Costa Rica•North AmericaDigital Nomad Visa
At a Glance
Processing Time
14-28 days
Application Fee
100 USD
Stay Duration
1 year
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Temporary residency visa for remote workers earning income from outside Costa Rica. Requires minimum monthly income of USD 3,000 (USD 4,000 with dependents) earned from foreign employment. Visa holders are exempt from local income tax.
Costa Rica's Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nómada Digital) was introduced to attract remote workers. It provides residency for up to one year with the option to renew. One of the key benefits is that digital nomad visa holders are exempt from paying Costa Rican income tax on foreign-source income. After one year, holders can renew or transition to other residency categories.
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Requirements
Financial
Minimum Income
36,000 USD
per year
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
Original and copy of all pages
Bank statements
12 months of statements showing minimum USD 3,000 monthly income
Income verification
Notarized letter from employer or CPA confirming remote work income
International health insurance
Coverage for entire visa period, not travel insurance
Employment contract
Or letter showing ongoing remote employment
Criminal background check
Or official police clearance
OptionalProof of accommodation
Rental contract or booking confirmation
OptionalTrack your documents or upload them for AI-powered review
Advantages
- Tax exemption on foreign income
- No local employment required
- Renewable for second year
- Can transition to other residency categories
- Includes family dependents
- Online application available
Considerations
- Requires proof of USD 3,000+ monthly income
- Must have international health insurance
- Need bank statements for 12 months
- No work authorization for local employment
- Dependent applications require higher income threshold
Application Process
Gather documentation
Collect bank statements, income proof, employment contract, insurance
Apply online or in-person
Submit application through DGME online platform or at immigration office
Submit documents
Provide notarized income verification and proof of international health insurance
Pay application fee
USD 100 visa fee
Await decision
Processing typically 2-4 weeks
Receive approval
Approval letter granted
Application Forms
Digital Nomad Visa Application
Ready to Apply?
Check your eligibility first to see how well you match this visa