El Salvador offering 5,000 passports, voting rights to skilled workers from abroad

President Nayib Bukele made the announcement on X on Saturday (April 6, 2024).

He said the skilled workers would be granted full citizen status and voting rights.

"We're offering 5,000 free passports (equivalent to $5 billion in our passport program) to highly skilled scientists, engineers, doctors, artists, and philosophers from abroad," Bukele posted on X.

"This represents less than 0.1% of our population, so granting them full citizen status, including voting rights, poses no issue," he said.

He said he expects the skilled people will make a huge impact on society.

"Despite the small number, their contributions will have a huge impact on our society and the future of our country," he said.

"Plus, we will facilitate their relocation by ensuring 0% taxes and tariffs on moving families and assets. This includes commercial value items like equipment, software, and intellectual property, the country's top leader said.

Sharing borders with Guatemala and Honduras, the country is one of the smallest in the region.

The country's population in 2023 was estimated to be 6.5 million.

With San Salvador as its capital, the country is known for gang violence incidents and homicides.