El Salvador slaps $1,130 fee on Indian travelers amid US pressure to curb migration
El Salvador has introduced a $1,130 fee on travelers from 57 countries, including India, passing through its main airport. This measure, enforced since the end of October, has drawn attention due to its timing amid increasing pressure from the United States to manage migration flows heading towards its southern border.
El Salvador's aviation authority has labeled the fee as an «airport improvement fee,» but the motive behind it remains unclear. Notably, the US has been urging Central American nations to take steps to control the flow of migrants reaching its border with Mexico.
While El Salvador has not explicitly linked the fee to migration control, the country has acknowledged a rise in travelers from the specified nations this year. Most affected passengers are destined for Nicaragua, primarily on Avianca, a commercial airline. Nicaragua, with its lenient visa requirements, serves as a transit point for migrants from Haiti, Cuba, and Africa, aiming to reach the US.
Earlier this year, an unexpected increase in migrants from Mauritania arriving at the US southern border puzzled officials. Investigations revealed travel agencies and social media influencers promoting routes through Morocco, Spain, and El Salvador before reaching Nicaragua.
El Salvador's aviation authority and immigration agency lack specific data on the number of migrants from the listed countries transiting the country in 2023. The US embassy has not confirmed if it played a role in requesting the fee.
Hong Kong makes pre-arrival registration mandatory for Indian travellers
Thailand offers visa free entry to Indians for upto 30 days stay
Sri Lanka announces visa-free travel for tourists from India, 6 other countries
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