The work permit for foreigners is processed through the General Directorate of Migration and Alien Affairs, through the different instructions that follow. 

Steps

1) The foreigner must have an employer who will be in charge of filling out the form, as the case may be:

a) F-1 Application for Work Permit or Request for Extension, here.
b) F-2 Self-Employment Permit Application, here.
c) F-3 Application for Sportsperson's Work Permit, here.
d) F-4 Application for Domestic Work Permit, here.
e) F-5 Alteration of Percentages Modified: It has to do with the % that will change the employee in your company for the hiring of a foreign person: F-5 Alteration of Percentages Modified.

It is also responsible for providing the foreign person with all the necessary requirements to facilitate his/her entry into the country at the time the application is approved.

2) You must make the application for residence with work authorization, but it is your employer who must complete the form according to your case. Only self-employed foreign workers may apply for self-employment.

 The careers that can apply for this requirement are:

1. Professional sports workers (maximum residence of one year).

Documents:

• Original letter of commitment from the employer, where he/she requests job opportunity, this document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and relate legal personality.
• The document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable.

2. Migrant workers and their dependent family members (maximum residence of two years).

Documents:

• Original letter of commitment from the employer, where the employer requests a job opportunity, this document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable with which the employer acts, if applicable.
• Authorizations from the competent entities, in cases where foreign persons practice their profession in the country.

3. Independent workers:

Documents:

• Sworn declaration before a Salvadoran notary, detailing the activities to be carried out, domicile, place where the business will be located, date of beginning of activities and projection of economic income to be received monthly.
• Authorizations of the institutions in the cases that are required to develop its activities, such as: Permits of Mayors' offices, institutions of the State, among others.

4. Academics or teachers (maximum residence of one year).

Documents:

• Certified photocopy of the agreement entered into between educational institutions, if applicable.

5. Scientists and specialized personnel engaged in academic, research, technical or consulting activities (maximum residence of two years).

Documents:

• Original letter of commitment from the employer, requesting a job opportunity, this document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable, or the respective agreement.
• The document must contain the signatures of the subscribers, duly legalized, and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable, or the respective agreement.

6. Managers, technicians and administrative personnel transferred from abroad (maximum residence of two years).

Documents:

• Original letter of commitment from the employer requesting a job opportunity, this document must contain the signatures of the subscribers must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable.
• This document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable, or the respective agreement.
• Certified photocopy of the corresponding transfer letter, as the case may be.

7. Foreign persons providing services to a public institution for projects of public interest (maximum residence of one year).

Documents:

• Original letter of commitment from the employer, where he/she requests job opportunity, this document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable.
• This document must contain the signatures of the subscribers duly legalized and list the legal status of the employer, if applicable.
• Certified photocopy of the respective agreement in the case of developing their activities among public entities public entities.

General Documents:

1. Application signed by: The foreign person, legal representative, proxy or employer. In case of not presenting the application in person, a legalized signature will be required, and if the applicant is a legal entity, it must list its legal status. If the applicant is a public institution, the signature and seal of the holder will suffice.
2. Photocopy of the valid Passport, of all the pages used and submit the original to be compared.
3. Original of proof of not having a police or criminal record, from the country of origin or where he/she has resided the last two years prior to his/her entry to the Salvadoran territory.
4. Solvency of the National Civil Police of El Salvador in force, when the foreigner has stayed for more than three months in national territory or has more than two entries to the country in the last year.
5. To complete the payment order, which will not be refundable. This will have a cost depending on the residency: 

• Central American Temporary Resident $70.00. Up to one year
• Central American Temporary Resident $130.00 Up to two years.
• Non-Central American Temporary Resident $140.00 For up to one year.
• Non-Central American Temporary Resident $260.00 Up to two years.

Important:

Answers will be provided within 45 days.

More details here.

Other related residencies:

1. F4 Temporary Residency Investor
2. F5 Business Temporary Residence
3. F6 Temporary Residence Commercial Representative
4. F11 Temporary Residence Shareholder
5. F12 Temporary Residency for Sole Traders

More details on residency and extensions here, and here.

More information here.