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Costa Rica
Home/Visas/Costa Rica
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Costa Rica

North America
·23 visa pathways

Visa Pathways to Costa Rica

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All Visa Pathways(23 visas)

Cross-Border Worker Permit (Categoría Especial — Trabajador Transfronterizo)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Cross-Border Worker Permit (Categoría Especial — Trabajador Transfronterizo)

Special category permit for workers in border regions who regularly cross into Costa Rica for employment.

ValidityVaries
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos y Prestadores de Servicios)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Digital Nomad Visa (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos y Prestadores de Servicios)

Costa Rica's Estancia for remote workers offers up to 2 years' stay with foreign-income tax exemption for nomads earning USD 3,000+/month from abroad.

Validity1 year
Processing15-30 days
Cost100 USD
View Visa Details
Diplomatic/Official Visa (Visa Diplomática / Visa Oficial)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Diplomatic/Official Visa (Visa Diplomática / Visa Oficial)

ValidityDuration of official assignment
Processing2-4 weeks
CostFree
View Visa Details
Estudio — Student Residency (Residencia Temporal — Estudiantes)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Estudio — Student Residency (Residencia Temporal — Estudiantes)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for foreign nationals enrolled in a recognized Costa Rican educational institution, with no work authorization.

Validity1 year
Processing3-6 months
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Executive & Transfer Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes y Personal Técnico)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Executive & Transfer Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Ejecutivos, Representantes, Gerentes y Personal Técnico)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for executives, managers, representatives, and technical personnel transferred by their company to Costa Rica.

Validity2 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Family Reunification (Dependent) Visa
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Family Reunification (Dependent) Visa

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency visa for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of Costa Rican citizens or legal residents. Allows family reunification with no additional income requirements if primary applicant meets residency requirements. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.

Validity3 years
ProcessingVaries
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Free Trade Zone Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Personal de Empresas COMEX/Zona Franca)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Free Trade Zone Personnel Permit (Residencia Temporal — Personal de Empresas COMEX/Zona Franca)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for executives, scientists, professionals, and technical staff of companies authorized under Costa Rica's free trade zone regime via COMEX.

Validity2 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Investor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Inversionista)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Investor Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Inversionista)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for foreign nationals investing a minimum of $150,000 in an approved Costa Rican enterprise or real estate.

Validity3 years
ProcessingVaries
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Pensionado (Retiree) Visa
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Pensionado (Retiree) Visa

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency visa for retirees with guaranteed lifetime monthly income of at least USD 1,000. Income must come from a reliable source such as social security, pension, annuity, or military pension. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.

Validity3 years
Processing3-6 months
Cost50 USD
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Pensionado Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Pensionado)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Pensionado Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Pensionado)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for retirees demonstrating at least $1,000/month in guaranteed lifetime pension income from government or private plans.

Validity2 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Permanent Residency by Family Link (Residencia Permanente — Vínculo con Costarricense)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Permanent Residency by Family Link (Residencia Permanente — Vínculo con Costarricense)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Permanent residency for first-degree relatives of Costa Rican citizens including parents, minor children, and minor siblings.

Validity5 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente — Libre Condición)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Permanent Residency by Prior Temporary Status (Residencia Permanente — Libre Condición)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Permanent residency granted after three or more years of continuous legal temporary residence in Costa Rica under any qualifying category.

Validity5 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Rentista (Fixed Income) Visa
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Rentista (Fixed Income) Visa

Temporary residency visa for persons with fixed monthly income of at least USD 2,500 from a guaranteed source lasting minimum 2 years. Alternatively, can deposit USD 60,000 in Costa Rican bank with monthly disbursement schedule. Can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.

Validity3 years
ProcessingVaries
Cost50 USD
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Rentista Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Rentista)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Rentista Temporary Residency (Residencia Temporal — Rentista)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for individuals with stable passive income of at least $2,500/month or $60,000 deposited, from investments or rental properties.

Validity2 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Researcher, Teacher & Intern Residency (Residencia Temporal — Investigadores, Docentes y Pasantes)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Researcher, Teacher & Intern Residency (Residencia Temporal — Investigadores, Docentes y Pasantes)

Temporary residency for researchers, teachers, and interns affiliated with Costa Rican academic or scientific institutions.

Validity1 year
Processing3-6 months
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Residency by Common-Law Union (Residencia por Unión de Hecho)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Residency by Common-Law Union (Residencia por Unión de Hecho)

Validity3 years
Processing6-12 months
CostFree
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Residency by Marriage (Residencia por Matrimonio con Costarricense)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Residency by Marriage (Residencia por Matrimonio con Costarricense)

ValidityUp to 3 years
Processing6-12 months
CostFree
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Scientific & Specialized Professional Residency (Residencia Temporal — Científicos, Profesionales y Técnicos Especializados)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Scientific & Specialized Professional Residency (Residencia Temporal — Científicos, Profesionales y Técnicos Especializados)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residency for scientists, specialized professionals, and technicians with expertise needed in Costa Rica.

Validity1 year
Processing3-6 months
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Student Visa
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Student Visa

Temporary residency visa for international students enrolled in accredited educational institutions in Costa Rica. Includes both provisional student visa and student residence permit. Students cannot work while on student visa.

ValidityVaries (Initial 90-day provisional visa followed by residence permit for full study duration; renewable based on continued enrollment)
ProcessingVaries
Cost50 USD
View Visa Details
Temporary Residence for Work (Residencia Temporal por Trabajo)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Temporary Residence for Work (Residencia Temporal por Trabajo)

Validity2 years (renewable)
Processing3-12 months
CostFree
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Temporary Residency for Religious Workers (Residencia Temporal para Religiosos)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Temporary Residency for Religious Workers (Residencia Temporal para Religiosos)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

This category is for foreign nationals who enter Costa Rica to perform faith-based or humanitarian work for a religious organization recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Worship.

ValidityVaries based on residency approval
Processing3-6 months
Cost30 USD
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Tránsito — Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Tránsito — Transit Visa (Visa de Tránsito)

Visa for foreign nationals transiting through Costa Rican airports en route to another destination, valid for up to 30 days.

Validity2 days
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details
Turista — Tourist Visa (Visa de Turismo)
Costa Rica flagCosta Rica

Turista — Tourist Visa (Visa de Turismo)

Short-term entry visa for tourism purposes, allowing stays of 30 to 90 days depending on nationality group classification.

Validity3 months
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details

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