The Adopting El Salvador program reported at least nine passports issued between February and March 2024.
The “freedom passport” are an initiative that the government launched in December 2023 with the interest of attracting investors in bitcoin in exchange for a free residence visa. However, to date, the Directorate-General for Migration and Aliens (DGME) confirmed thatNo such documents have been issued.
Through access to public information, Diario El Mundo requested the number of passports issued by DGME from December 2023 to August 2024, as part of the program of “Adopting El Salvador” that sought to benefit 1,000 participants a year in exchange for granting $1 million in bitcoin at least in its investment portfolio.
The government-enabled portal reveals that DGME is in charge of issuing the passport and the institution recognizes that what was requested through its public reporting office is part of DGME’s functional competence.
The Directorate notes that the issuance of freedom passports is non-existent because the respective document has never been generated.
Report
The information contradicts reports issued by the X accountwhich confirmed the first beneficiary of the Adopting El Salvador program in February of this year. At the time there was talk of a Canadian investor who was granted a passport and unique identity card (DUI) after donating bitcoin for El Salvador’s social, cultural and economic development.
That same month it was confirmed that a family of four received their passports to travel to El Salvador.
In March, the program confirmed the issuance of passports for a new family of four, following the $1 million donation.
At that time, Adopting El Salvador explained that the passport was given over from four to six weeks, and recalled that the cancelled amount covered the donor’s spouse and children under the age of 18.
What does it take to apply?
To apply to the freedom passport it is necessary to register an account to start the process, placing the name and surname, an email address and password.
Subsequently, a non-refundable fee of $999 in bitcoin is required to begin the evaluation process.
After the application is reviewed, it will be notified of the approval and the outstanding funds, equivalent to $999,001, will be transferred.
The last step is the issuance of the passport and the reception of it through consulates or embassies of El Salvador.
This article has been translated after first appearing in Diario El Mundo