Costa Rica visas
Whether you need a visa to enter Costa Rica depends on your nationality and the purpose of your stay — many nationals can enter visa-free as tourists. Costa Rica's immigration is run by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. This hub explains the main routes in plain language and links to the official sources so you can confirm exactly what applies to you.
Costa Rican visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasCosta Rica visitor visas — short stays for tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.2 visas
- Work visasComing to Costa Rica to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Costa Rica — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Costa Rica.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Costa Rica as a highly skilled individual.4 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Costa Rica long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.1 visa
Costa Rican visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Eligibility to apply for a Costa Rica visa
US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country). US passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica.
The following countries have to apply for a Costa Rica Consular Visa at a Costa Rica consulate in their country:
Residents travelling from any other Country will require a visa. British Nationals do not require a visa on entry and can stay for up to 90 days.
A round-trip aeroplane ticket is required for entry into Costa Rica. It will be requested by the immigration official upon your arrival. It is recommended that you make a photocopy or photograph of your passport with the entry stamp to have with you at all times throughout your stay.
The number of days you can stay in Costa Rica as a tourist is dependent on your country of origin.
In some instances, the Immigration Officer may request proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in the United States.
Even with a tourist visa valid for 90 days, the immigration official will decide the length of your stay based on the validity of your passport.
Visitors to Costa Rica are required to have a valid passport and evidence that they will leave the country before their visa or entry stamp expires, often within 90 days.
All non-resident travellers are required to have a return ticket or a ticket showing when they plan to leave the country, sometimes known as an outbound exit or onward ticket. Non-residents are required to get a return ticket if they are:
Utilizing a one-way ticket
Entry with a return ticket dated more than ninety days after arrival
Flying into Costa Rica and out of a different nation
US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a valid passport and a ticket to leave the country within 90 days. (Either to return home or to travel to another country) A US passport must be valid for at least one day beyond the date of entry into Costa Rica. These rules also apply to British nationals.
- valid passport.
- Return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days.
- Albania, Algeria, Arab Democratic, Columbia, Comoros
- Democratic Republic of Laos, Dominican Republic
- East Timor, Egypt, Gambia, Georgia, Guinea
- India, Indonesia, Jordan
Appointment waiting times
The appointment waiting time is usually around 2 months. This could become longer or shorter depending on your individual circumstances and what kind of visa it is you are applying for. Please take this into consideration before applying.
Costa Rica — key facts
- Visa authority
- Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
- Time zone
- CST (UTC−6)
Costa Rican visas — people also ask
The procedure of obtaining work permits and job visas in Costa Rica may be challenging for individuals. Although the country in Latin America is a popular expat destination, many of these expatriates are either retirees or self-employed individuals who earn their living outside of the country.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.