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Costa Rica

North America

Costa Rica is a popular Central American destination known for national parks, beaches and a stable democracy. Many nationals from Europe, North America and other regions can enter visa free under Group 1 of the visa policy and receive an entry stamp that may allow up to 180 days, although officers often issue around 90 days and have full discretion. Other nationalities require a visa in advance according to the four group system used by the immigration authority. For longer stays, Costa Rica offers residency and temporary stay categories, including a dedicated digital nomad stay for remote workers and service providers who earn foreign income.

4
Visa Types
180
Nationalities visa-free
🪪Your Passport:

Visa requirements vary by nationality

🎫 Available Visa Types

⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Tourist

Visa exempt tourist stay (Group 1 and similar)

Tourist entry for visa exempt nationals who receive an entry stamp on arrival that can allow up to 180 days, with the actual length decided by immigration officers based on current policy and the traveller profile.

180 days
Duration
$0
— fee

✅ Key Benefits

✓Simple entry process for many digital nomads and travellers from visa exempt regions.
✓Potential to receive a generous 180 day stay on a single entry under current Group 1 rules, giving time to explore or test Costa Rica as a base.
✓No consular visa fee for most common nomad passports.
📋 Requirements (4)
  • •Passport from a jurisdiction listed by Costa Rica as visa exempt under the Group system, such as many European Union states, the United States, Canada and others.
  • •Purpose of stay limited to tourism, visiting friends and relatives or similar non remunerated activities, with no local employment.
  • •Return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica within the period that immigration is likely to grant and proof of sufficient financial means for the stay.
  • •Compliance with general entry requirements, including no migration bans or security concerns.
📝 Application Process
✓ Online Application⏱ Tourist entries for visa exempt nationals are decided at the border. Processing is usually quick but can take longer when additional questions or checks are needed.
  1. 1Check the latest visa policy by nationality on an official Costa Rican embassy or migration website to confirm that you are visa exempt and to understand the maximum stay that may be granted.
  2. 2Travel to Costa Rica with a passport that meets the required validity, proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds that can be shown if requested.
  3. 3Answer routine questions from the immigration officer on arrival and receive an entry stamp with a specified number of days, which may be up to 180 for many Group 1 nationals.
  4. 4If you receive fewer days than you need, consult the immigration authority about possible extensions before your authorised stay expires.
Apply Online
🔄 Extension & Renewal

Extension: 90 days (max 1x)

Cost: Free

Process: Extensions up to a total stay that does not exceed the maximum allowed for the traveller group can sometimes be granted after an in country application. Policy can change and extensions are never guaranteed, especially for travellers who appear to be residing long term on tourist status.

Renewal: Even visa exempt tourists must respect the number of days stamped in their passport and any current rules about how long they must remain outside Costa Rica before returning after a long stay. Overuse of tourist entries as a substitute for residence status can lead to refusals and shorter stays.

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Keep a clear record of entry stamps and do not stay beyond the expiry of your authorised period.
  • •Carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds in a form that is easy to show at the border.
  • •If you plan to live in Costa Rica for many months while working remotely, consider the digital nomad stay or residency options instead of relying on serial tourist entries.
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Special Program

Digital Nomad Stay (Estancia for Remote Workers and Service Providers)

Special stay sub category for remote workers and service providers who earn foreign income and want to live in Costa Rica while working online for clients or employers outside the country.

365 days
Duration
$0
— fee

💰 Income Requirement

Minimum $3,000/month

Alternative: Official guidance indicates that individual applicants must show at least around 3,000 US dollars per month of stable foreign income, while families must show a higher monthly income level. Evidence usually includes bank statements and sworn declarations that match detailed programme rules.

✅ Key Benefits

✓Provides a clear legal framework for remote workers to live in Costa Rica while earning income abroad.
✓Allows an extended stay compared with normal tourist entry and can usually include family members as dependants.
✓Offers a degree of tax relief on qualifying foreign income under the enabling law and regulations.
📋 Requirements (5)
  • •Work as a remote employee or independent service provider for clients or employers located outside Costa Rica, using digital tools and communications.
  • •Minimum stable monthly income at or above the official threshold for individuals and, if applying with family, for families, supported by bank statements and formal declarations.
  • •Valid passport and clean migration and criminal history in line with Costa Rican requirements.
  • •Comprehensive medical insurance that covers the applicant and any dependants in Costa Rica for the entire authorised stay.
  • •Submission of a complete digital nomad application through official channels with all required documents translated and legalised where necessary.
📝 Application Process
✓ Online Application⏱ Digital nomad applications usually take several weeks from submission to decision, depending on volume, the completeness of documents and whether additional clarifications are requested.
  1. 1Review the official digital nomad guidance on the Costa Rica tourism and migration websites to confirm that your work pattern and income qualify.
  2. 2Collect at least twelve months of bank statements and documentation that proves stable foreign income at or above the required monthly threshold, and arrange certified translations and apostilles if needed.
  3. 3Obtain health insurance that covers medical treatment in Costa Rica for the whole planned stay for you and any family members who will accompany you.
  4. 4Submit your application and supporting documentation through the official digital nomad portal or migration system, pay the applicable fees and respond promptly to any requests for further information.
  5. 5After approval, travel to Costa Rica, complete any local registration or card issuance steps and then live in Costa Rica while continuing to work remotely under the conditions of the digital nomad stay.
Apply Online
🔄 Extension & Renewal

Extension: 365 days (max 1x)

Cost: Free

Process: The digital nomad stay is usually granted for up to one year. Under current law it can often be extended once for a further period if the applicant continues to meet income and other requirements, giving a maximum of around two years in Costa Rica on this basis.

Renewal: The digital nomad stay is a temporary stay, not a traditional residency category, and does not by itself lead to permanent resident status. After reaching the maximum allowed period, applicants need another lawful basis if they wish to remain in Costa Rica.

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Keep a clean separation between foreign remote income that supports your stay and any activities that might be interpreted as local employment or business.
  • •Track calendar days in Costa Rica and consult a tax professional about how the digital nomad stay interacts with tax residency rules in Costa Rica and your home country.
  • •Plan ahead for what you will do at the end of the digital nomad stay, especially if you wish to apply later for residency or other status.

Tourist visa for visa required nationals

TouristPopular

Short stay consular visa for nationals who are not visa exempt under Costa Rica group rules and must obtain a tourist visa in advance from a consulate or embassy to visit as tourists.

30d
Duration
$0
— fee
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱Processing times vary between consulates and depend on the visa group, volume of applications and completeness of documentation. Applicants should allow several weeks or more and apply well before planned travel.
🔄Extendable +60d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Tourist visa application feeOfficial fees depend on nationality and visa group and are set in Costa Rican regulations and consular circulars.
$0—
Additional (estimated)
Visa centre or courier service feesApplicants who use visa centres or courier services may pay additional charges.
$0—
Required Total
$0—
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • •Passport from a country placed in a visa required group under Costa Rican rules.
  • •Completed visa application form, recent photographs that meet specifications and a passport with sufficient remaining validity.
  • •Proof of ties to the home country, such as employment or study, and sufficient economic means to cover the stay.
  • •Return or onward travel booking and, where required, a criminal record certificate and other documents as listed by the consulate.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Check with the nearest Costa Rican consulate or embassy which group your nationality belongs to and which type of tourist visa is available to you.
  2. 2Gather the required documents, which can include bank statements, employment letters, criminal record certificates and travel itineraries, following the consulate guidance closely.
  3. 3Submit your application at the consulate or through the designated channel, pay the visa fee and attend an interview if required.
  4. 4If your visa is approved, travel to Costa Rica with your passport and visa; on arrival, the immigration officer will issue an entry stamp indicating how many days you may stay as a tourist.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • •Requires more documentation and lead time than visa exempt entry.
  • •Not designed for long term living or working; only for limited tourist stays.
  • •Applicants from certain groups face stricter scrutiny and may need approvals from restricted visa commissions.

💡 Tips

  • •Follow official consular instructions exactly and avoid non official intermediaries.
  • •Apply early, especially if you are in a group that needs restricted visa commission approval.
  • •Carry copies of the supporting documents you used for the visa when you travel in case border officials ask to see them.

Work related temporary residence and permits

WorkPopular

Umbrella description for Costa Rican work related temporary residence categories where foreign nationals are authorised to live in Costa Rica and work for a specific employer or in a defined role under immigration approvals.

730d
Duration
$0
— fee
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱End to end processing for work related temporary residence can take several months, depending on the category, document quality and the workload of the migration authority.
🔄Extendable +730d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Government work permit and residence feesOfficial fees for work related categories vary by programme and are set in Costa Rican migration regulations.
$0—
Additional (estimated)
Legal representation costsMany employers and workers use Costa Rican lawyers or immigration companies to manage the application and compliance process.
$0—
Required Total
$0—
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.

📋 Requirements

  • •Confirmed job offer with a Costa Rican employer or organisation willing and able to sponsor work related temporary residence or permits.
  • •Evidence that the role meets national criteria for foreign hiring, including skills, qualifications and salary levels.
  • •Clean criminal record certificates and other background checks required by Costa Rican regulations.
  • •Submission of detailed documentation by the employer and the worker through the migration authority, often including company financials and justification of the role.

📝 Application Steps

  1. 1Identify the appropriate work related residence or permit category with the help of official guidance or a local legal adviser.
  2. 2The employer gathers corporate documents, drafts job descriptions and prepares justification materials required by the migration authority.
  3. 3The worker obtains criminal record certificates, academic degrees and other personal documents and arranges legalisation and translation where required.
  4. 4The employer or authorised representative files the application with the migration authority and monitors progress; after approval, the worker completes any consular procedures and travels to Costa Rica, where the work authorisation and residence documentation are finalised.

⚠️ Restrictions

  • •Often complex and document heavy compared with tourist or digital nomad stays.
  • •Tied to a specific employer or role, so job changes may require new approvals.
  • •Processing times can be long, and criteria may tighten in response to labour market or policy changes.

💡 Tips

  • •Work with employers and advisers who have recent experience with Costa Rican work and residence applications.
  • •Keep copies of all submissions and approvals and track expiry dates well in advance.
  • •Maintain full compliance with tax, social security and employment regulations to protect both your status and that of your employer.

📊 Quick Facts

CapitalSan Jose
CurrencyCRC (Costa Rican colón), USD widely accepted
LanguageSpanish, English used in tourism areas
TimezoneUTC-6
Last UpdatedDec 1, 2025

🔗 Official Resources

Immigration BureauEmbassy Website

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in Costa Rica as a tourist
Many visa exempt nationals in Group 1 can now receive an entry stamp that allows up to 180 days in Costa Rica as tourists, but immigration officers can grant a shorter stay and the exact expiry date is the one written in your passport. Other groups may have shorter initial stays such as 30 or 90 days. You must always leave or change status before your authorised period ends.
Does Costa Rica have a digital nomad visa
Yes. Costa Rica has a dedicated digital nomad stay known as the Estancia for remote workers and service providers. It is aimed at foreign nationals who earn income from work carried out remotely for clients or employers outside Costa Rica and who meet a minimum stable monthly income threshold and other programme requirements.
What income do I need for the Costa Rica digital nomad stay
Official guidance states that digital nomad applicants must show a stable monthly foreign income above a set minimum, typically around three thousand US dollars for individuals, with a higher threshold for families. Income is usually evidenced with bank statements covering the previous twelve months and a sworn declaration or equivalent proof as described in programme rules.
Can I work remotely in Costa Rica on a tourist entry only
Costa Rican immigration law distinguishes between visiting as a tourist and engaging in work. The digital nomad stay was created to provide a clear framework for remote workers with foreign income. While many visitors answer emails or do light work while travelling, relying on tourist entry for substantial or long term remote work is risky because authorities can treat it as work that needs a proper category. For medium to long term remote work based in Costa Rica, the digital nomad stay or residency options are safer choices.
Are border runs a safe strategy to stay long term in Costa Rica
Costa Rica used to see many travellers using back to back border runs to chain multiple tourist entries, but rules have tightened. Tourists who use the maximum tourist stay are now expected to spend time outside Costa Rica before returning, and immigration officers can shorten or deny entry when they see repeated long stays that look like de facto residence. For long term plans it is better to rely on legal stay categories such as digital nomad, work related residence or other residency programmes rather than repeated border runs.
Do I need health insurance for Costa Rica
Tourists are strongly advised to carry travel medical insurance, and the digital nomad stay and many residency categories explicitly require proof of health insurance that covers the whole family in Costa Rica. Medical treatment in private clinics can be expensive, so comprehensive cover with evacuation benefits is recommended even when it is not formally checked at the border.
Is it easy to open a bank account in Costa Rica as a foreigner
Banking regulations in Costa Rica require banks to understand the customer income source, immigration status and address. As a result, full accounts are easier to open for residents and holders of long term stays than for tourists. Digital nomads and new arrivals often rely on international and multi currency accounts at first and only open Costa Rican accounts once they have a local stay or residence card and supporting documents.
Where can I find official information about Costa Rica visa rules
For the most accurate and current information, you should consult the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, official Costa Rican embassy or consulate websites for your country, and the Costa Rica tourism site pages that describe the digital nomad stay and entry requirements. These official sources publish up to date policy changes, forms and fee schedules and should be checked shortly before you apply or travel.
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Important Disclaimer

Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: December 1, 2025

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