Costa Rican visa resources
Eligibility for Costa Rican Visas and Residence
How Costa Rica decides who may enter as a visitor and who qualifies for each residence or stay category.
Important
Eligibility for short-stay entry depends on nationality, through Costa Rica's four-group system: Group 1 nationals enter visa-free, Groups 2 and 3 face shorter stays or need a consular visa, and Group 4 (restricted) nationals need a pre-approved visa. Some Group 3 and 4 nationals are exempt if they hold a valid multiple-entry visa or residence from the United States or Canada.
Eligibility for residence depends on the category: an authorised employment relationship or specialised skills for worker residence; enrolment at a recognised institution for students; a qualifying family link for vínculo residence; a qualifying investment, guaranteed foreign income, or lifetime pension for the investor, rentista and pensionado categories; and stable foreign income for the remote-worker Estancia. Permanent residence generally requires three consecutive years of temporary residence or a first-degree link to a Costa Rican.
Across all categories, applicants must be able to provide a clean criminal-record certificate and support themselves and any dependants.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.