Visitor & short-stay visas
Costa Rican Consular and Restricted Visa (Groups 3 & 4)
Pre-travel entry visa required for nationals of Group 3 (consular visa) and Group 4 (restricted, pre-approved visa) countries under Costa Rica's four-group system.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Official name
- Visa consular (Grupo 3) / Visa restringida (Grupo 4)
- Route type
- Pre-travel short-stay entry visa
- Authority
- Costa Rican consulates; Comisión de Visas Restringidas for Group 4
- Passport validity required
- At least 6 months (180 days)
- Applies to Group 3 and Group 4 nationals under the Directrices Generales de Visas.
- Validity of a stamped restricted visa
- 60 calendar days to enter
- Group 4: once the authorised visa is stamped it is valid for use for sixty días naturales.
- Deadline to use a restricted-visa authorisation
- 3 months, non-extendable
- Group 4: the applicant must complete the consular process within three months of being notified of the authorisation.
- Where to apply
- Costa Rican consulate (Group 4 decided by the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio)
- Photographs
- Two recent passport-sized photos, front view
Who it is for
- Nationals of Group 3 countries, who need a consular visa arranged before travel
- Nationals of Group 4 (restricted) countries, who need a specialised pre-approved visa
- Travellers who do not qualify for a US/Canada visa-or-residence exemption
How to apply
- Apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate for a Group 3 consular visa
- For Group 4, the consulate refers the application to the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio for approval before issuance
- Provide passport, photographs, and the supporting documents required by the consulate and DGME
Requirements
The application submitted to the consul should state the applicant's full name and surnames, nationality, passport number, place of residence, reason for travel, intended length of stay in Costa Rica, the approximate date and place of arrival, profession or occupation, the exact address where they will stay, date and place of birth, a contact for notifications, and the date and signature.
- A valid passport or accepted travel document. For Group 3 and Group 4 nationals, the passport must have at least six months (180 days) of remaining validity at the time of application
- A written application addressed to the Costa Rican consul (Group 3) or, for restricted nationalities, to the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio (Group 4), setting out the applicant's personal details and travel plans
- Evidence of the purpose of travel and of the intended length and address of stay in Costa Rica
- For Group 4 (restricted) applicants, the case must be referred to and approved by the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio before a visa can be issued
- Applicants must meet the conditions in Executive Decree 36626-G (Reglamento para el otorgamiento de visas) and the current Directrices Generales de Visas for their nationality group
Documents you may need
- Valid passport (minimum six months' validity for Group 3 and Group 4 nationals)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs, front view
- Completed visa application with all personal and travel details required by the consulate
- Supporting evidence of the purpose of travel (e.g. tourism or business)
- Proof of the address or accommodation where you will stay in Costa Rica
- For Group 4 restricted applications, any additional documents requested by the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio
Frequently asked questions
A consular visa applies to Group 3 nationalities and is applied for directly at a Costa Rican consulate, which can grant or deny it. A restricted visa applies to Group 4 (restricted) nationalities and cannot be issued by the consulate alone: the request must be sent to the DGME Unidad de Visas and approved by the Comisión de Visas Restringidas y Refugio before a visa is issued.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.