arrived in Nicaragua we simply paid an “expediter” to get our permanent residency and our household goods and vehicle out of customs. He handled everything and four months later we had everything completed.
This corruption or “loose interpretation of rules” can often work to your advantage. When we arrived in Nicaragua we were told we had to apply for one year residencies then try for a five year residency in a few more years. We ignored the “rule” and our expediter was able to start us on a five year residency which saves an incredible amount of work each year. Later I bought a motorcycle from a friend who had lost the bill of sale including the ownership papers. I tried to register it legally and was presented with two pages of requirements that had to be met which meant weeks of effort. I contacted another expediter and for $150 my motorcycle, two days later, was licensed and insured. No guarantee you can do the same but do not assume the rules are set in stone.
Having said all of that, our recommendation is to use a business or lawyer that specializes in getting Nicaragua paperwork performed for foreigners. They know the business and they have the contacts. As always, talk to other expatriates and learn from them or at least learn what not to do.
Some people will tell you it is much easier if you use a lawyer, some will tell you to take a friend with you that is fluent in Spanish, some use businesses that specialize in just handling Nicaraguan documentation and some will tell you to use what we call an “expediter” that makes things happen for enough money. We have had friends use each and every way and none are a guarantee that you will get through the requirements any faster. The top lawyers here make $150 an hour and they can’t even seem to get things accomplished any quicker though most lawyers are rather inexpensive.
A position with the government is very desirable here and that bureaucrat can use his authority to make it difficult or easy for you. Be friendly and odds are that things will go smoother. Spanish fluency is a must unless you have other people do the legwork for you. Any required documentation from your home country should be gathered long before you arrive in Nicaragua. Requests to a insurance company, bank, former employer, etc. from Nicaragua will be met with resistance if not ignored. Calls are not returned because the other party does not know how or is not allowed to make international calls. Mail service from Nicaragua takes weeks and overnight mail service is very expensive.
Depending on your definition of corruption, it does exist here as it does to some extent in all countries. This is a poor country and officials do make some of their pay from “special fees”. Our opinion is that there is less corruption now since Daniel Ortega was elected but it still greatly exists. When we arrived in Nicaragua we simply paid an “expediter” to get our permanent residency and our household goods and vehicle out of customs. He handled everything and four months later we had everything completed.
This corruption or “loose interpretation of rules” can often work to your advantage. When we arrived in Nicaragua we were told we had to apply for one year residencies then try for a five year residency in a few more years. We ignored the “rule” and our expediter was able to start us on a five year residency which saves an incredible amount of work each year. Later I bought a motorcycle from a friend who had lost the bill of sale including the ownership papers. I tried to register it legally and was presented with two pages of requirements that had to be met which meant weeks of effort. I contacted another expediter and for $150 my motorcycle, two days later, was licensed and insured. No guarantee you can do the same but do not assume the rules are set in stone.
Having said all of that, our recommendation is to use a business or lawyer that specializes in getting Nicaragua paperwork performed for foreigners. They know the business and they have the contacts. As always, talk to other expatriates and learn from them or at least learn what not to do.
