Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: How to Get One in 2024

With its proximity to the US and Canada, stunning natural beauty, and reliable infrastructure, Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for nomads seeking warmer climes and a memorable new adventure.0.

Suppose you’ve got your sights set on Costa Rica as your next destination. In that case, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the requirements for a digital nomad visa and the process for attaining it.

Here’s a brief guide to the Costa Rica digital nomad visa, its requirements, and how you can successfully apply for this program.

The Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa allows remote workers, freelancers, and business owners to live and work in Costa Rica for longer than a tourist visa. It’s available to anyone whose main economic activities are linked to businesses based outside of the country and who meets specific eligibility requirements.

Here are some of the main features and benefits that successful applicants can enjoy from the Costa Rica digital nomad visa:

The ability to stay and work in the country for an entire year, as opposed to the 90 days of a standard tourist visa.
Exception from Costa Rican income tax on your earnings.
The option to open a national bank account in Costa Rica.
The option to validate a foreign driver’s license.
The ability to waive certain customs taxes on devices necessary to carry out your remote work.

How to Get a Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

There are a number of eligibility requirements to meet and actions to complete in the Costa Rica digital nomad visa application process.

Here are the five steps to getting yours:

Step 1: Confirm You’re Eligible

The first step in getting your Costa Rica digital nomad visa is confirming that you meet the requirements to qualify for one.

In order to make a successful application, you’ll need to:

Earn income through work for a foreign entity, either an employer or your own business.
Be able to prove you earn a stable monthly income of $3,000 USD or more. Note that if you’re applying for entry into the country for both you and your family members, this minimum will rise to $4,000 USD.
Have health insurance that aligns with the minimum coverage of Costa Rica’s national health service.
Have a valid driver’s license.
Later, if you’re looking to renew your digital nomad visa, you’ll need to reside in Costa Rica for at least 80 days of your first year in the country.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Once you’ve checked that you’re eligible to apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa, you’ll need to organize certain pieces of documentation that are required to file your application.

The documents you’ll need to gather include:

A valid passport.
Proof of travel insurance.
Proof of accommodation in Costa Rica.
An employment contract or proof of business activities if you’re self-employed, e.g., a client contract.
Where applicable, a declaration letter from your employer stating that you’re permitted to work remotely from Costa Rica and your monthly earnings.
A bank account statement that shows that you meet the financial requirements.
A copy of a valid medical insurance policy in Costa Rica that has coverage of at least $50,000.
Spanish translations of all official documents are made by a translator registered in Costa Rica.

Step 3: Register and Fill Out the Application Form

With your documents all in order, your next step is to register as a digital nomad visa applicant and complete your application form.

Here are the steps to register and fill out your application form:

Visit the Costa Rica government Directorate General for Migration (DGME) website, complete the digital nomad registration process, and pay the $100 USD registration fee.
If you’re planning to submit your application and documents in person, use the DGME website to schedule an appointment with your local Costa Rican consulate or embassy.
Use the DGME portal to fill out the required details of your visa application and upload the required documents. Remember that all official documents used to prove eligibility for the visa must be translated into Spanish by a translator registered in Costa Rica.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

To apply for a Costa Rica digital nomad visa, you’ll need to pay a fee of $100, which you’ll be prompted to pay as part of registering as a digital nomad applicant on the government portal.

Step 5: Submit the Application

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa application can be completed online or in person at a consulate or embassy. Once you’ve submitted it, you should receive the written resolution on the application within 15 calendar days.

Suppose you’re contacted about any issues regarding your application. In that case, you’ll need to fix these and complete the application within eight days of receiving the file in order to avoid the application expiring.

Pros and Cons of the Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa

If you’re considering a few different destinations for your upcoming digital nomad travel plans, here are some of the key pros and cons of the Costa Rica digital nomad visa to help you weigh your options.

Pros

The legal right to stay and work in Costa Rica for up to a year per successful application or renewal.
Income tax exception during your stay.
The ability to open a Costa Rican national bank account.
The ability to validate your existing driver’s license.
Waiving of certain customs taxes on equipment needed to carry out your work.
The option to sponsor your spouse or family members.

Cons

Strict financial requirements with higher minimums compared to many other digital nomad visas.
The work you’re permitted to carry out must be for entities based outside of Costa Rica, which can be limiting for business owners who want to find new clients in their local area.

What’s Next?

The Costa Rica digital nomad visa may be more restrictive than many other visas from around Latin America. Still, the benefits it can offer make it a fantastic choice for digital nomads looking to explore this beautiful country.

If you’re looking for insurance for your visa application, be sure to check out some of our global insurance plans for digital nomads.