Costa Rica Visa
Do you need a visa to visit Costa Rica? Find your nearest Costa Rica Embassy.
Visit Embassy WebsiteOur Costa Rica Visa Guide will teach you everything you need to know about Costa Rica’s visa policy for people from all over the world, including different types of visas, particular requirements, visa sponsorships, visa fees, and more. It is critical to have a scheduled flight ticket in hand before applying for a visa to Costa Rica.
Who needs a visa to visit Costa Rica?
The following countries have to apply for a Costa Rica Consular Visa at a Costa Rica consulate in their country:
- Albania, Algeria, Arab Democratic, Columbia, Comoros
- Democratic Republic of Laos, Dominican Republic
- East Timor, Egypt, Gambia, Georgia, Guinea
- India, Indonesia, Jordan
Residents travelling from any other Country will require a visa. British Nationals do not require a visa on entry and can stay for up to 90 days.
For more information on visas to Costa Rica, you can visit their Embassy page.
Visit Embassy WebsiteEntry into Costa Rica
A round-trip aeroplane ticket is required for entry into Costa Rica. It will be requested by the immigration official upon your arrival. It is recommended that you make a photocopy or photograph of your passport with the entry stamp to have with you at all times throughout your stay.
The number of days you can stay in Costa Rica as a tourist is dependent on your country of origin.
In some instances, the Immigration Officer may request proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in the United States.
Even with a tourist visa valid for 90 days, the immigration official will decide the length of your stay based on the validity of your passport.
Visitors to Costa Rica are required to have a valid passport and evidence that they will leave the country before their visa or entry stamp expires, often within 90 days.
All non-resident travellers are required to have a return ticket or a ticket showing when they plan to leave the country, sometimes known as an outbound exit or onward ticket. Non-residents are required to get a return ticket if they are:
Utilizing a one-way ticket
Entry with a return ticket dated more than ninety days after arrival
Flying into Costa Rica and out of a different nation
Eligibility to apply for a Costa Rica visa
US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country). US passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica.
valid passport.
Return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days.
Processing time for Costa Rica visas
The processing time for a Costa Rica Tourist Visa is normally 30 calendar days. However, it may take longer if documents are lacking or if there is an issue with your application. The embassy or consulate of Costa Rica will contact you if more documentation is required. Please ensure that you have all the necessary papers before applying for your visa, as failure to do so could lengthen the procedure.
Appointment waiting times
The appointment waiting time is usually around 2 months. This could become longer or shorter depending on your individual circumstances and what kind of visa it is you are applying for. Please take this into consideration before applying.
Who can visit Costa Rica without a visa?
US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a valid passport and a ticket to leave the country within 90 days. (Either to return home or to travel to another country) A US passport must be valid for at least one day beyond the date of entry into Costa Rica. These rules also apply to British nationals.
For detailed information on specific parts of the general visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Costa Rica visa types
There are five different types of visas available, it will depend on the nature of your holiday, as well as the duration for your holiday which will tell you what sort of visa is needed. The different types of visas are listed below. It is important to note to ensure you have the correct visa for entry before travelling.
- Tourist Visa.
- Provisional Visa (student, teacher, resident, etc)
- Standards for Temporary Residence in Costa Rica.
- Requirements for Permanent Residence in Costa Rica.
- Yellow Fever Vaccine.
What to do if your Costa Rica visa is refused?
If your visa application is denied, you must wait six months before reapplying. If the visa is approved by the Costa Rican Immigration Office, the non-refundable fee will be $52.00. Some candidates may be required to make a security deposit to the General Office of Migration bank account in Costa Rica.