Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
Apply for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa online — proven document checks and expert help to get approved to live and work remotely in Costa Rica.
What Is the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa?
The Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa is a special temporary visa category for remote workers and self-employed professionals who want to live in Costa Rica while earning income from abroad. Introduced in recent years to encourage longer-term stays by remote professionals, the program is administered through Costa Rican immigration authorities and promoted on official tourism and immigration portals. It is intended to provide legal permission to reside and work remotely — not to replace long-term residence or work permits.
Applications are submitted through the official Costa Rica guidance pages (see the Visit Costa Rica digital nomads page) or at Costa Rican consulates where applicable. DoVisa assists by guiding document preparation, checking eligibility, and submitting supporting evidence. Upon approval you receive formal notification from immigration and the entry authorization you present to border officials; specific delivery (approval letter, visa sticker, or residence endorsement) depends on the local processing route.
Unlike a short-stay tourist entry, the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa authorizes remote work and longer stays under the visa rules — it is a visa category rather than a simple tourist stamp. It does not guarantee permanent residency or entitle holders to work for Costa Rican employers; tax and social-security obligations vary and applicants should review official guidance before relocating. Keep an eye on the official portal for policy updates, as requirements and processing steps may change.
For full country guidance see Costa Rica visa information and the official portal at Visit Costa Rica — Digital Nomads. When you're ready, Apply now for assistance with your application.
Who Needs the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa?
Who Needs It
- Remote workers, freelancers and self-employed professionals who will live in Costa Rica while earning income from outside Costa Rica
- Applicants who can demonstrate stable, recurring foreign-sourced income and the required medical insurance coverage
- Foreign nationals with a valid passport seeking a longer temporary stay to live and work remotely in Costa Rica
Who Is Exempt
- Costa Rican nationals
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
- Airline and vessel crew members on active official duty
- Foreign residents already holding Costa Rican residency or long‑term permits
Costa Rica Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport & Validity
You must hold a valid passport and be able to show onward or return travel. Authorities commonly require passports to be valid for the period of stay — confirm specific validity rules on the official portal.
Proof of Income & Insurance
Applicants must provide proof of stable foreign-sourced income and carry mandatory medical insurance that meets Costa Rican requirements; check the official guidance for exact documentation on Visit Costa Rica.
Vaccination & Health
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate may be required if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk — the CDC notes this applies to travelers aged 9 months and older arriving from risk areas. See the CDC page for details: CDC — Costa Rica.
Customs Restrictions
Costa Rica restricts fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, soil and raw animal products; firearms, explosives, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods and other items are prohibited or controlled. See import rules at Trade.gov — Prohibited & Restricted Imports.
Application & Supporting Documents
You must submit the application form, passport copy, proof of foreign income, proof of medical insurance, and any additional documents requested by consular or immigration authorities. Check the official page for the latest checklist.
Travel Tips for Costa Rica Visitors
Costa Rica is a biodiversity hotspot between the Caribbean and Pacific, with international gateways near San José and Guanacaste. Plan transfers carefully and keep key documents ready for immigration checks.
- Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas but carry local currency for small purchases.
- Language: Spanish is the official language; English is widely spoken in hotels, tourist zones and many businesses.
- Time zone: Costa Rica observes Central Standard Time, GMT−6, with no daylight saving.
- Main airports: Juan Santamaría International (SJO) near San José and Daniel Oduber Quirós / Liberia (LIR) in Guanacaste — most international flights arrive at these airports.
- Best time to visit: The dry season (approximately November–April) offers the most predictable weather for outdoor activities.
- Safety: Petty theft is common — secure passports and valuables, avoid isolated areas at night, and use hotel safes where available.
- Transfers: Book domestic flights and shuttle transfers early during high season; road travel times can be longer than expected due to terrain.
"Applied for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa through DoVisa before moving to San José. Guidance on the income and insurance documents was clear and approval arrived by email in time for my flight."
"Smooth process — uploaded contract and bank proof on my phone. The consulate accepted the documentation and I cleared immigration at Juan Santamaría (SJO) without issues."
"Helpful checklist and reminders about medical insurance. My permit packet was complete and the adviser answered questions about taxes and length of stay."
"Used DoVisa to prepare my application while I was abroad. Embassy appointment went smoothly and the staff confirmed my documentation matched the guidance provided."
"The online upload was straightforward, though I needed help resizing a photo. Support responded quickly and the visa process continued without delay."
"Everything worked, but the timeline at the consulate varied from the estimate — still received approval well before my planned move to Guanacaste."
"Good guidance on the health insurance requirement. I provided the policy details and the application was accepted; a quick follow-up clarified minor document formatting."
"Minor delay: my initial proof of income needed extra corroboration. Once I supplied bank statements and a contract, the application was approved — support was helpful throughout."
"The Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa made relocating to Liberia easy — I had approval documents for immigration and the whole move was less stressful because of DoVisa's checklist."
"Fast, clear, and reliable. Documents checked, uploaded and accepted. Arrived at SJO with printed approval and cleared immigration quickly—highly recommended for first-time applicants."
"Applied for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa through DoVisa before moving to San José. Guidance on the income and insurance documents was clear and approval arrived by email in time for my flight."
"Smooth process — uploaded contract and bank proof on my phone. The consulate accepted the documentation and I cleared immigration at Juan Santamaría (SJO) without issues."
"Helpful checklist and reminders about medical insurance. My permit packet was complete and the adviser answered questions about taxes and length of stay."
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
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- Visit Costa Rica — Digital Nomads (official guidance)
- CDC — Costa Rica Traveler Health Notices & Vaccination Requirements
- U.S. Department of State — Costa Rica Travel Advisory
- Trade.gov — Costa Rica Prohibited and Restricted Imports
- Nomadsembassy — Required Documents for the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
- Remitly — How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica
- Government of Canada — Travel advice and advisories for Costa Rica
- GovInfo — Rules and Regulations (official notice)