It is recommended that a new company settle down as a Salvadoran company.

The 3 most important differences between establishing a Salvadoran company or a branch are the following ones:

  1. The administrative decisions of the branch are taken in the Headquarters.
  2. The process to register a Salvadoran company is faster.
  3. The integral capital is demanded (100%) to register an additional branch.
    To register a Salvadoran company, the 25% of the capital is requested.

The basic mandatory requirements steps and transactions that has to be done to establish a new company are very simple. This is a flow chart that presents a step by step description of the requirements involved in formalizing a business. Some of the steps can be realized at ONI, many of them simultaneously with other governmental institutions.
ONI is the National Investment Office that is part of the Ministry of Economy. If you need more information you may call Christel Schutlz de Arce to the following number: (503) 2231-5805, or you can contact her also at cdearce@minec.gob.sv

The Ministry of Economy web site is www.minec.gob.sv

Download business establishment procedures sheet

Where to do every transaction

Following you can find the transaction that can be made in every national institution to establish a new company:

At the National Center of Registers, CNR
http://www.cnr.gob.sv/

  1. Company Registration
  2. Registration of power of attorney, credentials and directors
  3. Trademark registration
  4. Registration of guarantees
  5. Business license
  6. Balance registry
  7. Commercial Name
  8. Registry of foreign company branch
  9. Other procedures related to CNR

Finance Ministry
http://www.mh.gob.sv/

  1. Tax Identification Number (NIT)
  2. Value Added Tax Number (IVA)
  3. Importation Registration Number

Social Security (ISSS)
http://www.isss.gob.sv/principal.asp

  1. Employer Identification Number (NIP)

Ministry of Labor
http://www.mtps.gob.sv/

  1. Registration of the work place
  2. Registration of internal work regulations

Statistics Office (DIGESTYC)
http://www.digestyc.gob.sv/

  1. First time solvency

Immigration
http://www.gobernacion.gob.sv/eGobierno/Direcciones/DGME

  1. Temporary residence
  2. Multiple Visa
  3. Permanent Residence

Ministry of Economics (National Investment Office)
http://www.minec.gob.sv/oni/main.html

  1. Registration of foreign investment