Costa Rica entry requirements, by passport
What you need to get into Costa Rica depends on the passport in your hand. Find yours below: the visa or e-authorisation, how long you can stay, the official fee and the government page to apply on.
9 of 33 passports verified on official pages · 1 not checked yet, marked below.
What each passport needs
| Passport | To get in | Stay | Document and fee | Apply | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa-free | up to 180 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Canada | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Mexico | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Brazil | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free | up to 180 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Ireland | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Germany | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| France | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Italy | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Spain | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Netherlands | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Switzerland | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Russia | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Türkiye | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Israel | Visa-free | up to 180 days (Group 1 | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| United Arab Emirates | Not checked yetUse the official page for this passport. | Official page | Not verified | ||
| Saudi Arabia | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| India | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| China (mainland) | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| Hong Kong SAR | Visa needed before you fly | As granted | Costa Rican visa (consular or restricted; group not confirmed)Apply: Confirm with a Costa Rican consulate | Official page | Likely |
| Taiwan | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Japan | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| South Korea | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Singapore | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Thailand | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| Vietnam | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| Philippines | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Indonesia | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| Australia | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| New Zealand | Visa-free | up to 180 days (first-group country | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Nigeria | Visa needed before you fly | up to 30 days | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residenceOfficial fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76)Apply: Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated | Official page | Verified |
| South Africa | Visa-free | up to 180 days (Group 1 | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
Verified means NUM read it on a government page on 10–11 Oct 2026. Likely means a reputable source says it and one official page agreed. Not checked yet means NUM could not confirm it: use the official page. Fees are as published on that date and can change.
The rules everyone meets at the border
Passport
Under the DGME visa guidelines of Nov 2025 (as reported by El Financiero): Group 1 passports must be valid at least 1 day (FCDO: at least 1 day after you plan to leave; US State Dept: valid for the whole stay); Group 2 at least 90 days; Groups 3 and 4 at least 180 days. Visa applicants at the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK must show 7 months' validity. The passport must be machine-readable to ICAO standards (ICT). Damaged passports, or passports reported lost or stolen, are refused. Safe standard: 6 months beyond the day you leave.
Arrival card
No arrival card for most visitors.
Border systems for every visitor
None for visa-exempt nationals. Costa Rica sorts nationalities into four groups (DGME guidelines, La Gaceta 17 Nov 2025): Group 1 no visa, up to 180 days, not extendable unless fewer than 90 days were granted; Group 2 no visa, up to 30 days, extendable to 90; Group 3 consular visa, up to 30 days, extendable to 90; Group 4 restricted visa (approved by the DGME visa commission), up to 30 days, extendable to 90. The officer sets the actual stay on the passport stamp (ICT).
Onward ticket
Required for all travellers: a return or onward ticket out of Costa Rica, such as a flight, a pre-bought bus ticket or a cruise booking. Airlines enforce it if you arrive one-way, if your return is more than 90 days after arrival, or if you fly in and out of different countries (ICT). The US State Dept also requires proof of onward travel.
Proof of funds
Officers may ask for proof of at least USD 100 for each month, or part month, of permitted stay (General Law of Migration 8764, art. 42; Decree 36769-G, art. 30, as cited by ICT).
Travel insurance
Not an entry requirement for tourists. FCDO only advises appropriate cover. Insurance is mandatory for the digital-nomad stay.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a listed risk country (certain South American and African countries). From 31 Aug 2026, Costa Rican citizens and residents travelling to risk areas must be vaccinated at least 10 days before departure.
Cash to declare at customs
Declare cash, travellers' cheques or goods worth USD 10,000 or more and keep the certified declaration, or the money can be seized on departure. The US State Dept states the limit as up to USD 10,000 in and out.
Taxes, levies and fees
Departure tax of USD 29 when leaving by air. Most airlines include it in the ticket; otherwise pay at the airport in cash or by card.
Medicines, vapes and banned items
Removing wildlife, including seashells, can bring a fine. Declare prohibited or dutiable goods.
Travelling with children
Costa Rican minors, including any child born in Costa Rica (citizen at birth) and dual nationals, need a Costa Rican immigration exit permit to leave. Non-Costa Rican minors who are residents may also need one. The rule is strictly enforced, so parents of children born in Costa Rica should check with immigration before travel.
Work, study, working holiday and nomad visas
Every official route NUM found for Costa Rica. You apply directly with the government.
Work permits
Foreigners hired by a Costa Rican employer
Stay: As authorised
Employer-sponsored application to the DGME
Digital nomad
Remote workers or service providers earning from outside Costa Rica, plus dependants
Stay: 1 year, renewable once for another year
Stable net income of at least USD 3,000/month (USD 5,000/month with family). Health insurance covering the whole stay, minimum USD 50,000, for each dependant too. USD 100 government payment per applicant. Benefits: exempt from Costa Rican income tax, can open a local bank account, home driving licence recognised. The first-pass figure of USD 4,000 with family is corrected to USD 5,000.
Official fee: USD 100 deposit per applicant; application fee amount not stated
Long stay
People with stable passive income
Stay: Temporary residence (renewable)
Reported USD 2,500/month for 2 years or USD 60,000 deposit (unverified)
Retirement
Retirees with a lifetime pension
Stay: Temporary residence (renewable)
Reported pension of USD 1,000/month (unverified)
Investor
Investors
Stay: Temporary residence (renewable)
Reported investment of at least USD 150,000 (unverified)
Tourist
Group 3 nationals without a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residence (e.g., CN, IN, ID, SA, TH, VN, NG, AE). Group 4 needs prior approval from the Restricted Visas Commission.
Stay: Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total
Request letter, passport valid 7 months, flight reservation, proof of solvency, criminal records for 10 years and birth certificate (apostilled and translated), and a copy of your residence visa where you apply. Single entry; stamp within 3 months and enter within 60 business days.
Official fee: USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; another list shows USD 76)
What changed, and what is coming
- 2026-08-31 · In force Costa Rican citizens and residents travelling to yellow-fever risk destinations must now be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and carry the certificate. Source
- 2026-05-19 · In force FCDO updated the customs rules on its Costa Rica entry page: declare USD 10,000 or more and keep the certified declaration. Source
- 2025-11-17 · In force New DGME 'Directrices generales de visas de ingreso y permanencia para no residentes' published (La Gaceta Alcance 148). Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Turkey are in Group 2 (30 days); Russia is in Group 2 but gets 90 days by treaty; the UAE, Israel and South Africa are reported in Group 1 (180 days). Source
Your checklist, with the dates it is due
NUM builds it for your passport and your travel dates: the authorisation and when to apply, the arrival card and the day it opens, what to carry at the border, your own country's exit rules, and a calendar file for every deadline.
Every document here is issued by a government, and the official link is the only place to get it. Most arrival cards and many authorisations are free. NUM is not a visa service and cannot apply for anything. Rules change without notice: the official page always has the final word.