International investors and business groups.
Investment and market entry
Forming a company in El Salvador is the beginning.
Preparing it to operate comes next. We advise overseas entrepreneurs and businesses on their structure, documentation and next steps under a clear scope of work.
Book your free 15-minute introductory callIntroductory conversation · No legal advice or document review.
A guide to getting started
Find your next step.
Select your situation to understand what we can review, the general stages and how fees are agreed. No registration or documents required.
General guidance. Scope, fees and acceptance of the matter are subject to written confirmation.
Our approach
A structure suited to the business you want to build.
Before starting filings, we consider your proposed activity, ownership, operating model and decision-making arrangements. A local company, branch or acquisition should serve the project, rather than be treated as an isolated filing.
Compass Abogados acts as a local point of contact in El Salvador. We identify the legal issues and any tax, technical or foreign-law coordination the matter requires, without assuming that incorporation resolves every condition for operating.
A defined starting point
A defined engagement before work begins.
After discussing the project and reviewing potential conflicts, we propose the scope, deliverables, responsibilities and fees.
- Structural alternatives and decisions to address.
- Documents and instruments included in preparation or filing work.
- Milestones, responsibilities and third-party dependencies.
- Outstanding operational matters and work requiring a separate scope.
The proposal distinguishes legal fees, third-party costs and separate services. Bank account opening, approvals and third-party timelines are not guaranteed. The introductory call does not include legal advice or document review.
Who we advise
Counsel for capital and businesses making a decision in El Salvador.
Regional companies entering or expanding operations.
Funds, lenders and strategic participants.
Foreign law firms requiring bilingual local counsel.
Scope of counsel
From entry documents to operational decisions.
Scope is tailored to the stage, industry and risk profile, with coordination across foreign, tax, financial and technical workstreams when required.
Establishment structure
Assessment of a local company, branch or other relevant option according to activity, ownership, governance and responsibilities.
Overseas documentation
Organising documents for shareholders, representatives and foreign entities; reviewing the scope of required powers of attorney.
Incorporation and filings
Preparing and managing the instruments and filings expressly included in the proposal.
Shareholders and contracts
Reviewing shareholder arrangements and contracts relevant to starting operations.
Regulation and entry conditions
Identifying requirements, permissions and matters requiring specialist review, depending on the activity.
Continuity and expansion
Corporate governance, contracts and ongoing support that may be agreed according to business needs.
How we work
From investment decision to an executable local operation.
The introductory call allows us to understand the project. Legal advice begins once checks are complete and the engagement has been accepted in writing.
- 01
Assess
We understand the investment model, industry, assets, parties and constraints affecting the decision.
- 02
Structure
We define legal alternatives, responsibilities, milestones, documents and required coordination.
- 03
Implement
We lead documentation, negotiation, execution, closing and coordination with relevant authorities within the agreed scope.
- 04
Support
We provide continuity as the business operates, expands, reorganizes or addresses new risks.
Relevant experience
Local judgment with an international perspective.
The practice brings together more than twenty years of experience in corporate governance, financial regulation, mergers and reorganizations, trusts, security interests, complex contracting, multilateral finance, litigation and real estate.
Juan Manuel Uceda has coordinated matters involving senior management, regulated businesses, international organizations and counsel across jurisdictions. This experience helps connect legal choices with capital, operations and project execution.
Experience is described by its nature and scope without identifying clients, proceedings or confidential information.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about investing in El Salvador.
Can a foreign individual or company invest in El Salvador?
The route depends on the industry, activity and applicable approvals. An initial assessment identifies the suitable vehicle, registrations and regulatory path.
Should an investor form a local company, open a branch or use another structure?
There is no universal answer. Governance, liability, operations, finance and tax coordination must be considered. Compass advises on Salvadoran law and coordinates with foreign or tax counsel where appropriate.
What does legal due diligence cover?
It may cover corporate, regulatory, contractual, asset, permit, litigation, security interests and contingency matters. Scope is tailored to the transaction and available information.
How long does market entry take?
Timing depends on the structure, industry, documents and approvals. After the initial assessment, we can propose a milestone-based schedule without promising matters outside the firm’s control.
Can Compass coordinate with foreign counsel and other advisers?
Yes. We can act as Salvadoran local counsel and coordinate with international, financial, tax and technical advisers, subject to scope and conflict clearance.
Prepare for your next decision
Contact
Considering an operation in El Salvador?
Tell us about your proposed activity, current stage and the support you need. Please provide only a general, non-confidential description initially.
Prepare a brief summary for your inquiryWe respond within one business day.
15 minutes · Complimentary · No legal advice
juan.uceda@compassabogados.com+503 7786-0276San Salvador, El SalvadorPlease do not send documents or confidential or sensitive information in your initial contact. Scheduling a conversation does not create an attorney-client relationship or confirm acceptance of the matter.