Digital nomad visas

Costa Rica digital nomad visa

Costa Rica's remote worker stay needs USD 3,000 a month, or USD 4,000 with family, and holders pay no Costa Rican income tax. It lasts a year and can be renewed once, and you can apply online.

At a glance

The visa
Digital nomad stay (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos)
What you need
$3,000 a month; in pounds, about £2,250 a month
What counts as proof
Bank statements showing payments from outside Costa Rica over the previous year, or an accountant's or notary's certificate. USD 4,000 a month if dependants come too, and health cover of at least USD 50,000.
Who can apply
Employees of a company abroad: yes. Freelancers: yes. Owners of a company abroad: unclear (the rules speak of pay for services from abroad. Neither the law nor ICT says whether dividends or owner-drawn income count).
How long
Up to a year, renewable once if you spent at least 180 days there: two years at most
Without a visa
British and American visitors: up to 180 days, at the officer's discretion; under 90 can be extended

The catch. It is not residence and lasts two years at most, and the tax exemption does not cover your family. ICT's own landing page says USD 5,000 for families, against USD 4,000 in the law.

See where you stand against Costa Rica and every other country. Check your income

How to apply

  1. Apply online on the immigration office's Trámite Ya platform, or in person at an immigration office.
  2. Tax firms say you can apply while you're in Costa Rica as a visitor.
  3. Once approved, pay for your immigration document.

Fees and timing

Application
USD 100.
On approval
USD 90.
How long it takes
Immigration has 15 calendar days to decide. If papers are missing, the clock restarts once you send them.

The documents

The main items. Your consulate's own checklist is the one that counts, so check it before you start.

  • Application form and payment receipt
  • A copy of your passport, with the entry stamp if you're in Costa Rica
  • 12 months of bank statements, or a certificate from a public accountant or notary, showing the income
  • Health insurance
  • For family: birth or marriage certificates translated into Spanish
  • Foreign documents apostilled

Health insurance

At least USD 50,000 of cover for the whole stay, for you and each family member. The tourism board says a foreign insurer is accepted.

Nomad policies differ on cover limits, excess and whether they're accepted for a visa. Compare nomad health insurance

Family, renewing and tax

Family
Tax firms say a partner, unmarried children under 25 and disabled children of any age can come. You need USD 4,000 a month for the group.
Renewing
Once, for another year, if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica in the first. Two years at most.
What it leads to
Nowhere directly: it is a non-resident stay, and nothing confirms the time counts towards residence
Tax
More than 183 days in a calendar year, but holders of the stay pay no Costa Rican income tax

Worth knowing

  • A bill to reform the law (25031) has passed committee but hasn't been voted on.

Living there

Other digital nomad visas