Do Indian citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
The official link goes to migracion.go.cr. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
Costa Rica entry rules for Indian citizens.
| Verdict | Visa needed before you fly |
|---|---|
| Document | Costa Rican consular tourist visa, or none if holding a qualifying US/Canada/Schengen visa or residence |
| Fee | USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76) |
| Stay | Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total (Group 3) |
| Validity | Single entry; stamp the visa within 3 months of approval and enter within 60 business days of stamping |
| When to apply | Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated |
| Checked | Verified on an official page · 2026-10-11 |
The rest of the trip for an Indian passport, from the arrival form to customs and travelling with children: Costa Rica entry requirements.
The details for an Indian passport.
Listed as visa-required (consular visa) on the Costa Rican Embassy in the UK's tourist-visa page (2026), which agrees with the baseline. WAIVER (Costa Rican Embassy UK): no visa needed if you hold a valid multiple-entry US, Canadian or Schengen visa (C or D, valid at least 1 day on arrival), or residence in the US or Canada (valid at least 1 day), or in the EU, Schengen area, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland (valid at least 90 days from entry). UK residence or a UK eVisa does NOT count. Under the waiver or a visa, the stay is up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total. Some secondary sources cite stricter terms (6 months' validity left on the US visa, US C1 transit visas excluded), so confirm with your airline. Indian and Nigerian nationals reportedly also need a transit visa to transit Costa Rica (Wikipedia).
How long it must be valid.
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.
Recent changes in Costa Rica.
- 2026-05-19 — FCDO updated the customs rules on its Costa Rica entry page: declare USD 10,000 or more and keep the certified declaration.
- 2026-08-31 — 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.
- 2025-11-17 — 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).
The short answers.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
Yes. Indian citizens need a visa from an embassy or visa centre before travelling to Costa Rica.
How much does it cost for Indian citizens?
USD 30 (Costa Rican Embassy UK; one of its document lists shows USD 76). Fees change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
How long can Indian citizens stay in Costa Rica?
Up to 30 days, extendable to 90 in total (Group 3). Longer stays need a different visa.
When should Indian citizens apply?
Apply through a Costa Rican consulate well ahead; documents include criminal records for 10 years and a birth certificate, apostilled and translated.
Where do Indian citizens apply?
On the official site, migracion.go.cr. NUM links it and never charges for the link.
Does NUM issue Costa Rica visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM explains the rule for your passport, links the official site, and can file the form for you where its desk covers it.